Provenance

Setting
Why Beowulf?
Poetic devices
Terms
Themes
1. Beowulf is the oldest 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 is simply good writing
Beowulf is

The epic story of the hero Beowulf, who
fights the demonic monster Grendel. It is a
story that Anglo-Saxons would pass down
through oral tradition to teach:
-bravery and loyalty to ones fellows
-the monsters that spite and hatred
could breed.
-heroism needed to conquer such
monsters.
This story reflects traditional elements of
Scandinavian or Celtic folk tales.
What we dont know:
who wrote it
when exactly it was written
how much, exactly, is based on
historical truth
What we do know:
Beowulf is the oldest surviving English poem. Its written in Old
English, which is the basis for the language we speak today.
Some of the characters in the poem actually existed.

The only copy of the manuscript was written sometime around the
11
th
century A.D. (1000s), however
The actual poem probably dates from the 8
th
century (700s) or
so, and
There are a lot of Christian references in the poem, but the
characters and setting are Paganthis means a monk probably
translated it.
So why wasnt it written down in the
first place?
This story was probably passed down orally for centuries before it was
first written down.
It wasnt until after the Norman Invasion (1066) that writing
stories down became common in this part of the world.
So whats happened to the manuscript since the 11
th

century?
Eventually, it ended up in the library
of this guy.
Robert Cotton (1571-1631)
Unfortunately, Cottons library burned in 1731. Many
manuscripts were entirely destroyed. Beowulf was partially
damaged.



The manuscript is now preserved and carefully cared for in
the British Museum.
Setting: Beowulfs time and place
Although Beowulf was written in English, it is set in what is
now Sweden, where a tribe called the Geats lived.

The story may take place as early as 500 A.D.
Setting: Beowulfs time and place
Europe today
Insert: Time of Beowulf
Some Important Dates:
521 A.D. death of Hygelac, who is mentioned in
the poem
680 A.D. appearance of alliterative verse
835 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
Do Now:
With a partner, list five qualities that make someone
heroic. Explain why each of these qualities makes
someone heroic.

How much do a persons physical qualities and
achievements contribute to making a person heroic?

Which should be held in higher regard: a persons
physical achievements, intellectual qualities, or moral
character?
Epic
Beowulf is an epic poem.
This means it is a long narrative poem
presented in an elevated style, relating
the heroic deeds of noble or
semidivine personages.
Some terms you ll want to know

Epic Hero:
the central figure in a long narrative
that reflects the values and heroic
ideals of a particular society.
Characteristics of an Epic Hero:
1. The main character who possesses
superhuman strength and courage.
2. Deals with supernatural forces, both good
and evil.
3. Becomes a legend or historic figure.
4. Elevated style of speech.
5. Works on a grand scale dealing with
things of national or world importance
scop
A bard or story-teller.
The scop was responsible for praising
deeds of past heroes, for recording
history, and for providing entertainment
comitatus
Literally, this means escort or
comrade
This term identifies the concept of
warriors and lords mutually pledging
their loyalty to one another
thane
A warrior
mead-hall
The large hall where the lord and his
warriors slept, ate, held ceremonies, etc.
wyrd
Fate. This idea crops up a lot in the
poem, while at the same time there are
Christian references to Gods will.
Peace-weaver
A woman who married a son or brother from
another clan to keep peace between two tribes.
Werguild
the value set in Anglo-Saxon and Germanic law
upon human life in accordance with rank and paid
as compensation to the kindred or lord of a slain
person.
Good vs. Evil
Religion: Christian and Pagan influences
The importance of wealth and treasure
Loyalty and allegiance to ones clan
Fate
Revenge as a motive for action
Heroism and heroic deeds
A few things to watch out for
Alliteration:
is the repetition of initial consonant sounds in words close to
one another in lines of poetry.
Instead of rhyme unifying a poem, the Anglo-Saxon poet
used alliteration to connect the narrative structure of the epic
Examples:
. . . A powerful monster, living down
In the darkness, growled in pain, impatient As day after day the
music rang
Loud in the hall . . .
So Hrothgars men lived happy in his hall
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.
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.
(Seamus Heaney translation)
A few things to watch out for
A few things to watch out for
2. Kennings
a. Compound metaphor (usually two words)
b. Most were probably used over and over
For instance: hronade literally
means whale-road, but can be
translated as sea
A few things to watch out for
Other kennings from Beowulf:
banhus = bone-house = body
goldwine gumena = gold-friend of men = generous prince
beaga brytta = ring-giver = lord
beadoleoma = flashing-light = sword
A few things to watch out for
3. Caesura
Division of a line into two halves demonstrating rhythmical pause.

Sing a song of sixpence, || a pocket full of rye.
Four and twenty blackbirds, || baked in a pie.
When the pie was opened, || the birds began to sing;
Wasnt that a dainty dish, || to set before the king?
The king was in his counting house, || counting out his money;
The queen was in the parlour, || eating bread and honey.
The maid was in the garden, || hanging out the clothes;
When down came a blackbird || and pecked off her nose.
Anglo-Saxon Culture
Anglo-Saxon Women
The Anglo-Saxon women took full responsibility of of
their households. In Anglo-Saxon culture, it was
customary for the man to prepare the food and the
women to serve the drinks in the mead hall.

Anglo-Saxon women had the possibility of marrying
anyone they chose. Sometimes marriages were arranged
to keep peace between two clans.
Anglo-Saxon Women
A peace-weaver was a woman who married a son
or brother from another clan to keep peace between
two tribes.

It is believed that, through birth, a women wove
peace by mixing her blood with the blood of
another tribe. Hence, the name peace-weaver.
Anglo-Saxon View of Evil

Anglo-Saxon believed that evil spirits were the cause
of all diseases and that only faith in Christ would bring
healing. They believed lucky charms or would protect
them from evil spirits or sickness.

Under no circumstance were the Anglo-Saxons to turn
their backs on an injustice brought on by evil and dark
forces. It was their duty and right to remove those that
went against God.
Anglo-Saxon Religion
The Anglo-Saxons were pagans when they came to
Britain. They worshipped gods of nature. Religion was
not a source of spiritual revelation, it was a means of
ensuring success in material things. For example, you
might pray to a particular goddess for a successful
harvest, or for victory in battle.

A few of the main Anglo-Saxon gods were Tiw, Wodin