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Heroes in Oral and Written Tradition

 

This is apparent when Achilles becomes angry with Agamemnon and abandons the war effort, however he later returns and leads the Greeks to victory (Beye 115). Devotion to this duty was very important to the Ancient Greeks, as was the preservation of honor (Lowrey 4). Achilles is also very conscious of preserving his honor, to the extent where he refuses all of Agamemnon's gifts since accepting them would be a concession of Agamemnon's higher status (5). As a role model, Achilles promoted warrior values which would benefit society. With culture shaping early epics through oral tradition, there could be no individual hidden agenda. However, as the epic tradition progresses, this begins to change.
             The Faerie Queene written by Edmund Spenser, is one of the most notable epic poems written during the early modern time period. The entire epic is an allegory: each character represents a virtue and each setting represents a place. Although incomplete (Spenser died before he could finish it), the message behind the poem is clear. Spenser, the sole author, used the poem to convey his support of Queen Elizabeth and the Protestant beliefs that he shared with her. In the poem, the Faerie Queene, also referred to as Gloriana, represents an idealized version of Queen Elizabeth. Even though she does not appear in the poem, those around her speak of her highly and her kingdom in Faerieland is often an end goal for the characters. For example, in Book I, Canto I, Spenser describes the adventure that the Redcrosse Knight must embark on:.
             Upon a great adventure he was bond,.
             That greatest Gloriana to him gave,.
             That greatest Glorious Queene of Faerie lond,.
             To winne him worship, and her grace to have,.
             Which of all earthly things he most did crave; (Faerie Queene 19-23).
             It is clear that the Redcrosse Knight holds Gloriana in the highest regard, which parallels how Spenser feels about Queen Elizabeth. Spenser also wrote what is widely acknowledged as a preface to The Faerie Queene called "Prefatory Letter to Sir Walter Raleigh on The Faerie Queene".


Essays Related to Heroes in Oral and Written Tradition

1. Oral Tradion

The Oral Tradition:Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali How Can A Historian Use Oral Tradition When Writing History Oral tradition is a history or a story passed down from generation to generation through word of mouth. ... Oral tradition is significant in all cultures and societies. The oral tradition tells stories of the past and of how things use to be. ... Legends are oral traditions related to particular places and often involve culture heroes, witches, ghosts, or some other phenomenon related to that place. ... Some historians research the facts of the epics with ancient written artifacts ...

  • Word Count: 1350
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Grade Level: High School

2. Greco-Roman Influences on Major World Religions

While the Pharisees were occupied with Oral Torah, and the traditions of oral communication, the Greco-Roman influence would soon begin to swallow up these ancient traditions. During the prominence of the Greco-Roman culture, scribes began copying oral stories and traditions into print. ... "The use of written literature, however, did not replace the use of oral tradition, but was simply constructed in order to be read aloud. "Even in highly literary activity, such as that of classical Greece or the Roman Empire, the written text was usually the companion piece of an oral performance, whether...

  • Word Count: 1866
  • Approx Pages: 7
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

3. Beowolf

Scops passed this epic for two hundred years until it was finally written down by a Christian monk in 700 A. ... The hero Beowulf continually demonstrates bravery throughout this cartoonistic tale which eventually leads to foolhardiness, a characteristic of the human condition that is still valid today, and leads to his death. ... It was readily available due its oral tradition of being passed down by scops and later written by a Christian monk. ... Everyone needs a hero. ...

  • Word Count: 403
  • Approx Pages: 2
  • Grade Level: High School

4. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF AFRICAN AMERICAN PROVERBS

The thing that is especially interesting about the use of proverbs in African American writings is its suggestion of a movement from the written language back to the oral. ... "African Literature, oral and written, was produced on the African continent. Africa has a long literary tradition, although very little of this literature was written down until the 20th century. ... This is true with all cultures where oral tradition is prevalent. When a culture relies on oral tradition to pass on legends, stories and proverbs, the importance of the speaker is essential to preserve ones culture. ...

  • Word Count: 2075
  • Approx Pages: 8
  • Grade Level: High School

5. Native Americans Influence on Literature

It is through these surviving traditions stories of early times are salvaged. Most of the Native American traditions distinguish between songs and narratives. ... Through these orators and the stories passed down orally, eventually essays and books are written. ... Besides the translations of oral stories and legends from early Native Americans come pieces written by Indian authors about history. ... A poem written by Anna L. ...

  • Word Count: 1765
  • Approx Pages: 7
  • Grade Level: High School

6. Mythology

Myths have generally originated from a Greek history that used an oral tradition to explain events that occurred before the written word. ... Most early myths dealt with the creation of man, religious rights, lives of gods, heroes, and the retelling of bible stories. ... Each culture has a myth explaining how man was created that they believe is correct based on their oral tradition. The Greek's believed that the Gods were responsible, while the Indians believed that spirits accomplished the creation of man based on taught tradition. ...

  • Word Count: 669
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Grade Level: High School

7. Mythology

Myths have generally originated from a Greek history that used an oral tradition to explain events that occurred before the written word. ... Most early myths dealt with the creation of man, religious rights, lives of gods, heroes, and the retelling of bible stories. ... Each culture has a myth explaining how man was created that they believe is correct based on their oral tradition. The Greek's believed that the Gods were responsible, while the Indians believed that spirits accomplished the creation of man based on taught tradition. ...

  • Word Count: 697
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Grade Level: High School

8. The writings of Homer and Hesiod

Homer is said to be of the oral tradition, and thus inspired somebody to put his epic poems on paper. ... Hesiod's Works and Days is written like the ten commandments of the Judaic bible. ... Homer set the guideline for defining a hero. ... One such modern hero is Colin Powell. It is not hard to see how Homer's heroes have influenced what or whom we call a hero today. ...

  • Word Count: 882
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Grade Level: High School