Beowulf Terms

Epic

a long narrative poem that celebrates a hero’s deeds

Epic Hero

noble birth (royalty), having traits that reflect important ideals in society, are superhuman and have a determined fate

Epics Share Conventions

larger than life events

Setting

more than one nation

Plot

fight against the supernatural, foreign lands

Dialogue

formal speeches

Theme

timeless values — courage, honor — universal themes - good & evil and life and death

The Original Beowulf Manuscripts

only one copy exists, nearly destroyed in the 18th century, it has been preserved, author is anonymous, the manuscript was written by Christian monks

Symbolism

physical representation of a theme or abstract thought (idea) — heaven, hell, pagan, Christianity

Scops

poets… Sang the poems

Paganism

fate, many gods — Christianity - only one god — God’s will

Mead

alcoholic drink

Mead-Hall

a large wooden building that provided a safe haven for warriors returning home. The Warriors would eat, drink, talk, have entertainment (scops) and sleep — (HEROT — the name of the mead hall in Denmark

Mail Shirt

chain mail - flexible body armor made of metal links with overlapping metal scales

Anglo-Saxons

people who lived in England — believe in Paganism later converted to Christianity

Old English

an older version of the Modern English Language

Thane

soldier

Dane

person from Denmark

Geat

person from Sweden

Wyrd

fate/outcome of battles

Wergeld

“killer” in battle gives family of the dead compensation for their loss

Beowulf

epic hero — protagonist - bear - wolf

Kenning

a literary term which uses words or phrases to take the place of the name of a person, place or event

Metaphor

when a comparison is made between two things

Personification

when objects, ideas, or animals are given human characteristics

Allusion

a reference to a popular text, person, or historical event

Foreshadowing

when the author gives hints and clues to what might happen later in the plot

Alliteration

the repetition of beginning consonant sounds at least 2 times in a row

Symbol

a representation of an idea or thought

Dramatic irony

when the audience/reader knows more than the characters

Livid

discolored from being bruised

Purge

to cleanse or get rid of something undesirable

Infamous

bad reputation

Lair

den or resting place of an animal