Writing Prompt It’s the year 3514—American culture as we know it today is gone. What single text (document, novel, song, film, etc.) would you want to be found that would explain our society? What would future people understand about us from it?
Introduction to Beowulf Story isn’t about the English—it’s about the Danes and the Geats. So what’s it doing in England? Romans controlled England (up to Hadrian’s Wall) until the 5th century Waves of post-Roman invasions by Angles, Saxons, Jutes, Danes, and Irish Native Britons couldn’t hold them off
Anglo-Saxon Kingdoms Map from C. Warren Hollister, The Making of England, p. 64
Setting: Beowulf’s time and place Insert: Time of Beowulf Europe today
I. Historical background 400-600 A.D. -- Angles, Saxons, and Jutes invade (Beowulf set) 410 A.D. – Rome renounces control of Britain 521 A.D. – Hygelac invades the Netherlands 625 A.D. – Sutton Hoo 700-950 A.D. -- Christian poet (monk?) records the poem
Sutton Hoo Ship burial of a 7th-century Anglo-Saxon king, possibly Raedwald (d. 624/625) Found in 1939 at Sutton Hoo in eastern England, formerly the Danelaw Ship was nearly 80 feet long, laden with treasures and everyday equipment (even if it is everyday equipment made of gold) Window into the early Anglo-Saxon world
Sutton Hoo
Sutton Hoo Photos from British Museum
Sutton Hoo
Introduction to Beowulf Oral vs. written text Many ancient works were memorized and recited—and were not written down until centuries later (Odyssey, Iliad, Beowulf) Only surviving Beowulf manuscript dates from late 10th century Probably composed mid-8th century
Beowulf Manuscript (Note the burn marks on the top and sides—the ms Beowulf Manuscript (Note the burn marks on the top and sides—the ms. was severely damaged in a fire) mms://audio.bl.uk/Media/beowulf/beowulf1.wmv
Beowulf vocabulary Scop—storyteller, poet Alliteration—repetition of a sound within a line Variation—restatement of an idea using different words Kennings—a phrase that describes, rather than names, an idea Caesura—a purposeful pause in the middle of a line of poetry Fatalism—the belief that fate controls everything Boast—to brag, obviously, but it serves an important purpose: to share an individual’s great deeds with the community
Sound of Old English Hwaet! Wē Gār-Dena in geārdagum þēodcyninga þrym gefrūnon, hū ðā æþelingas ellen fremedon. So, the Spear-Danes in days gone by And the kings who ruled them had courage and greatness. We have heard of those princes’ heroic campaigns.
Translating Old English Oft Scyld Scēfing sceaþena þrēatum monegum mægþum meodosetla oftēah, egsode eorlas syððan ærest wearð There was Shield Sheafson, scourge of many tribes, A wrecker of mead-benches, rampaging among foes. The terror of the hall-troops had come far.
Kennings A metaphorical expression used in place of a noun Sea = “whale-road” or “swan’s way” Joints, ligaments = “bone-locks” Sun = “sky-candle” Icicles = “water-ropes”
Anglo-Saxon Society Tribal society with kinship bonds and a heroic code of behavior bravery loyalty to one's lord, one's warband (comitatus), and one's kin willingness to avenge one's warband or lord at all costs – death preferable to exile. generosity of lord to thanes and of hero to warband and lord--gift-giving heroism (i.e., great deeds) brings honor, eternal fame, and political power
Anglo-Saxon values Loyalty Fighting for one’s king Avenging one’s kinsmen Keeping one’s word Generosity -- gifts symbolize bonds Brotherly love -- not romantic love Heroism Physical strength Skill and resourcefulness in battle Courage Public reputation, not private conscience
What about the women? Women make peace, bearing children who create blood ties Women pass the cup at the mead-hall, cementing social bonds Women lament loss, don’t avenge
Epic hero traits Is significant and glorified Is on a quest Has superior or superhuman strength, intelligence, and/or courage Is ethical . Risks death for glory or for the greater good of society Is a strong and responsible leader Performs brave deeds Reflects ideals of a particular society