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(450-1066 A.D.)
Author UnknownEpic – a long narrative poem detailing a hero’s deeds.
Passed down through word of mouth by storytellers known as scops (pronounced she-ops)
Probably recited to harp musicWas written down at one point; many
mysteries remain surrounding text
Events in the poem take place between late 5th century & early 7th century
Composed in Old English or Anglo-Saxon Considered earliest major work of
English poetry A single manuscript exists, now in British
Library in London Caught fire in 1731, left pages burned
and brittle
3,000 lines longUnrhymed, four-beat alliterative
lines called alliterative verseTitle added later, no title included in
manuscript
http://youtu.be/NB7hpw7bCrE
Lived in tribesKings were decided by deeds, not
last namesSpoke Old EnglishPagans before adopting Christianity
Pagans = strong nature presence; strength of warrior
Anglo Saxons mixed both beliefs – Beowulf contains traces of both beliefs
Even when they adopted Christianity, they valued heroic ideals and traditional values
Culture valued human contact, family, virtue, and a good story Valued heroic code over tribal loyalties
Feared humiliation and lonelinessDesired richness, power, and valued
heroic actions of warriors
Story of noble warrior, BeowulfBecomes King of GeatsFights 3 major battles (Grendel,
Grendel’s Mother, Dragon)He travels from Scandinavia (modern
day Sweden) to Heorot (in modern day Denmark) Pronounced “hair-ut”
Warriors Strength, courage, loyalty
Kings Generous to his thanes (warriors) Show hospitality Strong political leader Anyone can become king
Society A good reputation
Poem's Hero: Beowulf http://youtu.be/-A9rFt7ITy4 a mighty warrior from the land of the
Geats (modern day Sweden) arrives in modern day Denmark (home
of Spear-danes or “Danes”) noble, courageous, bold, and stronger by
far than any other living mortal
Arrives to build his reputation Important to Anglo Saxons
When he arrives to Heorot, he has already defeated seamonsters
Grendel nightmarish creature–half-beast, half-
man–that strikes at night Born with dark heart and dark spirit Born out of chaos – from the lineage of
the biblical Cain (who killed his own brother)
Kings balance out chaos
Grendel's mother Disgusting creature Lives in swamp with her son
Fire-breathing dragon Dragons believed to be former kings
who were greedy Dragon is opposite of good king (ie:
Beowulf)
King Hrothgar (Dane) Hroth = benefit of; gar= spear Who Beowulf travels to help
Wiglaf (pronounced weeg-lauf) Wig= war/fight Young thane originally from Sweden (was a
prisoner)– loyal to Beowulf in his last battle Edgetho (pronounced ej-thoe)
Beowulf’s father who died when he was young
Danes Hrothgar and his thanes
Geats Beowulf and his men
Wulfing Tribe Hrothgar made peace with for
Beowulf’s father
Establishing Identity (Family Lineage vs. Individual Reputation)
Good vs. EvilStrong Warrior vs. Strong King
Thane = warriorMead-hall = built by King Hrothgar.
Place for men to gather, eat, drink mead (like beer), and tell stories
Wyrd = fateScop (pronounced she-op) = oral
storyteller; often to harp music; provided entertainment and education; sang or chanted stories
Hrunting = sword
Heorot is the mead-hall King Hrothgar built his men after much military success
Enjoyed prosperity there for a long time Until Grendel, monster who lives in the
swamplands just outside Heorot, becomes angered by their celebrations
He has been terrorizing Heorot for 12 years; Hrothgar’s men defenseless against him
Beowulf is well-known hero of Geatland not far from Denmark – the land of
DanesHe heard of the terror Grendel
causedHe brought 14 of his bravest men to
helpTraveled by sea to Denmark
Setting is vast scope, often involving more than 1 nation
Plot is complicated by supernatural beings or events and may involve a long, dangerous journey
Poem reflects timeless values (ex: courage, honor)
Poem treats universal themes (ex: life and death; good and evil)
Major characters often deliver long, serious speeches
Is of noble of birth or high position; often of great historical or legendary importance
Character traits reflect important ideals of his society
Performs courageous (sometimes superhuman) deeds that reflect the values of the era
Actions of hero often determine the fate of a nation or group of people