Beowulf Why Beowulf Origin Setting Poetic devices Terms

Beowulf ØWhy Beowulf? ØOrigin ØSetting ØPoetic devices ØTerms ØThemes

Why Study Beowulf? 1. Beowulf is the oldest epic poem in the English language, so everything written since Beowulf stems from it in some way 2. The story of Beowulf encompasses common themes that we still see in English literature today 3. Beowulf

Why Study Beowulf? 4. In some ways, it doesn’t matter what you read, but how you read it, so…since Beowulf came first, you might as well start there. 5. Studying ___________ improves your understanding of modern English 6.

Beowulf’s Origin What we don’t know: Ø______wrote it Ø_____ exactly it was written Øhow much, exactly, is based on ____________

Beowulf’s Origin What we do know: ØIt’s written in Old English (or Anglo-Saxon), which is the basis for the language we speak today. ØSome of the characters in the poem actually ___________. ØThe only copy of the manuscript was written sometime around the ______ century A. D. (900’s), however…

ØThe actual poem probably dates from the _____ century (700’s) or so, and… ØThe story may be set even earlier, around _________ Ø There a lot of Christian references in the poem, but the characters and setting are Pagan…this means a _______ probably translated it.

Beowulf’s Provenance So why wasn’t it written down in the first place? This story was probably passed down orally for centuries before it was first written down. It wasn’t until after the Norman Invasion (__________________) that writing stories down became common in this part of the world.

Setting: Beowulf’s time and place Although Beowulf was written in English, it is set in what is now _______, where a tribe called the _______ lived. The story may take place as early as 400 or 500 A. D. The characters are _________ people, not Anglo-Saxon

Setting: Beowulf’s time and place Europe today Insert: Time of Beowulf

How we date Beowulf Some Important Dates: ______A. D. – death of Hygelac, who is mentioned in the poem ______ A. D. – appearance of alliterative verse ______ A. D. – the Danish started raiding other areas; after this, few poets would consider them heroes SO: This version was likely composed between 680 and 835, though it may be set earlier

The Poetry in Beowulf A few things to watch out for 1. Alliterative verse a. R b. Generally, four feet/beats per line c. A caesura, or ______, between beats two and four d. No rhyme

The Poetry in Beowulf A few things to watch out for Alliterative verse – an example from Beowulf: Oft Scyld Scefing sceapena praetum, Monegum maegpum meodo-setla ofteah; Egsode Eorle, syddan aerest weard.

The Poetry in Beowulf A few things to watch out for There was Shield Sheafson, scourge of many tribes, A wrecker of mead-benches, rampaging among foes. The terror of the hall-troops had come far.

The Poetry in Beowulf A few things to watch out for 2. Kennings a. Compound b. Most were probably used over and over For instance: hronade literally means “whaleroad, ” but can be translated as “sea”

The Poetry in Beowulf A few things to watch out for Other kennings from Beowulf: banhus = goldwine gumena = “gold-friend of men” = generous prince beaga brytta = beadoleoma = “flashing light” = sword

The Poetry in Beowulf A few things to watch out for 3. Litotes §A § Example: Hildeburh had no cause to praise the Jutes In this example, Hildeburh’s brother has just been killed by the Jutes. This is a poetic way of telling us she hated the Jutes absolutely.

Structure Consists of: • a prologue • ____ sections (cantos) First three-fourths: Final fourth: Beowulf as an aged king of the Geats

Some terms you’ll want to know Gleeman (scop) A bard or story-teller. The scop was responsible for praising deeds of past heroes, for recording history, and for providing entertainment

Some terms you’ll want to know comitatus Literally, This term identifies the concept of warriors and lords mutually pledging their loyalty to one another

Some terms you’ll want to know thane mead-hall The large hall where the lord and his warriors slept, ate, held ceremonies, etc.

Some terms you’ll want to know wyrd Fate. This idea crops up a lot in the poem, while at the same time there are Christian references to God’s will.

Some terms you’ll want to know epic Beowulf is an epic poem. • Long story, • Portraits of an entire culture— beliefs, legends, values, laws, arts, and ways of life of the people. • Heroic epic: main purpose is to tell the life story of a great hero.

Some terms you’ll want to know Apposition Grammatical form in which Grendel is described as “Till the monster stirred, that demon, that fiend, Grendel

Wergild • Man-price • Must pay if you kill a family member • If debt is not paid, • Battles and blood-feuds were common

What makes a good King? • Good King • Great King

Heroic Code of Behavior – _____________ to one's lord, one's warband (comitatus), and one's kin – _________ to avenge one's warband or lord at all costs – death preferable to exile. – _________of lord to thanes and of hero to warband lord--gift-giving – _________ (i. e. , great deeds) brings honor, eternal fame, and political power

Anglo-Saxon Values • Loyalty – Fighting for one’s king – Avenging one’s kinsmen – Keeping one’s word • Generosity -- gifts symbolize bonds • Brotherly love -- not romantic love • Heroism • Public reputation, not private conscience

Themes and Important Aspects Good Religion: The importance of The sanctity of the Fate Loyalty and allegiance Heroism and heroic deeds

Works Cited Literature and the Language Arts: The British Tradition. Ed. Laurie Skilba et. al. St. Paul, MN: EMC Corporation, 2001. Print. Reese, Spencer M. “Introduction to Beowulf. ” Mr. Reese’s Homepage. Memphis University School, 2012. Web. 1 Oct. 2012.