BEOWULF First epic of England What is it? Anglo-Saxon literature (starting in 449 A.D.) takes on two...
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BEOWULF First epic of England What is it? Anglo-Saxon literature (starting in 449 A.D.) takes on two typical forms: Elegiac poem: poem that grieves for
What is it? Anglo-Saxon literature (starting in 449 A.D.) takes
on two typical forms: Elegiac poem: poem that grieves for the dead
Heroic poem: epic verse that recounts the deeds of a famous warrior
or warriors Beowulf is the first surviving heroic poem written
entirely in the English language.
Slide 4
Dates from the 8 th -11 th centuries (manuscript survives from
the 11 th ) Action takes place in sixth-century Scandinavia
Originally told in Old English (language spoken by Anglo-Saxons in
England during the years 500-1100) by scops, traveling minstrels
who made their living by entertaining listeners (usually after
feasting!) with poems, songs, and stories. Beowulf read aloud in
Old English
Slide 5
Could have been easily lost Manuscript survived in a
Renaissance antiquarians possession; in 1731, the manuscript was
saved from a fire but did not escape damage: 2,000 letters crumbled
away from the edges of the manuscript. An Icelandic scholar (Grimur
Jonsson Thorkelin) transcribed the manuscript in 1786 and published
it in 1815. As the manuscript itself deteriorated further;
Thorkelins work was essential for scholars to preserve certain
parts of the poem. And thank goodness! Just imagine if you couldnt
read Beowulf today!
Slide 6
Many sources Scandinavian Sagas German Heroic Poetry Irish folk
tales Classical Epics ( Odysssey and Aeneid ) Old Testament Newly
Christian society
Slide 7
Huge debate over the pagan and Christian elements in the poem
The FACTS: That the scribes of the Beowulf manuscript were
Christian is beyond doubt (monks transcribing in a monastery). And,
Beowulf was transcribed in Christianized England (conversion took
place in the sixth and seventh centuries A.D.) YET the only
Biblical references in the poem are to the Old Testament: Christ is
never mentioned.
Slide 8
Questions to ponder The poem is set in pagan times. Beowulf
does offer prayers to the Father Almighty, however. So is Beowulf a
pagan who uses Christian phrases? Is Beowulf a Christian? Is the
narrator a Christian? How is he describing (or even judging) this
pagan society? Finally, is the poem a Christian or a pagan
poem?
Slide 9
Review Beowulf is the ________ surviving heroic poem in the
English language. (most accurate, most distinguished, oldest, most
violent). German storytellers who first told the tale of Beowulf
were known as _______ (bards, minstrels, tenors, scops). Which of
these is not a source for Beowulf ?: Irish folktales, Scandinavian
sagas, the New Testament, The Odyssey