English is a melting pot of indo-european languagesEnglish is a melting pot of indo-european languages

Celtic Latin German French

Celtic Latin German French

Quick History of English Language

Quick History of English Language

Old English (OE) dates from approximately* 400 A.D. to 1066

Middle English (ME) dates from approximately 1066-1485

They are quite different to the eye and ear. Old English is nearly impossible to read or understand without studying it much like and English speaker today would study French, Latin, or Chinese

Old English (OE) dates from approximately* 400 A.D. to 1066

Middle English (ME) dates from approximately 1066-1485

They are quite different to the eye and ear. Old English is nearly impossible to read or understand without studying it much like and English speaker today would study French, Latin, or Chinese

Old englishOld english

Old English also known as SAXON The principle invading Germanic Tribes were the

ANGLES, SAXONS, JUTES, and FRISIANS Anglo- Saxon dialects developed into Old English The most commonly used words today derive

from those early Anglo- Saxon roots Later the language was influenced by the French

speaking NORMAN INVADERS

Old English also known as SAXON The principle invading Germanic Tribes were the

ANGLES, SAXONS, JUTES, and FRISIANS Anglo- Saxon dialects developed into Old English The most commonly used words today derive

from those early Anglo- Saxon roots Later the language was influenced by the French

speaking NORMAN INVADERS

Anglo-Saxon Alphabet Anglo-Saxon Alphabet

pronunciationspronunciations

sc is pronounced as the “sh” sound, as in "ship“

The Old English word for a ship is scip

The Old English word for fish is fisc c can be rendered either a soft

consonant pair as in “child” The Old English word for child is cild

sc is pronounced as the “sh” sound, as in "ship“

The Old English word for a ship is scip

The Old English word for fish is fisc c can be rendered either a soft

consonant pair as in “child” The Old English word for child is cild

pronunciationspronunciations

The Old English word for king is cyning The sound is largely determined by the

word itself and the vowels adjoining it in that word

In modern editions, a soft “c”, with a sound like the modern “ch”, will be indicated with a dot above the c

The Old English word for king is cyning The sound is largely determined by the

word itself and the vowels adjoining it in that word

In modern editions, a soft “c”, with a sound like the modern “ch”, will be indicated with a dot above the c

Overview of Periods of Early English History

Pre-History—1066 A. D.

Overview of Periods of Early English History

Pre-History—1066 A. D.

1. Pre-Roman/Pre-Historical up to 55 B. C.

2. Roman Occupation 55 B. C. – 410 A. D.

3. Anglo-Saxon Period 410 – 1066 A.D.4. Norman -French Invasion 1066 AD

1. Pre-Roman/Pre-Historical up to 55 B. C.

2. Roman Occupation 55 B. C. – 410 A. D.

3. Anglo-Saxon Period 410 – 1066 A.D.4. Norman -French Invasion 1066 AD

Pre-Historical / Pre-Roman Pre-Historical / Pre-Roman

Theories of first Inhabitants

Theories of first Inhabitants

Iberians--came from the Iberian peninsula of portugal and Spain

Celts called “Brythons” hence Britain 300’s BC

Iberians--came from the Iberian peninsula of portugal and Spain

Celts called “Brythons” hence Britain 300’s BC

Roman Occupation Roman Occupation

The Conquest of BritonThe Conquest of Briton

Between 800 – 600 B.C.: Celts

55 B.C.: Romans About 407 A. D.:

Anglo-Saxons/ Jutes

Between 800 – 600 B.C.: Celts

55 B.C.: Romans About 407 A. D.:

Anglo-Saxons/ Jutes

CeltsCeltsFourth century b.c.Loved naturePeace loving within their tribesSkilled craftsmen ironReligion - Animism “spirit” in rivers, rocks War-like Druids - Priests

Demanded total dedication Mistletoe (sacred) and oak Voluntary human sacrifice Use of stones in worship Stone Henge - used in worship, astrology

Fourth century b.c.Loved naturePeace loving within their tribesSkilled craftsmen ironReligion - Animism “spirit” in rivers, rocks War-like Druids - Priests

Demanded total dedication Mistletoe (sacred) and oak Voluntary human sacrifice Use of stones in worship Stone Henge - used in worship, astrology

CELTIC LEGENDSCELTIC LEGENDS

King Arthur- celtic warrior Filled with strong women Tall, fierce, beautiful Bloody magical

King Arthur- celtic warrior Filled with strong women Tall, fierce, beautiful Bloody magical

romansromans

55 BC Julius Caesar

43 AD Emperor Claudius

55 BC Julius Caesar

43 AD Emperor Claudius

Picts Painted people Wore blue dye

(berry juice) Screeched when

they attacked

Picts Painted people Wore blue dye

(berry juice) Screeched when

they attacked

Frightened the Romans according to historians and Julius Ceasar’s description

Frightened the Romans according to historians and Julius Ceasar’s description

Celts were pushed to Scotland, Wales , and Ireland by Romans

Celts were pushed to Scotland, Wales , and Ireland by Romans

RomansRomans

Conquered celts Established cities Organized law Roadways Roman baths

Conquered celts Established cities Organized law Roadways Roman baths

Hadrian’s Wall 73 miles long Wide enough for

two people side by side

To keep out Celts and Picts

Hadrian’s Wall 73 miles long Wide enough for

two people side by side

To keep out Celts and Picts

Romans Brought Christianity

Patrick brought missionaries to Ireland bringing Christianity

Romans Brought Christianity

Patrick brought missionaries to Ireland bringing Christianity

61 ad queen Boadecia Queen of a briton Tribe Killed 70,000 Romans

61 ad queen Boadecia Queen of a briton Tribe Killed 70,000 Romans

409 Romans withdrew from Britain leaving no central government

409 Romans withdrew from Britain leaving no central government

BEDE THE VENERABLE673-737

BEDE THE VENERABLE673-737

A monk and scholar recorded knowledge of England before the 8th century

A monk and scholar recorded knowledge of England before the 8th century

ANGLO-SAXON Background

449-1066AD

ANGLO-SAXON Background

449-1066AD

AnglesAngles Angles

Germanic Migrated from

Germany 5th Century

That land was later called Engla-lond now known as England

saxonssaxons

large and powerful Germanic people from northwestern German and the eastern Netherlands

invaded Britain in the early Middle Ages, giving their names to the kingdoms of Essex, Sussex and Wessex

large and powerful Germanic people from northwestern German and the eastern Netherlands

invaded Britain in the early Middle Ages, giving their names to the kingdoms of Essex, Sussex and Wessex

JUTESJUTES from Jutland in

modern Denmark less well known

than the Angles and Saxons

from Jutland in modern Denmark

less well known than the Angles and Saxons

Anglo-saxonsAnglo-saxons

7 KINGDOMS OF THE ANGLO SAXONS

Anglo-SaxonsAnglo-Saxons

Blond-haired, blue-eyed Fair, sturdy Loved nature and the sea Sense of honor Generous: Love to eat and drink Loved glory of battle braggarts

Blond-haired, blue-eyed Fair, sturdy Loved nature and the sea Sense of honor Generous: Love to eat and drink Loved glory of battle braggarts

Anglo-Saxon SocietyAnglo-Saxon Society King’s home in center of all others Mead hall (communal hall)

Mead - potent drink made from honey Women not allowed except for serving Scops told stories/riddles in the halls

King received power from gods (Woden) Somewhat democratic Eye for eye justice - immediate Pagan religion / mixed with Christianity later

King’s home in center of all others Mead hall (communal hall)

Mead - potent drink made from honey Women not allowed except for serving Scops told stories/riddles in the halls

King received power from gods (Woden) Somewhat democratic Eye for eye justice - immediate Pagan religion / mixed with Christianity later

Mead hallMead hall

Pagan godsPagan gods

Woden - Wednesday Fria - Friday; goddess of love Tui - Tuesday; god of war Thor - Thursday; god of thunder Eostre - goddess of dawn and

new life Wyrd - god of fate

Woden - Wednesday Fria - Friday; goddess of love Tui - Tuesday; god of war Thor - Thursday; god of thunder Eostre - goddess of dawn and

new life Wyrd - god of fate

Hierarchal systemHierarchal system

CHURLS

FREEMAN

THANES

NOBLES

ATHELINGusually young males

EARL

KINGpower from Gods

CHURLS

FREEMAN

THANES

NOBLES

ATHELINGusually young males

EARL

KINGpower from Gods

THANESTHANES

LIKE MEDIEVAL KNIGHTS

SWORN TO PROTECT KING

FOUGHT FOR GLORY, FAME, & HONOR

LIKE MEDIEVAL KNIGHTS

SWORN TO PROTECT KING

FOUGHT FOR GLORY, FAME, & HONOR

WERGILD (WIERGILD)WERGILD (WIERGILD)

“MANPRICE” VICTIM’S

RELATIVES WOULD SEEK REVENGE IN FORM OF WERGILD. FAILURE TO DO SO WOULD KEEP FAMILY FROM EVER BEING ABLE TO SATISFY THEIR GRIEF

“MANPRICE” VICTIM’S

RELATIVES WOULD SEEK REVENGE IN FORM OF WERGILD. FAILURE TO DO SO WOULD KEEP FAMILY FROM EVER BEING ABLE TO SATISFY THEIR GRIEF

wiergildwiergild

Under the wiergild system, every Anglo-Saxon, in common with other Germanic and Scandinavian peoples, knew the exact value of his life, and that depended on his rank.The life of a churl was worth two hundred shillings; that of a thane ... six times as much, and the price to be paid for injury, like the loss of a hand or a leg, was calculated in proportion."

Under the wiergild system, every Anglo-Saxon, in common with other Germanic and Scandinavian peoples, knew the exact value of his life, and that depended on his rank.The life of a churl was worth two hundred shillings; that of a thane ... six times as much, and the price to be paid for injury, like the loss of a hand or a leg, was calculated in proportion."

treasurestreasures

scopsscops Old English poetry was meant to be read/sung aloud before an audience.

the Scop, would entertain with tales of past deeds, battles of old and history was kept alive for the Anglo-Saxons.

The scop had to be a master of his art, being able to recite thousands of lines from memory (the epic Beowulf has 3182 lines)

Some more experienced scops would add to the stories as they were told

Old English poetry was meant to be read/sung aloud before an audience.

the Scop, would entertain with tales of past deeds, battles of old and history was kept alive for the Anglo-Saxons.

The scop had to be a master of his art, being able to recite thousands of lines from memory (the epic Beowulf has 3182 lines)

Some more experienced scops would add to the stories as they were told

ChristianityChristianity

first arrived in Britain in the 6th Century - St. Augustine

gradually converted population until 9th Century when most Britons were Christian

Latin introduced to Anglo Saxons who integrated Old English with Latin Vocabulary

Centers for learning Preservation of manuscripts

first arrived in Britain in the 6th Century - St. Augustine

gradually converted population until 9th Century when most Britons were Christian

Latin introduced to Anglo Saxons who integrated Old English with Latin Vocabulary

Centers for learning Preservation of manuscripts

871 alfred the Great unified tribes

1066 norman french invasion King Harold vs william, the

conqueror

871 alfred the Great unified tribes

1066 norman french invasion King Harold vs william, the

conqueror

The site of sutton hooThe site of sutton hoo

1930’S the site of the grave was on the land of Edith pretty. She was convinced the site contained treasure. She had a dream in which she saw an ancient funeral procession

1930’S the site of the grave was on the land of Edith pretty. She was convinced the site contained treasure. She had a dream in which she saw an ancient funeral procession

The graves of a warrior and his horse were found in one of the smaller mounds

The graves of a warrior and his horse were found in one of the smaller mounds

Dig Site Dig Site

Anglo-saxon literatureAnglo-saxon literature

Oral Tradition Beowulf Epic latin

Oral Tradition Beowulf Epic latin

Characteristics of anglo-saxon poetry

Characteristics of anglo-saxon poetry

Love of freedom Responsiveness to

nature Devotion to glory as

ruling motive in warriors’ lives

Brooding melancholy

Love of freedom Responsiveness to

nature Devotion to glory as

ruling motive in warriors’ lives

Brooding melancholy

The epicThe epic

Is narrative poem Gives “biography” of

great hero Is based in myth and

tradition Was sung by

minstrels

Is narrative poem Gives “biography” of

great hero Is based in myth and

tradition Was sung by

minstrels

epicepic

Long, majestic narrative poem

legendary or historical events

ideals of an entire nation at critical point of its history; gratifies national pride

Long, majestic narrative poem

legendary or historical events

ideals of an entire nation at critical point of its history; gratifies national pride

epicepic

ideals of a great cultural or religious movement

ideals of a great cultural or religious movement

epicepic

Supernatural forces Conflict in form of combat Stylistic conventions (invocation to

Muse, formal theme statement, long lists of protagonists, set speeches in elevated language)

Supernatural forces Conflict in form of combat Stylistic conventions (invocation to

Muse, formal theme statement, long lists of protagonists, set speeches in elevated language)

EpicEpic

Characters experience universal emotions

Hero is demigod Begins in medias res Contains good vs evil battle Exaggeration and superlatives

Characters experience universal emotions

Hero is demigod Begins in medias res Contains good vs evil battle Exaggeration and superlatives

KENNINGSKENNINGS

POETIC DEVICE COMPOUND OF 2 WORDS IN

PLACE OF ANOTHER EXAMPLES:

Bait gallows=hook Blood worm = sword Feeder of ravens = warrior

POETIC DEVICE COMPOUND OF 2 WORDS IN

PLACE OF ANOTHER EXAMPLES:

Bait gallows=hook Blood worm = sword Feeder of ravens = warrior

OTHER TERMSOTHER TERMS

LITOTES: IRONIC UNDERSTATEMENT EX. “SHE WELCOMED IN HER CLAWS”

STICHE: POETIC VERSE OR LINE HEMI-STICHE: A HALF LINE COMITATUS - DISPENSING OF TREASURE

AS A SYMBOL OF LOYALTY TO KING

LITOTES: IRONIC UNDERSTATEMENT EX. “SHE WELCOMED IN HER CLAWS”

STICHE: POETIC VERSE OR LINE HEMI-STICHE: A HALF LINE COMITATUS - DISPENSING OF TREASURE

AS A SYMBOL OF LOYALTY TO KING

Epic heroEpic hero

Represents a whole cultureUniveral aspects of human conditionEmbodies qualities of human greatnessExists for the sake of community and

protect community from evilLarger than lifeShows proof of victoryBoasts of prowessAcclaimed after death

Represents a whole cultureUniveral aspects of human conditionEmbodies qualities of human greatnessExists for the sake of community and

protect community from evilLarger than lifeShows proof of victoryBoasts of prowessAcclaimed after death

End of anglo-saxon periodEnd of anglo-saxon period

Norman French Invasion 1066

Norman French Invasion 1066

Beowulf IntroductionBeowulf Introduction

beowulfbeowulf

Anglo-Saxon epic poem

Dates from late 10th century

Considered work of anonymous 8th-century poet

Fuses Scandinavian history and pagan mythology

Anglo-Saxon epic poem

Dates from late 10th century

Considered work of anonymous 8th-century poet

Fuses Scandinavian history and pagan mythology

The basicsThe basics

Who? What? When? Where? Why?

Who? What? When? Where? Why?

By whom?By whom?

By whom was it written? Most Anglo-Saxon poetry was oral at first,

meaning it was transmitted or performed by a Bard (Scop) from memory; it wasn’t actually written down, per se until . . .

Somewhere between the eighth and ninth centuries A.D., “The Beowulf-Poet” (his identity is unknown) wrote down the poem which for many years had been sung/spoken.

By whom was it written? Most Anglo-Saxon poetry was oral at first,

meaning it was transmitted or performed by a Bard (Scop) from memory; it wasn’t actually written down, per se until . . .

Somewhere between the eighth and ninth centuries A.D., “The Beowulf-Poet” (his identity is unknown) wrote down the poem which for many years had been sung/spoken.

By whom?By whom?

The Beowulf-poet, scholars believe, was an English monk (and therefore, Christian) who probably lived in one of the Anglo-Saxon settlements in Western England (Mercia)

The Beowulf-poet, scholars believe, was an English monk (and therefore, Christian) who probably lived in one of the Anglo-Saxon settlements in Western England (Mercia)

About whom?About whom?

Even though the poet himself was English and Christian, the poem is about neither Englishmen nor (full-fledged) Christians

It is the story of several Scandinavian peoples (tribes, really), mainly the Geats and the Danes, but also the Swedes. Beowulf is a Geat. He goes to the aid of the Danes, whose king is Hrothgar

They live in . . .

Even though the poet himself was English and Christian, the poem is about neither Englishmen nor (full-fledged) Christians

It is the story of several Scandinavian peoples (tribes, really), mainly the Geats and the Danes, but also the Swedes. Beowulf is a Geat. He goes to the aid of the Danes, whose king is Hrothgar

They live in . . .

Main charactersMain characters

Beowulf (Geat) Hrothgar (Dane) Unferth (Dane) Wiglaf (Geat) Grendel Grendel’s mother The dragon

Beowulf (Geat) Hrothgar (Dane) Unferth (Dane) Wiglaf (Geat) Grendel Grendel’s mother The dragon

Where and when?Where and when? Where was it written? It was written down, most likely,

in the kingdom of Mercia (East Central Enlgand today). Around 700 AD

Where do the events in the poem take place? The action in the poem takes place in Geatland and Denmark (the island of Zealand and in Southern Sweden) . . . Or more generally, in the Baltic region of Scandinavia

Also consider more specific settings: The sea, the meadhall, the swamp, the cliff, the battlefield,

etc. In the modern world, it is Denmark and Sweden and the

islands in the Baltic between the two countries.

Where was it written? It was written down, most likely, in the kingdom of Mercia (East Central Enlgand today). Around 700 AD

Where do the events in the poem take place? The action in the poem takes place in Geatland and Denmark (the island of Zealand and in Southern Sweden) . . . Or more generally, in the Baltic region of Scandinavia

Also consider more specific settings: The sea, the meadhall, the swamp, the cliff, the battlefield,

etc. In the modern world, it is Denmark and Sweden and the

islands in the Baltic between the two countries.

The scary, horror movie where?

The scary, horror movie where?

Beowulf takes place in a “once upon a time world” and that it taps into “three archetypal sites of fear”: The barricaded night house (Grendel) The infested underwater current (Grendel’s mother) Reptile-haunted rocks of a wilderness (dragon)

in terms which may mean more to us Our beds on a stormy night when we are alone in the

house (where we should feel safe) A murky lake, or the beach where Jaws takes place

(Ever been waterskiing and wondered what was nibbling on your toes?). Or, how about a dark forest by yourself?

The dark recesses of the earth: a cave, or even better, your own, dark basement

Beowulf takes place in a “once upon a time world” and that it taps into “three archetypal sites of fear”: The barricaded night house (Grendel) The infested underwater current (Grendel’s mother) Reptile-haunted rocks of a wilderness (dragon)

in terms which may mean more to us Our beds on a stormy night when we are alone in the

house (where we should feel safe) A murky lake, or the beach where Jaws takes place

(Ever been waterskiing and wondered what was nibbling on your toes?). Or, how about a dark forest by yourself?

The dark recesses of the earth: a cave, or even better, your own, dark basement