Anglo Saxon Heroic Poetry

Anglo-Saxon Heroic Poetry
Heroic poetry is a narrative verse that is elevated in mood and uses a dignified,
dramatic, and formal style to describe the deeds of aristocratic warriors and
rulers. It is usually composed without the aid of writing and is chanted or recited
to the accompaniment of a stringed instrument. It is transmitted orally from bard
to bard over generations.
More often than not, literature is a product of the society. For the same reason, it
is supposed to and it really does mirror the contemporary conventions and ideals of
a society as well as the temperament of a particular community. So, Anglo Saxon
literature frequently took up the theme of fights and hostilities, in which the
nobility of a character was brought out through a display of courage, valour, loyalty
to the lord and the community and a thirst for glory. Glory was the most coveted
thing because death lurked everywhere. Attainment of glory meant a claim to
immortality. The heroic poetries of the Anglo Saxon period reflected such ideals.
The most remarkable heroic poetries of this period are Beowulf, The Battle of
Brunanburh, The Fight at Finnsburh, Waldhere and The Battle of Maldon.
Beowulf is a heroic poem of 3182 lines found in a manuscript of the 10 th century. It
narrates two significant events in the life of a Geatish hero called Beowulf. The
first happens when young Beowulf fights and kills Grendel, monster who has been
raiding Heorot, the banquet hall of the Danish king Hrothgar. When Grendel’s
mother kills one of Hrothgar’s noblemen to avenge her son’s death, Beowulf
journey’s to her sub-aquatic den and kills her with a magic sward. Beowulf is
showered with honour and rewards before he returns to his homeland.
The second incident takes place when Beowulf has reigned for many years showing
an instance of ideal kingship. He is old and yet he has to fight a fire-spitting
dragon that jeopardises his kingdom. Beowulf dies but only after slaying the
monster and securing its large hoard of treasure for his people.
Waldhere comprises two short fragments that exist in a manuscript of the 10 th
century. Critics assume that these fragments, to telling 63 lines, could be a part of
a larger poem – perhaps an epic of 1000 lines. Waldhere, the son of a King of
Aquitaine was given up to Attila the Hun and became one of his generals in his later
life because of his prowess. In this poem he escapes with Hiltgund, a princess of
Burgundy, to whom he has been betrothed as a child. They are attacked and
wounded Waldhere kills his enemies. But they are somehow able to continue their
journey and happily married at the end.
The Battle of Brunanburh, founded in four manuscripts of the Anglo-Saxon
Chronicle, deals with the battle fought in 937 at Brunanburh between the English
under Athelstan, the grandson of King Alfred and the Danes, under Anlaf and
Dublin, in alliance with the Scots led by Constantine II and Welsh. The poem
celebrates the victory of Athelstan and his brother Edmund and rings with a note
of patriotism. But, the poem has not been sobered by any clergyman and so, it
ecstatically portrays the grotesque scenes of bloodshed and butchery.
The Fight at Finnsburh depicts the Anglo-Saxon feuds and the plight of women
married to the enemies to assuage hostility – as they have to lose kinsmen on both
sides when war broke out again. This is a 48 line poem, of course a fragment,
dealing with part of the tragic story of Finn and Hildeburh. An attempt is made to
heal the long standing feud between the Danes and Frisians by the marriage of the
Frisian King Finn to Hildeburh, the sister of Hnaef, the King of the Half-Danes.
Apparently after a period of peace the feud resumes and results in the death of
Hildeburh’s son, brother and husband.
The Battle of Maldon is a story of defeat but also that of glory as the defeat is
the outcome of the magnanimity of Byrhtnoth who allows his enemies, the invading
Danes to cross the river safely out of generosity before the fight begins.
Byrhtnoth dies but remains as embodiment of noble swordsmanship. The second
half of the poem is concerned with fidelity of his followers who remain determined
to avenge their leader’s death.
Thus, the heroic poetries of the Anglo-Saxon period capture a few moments and
thoughts of an age and confers on them the immortality of art.

Anglo Saxon Heroic Poetry

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Anglo Saxon Heroic Poetry

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Anglo Saxon Heroic Poetry

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Anglo-Saxon Heroic Poetry

You might also like