Blank Verse: Seminar 1 - Beowulf

SEMINAR 1 – BEOWULF
The poetry of the Anglo-Saxons is defined by the following characteristics:
1. Anglo-Saxon poetry is written in blank verse. The term blank verse means that there is no end
rhyme occurring from line to line.
2. Anglo-Saxon poetry typically depicts the problems which arise as the theology of the Church
(Christianity) and the theology of the Pagan world. are played off of, and against, each other.
3. The use of caesura (a pause in the middle of a line of poetry- like taking a breath) is very
common. Given that during this period there was no written common written language, the
poetry of the Anglo's was sung by scops. The caesura allowed for the scop to breathe while
reciting long and detailed poems and epics. The caesura was typically placed after the second
foot in the line of poetry. There were four feet in each line and the breath allowed for a pause to
happen in the middle of each line.
4. A commonly used poetic device was alliteration. Alliteration is the repetition of a consonant
sound within a line of poetry. This added to the sing-song effect of the time.
5. Kennings were another poetic device commonly used in Anglo poety. The Kenning is a
metaphorical phrase used to compare a figurative description to something less elegant in regards
to verbiage. An example of this would be "battle sweat". Battle sweat is a kenning for blood.
6. Like many of the epics during this time, the poetry of the Anglos was meant to be a moral
lesson to those listening. A sort of fable, the poems taught lessons on life and righteousness.
“Beowulf” is a heroic epic poem written by an unknown author in Old English, some time
between the 8th and the 10th Century CE. It is one of the most important works of Anglo-Saxon
literature. It tells the story of the hero Beowulf, and his battles against the
monster Grendel (and Grendel’s mother), and against an unnamed dragon.
It is generally thought that the poem was performed orally by memory by the poet or by a “scop”
(a travelling entertainer), and was passed down in this way passed down to readers and listeners,
or that it was finally written down at the request of a king who wanted to hear it again.
It is written in a dialect known as Old English (also referred to as Anglo-Saxon). The poet
also makes use of a stylistic device called “kenning”, a method of naming a person or thing by
using a phrase that signified a quality of that person or thing (e.g. a warrior might be described as
“the helmet-bearing one”). “Beowulf” is part of the tradition of epic poetry that began with
the poems of Homer and Virgil, and it deals with the affairs and deeds of brave men, but, like its
classical models, it makes no attempt to portray a whole life chronologically from beginning to
end. It also functions as a kind of history, blending past, present, and future in a unique, all-
encompassing way. It is not just a simple tale about a man who kills monsters and dragons, but
rather a large-scale vision of human history.
2.
Subject The battles of Beowulf, the Geatish hero, in youth and old age
Structure Beowulf was written with the six elements of an epic, much like other elements
include, "plot centers around a hero of unbelievable stature. These Beyond the six elements of
the epic poem which are present, Beowulf presents a unique structure that is divided into three
main parts. These three parts all center around Beowulf's ultimate fight with a monster. The first
section involves his plight with Grendd, the demon who has terrorized the kingdom. The second
focused on his fight with the angry and saddened Grendel's mother. Finally, the third section
involves Beowulf's fight against the dragon.
Verse form Alliterative verse
Each line of the poem is broken into two halves, each half containing two stressed syllables. The
halves are linked by the fact that one or both of the stressed syllables in the first half of the line
alliterates with the first stressed syllable in the second half of the line. The balancing of each
line, and the intricate patterning of sounds, makes the poem feel solidly built.
3.
Themes
- The main theme of the poem is the conflict between good and evil, most obviously
exemplified by the physical conflict between Beowulf and Grendel
- Another theme is that of youth and age. In the first part, we see Beowulf as the young,
daring prince, in contrast with Hrothgar, the wise but aging king. In the second
part, Beowulf, the aging but still heroic warrior, is contrasted with his young follower,
Wiglaf.
The Importance of Establishing Identity
- Characters in the poem are unable to talk about their identity or even introduce
themselves without referring to family lineage. This concern with family history is so
prominent because of the poem’s emphasis on kinship bonds ( споріднені облігації )
- Heroic Code
The honorable behavior and manners have dominated the Anglo-Saxon culture. Courage,
bravery and the will to fight were considered basic norms of that heroic code. Beowulf sticks to
these norms from the very beginning as he comes across the Danes.
- Loyalty
The epic of Beowulf demonstrates the true characters of warriors.
- Bravery
Beowulf, himself, is an epitome of bravery and courage as he visits the Danes and offers his
services to King Hrothgar. He displays confidence when telling the royal guards on the border
that his father “was a famous man.” He further adds, “We come in good faith” to prove his
bravery and to help the king
4.
Background & Historicity
The poem takes place in different parts of Scandinavia over the course of the 6th century CE.
While the poem’s protagonist and his deeds are legendary, historical figures and events are also
described. Several characters mentioned in the poem also appear in other Old English or
Scandinavian sources. For example, the raid by the Geatish king Hygelac into Frisia is
mentioned by the 6th-century CE chronicler Gregory of Tours, who gives Hygelac’s name as
Chlochilaicus.
. Anglo-Saxon poetry typically depicts the problems which arise as the theology of the Church
(Christianity) and the theology of the Pagan world. are played off of, and against, each other.
Because of its complicated origin, Beowulf has elements of both pagan Germanic culture and
Christianity
The combination between paganism and Christianity is demonstrated throughout the poem.
Beowulf is like a pagan story wrapped in Christianity. For example with Grendel. In the poem he
is called a Cain’s descendant . Grendel bears an ancient curse, he is called ‘outcast’ and
condemned to a hellfire. And yet Grendel himself is presented like a devil.
Also, the narrator of the poem describes Hrothgar at one point as a pagan who does not know of
the true God, and yet all the characters, including Hrothgar, constantly thank God for their good
fortune. In addition, the pagan concept of fate becomes rather hopelessly confused with God's
will, so that sometimes Beowulf (and the narrator) seems to believe he can affect fate through his
courage, while at others either Beowulf or the narrator attributes his success solely to God's
favor.
Tribal vendetta is praised and considered in the poem, but church condemned such concept, but
often had to endure it. The poem repeatedly refers to ‘eternal Lord’, ‘divine Lord’, ‘Ruler of
Heaven’ or ‘Almighty God’, but never calls him Christ the Savior. In addition, there are direct
references to the Old Testament ( Старий Завіт) with pagan references.

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SEMINAR 1 – BEOWULF

The poetry of the Anglo-Saxons is defined by the following characteristics:

Verse form Alliterative verse

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