Beowulf Beowulf in Old English The first three

Beowulf

Beowulf in Old English The first three lines of the poem: (Old English passage and sound file from the Old English at the University of Virginia Web site. )

Beowulf Characteristics of Old English Poetry litotes—a form of understatement in which a thing is affirmed by stating the negation of its opposite “Cain got no good from committing that murder”. Grendel—“nor was this the first time / he had scouted the grounds of Hrothgar’s dwelling”. kenning—a figurative phrase, often a picturesque metaphorical compound, used for a simple noun: whale-road, swan-road, bone-house, word-hoard (unlocked his wordhoard), shadow-stalker.

Beowulf Then, when darkenss had dropped, / Grendel Went up to Herot, wondering what the warriors Would do in that hall when their drinking was done. He Found them sprawled in their sleep, / suspecting Nothing, / their dreams undisturbed. / The monter’s Thoughts were as quick as his greed or his claws: (30 -35) Pauses (caesura) in lines = / Two stresses per half-line Alliteration = note alliterative connection between the half-lines Note how the stresses and alliteration emphasize thematic aspects of the poem: the sense of doom, temporality, and mutability

Beowulf Elegiac aspects of the poem • Elegy = “a mournful poem; a lament for the dead” = a poem or other work of literature that laments that passing of a time • Elegiac = “Of, relating to, or involving elegy or mourning or expressing sorrow for that which is irrecoverably past” • Theme of temporality and mutability • Memento mori = remember death—even during celebrations, the characters hear stories of death • Notice especially the elegiac aspects in the last part of the poem

Beowulf Elegiac = “Of, relating to, or involving elegy or mourning or expressing sorrow for that which is irrecoverably past” “Christian writers like the Beowulf poet were fascinated by the distant culture of their pagan ancestors and by the inherent conflict between the heroic code and a religion that teaches that we should ‘forgive those who trespass against us’ and that ‘all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. ’ The Beowulf poet looks back on that ancient world with admiration for the courage of which it was capable and at the same time with elegiac sympathy for its inevitable doom. ”

Beowulf as a “heroic-elegiac” poem • A poem about heroes • We will read about several heroes in the course • Who might we consider to be heroes today, and why? Any possible criticisms of the heroes? • What makes Beowulf heroic? • “Sapientia et fortitudo” (Wisdom and strength)

Beowulf Lord/Thane Relationship • Hundreds of “kings” in Anglo-Saxon England at the time • Roles of the thane and the lord • Comitatus: “the society. . . or brotherhood of men who owed allegiance to a chieftain and expected his benevolence in return. ” • “Disaffection or exile from one’s lord meant that one was without a home, friends, affection, and respect from others. ” • Beowulf is a thane in the first part of the poem; he is a lord in the last part of the poem. • Importance of gift-giving

Beowulf Constant warfare (social instability and a strong code of retribution) • Imagine a society with no police • Strong sense of “eye for an eye” • Wergild—“man price” (as occurred with Beowulf’s father—Ecgtheow killed another man, but Hrothgar paid his wergild) • Unferth = (Hrothgar’s spokesperson) killed his own brother

Beowulf What does Heorot (the mead hall) represent? • human attempt at permanence • symbol of Hrothgar’s success and pride • community / happiness

Beowulf Grendel • What does Grendel look like? • Projection of human fears (the unknown, evil) • Concept of evil being necessary (From John Gardner’s Grendel)

Beowulf Some Important Passages • • Lines 79 -103: Condemning of Grendel Lines 149 -159: Beowulf’s boast Lines 331 -345: Beowulf kills Grendel Lines 486 -510; 513 -525: Beowulf and Grendel’s mother

Beowulf Some Important Passages • • Lines 2312 -2354: The dragon and Beowulf Lines 606: Beowulf’s final boast Lines 847 -860: Wiglaf’s rebuke, the “battle-dodgers” Lines 871 -897: The end (dedications to Beowulf)

Grendel – By John Gardner Tomorrow, and tomorrow Creeps in this petty pace from day to day To the last syllable of recorded time; And all our yesterdays have lighted fools The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle! Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player, That struts and frets his hour upon the stage And then is heard no more. It is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing. – William Shakespeare

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. The Anti-Hero He murders and cannot be punished He sneaks around at night, spying He makes fun of the Danes and rejects all that they stand for He searches for answers but can find only meanness He is crude, but not stupid or dishonest (He is successful in his feud but a failure at finding happiness) He says he is angry very often

Nihilism • the rejection of all religious and moral principles, often in the belief that life is meaningless • Why does Grendel reject the moral prinicples of Hrothgar and his men? Is he right to do so? (shoulder partner chat) • How does this Juxtapose Beowulf’s tone?

Grendel’s final lines • “Poor Grendel’s had an accident, ” I whisper. “So may you all. ” • What is the accident he is referring to in his final words? • Does Beowulf’s mockery of him change our belief in his character?