Beowulf

GovernmentDecisions for a village were usually done at town meeting or folkmoots, where every able-bodied man had a say.Might elect a war chief, but even a King was elected by the village males.King was selected for his family connections as well as his abilities.He would gather followers about him (thanes) to whom he gave protection and allegiance.Thanes in turn watched over farmlands and collected taxes.

The epic is a long, narrative poem recounting actions, travels, adventures, and heroic episodes.It usually deals with a few events in the life of a single person.The protagonist is heroically larger than life.The actions consist of brave or heroic deeds.It is written in formal style.

****Show Epic Hero P.Point Here. The Epic

In modern America, the hero may be a real person or a fictional character.

BeowulfLiterary Focus: The Epic Hero[End of Section]

What makes a hero today? Brainstorm a list of characteristics with your group that you believe a hero MUST have. Group Quick WriteBeowulf is a story about a hero from the British past who faces violence, horror, and death to save a people in mortal danger.

In your groups, take a moment to think about some people who you consider heroes. Then select one to write about. This person should be a contemporary hero, real or fictional.

Describe him or her and then answer these questions.What sort of evil or oppression does your hero confront?What motivates your hero?For whom does your hero confront evil?What virtues does your hero represent?**Be prepared to share your responses orally when finished. The hero is larger than life. Hes almost too good to be true.He risks personal danger to pursue a grand quest.The hero has superhuman courage, strength, bravery, and intelligence. The hero faces supernatural forces.The hero is of high physical and social status (noble birth). He reflects ideals of his society (ethical).He is a great warrior and leader. He risks death for the greater good of society.

Characteristics of Epic Heroeswyrd fatebard poet (often played a harp or lyre while reciting)fate vs. fame unavoidable destiny vs. only way an important personal, individual act could live forever (word of mouth); only way to defeat fate in a grim, violent worldKenning--metaphorical compound word or phrases substituted for simple nounsAlliterationrepetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of wordsCaesurarhythmical pauseComitatusGermainic code of loyalty

TermsBeowulf was composed in Old English, which uses a caesura, or rhythmic pause, to create unity. a com of more under misthleoum Grendel gongan, godes yrre br; mynte se manscaa manna cynnes sumne besyrwan in sele am hean. Line divided into two parts by a caesura.Locate the caesura (si-zhoo-r-uh) in these lines:

BeowulfThe Poetry of Beowulf

Here are the same lines in modern English from Burton Raffels translation:Out from the marsh, from the foot of mistyHills and bogs, bearing Gods hatred,Grendel came, hoping to killAnyone he could trap on this trip to high Herot.Punctuation reproduces pause effect of the caesura.BeowulfThe Poetry of Beowulf

The Anglo-Saxon oral poet also used the poetic device of alliteration.Grendel gongan, godes yrre br; mynte se manscaa manna cynnes

BeowulfThe Poetry of BeowulfFind examples of alliteration in Burton Raffels translation of lines 1-5: Out from the marsh, from the foot of mistyHills and bogs, bearing Gods hatred,Grendel came, hoping to killAnyone he could trap on this trip to high Herot.BeowulfThe Poetry of Beowulf

Find examples of alliteration in Burton Raffels translation of lines 1-5: Out from the marsh, from the foot of mistyHills and bogs, bearing Gods hatred,Grendel came, hoping to killAnyone he could trap on this trip to high Herot.BeowulfThe Poetry of Beowulf

Kenning: a metaphorical phrase or compound word used to name a person, place, thing, or event indirectly.

A kenning enhances the literal meaning of the words. A kenning gives the listener an idea of how the words connect to an idea or concept that is richer and more emotionally complex.BeowulfThe Poetry of Beowulf

Create modern-day kennings for things you see around you. giver of wordsword-wand????

BeowulfThe Poetry of Beowulf15Kitten: purr-full delight, mew-madnessSinger: siren of song, melody-museRacing car: road-shark, roar-racerAirplane: soar-silver streak, skys arrowMead Hall (contd)Men would gather at the tables to eat and drink mead (alcoholic beverage made with malt and honey).Chieftain and scop (village poet, pronounced shope) sat at one end of the hall.Hall was a long hall, possibly a whole building, with a long trench down the middle in which fires were built.Long tables were set on either side of the trench.

Christianity

Christianity came to England in 597 when Augustine was sent by Pope Gregory to share the faith.Founded the 1st church in Canterbury.Became the 1st Archbishop of Canterbury.Written in old EnglishOldest epic narrative in any modern European tongueUnknown authorshipDating from the early 8th centuryGives an excellent understanding of the spirit and embodiment of heroic tradition

A look at the first page in Old EnglishListen to lines 1-6 in Old EnglishCaesura rhythmical pause Alliteration the repetition of initial consonant sounds that enhance the structure inherent in the poetrys four-beat rhythmKennings compound-word metaphorsBefore we begin

This is a story about a hero from the misty reaches of the English past, a hero who faces violence, horror, and even death to save a people in mortal danger. The epics events take place many centuries ago, but this story still speaks to people today perhaps because there are so many people in need of a rescuer, a hero.Introduction to Beowulf

DenmarkHome of the Danes, King Hrothgar, and Grendel (and the mead-hall)SwedenHome of the Geats and Beowulf

From Where to Where . . . 25While were reading, think about the pagan and Christian elements of Beowulf. Some critics say the Christian elements were added much after the first tellings, others say they were there all along. What do you think?Which elements are more important and do you believe were intentional in the first tellings of the story?Keep a running list or mentally note pagan and Christian elements in the story.Pagan Pagan or Christian?