文档介绍：Beowulf
Introducing the Epic
Literary Focus: The Epic Hero
The Poetry of Beowulf: Caesuras, Alliteration, and Kennings
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Beowulf
the first great work of
English national literature.
the epic story of the hero Beowulf, who fights the demonic monster Grendel.
Beowulf is
Beowulf Introducing the Epic
Beowulf Introducing the Epic
Beowulf: nephew of Higlac, king of the Geats.
Hrothgar: king of the Danes.
Wiglaf: a Geat warrior, one of Beowulf’s select band and the only one to help him in his final fight with the dragon.
People
Beowulf Introducing the Epic
Grendel: man-eating monster who lives at the bottom of a foul mere, or mountain lake.
Monsters
Grendel’s mother: water-witch who seeks revenge.
Dragon: giant fire-breathing serpent whom Beowulf fights in Part Two of the epic.
Beowulf takes place in Scandinavia.
Places
Scholars think Herot might have been built on the coast of Zealand, in Denmark.
Scandinavia
Britain
Beowulf Introducing the Epic
Places
Herot: the golden guest hall built by King Hrothgar where warriors gathered to celebrate.
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Beowulf Introducing the Epic
The epic hero is the central figure in a long narrative that reflects the values and heroic ideals of a particular society.
An epic is a quest story on a grand scale.
Beowulf Literary Focus: The Epic Hero
Beowulf Literary Focus: The Epic Hero
Beowulf is one of ancient England’s heroes.
King Arthur
Joan of Arc
Other times and other cultures have had other heroes.
In modern America, the hero may be a real person or a fictional character.
Beowulf Literary Focus: The Epic Hero
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