Anglo-Saxons A preface to Beowulf

The Era: Angles, Saxons, Jutes invade Britain St. Augustine brings Christianity to Anglo-Saxons; established Church of England in Canterbury Vikings invade Alfred the Great becomes king of England Normans defeat Saxons; led by William the Conqueror

Geography of Britain Rainy Farming Mountains to low- lying costal areas Isolation -Vulnerable to attack -Strong Culture

Impact of Invasions Romans Invasion led by Julius Caesar in 55 BC Provided armies and organization that prevented further invasions Built roads, defensive wall, public baths No central government Germanic Tribes Engla land (Angles) Communities Continued regard for bards Use of English in formal study

Religion Before Christianity Warrior gods Ethics After Christianity Connection with Europe Common faith/morality Celtic Religion Animism Druids Monasteries Latin primary language pre-Alfred

Anglo-Saxon Way of Life Warring society Heroes Loyal Dependency Agricultural Communal Halls

Key Words Scop Wyrd Wergild Comitatus a)a payment usually demanded of a person guilty of homicide or other wrongful death b)Storyteller c)The bond between a warrior and his Lord. d)Fate

HEROES And other literary elements…

What makes a hero a hero?

What about 1300 years ago?

Epic Hero The central figure in an epic who has superior qualities and risks personal danger to pursue a grand quest. Significant, on a quest, has some special strength, is ethical, risks death, brave deeds, leader, & reflects ideals of society

Hero’s Journey He establishes his reputation by overcoming hardships or challenges early in his life. The hero goes on a journey The hero faces one or more challenges The hero overcomes the challenges and triumphs Returns home to his people with a trophy or some item that benefits them

Other Literary Elements Alliteration: The repetition of the same sounds or of the same kinds of sounds at the beginning of words or in stressed syllables. Caesura: A pause in a line of verse dictated by sense or natural speech rhythm rather than by metrics. Kenning: A figurative, usually compound expression used in place of a name or noun. Primary Epic: No single author, oral transmission Heroic Ideal: Represents the aspects of a hero that the culture upholds as representing the cultural ideal.

Kennings Whale’s way Taming wand Storm of swords God’s candle

Your Kennings… Spend two minutes creating a kenning of your own at your table. It can describe any object - it does not have to relate to Beowulf. Be prepared to come draw it on the board and have your classmates guess what you are drawing.

Family Trees

Danes

Geats

Characters Beowulf Brecca Grendel Herot Hrothgar Unferth Welthow Wiglaf Geat, Son of Edgetho and nephew of Higlac, king of the Geats. Beowulf’s friend Man eating monster Golden guest hall King of the Danes; built Herot Skilled warrior; Beowulf’s courtier Hrothgar’s wife Great warrior; only one to help Beowulf fight the dragon