Take 20 on Beowulf

20 slides of information related to the Anglo-Saxon text Beowulf, including

key literary terms and ideas

Language of Beowulf

The text dates back to c.1000

Written inOld English

FUN FACT:

100 of the most used words today are Old English ones

By Wordle.net

Language of Beowulf

Words a people havetell us of their concerns.in the text of Beowulfthe Anglo-Saxons have 36 words for "hero"

12 words for "battle"

11 words for "ship"

By asteri611 at http://www.flickr.com/photos/28722563@N05/4457516945/

ANGO-SAXON LITERATURE

scop -minstrel poet who performed poetry in the oral tradition at feasts

ANLGO-SAXON LITERATURE

caesura –mid-line pause in a verse

Thus, the Spear-Danes in days gone byand the kings who ruled them had courageWe have heard of their heroic campaignsThere was Shield Sheafson, scourge of many,a wrecker of mead benches, plundering foes.

ANLGO-SAXON LITERATURE

alliteration – repetition of letter sounds

The fortunes of war favored Hrothgar.friends and kinsmen flocked to his ranks, young followers, a force that grew to be a mighty army.

The fortunes of war favored Hrothgar.friends and kinsmen flocked to his ranks, young followers, a force that grew to be a mighty army.

So his mind turnedto hall-building: he handed down ordersfor men to work on a great mead hallmeant to be the wonder of the world forever; it would be his throne-room

ANLGO-SAXON LITERATURE

kenning – concise compound metaphors

By Andrew Becraft at http://www.flickr.com/photos/12426416@N00/220636733/

ANGLO-SAXON LITERATURE

epic – long narrative poem, written in a formal style, about a hero, who represents the ideals of a people

“Thor” By Sarai Mitnik at http://www.flickr.com/photos/78583096@N00/3998600562/“Celtic Cross” By Billy Ker at http://www.flickr.com/photos/49359663@N00/148982511/“Esus on The Pillar of the Boatmen.” at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Le_Pilier_des_Nautes_01.JPG

Beowulfis a pre-Christian storywritten by a Christian monk, so we see the transition of Anglo-Saxons from Norse and Celtic polytheismto Christianity

wyrd – Anglo-Saxon concept of fate

By Drowned Man at http://www.flickr.com/photos/26936744@N06/3529991364/

FUN FACT:

We still honor these Norse-Celtic gods. How?

TIU, WODEN, THOR, FRIA

By Andrew Becraft at http://www.flickr.com/photos/dunechaser/103721206/

mead – alcoholic drink of fermented ale and honey

By Charles Youngs

Anglo-Saxon drinking cups

wyrd – Anglo-Saxon concept of fate

2008 Regia Anglorum Photo used by permission courtesy of www.regia .org.

meadhall – center of Anglo-Saxon social life

Oseberg Viking Ship 9th C

By Karen P. at http://www.flickr.com/photos/10414249@N08/2990787238/

By Rachel H at http://www.flickr.com/photos/bagelmouse/2745343992, and http://www.flickr.com/photos/bagelmouse/2744507525

Saxon Clasp and Hinge

Notice the artistry in design of metal and semi-precious gems

Sword hilt and brooch -- 600s

By Kotomi Yamamura at http://www.flickr.com/photos/kotomi-jewelry/2661510037/in/photostream/ and http://www.flickr.com/photos/kotomi-jewelry/2662335562

Also of note:Book of Kellsc. 800

The Gospel, or first 4 books of the New Testament

illuminated manuscript –text supplemented with decoration: initials, borders, marginalia, etc.

Beowulf is not an illuminated manuscript

ANGO-SAXON LITERATURE

Venerable Bede

monk who wrote History of English Church and People

By Robert Scarth at http://www.flickr.com/photos/robert_scarth/2468987080/

This a page from The History of the English Church and People

What type of text is it?

QUIZ: Define these terms related to Anglo- Saxon Literature. Can you name an example?

ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPTSCOPCAESURA ALLITERATIONKENNINGEPIC

By Matthew Sylvester at http://www.flickr.com/photos/62779770@N00/2562738982/