Epic heroes are a type of familiar character to most readers, and they are also considered essential to early literature. Because they are so common, epic heroes are often dismissed as bland characters. However, epic heroes warrant a closer look, as they are able to show us the values of cultures vastly different from our own.
This makes sense when one considers the origin of epic poems. They were first part of an oral tradition, and would have been passed down generation to generation by mouth. Epic poems were only written down later to ensure their preservation.
While the primary purpose of epic poems was entertainment, they also served a far more practical purpose: one of education. It only makes sense that societies would have ingrained their values in these tales. Stories are a subtle way to implant a fixed mindset into others. “Beowulf” is a perfect example, Beowulf displays ideal Anglo-Saxon values, and much can be learned of the Viking culture from him.
Allegiances with others were paramount to survival in the harsh environments of the Vikings, and loyalty was highly valued. This is shown in Beowulf: the majority of his actions are spurred by loyalty to others. When King Hrothgar is troubled by the demon Grendel, Beowulf immediately comes to the aid of the king, because his father “Ecgtheow, [had] acknowledged [the king] with vows of allegiance.” Beowulf does not take advantage of the king’s age and weakened state either, he never attempts to overtake the
What is the purpose of an epic? There must be a logical explanation to how they could still exist after all this time. Even stranger most people do not realize how regularly they show up. For example, when they read a story, watch a movie, or even play a video game, each and every one of them gives a story with an epic hero. Epics play a huge part in the world’s history from the B.C. ages to now. They show their dreams and values from there culture. Even now in America’s culture they play a bigger part then anyone could ever imagine. People do not realize that “[everyone] must fight [their] own Grendels and dragons – [as well as their own] inner and outer demons,” as said on page 55. Although from different time periods, both Beowulf, from the epic poem
He came to Hrothgar to offer his service because Hrothgar provided help to Beowulf's father. It is loyalty and appreciation that leads Beowulf to the Danish kingdom to help out. Hrothgar welcomes Beowulf, saying, "Beowulf, you've come to us in friendship, and because of the reception your father found at court" (Beowulf 39). Because of Hrothgar's intervention, there was peace between the Geats and the Danes, therefore ensuring the loyalty of Beowulf's family. Beowulf’s sense of loyalty is recognized when he speaks to Wealtheow, Hrothgar's queen, about his motives for coming to the court. “I had a fixed purpose when I put to sea. As I sat in the boat with my band of men, I meant to perform to the uttermost what your people wanted or perish in the attempt, in the fiend's clutches. And I shall fulfill that purpose, prove myself with a proud deed or meet my death here in the mead-hall” (Beowulf 632-638). Beowulf shows that his loyalty is with the king and the Danes, and he is willing to die in the process of trying to save them.
A hero can be defined in several ways. Someone can be considered a hero by the qualities he or she displays. The epic poem Beowulf, written by an unknown author, describes the most heroic man and role model of the Anglo-Saxon times. This hero Beowulf has all the qualities and traits that a true hero expresses. Beowulf, as depicted in the epic Beowulf, is the prototype of the epic hero, a larger-than-life figure who embodies the virtues and ideals of his culture.
Traditionally, an epic poem is a poetic narrative about a significant event normally featuring a hero. Epic poems frequently involve interactions between the heroes and the gods. In addition, epic poems arise out of Oral Traditions in poetry. Also, epic poem feature tragic deaths most of the time. Beowulf has just about every aspect of an epic poem.
Even though the stories are not real, there is a purpose behind them, such as to teach a lesson, for entertainment, or influence others to be more courageous. For example, most people after watching the movie Rocky feel more inspired to work out and get into better shape. Though he was not an epic hero he overcame great odds to reach his goal. The story is inspiration just like the epics and legends can be seen as inspiration. Just by reading these stories and poems we have a better understanding what the people of that time and culture valued
First, loyalty is very important to the Anglo-Saxon people. Loyalty is swearing allegiance to a person, place, or thing. There are many examples of loyalty in Beowulf. Beowulf is exceedingly loyal throughout the entire Anglo-Saxon epic. Beowulf shows loyalty to the Geats and his king. To elaborate, Beowulf shows loyalty to the Geats and his king, Hygelac, by notifying them of his plans to travel to the land of the Danes and help the Danish King, Hrothgar, defeat Cain’s descendant, Grendel, who has been terrorizing Hrothgar’s mead-hall. Beowulf is loyal and seeks the approval of the Geats and Hygelac before anything else(first and foremost), and Beowulf most likely would not have left the land of the Geats to help the Danes if his people and king did not approve. Also, Beowulf demonstrates loyalty to Hrothgar because of an allegiance between Beowulf’s father and Hrothgar. Beowulf helped the Danes for glory and because of a sense of devotion to Hrothgar who once helped Beowulf’s father, Ecgtheow, after he killed a man. Hrothgar paid the death price for
An epic poem is a long, narrative poem that is usually about heroic deeds and events that are significant to the culture of the poet. These poems tell tales of intense adventures and heroic feats. They often include cultural references to the time it was written and was a way for the people to spread their ideas and beliefs. Epic poems are very important when a person is trying to learn more about a certain culture or era in which the poem was written. Two of the most famous epic poems are Beowulf and The Odyssey. Although no two poems are exactly them same, Beowulf and The Odyssey do share a few similarities. Between Beowulf and The Odyssey, the most salient similarity they share is the way the monsters from the epics are symbolic and challenge
The Epic of Gilgamesh can be justly classified as an epic because it is a narrative poem. Because it is a long poem that
The epic hero is a figure of great stature and may be a character from history or legend. Epic heroes’ most remarkable traits are usually the ones most valued by the society from which the epic came. The main character in this epic is Odysseus. Odysseus is on a quest to find his home after a war. Odysseus is an epic hero.
A true epic hero has many very defining characteristics. Usually you will find this hero to be the alpha male. ' With an almost super hero personality, epic heroes are extremely above an average human being. This character must be of noble birth, and as a result, this gives them great respect and many resources. There is a deep reverence for the gods and this helps the hero through tough times. An epic hero is bravery than the other characters. They are willing to take bigger risks and reap greater rewards. Despite these strong traits, there is usually an element of deep suffering that the character must deal with through out his story. No matter what, however, the epic hero will always win out in the end in a good vs. evil type of
What is an epic hero? Although we would like to believe that a hero would always be there to save us as needed, that is not always the case. All heroes are different, but what makes them epic? Many would answer that question by saying because they are in an epic poem or story; however, that answer isn’t true. An epic hero, of course is in an epic narrative, but it is what they accomplish in that specific text. First, an epic hero has to make a grand journey and be in the Gods favor or shall we say the chosen one. Also, he has to be seen as superior than any other man. For clarification, the epic hero needs to be bigger, faster, stronger, and wiser than anyone else in the story, except for the Gods of course. Also, and epic hero is also
An epic hero is a hero who is brave and noble, and is admired for their great achievements. Equality 7-2521 shows to be an epic hero because he is capable of great deeds, stands for good, and proves himself to be a hero. Although Equality 7-2521 has his low points, he proves to be the ideal example of a hero. Throughout Anthem, Equality 7-2521 proves himself to be capable of great deeds.
Heroic values will always remain under the same basic forms of helping others and there will always be those willing to help. In Beowulf, the story by an anonymous author, Beowulf exhibits true heroism throughout his entire life brings glory upon himself and his land. Beowulf is a story that shows what it means to be a hero, and even in the present world heroism is being performed daily by thousands of people, all helping others like Beowulf. The heroic code in Beowulf shows that the successful must give back to their country and people around them, and this too is still a present idea in today's society. Heroic values from the time of Beowulf have changed very little up until present day, and are still prevalent in the world today.
What is an epic poem, and how does it differ from other kinds of poetry or storytelling?
The Anglo-Saxon time period was an era full of storytelling and lyrical poems. Storytellers developed an oral tradition during this period as they memorized, adapted, and passed along stories and songs. Many of the Anglo-Saxon stories were epics, which are long poems that tell a story of a heroic deed or a legendary event from the past. These epics invariably included an epic hero, or a larger-than-life figure that presented their courage, virtue, and skill against an evil or opposing figure. In addition to the epic hero, the Anglo-Saxon’s incorporated their values into the epics. By incorporating these into the songs, they were able to teach not only their values, but also life lessons to the audience.