The Epic and

Anglo-Saxon Period

Epic

n A long narrative poem that recounts the exploits of a larger-than-life hero.

n 2 types: 1. folk epic- no certain authorship; arise from storytelling.

Ex. Beowulf 2. Literary epic- composed by known authors.

Ex. The Iliad

Characteristics of an Epic

n  Center on a hero (usually male) and grand events n  Focuses on a particular race or nation (the hero

embodies the ideals of his people) n  Plot involves supernatural events n  Death-struggles between good and evil n  Defeat of evil forces often determines the fate of the

nation or group n  Epics are records of the cultures that produced them

Characteristics of an epic hero

n  Is superhuman n  Has great physical

strength n  Interested in fame n  Loyal to his king and

to the gods or fate n  Seeks blood revenge n  Of historical or

legendary importance

The Anglo-Saxon People

n 3 Germanic tribes invaded Britain in 449: Angles, Saxons, and Jutes

The Anglo-Saxon People

n Barbarian tribes (uncivilized and cruel- Ex. they would raid one another’s shores to loot and would burn down each other’s settlements.)

n Lacked written language n Supported themselves through farming

and hunting

n  Mead halls, large banquet halls, were the center of communal life (mead is type of beer)

n  Took great pride in naming houses and swords

Anglo-Saxon Beliefs

n  Pagan (believed in many gods); this religion offered no hope of an afterlife, so fame was the best prospect they had for immortality

n  had a strong belief in fate (Wyrd)

n  Believed in monsters and dragons

Anglo-Saxon Relationships

King: comitatus was a common occurrence- kings were forced to be generous to insure loyalty of their subjects so in exchange for their loyalty, the king would give gifts. Women: were hostesses; little social value

n Oral and simple: songs, riddles, poetry n Scop (pronounced “shop” with a long Ō) were composers, storytellers, and entertainers who traveled from court to court.

Literature

Sometimes I travel along under The waves, where no one can see me, hunting The bottom of the ocean. The sea whips And heaves, tossing up whitened foam, Roaring and shrieking. Flooding water Crashes and beats on the shore, hurling Stones and sand and seaweed and great breaking Waves on the high cliffs, while I Go struggling deep in the ocean, thrashing In its darkness. But I can’t escape, pull off The waves from my back, till he allows me, He who always guides me. Say. . . Wise man, Who draws me from the ocean’s arms When the waters are still again, when the waves That covered me over are gentle and calm.

Important Events

n  Coming of Christianity (In 596 missionaries attempted to convert the Anglo-Saxons to Christianity and England was mostly Christian by 650.)

n  England fell to Danish invaders then was recovered by the Saxon

king, Alfred the Great n  Anglo-Saxons lost the England throne again to the Duke of

Normandy (Battle of Hastings) n  Dark Ages- war against France, the Black Death, rival popes caused

a decline in respect for the church. n  The 5th - 14th centuries marked a time of upheaval and uncertainty

for England, and the people looked for reassurances in the form of a hero

Anglo-Saxon definition of a hero:

n A hero embodied- – Courage – Strength – Loyalty – Wisdom in guiding others – Supreme self-confidence – Honor and virtue