Lessom 2: OLD ENGLISH 1880-1901: Aestheticism and Decadence

1901-1914: The Edwardian Period

GERMANY NETHERLANDS DENMARK 1910-1936: The Georgian Period

The Anglo-Saxons came over to Britain from Northern 1914-1945: The Modern Period
Europe by crossing the North Sea. They left their
homes in Germany, the Netherlands and Denmark 1945-present: Postmodern Period
and sailed over to Britain using wooden boats.
Old English or Anglo-Saxon Era (450-1066)
FARMER
This period extends from about 450 to 1066, the year
of the Norman Conquest, invasion of England by an
The Anglo-Saxons were a group of farmer-warriors army led by the Duke of Normandy, William the
who lived in Britain over a thousand years ago. The
group was composed of three tribes: the Angle, Saxon, Conqueror (11th century).
and Jute. The two largest were the Angle and Saxon,
which is how we've come to know them as the Anglo- The period is notable for its rich literary tradition,
Saxons today primarily composed in Old English, a Germanic
language considered as the ancestor of Modern
English.
PAGAN
The Anglo-Saxons were pagans when they first
arrived. They worshipped many gods who they
believed controlled the weather, crop growing and Old English or Anglo-Saxon Era (450-1066)
war. They would pray to the gods to give them good
health, a plentiful harvest or success in battle. It Literature from this era includes epic poetry, religious
wasn't until the Pope in Rome sent over a missionary texts, and historical chronicles.
a monk called Augustine to England in 597AD, that
the Anglo-Saxons became Christians. Pagan temples Themes in literature often revolve around fate,
were turned into churches. Stone buildings, such as loyalty, and the transient nature of life, with a mix of
Westminster Abbey, replaced the wooden Anglo- pagan and Christian elements.
Saxon structures after the Normans invaded in 1066.
The most famous work is the epic Beowulf, which
reflects the warrior culture, heroism, and values of
the time.
ENGLISH LITERATURE refers to works
produced in England, from the introduction of Old Poems frequently used blank verses. There is no
English by the Anglo-Saxons in the 5th century to the such presence of any end rhyme which occurs from
present. one line to another line.

Works of authors who are closely identified with

English life and letters are also considered part of Blank verse
English literature.
refers to poetry with metered but unrhymed lines,
usually in iambic pentameter (five metrical feet).
There's also called ENJABMENT (continouos reading).
PERIOD is a dominant mode, style, or type of She has a voice of gladness and a smile
literature within a specific historical context. It is
usually indicative of the controlling philosophical And eloquence of beauty, and she glides
perspective of the time. Into his darker musings, with a mild
Periods are not generally confined to the literature of And healing sympathy, that steals away.
the time; rather, their characteristics can be seen in
other art forms as well as non-literary texts. From Thanatopsis by William Cullen Bryant

450-1066: Old English (or Anglo-Saxon) Period

1066-1500: Middle English Period

lambic foot
1500-1660: The English Renaissance
is composed of an unstressed (unaccented) syllable
1558-1603: Elizabethan Age 1603-1625: Jacobean followed by a stressed (accented) syllable.
Age

1625-1649: Caroline Age

Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?
1649-1660: Commonwealth Period (or Puritan
Interregnum) Thou art more lovely and more temperate:

1660-1785: The Neoclassical Period From Sonnet 18 by William Shakespeare

1660-1700: The Restoration

1745-1785: The Age of Sensibility (or Age of Alliterations, caesurae and kennings were commonly
Johnson) used in Anglo-Saxon literature.

1700-1745: The Augustan Age (or Age of Pope) Alliteration is the repetition of usually initial
consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words
1785-1830: The Romantic Period or syllables.
1832-1901: The Victorian Period  Anglo-Saxon verses were primarily
governed by meter and alliteration was an
1848-1860: The Pre-Raphaelites ornament.
  The rhythmic structure of the Anglo-Saxon How do we interpret kennings?
line is organized by stress and alliteration.
 Alliterative measure was first used in Old  Kennings consist of two words: a base
English, to Middle English, for centuries word and determinant which form the
before rhyming forms became popular
new compound word.
The Soul selects her own Society- Then - shuts the  The base word takes the place of the
Door - noun that the kenning is being used to
represent while the determinant
From The Soul Selects Her Own Society by Emily describes or provides a suggestion for
Dickinson the base word's true meaning.

Example: SKY-CANDLE
So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back In the given example, the base word is candle
ceaselessly into the past. From The Great Gatsby by which implies heat or light.
F. Scott Fitzgerald
The determinant, sky, describes the candle's
location.

Caesura refers to a pause in the middle of a Therefore, it can be assumed that sky-candle
particular line. means the sun.

 It is usually marked by some form of Meye CapricornL/

punctuation such as a period, comma,
ellipsis, or dash.
 It doesn't have to be placed in the exact
middle. Popular Works of the Anglo-Saxon Period
 It can be placed anywhere after the first word
and before the last word of a line.
Beowulf
It is the most famous work from this period. It is a
To be, or not to be - that is the question From Hamlet cornerstone of Old English literature and one of the
by William Shakespeare earliest examples of heroic poetry in the English
language.

Why do writers use caesurae? The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle

 To create variation in the rhythm of a poem It is a collection of annals chronicling the history of
 To emphasize words in the middle of lines the Anglo- Saxons. Commissioned by King Alfred the
that might not otherwise receive attention. Great in the late 9th century, it provides a year-by-
year account of significant events in Anglo-Saxon
England.

Kenning is a metaphorical compound or

The Dream of the Rood
figurative phrase replacing a common noun,
This is a religious poem that presents a vision of the
especially popular in Old Germanic, Old Norse, and crucifixion from the perspective of the cross (the
Old English poetry. "rood"). It is one of the earliest examples of Christian
poetry in the English tradition.
 The term is a derivative of the Old Norse
kenna which means to perceive, to
know, or to name. The Wanderer
 The two words are often joined together
by a hyphen and form a compound It is a melancholic elegy that depicts loss, exile, and
the transience of life. It is one of several surviving Old
word. English elegies that explore the hardships of life in the
 Famous example of a poem using Anglo-Saxon world...
kennings is the epic Beowulf, one of the
oldest surviving works of Old English
literature, and is often studied when The Seafarer
learning about the evolution of the
English language... This is an elegy that recounts the hardships and
spiritual journey of a seafarer who reflects on the
 In Beowulf, kennings were used to paint isolation and challenges of life at sea.
a visual image for the reader:

The Battle of Maldon

battle-sweat for blood This is an Old English poem that recounts the events
of the Battle of Maldon in 991, where the Anglo-
whale-path for sea or ocean Saxons faced Viking invaders. It emphasizes themes
of heroism and loyalty.
sky-candle for sun

war-needles for arrows

“The most exciting periods of literature have always
bone-house for body been those when the critics were great.” —Doris
Lessing
mind's worth for honor

ring-giver for king

LESSON 3: BEOWULF
uncut-thread for unfulfilled destiny
ABOUT THE EPIC Noble Beowulf defends his honor while putting
Unferth in his place. Beowulf asks, if Unferth is so
Beowulf is an epic poem that tells a story about the great a warrior, why has he not ended Grendel's
heroic deeds of a mighty warrior from Geatland raids?
(modern-day Sweden).
Beowulf is warmly received by King Hrothgar. After
The poem is composed of 3,182 lines of alliterative Queen Wealhtheow welcomes the hero, Beowulf vows
verse. Alliteration is a key stylistic feature, with each to fight Grendel.
line typically divided into two halves by a caesura.
That night, Beowulf lies in wait for Grendel in Heorot.
When Grendel attacks, Beowulf, with the strength of
30 men in his hand-grip, seizes Grendel and rips the
The poem translates to around 31,000 to 32,000 words ogre's claw.
in Old English. Word count may vary slightly between
different editions and translations, especially if the Mortally wounded, Grendel flees to his lair in the
text has been modernized or annotated. marshes, where he eventually dies.

The Danes rejoice, and Hrothgar rewards Beowulf

with lavish gifts. However, their celebration is short-
The poem is believed to have been composed between lived. Grendel's mother, a vengeful and equally
the 8th and early 11th centuries and the poet remains fearsome creature, comes to Heorot to avenge her
unknown. son.

The manuscript is housed in the British Library in Determined to end the terror, Beowulf dives into the
London. It was nearly lost to history when it was murky waters of her lair and engages in a deadly
damaged in a fire but the text survived and was later battle. Initially, Beowulf's sword is ineffective as it
transcribed, preserving the story for future does not pierce. He then finds a giant sword in her, an
generations. ancient weapon brandished long Pago by giants who
walked the earth. In spite of the sword's impossible
weight, Beowulf wields it against the beast's neck and
kills it.
Beowulf is regarded as a foundational work of English
literature. It is also recognized as the greatest work in After the battle, Beowulf discovers Grendel's corpse
Old English, reflecting the values and culture of the nearby and decapitates it as a trophy.
Anglo-Saxon period.
The following day, Heorot rejoices and Hrothgar
heaps praise on Beowulf. The hero is celebrated once
more and receives a bounty of gifts.
'Hwæt! We Gardena in geardagum' (Line 1)
After a heartfelt farewell, Beowulf and his men return
This opening line, translated as "Lo! We Spear-Danes to Geatland, where he is warmly welcomed by King
in days of yore" signals the beginning of the epic Hygelac and Queen Hygd. Beowulf recounts his
adventures and gifts the treasures he received from
Hrothgar to his king.

'Dæt hie hine swá bréme / brýdguman námon' (Line Years pass.
3182)
After King Hygelac and his son Heardred die in battle,
Beowulf becomes the king of the Geats and reigns
This line refers to Beowulf's burial, describing how
his loyal comrades honored him as they laid him to wisely and peacefully for fifty years.
rest, symbolizing his status as a legendary hero.
However, his final challenge comes when a dragon
begins to ravage his kingdom. The dragon is furious
SUMMARY
because an intruder had entered its lair and took a
gem-studded goblet from a hoard of treasure.
The story happens in what is now known as Denmark
and Sweden during the sixth century. It begins with
the Danish King Hrothgar, who has built a Beowulf, now a very old man, ventures forth with
magnificent mead hall called Heorot. eleven warriors to send the monster to hell.

The kingdom lives in prosperity without fear of the Despite being old, Beowulf decides to face the dragon
vile shadow creatures in the forests, lakes, and caves after the warriors flee in fear. Wiglaf, a young and
until the beast's appearance. In the gray mists of the loyal warrior, stands by Beowulf's side.
Danish marshes, a monster born of the hatred of Cain
rises up to terrorize Heorot.
In a storm of smoke and fire, Beowulf slays the
dragon with the help of Wiglaf. However, Beowulf is
mortally wounded by its poisonous bite. As he lies
The sounds of merriment at Heorot enrage the
monster Grendel who crosses over from the dying, Beowulf expresses his last wishes, entrusting
netherworld into the realm of men, attacking and Wiglaf with the future of his people.
killing Hrothgar's warriors after nightfall.
Beowulf also wants to have a barrow (a mound of
earth or stones) constructed to mark the burial site of
For 12 years, Grendel's raids continue, plunging the
court into a deep abyss of qualm and trepidation. his remains.

Hearing of Hrothgar's plight, Beowulf, a hero of the Wiglaf then banishes the ten deserters for their
Geats and nephew of King Hygelac, decides to sail to cowardice and oversees construction of Beowulf's
Denmark with 14 of his finest men to offer help funeral pyre. the
because Hrothgar once helped Beowulf's father,
Ecgtheow, during a deadly feud. The poem ends with the Geats mourning the loss of
their king, Beowulf, fearful of the future without their
great protector.

Unferth, an envious warrior, scoffs at Beowulf's Setting

exploits, claiming Beowulf lost a swimming match at
sea lasting 7 days so he is no match for Grendel.
Beowulf took place in the early 6th century in THEMES
Scandinavia, primarily in what is known today as
Denmark and Sweden. HEROISM AND VALOR

The action took place first in a Danish kingdom ruled The poem explores the qualities of a hero,
by Hrothgar (Denmark) where he fought Grendel and emphasizing physical strength, courage, and the
his mother. Fifty years later, the scene of action importance of reputation.
shifted to the land of the Geats (Sweden) where an
elderly Beowulf confronted a dragon. FATE AND MORTALITY
Point of View The Anglo-Saxon concept of "wyrd" (fate) plays a
significant role, with characters often reflecting on
The poet tells the story using omniscient third-person the inevitability of death.
point of view (from a Christian perspective).
GOOD VS. EVIL-
Though describing events taking place in a pagan
culture, the poet credits the Christian God and the The battles against Grendel, Grendel's mother, and
Christian ethic for the triumph of good over evil. the dragon symbolize the struggle between good and
evil forces.
Beowulf as a Character
LOYALTY AND KINSHIP
The name "Beowulf" (Beo for bee and wulf for hunter
in Old English) is thought to be a kenning for a bear. The bonds between warriors and their lords, as well
as the responsibilities of a king to his people, are
The idea here is that a bear is a predator of bees (bee- central to the narrative
hunter) in the sense that bears raid beehives for
honey. PAGANISM AND CHRISTIANITY
The name Beowulf thus emphasizes the strength and The epic reflects a blend of pagan and Christian
ferocity of his character, akin to a bear. elements. The society depicted is deeply rooted in
warrior culture. It contains pagan elements like the
COMPARISON reverence for ancestors and heroic burial rites and
the belief in fate.
Bears are very strong animals with powerful claws.
The poem also incorporates Christian themes, such as
Bears are protective animals particularly to their divine judgment and the soul's fate after death.
offspring and territory.
The concept of goodness conquers evil is also an
Bears are confident, alert and intelligent element of Christianity.

QUESTIONS

Beowulf signifies the true heroic character because he ■ How does the poem contrast the young Beowulf
is willing to risk his life for his ideals. with the older Beowulf?

As a hero in the epic, Beowulf is characterized as ■ What is the message of the ending of Beowulf?
fearless, strong, noble, loyal and wise.

FEARLESS

Numerous instances in the poem proved his bravery

particularly his fights against beasts and mysterious
creatures. His heart was always firm which alludes
that he's ready to face anything.

STRONG

Another trait immanent to Beowulf is his

extraordinary strength. Even though it might sound
that Beowulf was showing off, that all his words were
just words, readers will see proof of his testimony.

NOBLE

Beowulf's nobility is reflected in his actions. He

undertook dangerous missions not for personal gain
but to protect others and uphold his reputation.

LOYAL

Beowulf was loyal to King Hygelac and later to his

own people when he became king. He risked his life
for them when he fought Grendel and his mother to
save Hrothgar's people and when he faced the dragon
to protect his own kingdom. He was also loyal to the
ideals of the heroic code. In his final battle, though he
was older and aware of the dangers, he performed his
duty as a king to protect his people.

WISE

Beowulf is also characterized as a very wise king who

ruled over Geatland for over 50 years. In his time, he
managed to free his kingdom from wars and conflicts
with other tribes.