Beowulf Anglo Saxon Folk Epic by an Anonymous Scop

What is Beowulf ?

What is Beowulf ? It is a story – book length

Beowulf is a folk Epic It is a series of stories about a hero - Beowulf

Who was this Beowulf?

Beowulf – a great hero from the shores of southern Sweden from near northern Germany/Denmark From the tribe of so-called barbarian Geats/Jutes at the time of the Roman Empire. Around 250 AD

What did he look like?

Artists provide us with many interpretations of their view of Beowulf

We need to create our own image of the hero, same as the Anglo-Saxon audience in the Mead Hall would have.

Mead Hall – What’s that?

Mead Hall Where the men gathered to drink mead. Sometimes seen as an Anglo Saxon Tavern; the local men’s club. Sometimes a major hall in a Palace of a King for formal gatherings Mead Hall Where the men gathered to drink mead. Sometimes seen as an Anglo Saxon Tavern; the local men’s club. Sometimes a major hall in a Palace of a King for formal gatherings

Small village Mead Hall

Another rather rustic Mead Hall

Larger More elaborate Mead Hall

Interior of a lofty Mead Hall such as King Hrothgar’s

Mead Hall – of a Germanic or Scandinavian King

By the way… What is Mead?

Mead? A flat beer made with honey

Mead – sometimes portrayed as a honey and spice wine. Mead – sometimes portrayed as a honey and spice wine.

Mead is one of the oldest alcoholic drinks in the world and is steeped in legend and mystery. Mead is one of the oldest alcoholic drinks in the world and is steeped in legend and mystery.

The term "honeymoon" is linked to the alleged custom of drinking honey based mead for a month (moon) after the wedding to ensure a male child. The term "honeymoon" is linked to the alleged custom of drinking honey based mead for a month (moon) after the wedding to ensure a male child.

Besides its reputation for being an aphrodisiac it has also been suggested that mead may have medicinal properties Besides its reputation for being an aphrodisiac it has also been suggested that mead may have medicinal properties

Who would entertain in the Mead Hall ?

Scops, the wandering Anglo-Saxon entertainers of the Mead Halls.

Scops, Bards, Gleemen, Minstrels

Language: Old English

How much Old English Poetry is Extant? How much is Existing? Existing lines of Anglo Saxon Poetry = abt. 30,000 Existing lines of Anglo Saxon Poetry = abt. 30,000 Beowulf = 3,182 lines. Beowulf = 3,182 lines. Beowulf is about 10% of the existing body of Anglo Saxon Poetry. Beowulf is about 10% of the existing body of Anglo Saxon Poetry.

A quick refresher

Examine a copy of the Actual Poem What language is used to compose the poem? What language is used to compose the poem?

Examine a copy of the Actual Poem What language is used to compose the poem? What language is used to compose the poem? It is actually called, Old English It is actually called, Old English

Examine a copy of the Actual Poem This is the Old Germanic Tongue of the Angles & Saxons who immigrated from the Northern shores of Germany to Britain in 449 AD. This is the Old Germanic Tongue of the Angles & Saxons who immigrated from the Northern shores of Germany to Britain in 449 AD. When seen In England, we call this “Old English”. When seen In England, we call this “Old English”. Obviously we must read it in translation. Obviously we must read it in translation.

German speakers to England 440 AD

While we’re here… on map… England England Scandinavia Scandinavia Denmark/Jutland Denmark/Jutland

German speakers to England 440 AD

Are all the Letters the Same as in Modern English?

1. Mæg ic be me sylfum 2. soðgied wrecan, 3. siþas secgan, 4. hu ic geswincdagum 5. Earfoðhwile 6. oft þrowade, 7. bitre breostceare 8. gebiden hæbbe, 9. gecunnad in ceole 10, cearselda fela, 1. Mæg ic be me sylfum 2. soðgied wrecan, 3. siþas secgan, 4. hu ic geswincdagum 5. Earfoðhwile 6. oft þrowade, 7. bitre breostceare 8. gebiden hæbbe, 9. gecunnad in ceole 10, cearselda fela,

Looking solely at the Old English… Do you recall? Is there any recognizable Poetic Device employed?

Alliteration Alliteration Mæg ic be me sylfumsoðgied wrecan, Mæg ic be me sylfumsoðgied wrecan, siþas secgan,hu ic geswincdagum siþas secgan,hu ic geswincdagum Earfoðhwileoft þrowade, Earfoðhwileoft þrowade, bitre breostcearegebiden hæbbe, bitre breostcearegebiden hæbbe, gecunnad in ceolecearselda fela, gecunnad in ceolecearselda fela, atol yþa gewealc,þær mec oft bigeat atol yþa gewealc,þær mec oft bigeat nearo nihtwacoæt nacan stefnan, nearo nihtwacoæt nacan stefnan, þonne he be clifum cnossað. þonne he be clifum cnossað.

Is the Alliteration maintained in translation? In the darkness dwelt a demon sprite whose heart was filled with fury and hate When he heard each night the noise of revel Loud in the hall, laughter and song

Yes, very obviously we see Alliteration In the darkness dwelt a demon sprite whose heart was filled with fury and hate When he heard each night the noise of revel Loud in the hall, laughter and song

Keep thinking Poetry…the prime element of poetry is also emphasized. Can you identify it? In the darkness dwelt a demon sprite whose heart was filled with fury and hate When he heard each night the noise of revel Loud in the hall, laughter and song

Meter is the Prime element of Poetry! We note 4 strong beats per line! We can clap it this rhythm easily. In the darkness dwelt a demon sprite whose heart was filled with fury and hate When he heard each night the noise of revel Loud in the hall, laughter and song In the darkness dwelt a demon sprite whose heart was filled with fury and hate When he heard each night the noise of revel Loud in the hall, laughter and song

Do you also hear a Pause between beat 2 and 3? In the darkness dwelt a demon sprite whose heart was filled with fury and hate When he heard each night the noise of revel Loud in the hall, laughter and song In the darkness dwelt a demon sprite whose heart was filled with fury and hate When he heard each night the noise of revel Loud in the hall, laughter and song

Do you also hear a Pause between beat 2 and 3? In the darkness dwelt a demon sprite whose heart was filled with fury and hate When he heard each night the noise of revel Loud in the hall, laughter and song In the darkness dwelt a demon sprite whose heart was filled with fury and hate When he heard each night the noise of revel Loud in the hall, laughter and song There’s the Caesura There’s the Caesura

You can also note the Meter and Caesura along with the Alliteration in the Old English. You can also note the Meter and Caesura along with the Alliteration in the Old English. Mæg ic be me sylfumsoðgied wrecan, Mæg ic be me sylfumsoðgied wrecan, siþas secgan,hu ic geswincdagum siþas secgan,hu ic geswincdagum Earfoðhwileoft þrowade, Earfoðhwileoft þrowade, bitre breostcearegebiden hæbbe, bitre breostcearegebiden hæbbe, gecunnad in ceolecearselda fela, gecunnad in ceolecearselda fela, atol yþa gewealc,þær mec oft bigeat atol yþa gewealc,þær mec oft bigeat nearo nihtwacoæt nacan stefnan, nearo nihtwacoæt nacan stefnan, þonne he be clifum cnossað. þonne he be clifum cnossað.

Major Characteristic of Anglo Saxon Style Poetry All are highly noted in Beowulf Meter: 4 heavy beats per line Meter: 4 heavy beats per line Syllable count is irrelevant. Syllable count is irrelevant. Alliteration - usually on the accented beat Alliteration - usually on the accented beat Caesura – a slight pause midline. Caesura – a slight pause midline. Between the second and third beat Between the second and third beat

Now… back to our story!

First Introductory Reading Old Text: Spaeth Translation Lines 1-35 p. 13 Hit the next slide

Grendel sneaking toward Heorot

The Movie Version of Grendel

Second Introductory Reading J. Duncan Speath Translation Lines pp Quite Short Go to next slide: Hrothgar

King Hrothgar in Heorot in Happier Times

The Hero Deliverer

Third Introductory Reading Speath lines Go to next slide:

Beowulf with fourteen hardy companions Take a good wave skimmer …over the whale road

Beowulf & Wiglaf and the other thirteen hearty followers

Fourth Introductory Reading Speaeth: lines “Hail, King Hrothgar, Hygelac’s Thane and Kinsman am I.”

Beowulf with King Hrothgar

Umfeth accuses Beowulf of Bragging

Major Reading #1 Beowulf vs. Grendel J. Duncan Spaeth’s translation pp lines about 10 minutes Kick back as if you were in the Mead Hall enjoying the story of this epic fight

With my Grip will I grapple the gruesome fiend!

Some other Artist renditions of Grendel and Beowulf

Grendel with Beowulf

A neat surreal version of Grendel vs. Beowulf

Beowulf, the Epic Episode 2 Following Beowulf’s Victory Revenge of Grendel’s Mother No reading… story explained

Beowulf hangs the monster’s arm from Heorot’s rafters.

In the text of Beowulf, Grendel’s Hag of a mother follows her boy’s blood trail back to Heorot. She sees her son’s arm hanging and Beowulf pointing to his trophy of Victory.

She bursts into the Hall crashing into Beowulf. They go through the wall and tumble into the Sea. Beowulf in an epic struggle defeats Grendel’s Mother. The Movie version does it a tad differently.

With Angelina Jolie as Grendle’s Mother, the movie stretches the battle as one of morality. The mother is a temptress who tests Beowulf’s Virtues.

Confronting Grendle’s Mother

Beowulf, the Epic The final episode Beowulf as an Old King vs, A fire breathing Dragon

Beowulf has enjoyed 50 years of a peaceful reign as King of the Geats. In his waning years, his land is plagued by a dragon. Beowulf blames himself, claims sins of his past, cause this torment. He will face the dragon!

Let us explore the final episode. Beowulf’s final Battle The conclusion of the entire Epic.

Final Reading From current textbook Burton Raffel Translation Text pages 15 – 19 Lines:

How do you envision the dragon? We’ll look at some artist renditions after our final Reading Sit back – about 12 minutes A different translator this time

In the finale, it was Wiglaf helping his Lord by striking at the dragon lower down.

Two noble cousins had joined in the dragon’s death Yet what they did all men must do when the time comes But that triumph was the last Beowulf would ever earn, The end of greatness and life together.

Preferred Translation? Burton Raffel or J. Duncan Spaeth

Another Brit, was a well known scholar of Anglo-Saxon Literature He too translated Beowulf. He is better known for modern fantasy which parallels the tone of Anglo Saxon Epic Poetry. Any Guesses as to who?

The End This Power Point approved by Confessors and Seekers alike!