Transcript NotesaboutBeowulf

Notes about Beowulf

1st thing found written in English language

It’s an epic—includes many motifs (recurring elements)
of heroic literature that are found around the world…and
throughout time

about 3200 lines for the bard to memorize and perform

composed in Old English

ancient story…put to music much later

person who wrote down the words of our version was
probably a monk because there are obvious Christian
add-ons
Qualities of an Epic
Epic = Long narratives (stories—older ones in
poetic form) about the adventures of largerthan-life characters (Beowulf).

The hero is a great leader strongly identified
with a particular people or society.

The setting of the story is broad…often includes
scenes from the upper and lower worlds.
 The
hero does great deeds in battle
and/or goes on a dangerous journey
(quest).
 Sometimes
the supernatural plays a
part (gods, monsters, magical
weapons, magical beings, etc.)
 The
story is told in heightened
language (language that is really
fancy).