The setting of the epic is the sixth century in what is now known as denmark and southwestern sweden. While they may not be familiar with some epic stories, they probably are familiar with the star wars series of movies, or the lord of the rings and the harry potter series of books, which they may be surprised to learn also follow an epic hero cycle. All these are personality of an epic hero, which beowulf was a great epic hero. Understanding the significance of beowulf s acts requires an understanding of the key figures in the epic poem. Beowulf is an old english epic poem consisting of 3,182 alliterative lines. Beowulf is definitely a perfect example of an epic hero. In the story paradise lost, a christian epic poem the hero figure has been placed upon satan. Get an answer for what are important characteristics within beowulf that make beowulf an epic hero.
Search search educational resources search menu sign. They will be kings, princes, or nobles of some sort. Hrothgars mead hall has been attacked by grendel, a powerful monster, and his mother. The archetype of the heros journey free english learning and teaching resources from varsity tutors. Students will understand that the epic hero cycle can be utilised to plot epic tales. As a child, he borrowed his fathers sword to attack a nest of savage trolls that preyed on travelers. Students to work in small groups to fill out worksheet in reference to harry potter plus modern epic of students choice. Beowulf is the hero who battles the evil grendel and grendels mother. An epic by definition is a long poem, typically one derived from ancient oral tradition, narrating the deeds and adventures of heroic or legendary figures or the history of a nation. This does not in any way obscure the fundamental pattern of the. This quiz will ask you about beowulfs characteristics and how they support the traits of an epic hero. Beowulf, a young warrior in geatland southwestern sweden, comes to the scyldings aid, bringing with him 14 of his finest men. Characteristics of an epic hero by olivia bos on prezi.
In lines 91 and 92 it states that beowulf was the strongest man in the world. There is also a worksheet for students that prompts them to use evidence. Beowulf, the odyssey, all epic heroes this threepage document outlines. Two types of epics the marks of an epic the marks of an epic kennings your turn powerpoint presentation powerpoint presentation the blood feud wergold powerpoint. The archetype of the hero s journey free english learning and teaching resources from varsity tutors. Poem summary beowulf is the longest and greatest surviving anglosaxon poem. The characteristics of an epic hero beowulf, the odyssey, and. Choose from 500 different sets of epic hero beowulf flashcards on quizlet. Youre beowulf, are you the same fool who fought a swimming match with becca, exploring the deepest seas, risking your lives for no reason but the danger.
Of those translators who of those translators who have used verse, several have written from what would seem a. The hero s journey pdf this worksheet gives an overview of the hero s journey, as outlined by joseph campbell and others. Oct 07, 20 beowulf as an epic hero an epic hero is the central figure who has superior qualities and risks personal danger to pursue a grand quest. The epic warrior from earliest english literature beowulf was always a hero. Beowulf introduction, beowulf epic hero traits, and beowulf boast activity use this powerpoint as an introduction to beowulf and as a way to teach epic hero traits through a mnemonic device. Are the tasks beowulf undertakes tried by anyone else. Beowulf s physical strength, bravery, and wisdom characterize him as an epic hero. In the epic poem beowulf a hero emerges after the passing away of another.
It has provided me with the access to more material other than text books so i can provide my students a broader and richer learning experience. Beowulf is a typical epic poem in its serious tone and elevated language, which portrays characters, action, and setting in terms larger and grander than life. The main characteristics of an epic hero that beowulf shows is brave deeds, he is a strong and responsible leader, risks his life for the greater good of his people and his kingdom, has a great amount of courage, his inhuman strength, and his faith and gratitude. Essay about beowulf is an epic hero 850 words cram. This quiz will ask you about beowulf s characteristics and how they support the traits of an epic hero. Inspire and engage your students during a unit on epic narratives and beowulf by bringing the story to life. This interactive tool gives students the information they need to take a closer look at an epic hero or create a hero of.
Beowulf displays all of these heroic characteristics in many. Beowulf introduction, beowulf epic hero traits, and beowulf boast. The mode of redemption is not always clearly christian, and it is obvious that the epic embodies a deep strain of the old northern religion. The lessons in this unit emphasize fresh approaches to literary analysis. In connects students to the idea of an epic hero to heroes they know today and prepares them to read about beowulf, the ultimate epic hero. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Sample hero s journey unit pdf this outline provides a suggested unit using this sites resources. Beowulf introduction, beowulf epic hero traits, and beowulf. Apr 14, 2005 the epic warrior from earliest english literature beowulf was always a hero. Discover what makes an epic hero epic in these lesson plans. Worksheet appendix c 10 mins read simpson and his donkey. Students will make connections between the telling of epic tales over time, from ancient times to today. There is also a worksheet for students that prompts them to use evidence from the text to find these epic hero traits in the fight scenes of beowulf. Sample heros journey unit pdf this outline provides a suggested unit using this sites resources.
The heynesocin text and glossary have been closely followed. It makes beowulf a better leader because he done his job and got his men back to the homeland safely. The poem surrounds the life of beowulf and his adventures to slay monsters to save kingdoms. Teaching joseph campbells the heros journey creative. Beowulfs physical strength, bravery, and wisdom characterize him as an epic hero. Sign up for a free 30 day trial to instantly access highquality online books for kids, ebooks, audio books, quizzes, videos, and more. Each step is listed, along with examples from film and literature. Aug 24, 2018 use this powerpoint as an introduction to beowulf and as a way to teach epic hero traits through a mnemonic device. Not only does he slay grendel, but also his mother.
Epics are long poems that often contain at least one heroic figure. Comparing beowulf, an anglo saxon epic hero 1292 words. Beowulf is the perfect anglosaxon epic hero who displays courage, bravery, and strength during his battles against evil. Other than beowulf being the central character and presenting himself larger than life, he also is the definition of a hero. The characteristics of an epic hero beowulf, the odyssey, and more.
The king offer beowulf his kingdom to rule it as a result of his great reputation. King arthur, beowulf, siegfried, gilgamesh, and rama are all examples of epic heroes. On this quiz and worksheet, you will answer test questions on what a hero must have, why beowulf introduces. Characteristics of epic heroes denton independent school. Beowulf epic hero chart beowulf, english lesson plans. The odyssey by homer, mairelon the magician by patricia c. Monsters and heroes in beowulf the british library. Wrede, black wolves by kate elliott, the scroll of years by chri. This lesson is part of a larger unit on the epic of beowulf. What do these events say about the battle between good and evil.
It may be helpful to discuss epics that the students have previously read, such as the odyssey. Beowulf is an epic hero and an anglo saxon hero for many different reasons. One such tale, over a thousand years old, stands out from all the rest. Beowulf is a great epic hero because he performs many brave deeds such as risking his life for the greater good of society, and is significant and glorified by all people. Engage your students during remote learning with video readalouds. Written somewhere around bce, the epic poem is set in scandinavia and has been the inspiration for many stories and movies in modern day. Slaying monsters and receiving treasure seems to be the normal lifestyle for the epic hero, beowulf. A hero of the geats in sweden, beowulf renders aid to the king of the danes, hrothgar. Certain traits are common among epic heroes, and they help the reader to sympathize with and admire the hero. Beowulf is considered an epic poem in that the main character is a hero who travels great distances to prove his. Beowulf as an epic hero an epic hero is the central figure who has superior qualities and risks personal danger to pursue a grand quest. The return the atonement during this part of the epic beowulf earns to. An epic hero must undergo a dangerous journey and faces an enemy that threatens a nation or tribe an epic hero also embodies and represents the most cherished values and ideals of a society.
A noble birth most epic heroes will have an above average station in life. The poem opens with a brief genealogy of the scylding dane royal dynasty, named after a mythic hero, scyld scefing, who reached the tribes shores as a castaway babe on a ship loaded with treasure. In beowulf, the character of beowulf is considered an epic hero. The epic hero has an elevated status like a king and is usually related to the divine, though is not a god himself. An epic hero cycle the return beowulf returns from all his quest, with something learned new every time. The use of kennings, twoword metaphorical names for familiar things, is also a particular characteristic of anglosaxon poetry. These activities will help your students grasp the plot of beowulf in no time. Beowulf, the old english epic hero, comes alive again in the activities found in a teachers guide designed to. Beowulf introduction, beowulf epic hero traits, and. Beowulf, the epic hero there have been many grand stories about great warriors, and champions. Beowulf is an old english epic poem which survives in a single. Now a young man, he seeks to defend the danish king hrothgar from a monster named grendel. Beowulf s physical strength is revealed to the reader through his amazing feats and his unbelievable battles with mystical creatures. The heros journey pdf this worksheet gives an overview of the heros journey, as outlined by joseph campbell and others.
Compile a list of stories that follow this pattern. In this story courage is viewed as a form of glory. The whole idea of the hero was huge in anglosaxon culture. Students will understand some of the features of epic poetry. Beowulf, the tale of a great warrior, on his quest to achieve eternal glory, defeating great opponents. Beowulf, the epic hero of the poem, gives the main insight into their culture, demonstrating many of the anglosaxons ideal and important traits, such as pride, bravery, and strength. Beowulf epic hero chart beowulf, poetry lessons, english lesson. Characteristics of epic heroes most epic heroes possess most or all of 7 general characteristics you can use to help you decide if a character is, indeed, an epic hero or heroine. The leading digital library for kids offering unlimited access to 40,000 of the best childrens books of all time. The epic is a narrative poem that focuses on grand themes like fate, and it includes heroic characters and divine beings. Find epic hero beowulf lesson plans and teaching resources.
Are the tasks beowulf undertakes unusual in any way. An epic hero must undergo a dangerous journey and faces an enemy that threatens a nation or tribe an epic hero also embodies and represents the most cherished values and ideals of. Hrothgar once sheltered beowulf s father during a deadly feud, and the mighty geat hopes to return the favor while enhancing his own reputation and gaining treasure for his king, hygelac. An epic hero is the central figure who has superior qualities and risks personal danger to pursue a grand quest. He has three main fights during his life, where he faces a monster called grendel.
The epic of beowulf as an epic hero 1519 words 7 pages. Beowulf questions and answers discover the community of teachers, mentors and students just like you that can answer any question you might have on beowulf. The characteristics of an epic hero are laid out in a web design. Beowulfs physical strength is revealed to the reader through his amazing feats and his unbelievable battles with mystical creatures.
Beowulf can be viewed as the standard courageous hero. Beowulf demonstrates no shortage of braverythis is apparent throughout the entire text. A famous example of an epic hero is homers ulysses from his epic poem odyssey, though there are many more epic heroes in history. Beowulf is a great epic hero because he performs many brave deeds such as risking his life for the greater good of.
At the heart of the epic is the epic hero, who is almost always a man. What are the characteristics of an epic hero in beowulf. As beowulf gets close to danish ground, beowulf is a young guy who is looking for a quest and fame. The example of beowulf fighting the fearsome grendel with no weapon is one of many. After analyzing the picture books and presenting their findings to the class, students are encouraged to embark on the study of a more substantial text. Find epic hero lesson plans and teaching resources. Beowulf displays all of these heroic characteristics in many situations throughout the poem. What are important characteristics within beowulf that. Beowulf reflects the characteristics of an epic in many different ways.
1225 930 736 209 1140 596 930 382 393 795 780 837 1213 1604 626 1401 814 1417 1245 1673 437 906 1673 900 170 937 625 1074 149 765 126 384 854 1038 537 1147 1003