Oral Tradition And The Middle Ages

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

The Epic of Gilgamesh and Beowulf contain everything we can expect from a great epic literature. It portrays fantastic geographies, exotic characters, exhausting quests, heroic battles with monsters, supernatural beings and natural forces. Most important of all, they are two outstanding stories of a great epic hero who is compelled to meet his destiny and who rises to every challenge with courage and determination.

What do Achilles, King Arthur, Harry Potter, and Beowulf all have in common? They all demonstrate the qualities of epic heroes. Beowulf represents several characteristics of an epic hero and demonstrates the values of the Anglo-Saxons. He is the main character of his story, he has a main goal, he travels and fights with a group of people, and he accomplishes many valorous deeds; the values of the Anglo-Saxons are also shown through the actions of Beowulf, such as courage, loyalty, and fame. For example, when Beowulf heard a cry for help in a far off land, he answered. He fought larger than life monsters, and won. His exceptional strength proves his epic courage and heroism.

Epics and legends show important values and traits that certain cultures, ethnic groups and even religions find important.

Each individual culture has many cultural truths that a group of people follow and believe in. Cultural truths are principles, values, or standards important to a group of people, which display moral behaviors that are respected and immoral actions that are scorned at. Also, cultural truths are norms in a society that you are born into and are expected to do daily because they shape the lifestyle of a group. For example, during the Anglo-Saxon period, there were a number of cultural truths that were applied to everyday actions and attitudes. An epic poem, composed based on the Anglo-Saxon period called Beowulf, written by an unknown author translated by Seamus Heaney, depicts many of the cultural values of the time period. In the poem, is it revealed that all the cultural values in the Anglo-Saxon culture are developed from the idea of a warrior culture. The epic poem is about a hero named Beowulf from the Geats tribe who goes off and helps Hrothgar and the Danes defeat a monster, Grendel, who attacks their mead hall. Before Beowulf meets his fate he fights three monsters, which includes Grendel, to protect the lives of people in two different tribes. Within the epic poem Beowulf, there are several of cultural values presented and focused on such as, courage in battle, fidelity to one’s word, and loyalty to kinsmen, which are all demonstrated by Beowulf.

Every culture has its own set of beliefs values and customs. Cultural beliefs, values, and assumptions are directly and indirectly acquired throughout a lifetime. A culture is the sum of a group’s way of life and this is no different with the ancient Anglo Saxon culture. Cultures usually have distinct figures that reflect their culture as a whole. The importance of religion, values, and heroes are reflected a great deal in the epic poem of Beowulf accurately showing the Anglo Saxon culture as a whole.

When discussing epic heroes, some of the more prominent ones that come to mind are Beowulf (from Beowulf), Hektor (from The Iliad), and Achilleus (also from The Iliad). These are all characters from literature who have displayed a multitude of the characteristics embodied in epic heroes. Each one of these literary figures has exhibited necessary traits needed to be considered an epic hero. Whether those traits are some of the common ones such as strength, honor, loyalty, perseverance, and bravery, or some of their own such as pride, intelligence, and morality. Whatever the case, these three have undergone difficulties and shown ties to the values held by their cultures within how they deal with issues. In this essay, I will attempt to

David states, “...perhaps Epics were some new stage in human development. An evolutionary breakthrough. I didn’t except that”(Sanderson 113).

Almost every culture is represented by a story-like poem called an epic. One of the oldest, written around 1000 C.E. is called Beowulf. Originally, this story was told orally, but much later was written in old English. This language was a hybrid of many other languages and has developed into the modern English we have today. Beowulf is about an Anglo-Saxon warrior who embarks on a journey to another land to kill a demon named Grendel, however, things don't go exactly to plan and Beowulf is faced with two creatures he must battle. Beowulf represents the ideal warrior for the Anglo-Saxon culture. The foundational principles of the culture and the motivations that drive Beowulf

Beowulf, the English Epic, gives knowledge to the reader regarding virtues of the Anglo Saxon society. In Beowulf, a man’s heroic qualities are recognized. Beowulf possesses the virtues, mannerisms, and knowledge that was respected in the Anglo Saxon time period. He displays these traits during different events in the course of the tale. Beowulf proves himself to be an epic hero by displaying intelligence and courage, while becoming a great warrior, and a national hero, jeopardizing his safety in order to complete his quests.

British literature like Beowulf and Gilgamesh hold several characteristics that make this type of literature unique. Each of theses stories hold similarities and difference that alter the course of the main character. Both Beowulf and Gilgamesh took vast journeys in their ruling as leaders, but they each took the journeys for different reasons. These two epic heroes of british literature both used the up in coming benefits of christianity in their journeys expressed in the novels, yet the two characters used the beliefs in different ways. Both of these men are viewed as having great amounts of power and through analyzing it can be determined that the men use their powers to different extents. Gilgamesh and Beowulf are two heros that have a number of similarities and differences in their epics.

The representation of an epic hero is found throughout Anglo-Saxon literature. The origin of english literature comes from Beowulf, the earliest known work written in old english. Beowulf is a renowned epic that has been around for years and is the basis of epic literature. Beowulf closely relates to another epic film called The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the ring, there are certain attributes in both the film and poem that reflect the epic qualities. Just like any other epic Beowulf and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring contain qualities such as a grand journey or deed of some sort, larger than life hero(s), and divine intervention.

For centuries, culture has molded our minds into believing what is and what isn’t considered an epic. In present day, there are six concrete characteristics that every epic possesses. The poem, Beowulf, is the perfect example of an epic. It contains all of the characteristics that an epic requires, and embodies them exquisitely.

An epic, is a lengthy narrative poem concerning about social and political organization, and events significant to a culture or nation. In Fred Robinson words, much of Beowulf is devoted to show the Germanic heroic code, in different aspects, which values strength, courage, bravery and loyalty in warriors; hospitality, generosity, responsibility and political skill in kings; ceremoniousness in women; and good reputation in the inhabitants.

An epic is a long, episodic narrative poem that recounts the adventures of a historical or mystical hero. Episodic narratives have a larger story broken down into closely connected, but individual and separate sections. Some important qualities that distinguish an epic are unrealistic antagonists, the Gods and Goddesses playing important roles, and a story involving the re-establishment of a proper leader. “The Odyssey”, by Homer, is an epic because Odysseus (the hero) faces supernatural antagonists, the gods and goddesses play an important role, and Odysseus is being restored as a rightful leader.