Epics are Awesome

The word "epic" is sometimes used as a synonym for "awesome" and to a certain extent all epic poetry is awesome. The reason the word is so frequently used this way is because Epic poems almost always deal with awesome subject mater. Epic poems frequently focus on great heroes and their triumph over evil monsters or invading armies. However, beneath all of this action and adventure, Epic poems reveal a great deal about the cultures which lead to their writing. Epics show us what a culture ate, and how they did so. They show us what character traits were important, and which were to be avoided.

Epics, therefore are always two sided.

• They show us what a culture believed an idealized hero should be.

• The telling of the story also reveals what the culture was really like.

Another thing to consider as you read Epic poetry, is how these tales influenced contemporary writers. Consider how heroes are portrayed in modern movies such as The Avengers or The Hunger Games.

Activity: Epic Analysis

While there are many great epics to choose from, I have selected a passage from Beowulf. This is an Epic Poem written in Old English, and the text I have selected was translated by Seamus Heaney, an exceptional Irish poet who wrote in the 20th and 21st Centuries. Read the excerpt carefully, and then answer the questions provided. The link below will make a copy of the worksheet for you.

Epic Analysis