Epic hero
Central figure in a long narrative- reflect values and heroic ideals in a society
5 characteristics of an epic
- Broad setting
- Hero figure of national/ cosmic importance
- Gods or supernatural beings take interest/part
- Ceremonial performance, narrated in ceremonial style HEIGHTENED SPEECH
- Superhuman deeds, challenges, actions
Alliteration
Repetition of sounds in the beginning of words
Kenning
Specified metaphor, similar to an epithet- COMPOUND WORDS
Caesura
Rhythmic pause found in poetry, unifies poem with extra breaks
Allusion
Reference to biblical passages
Origin of beowulf, tradition
Written in old english, end of anglo- saxon period, one transcript exists
Oral tradition, told through song to entertain
Noun, evil spirit, demon
Fiend
Adj - godless, uncivilized
Heathen
Verb- rid of an unwanted feeling
Purge
Noun- track of overgrown wasteland
Moors
Adj- irritated or annoyed
Vexed
Noun- punishment in return for an injury
Repisal
Verb- to eat a large amount, greedy
Gorge
Adj- having a poor reputation, well known reputation
Infamous
Noun- the destroyer
Afflictor
Adj- cloudy, dark, or obcene
Murky
Anglo saxon life
- ritualistic (cremated) burrials
- strong sense of community
- taught to fight, not educated
- loyalty valued
- sliver of democracy
Women in anglo saxon culture
- rights inherited
- weding gift of money or land
- in charge of christian monistaries
The bards: singing of gods and heros
Sung in communion halls Harps, songs of gods and heros Respected role Poetry important Pagans had no hope for the afterlife
Anglo- saxons sweep ashore
Germans invaded, pushed out local britians
Celts (real britians) retreated to wales
King alfred the great> first central english king
> defeated by William the conquernfeom normancy 1066
Romans
Invaded by ceasar 55bc > military strength > central government Built roads, wall 73, miles Christianity, unify people Left in 404 > england open to attack
