Daily Spark 2/7Daily Spark 2/7

• In your journal..In your journal..– In your own words define the In your own words define the

characteristics of a hero.characteristics of a hero.

An Epic is…An Epic is…

• A long narrative poem that celebrates A long narrative poem that celebrates a hero’s deeds. a hero’s deeds.

• Survived as oral traditions before they Survived as oral traditions before they were written downwere written down

• Based on historical factBased on historical fact• Repetition of words, phrases or even Repetition of words, phrases or even

lineslines– Stock epithetsStock epithets– KenningsKennings

Stock EpithetsStock Epithets

• Adjectives that point out special Adjectives that point out special traits of particular people or thingstraits of particular people or things

• Sometimes they are compound Sometimes they are compound adjectives consisting of two words.adjectives consisting of two words.

KenningsKennings

• Poetic synonyms in Germanic poemsPoetic synonyms in Germanic poems• A descriptive phrase or compound A descriptive phrase or compound

word that substitutes for a noun.word that substitutes for a noun.• In In BeowulfBeowulf we will read about “the we will read about “the

Almighty’s enemy” and “sin-stained Almighty’s enemy” and “sin-stained demon”, which are used to refer to demon”, which are used to refer to Grendel.Grendel.

Characteristics of an Characteristics of an EpicEpic

• The hero is generally male, of noble The hero is generally male, of noble birth or high position, & often of birth or high position, & often of great historical or legendary great historical or legendary importance.importance.

• The hero’s character traits reflect The hero’s character traits reflect important ideals of his societyimportant ideals of his society

• The hero performs The hero performs courageous/superhuman deeds that courageous/superhuman deeds that reflect the values of the erareflect the values of the era

Characteristics of an Characteristics of an Epic (cont.)Epic (cont.)

• The actions of the hero often The actions of the hero often determine the fate of a nation or determine the fate of a nation or group of peoplegroup of people

• The setting is vast in scope, often The setting is vast in scope, often involving more than one nationinvolving more than one nation

• The poet uses formal diction and a The poet uses formal diction and a serious tone.serious tone.

• Major characters often deliver long, Major characters often deliver long, formal speeches.formal speeches.

Characteristics of an Characteristics of an Epic (cont.)Epic (cont.)

• The plot is complicated by The plot is complicated by supernatural beings or events and supernatural beings or events and may involve a long and dangerous may involve a long and dangerous journey through foreign lands.journey through foreign lands.

• The poem reflects timeless values, The poem reflects timeless values, such as courage and honor.such as courage and honor.

• The poem possesses universal The poem possesses universal themes, such as good & evil or life & themes, such as good & evil or life & deathdeath

Popular Movies that are Popular Movies that are considered “Epic”considered “Epic”

• Star WarsStar Wars• Lord of the RingsLord of the Rings

Strategies for ReadingStrategies for Reading

• Make note of the epic characteristicsMake note of the epic characteristics• Decide what virtues the hero Decide what virtues the hero

embodiesembodies• Determine the hero’s roleDetermine the hero’s role• Use a list to keep track of charactersUse a list to keep track of characters• If a passage confuses you, go back If a passage confuses you, go back

and try to “translate” it.and try to “translate” it.