BEOWULF

Beowulf is an English epic whose author is unknown. Its history traces it back from the time when the Jutes, Angles and Saxon invaded England, around 1100 AD. Long before it was called England, since Angles and other barbarians and viking resided the place, they called it Angle-land until it became ENGLAND.

In the epic, Beowulf manifested to be a typical hero who travels for adventure. He then came to Hrothgar's Place. It was put to great terror by the monster named Grendel who devours the King's warrior after their merry making. 

Beowulf was the only one who dared to hurt and kill Grendel. After slaying the monster, Grendel's mother went to haunt Beowulf as a revenge. During their battle, the monster died yet Beowulf was also hurt. 

On his last adventure, Beowulf battled with a Dragon, wherein he died because his injury wasn't fully healed. 

Check the link for the epic's summary and other useful analysis and information.http://www.lone-star.net/literature/beowulf/

There is also a film to see. www.imdb.com/title/tt0442933/

Iliad and Odyssey

ILIAD & ODYSSEY is Greek's greatest epic written by a blind poet named HOMER.

Iliad is a story of war between the Greeks and the Trojans. Here, Helen, who is popular for the idiom, "the face that launched a thousand ship", is the reason of the war. Helen was abducted by Paris, the "thrown" son of King Priam (King of Troy) because of the oracle that he will be the cause of their kingdom's destruction. The enraged husband of Helen, "king Menelaus together with his brother Agamemnon and his greatest heroes Achilles, Odysseus and others. Together they sailed to Troy claim Helen.

Prior to that is the story of the Golden Apple (with the phrase: To the fairest of them all) which was thrown by Thetis (goddess of discord) during a wedding wherein she was not invited.
Because the goddess were all around, most of them claimed it, however 3 goddess firmly held that the apple must be for her. It was Aprodite (goddess of love), Athena (goddess of war and wisdom) and Hera (wife of Zeus). Zeus decided that the conflict be solved through a mortal. Paris was chosen to choose among the three goddesses. His decision resulted to the greatest war in Greek history.

Odyssey on the other and is the sequel of Iliad. It centers on the adventure of Odysseus. After the ten year war in Troy, due to the anger of Poseidon, his ship was blown by the winds and waves to many places for another ten years. 20 years without seeing his kingdom and family. Also, the story manifests a wonderful love between Odysseus and his wife Penelope who waited for 20 years, defying the time and distance.

Since, this is epic, originally these are all long narratives written in verse, thus it would be hard to comprehend. Reading the summaries is advised. There are also available movies if you want to see it.
Check the link:

TROY http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0332452/

ODYSSEY http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118414/

Here are few links that would help you on further information of this epic.

http://iliadodyssey.com

"Reading will take you to different places while sitting"

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this blog is designed to share the lessons and notes for SPA students.
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