Introduction to Beowulf AngloSaxon Kingdoms Story isnt about

Introduction to Beowulf

Anglo-Saxon Kingdoms Story isn’t about the English—it’s about the Danes and the Geats. So what’s it doing in England? Map from C. Warren Hollister, The Making of England, p. 64

The Danelaw • Viking raids in late 8 th century along East coast of England, Ireland, northern France • In 865, a large Danish army invaded and took control of nearly all of England by 870

The Danelaw • 871: Alfred the Great becomes king of Wessex- Warrior, diplomat, administrator, scholar, Christian; Greatest Anglo-Saxon king • Built a navy of 60 -oared ships, bigger and faster than the Danes’ ships • By 886, Alfred had retaken London and made a treaty with the Danes establishing their area of authority in England—the Danelaw

Sutton Hoo • Ship burial of a 7 th-century Anglo. Saxon king, possibly Raedwald (d. 624/625) • Ship was nearly 80 feet long, laden with treasures and everyday equipment (even if it is everyday equipment made of gold) • Window into the early Anglo-Saxon world

Sutton Hoo Photos from British Museum

Sutton Hoo

I. Historical background • 400 -600 A. D. -- Angles, Saxons, and Jutes invade (Beowulf set) • 700 -950 A. D. -- Christian poet composed the poem

Introduction to Beowulf • Oral vs. written text • Many ancient works were memorized and recited—and were not written down until centuries later (Odyssey, Iliad, Beowulf) • Only surviving Beowulf manuscript dates from late 10 th century • Probably composed mid-8 th century

Introduction to Beowulf • The scop: Anglo-Saxon equivalent of a singing poet • Oral techniques: alliteration, repetition, variation, kennings, halflines, metonymy (one thing substituted for another), synecdoche (part for the whole)

Beowulf Manuscript (Note the burn marks on the top and sides—the ms. was severely damaged in a fire)

Poetics Hwaet! Wē Gār-Dena in geārdagum þēodcyninga þrym gefrūnon, hū ðā æþelingas ellen fremedon. Oft Scyld Scēfing sceaþena þrēatum monegum mægþum meodosetla oftēah, egsode eorlas syððan ærest wearð fēasceaft funden. Hē þæs frōfre gebād, wēox under wolcnum, weorðmundum þāh oð þæt him æghwylc þāra ymbsittendra ofer hronrāde hyran scolde, gomban gyldan. Þæt wæs gōd cyning!

Alliteration • Alliteration is the repetition of stressed sounds, particularly consonants from the beginning of words or syllables. Poetically, alliteration can has a similar function as rhyme. – A foundling to start with, he would flourish later on as his powers waxed and his worth was proved • Alliteration gave rhythm to the poem making it easier to recite and remember

Variation • Variation: a stylistic feature of Old English poetry is the use of variation, which is the restatement of a concept or term using different words. – The nobleman's son then passed the steep rocky cliffs, the narrow path, the narrow single-file path, an unknown way, precipitous headland, the homes of many water-monsters. Two functions: - Reiterate important events

Kennings • A metaphorical expression used in place of a noun • Sea = “whale-road” or “swan’s way” • Joints, ligaments = “bone-locks” • Sun = “sky-candle” • Icicles = “water-ropes”

Metonymy • A figure of speech in which one thing is substituted for the name of another thing that most readers associate with the first. • The word iron is used in place of the word sword • Using the word crown to speak of a monarch

Synecdoche • A figure of speech where the part of something is used to reference a whole • Referring to a car as wheels • Referring to a ship as sails

Caesura • Caesura- a break or pause in the middle of a line of verse • All Old English poetry was written in Alliterative Verse: - Two half lines separated by a caesura - Stress in the first half alliterate with stresses in the second Hwaet we Gar-Dena in gear-dagum Peod-cyninga prym gefunon

Anglo-Saxon Society • Tribal society with kinship bonds and a heroic code of behavior – Warefare was constant and a measure of character – Fatalism – The course of one’s life is predetermined by fate – Courage, Loyalty and Honor – Boasting – Storytelling (bards/scops held the key to immortality

Literary Merit Archetypal Epic • Long • Narrative • Is ethical • Adventurous hero with super abilities • Major battle scenes • Discussion of weaponry • Quest motif