INTRODUCTION to Beowulf Facts About Beowulf 650 AD

INTRODUCTION to Beowulf

Facts About Beowulf 650 AD • Adventure of a great Scandinavian warrior • Told through oral tradition and later written down (about 200 years after the story takes place) • Original author unknown • 1 manuscript survived the monastery destruction by Henry VIII • 1 st Epic Poem written in Old English

Olde English (500 -1100)— GERMANIC TRIBES Fæder ure þuþe eart on heofonum si þin nama gehalgod tobecume þin rice gewurþe þin willa on eorðan swa on heofonum urne gedæghwamlican hlaf syle us to dæg and forgyf us ure gyltas swa we forgyfað urum gyltendum and ne gelæd þu us on costnunge ac alys us of yfele soþlice.

Middle English (1100 -1500)— NORMAN CONQUEST Oure fadir þat art in heuenes halwid be þi name; þi reume or kyngdom come to be. Be þi wille don in herþe as it is dounin heuene. yeue to us today oure eche dayes bred. And foryeue to us oure dettis þat is oure synnys as we foryeuen to oure dettouris þat is to men þat han synned in us. And lede us not into temptacion but delyuere us from euyl.

Modern English (1500 -Present) —LATIN / GREEK RENAISSANCE Our father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debters. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Historic Background • Women were thought of as holy – Belief in fate • • Biblical references relate to Old Testament MAKE NOTE FOR PAGAN INFLUENCES Author most likely Christian Scops - composers & storytellers

Time and Place • Set in Denmark and Geatland • 6 th Century • Herot-mead hall

What is Epic Poetry? • Long narrative poem • Written in an elevated style • Celebrates the deed of a legendary hero or god

What is an Epic Hero? • Protagonist in an Epic Poem • Sometimes descended from gods but always mortal • Is on a quest and encounters evil forces • Is glorified by those he saves 3. UNSELFISH • Changes over course of his journey 4. FEARLESS LEADER • He has larger-than-life qualities: 1. SUPER-HUMAN 2. INTELLIGENT 5. JUST & STRENGTH ETHICAL