Beowulf An Introduction

Introducing the Epic Beowulf is the first great work of English national literature. the epic story of the hero Beowulf, who fights the demonic monster Grendel.

Introducing the Epic People (Geats) Beowulf: nephew of Higlac Higlac: king of Geatland Edgetho: Beowulf’s father Brecca: Beowulf’s friend and swimming match competitor Wiglaf: a Geat warrior; Beowulf’s thane

Genealogies

Introducing the Epic People (Danes) Hrothgar: king of the Danes Welthow: Hrothgar’s wife; Danish queen Wulfgar: Hrothgar’s thane Unferth: Hrothgar’s thane

Genealogies

Introducing the Epic Monsters Grendel: man-eating monster who lives at the bottom of a foul mere, or mountain lake. Grendel’s mother: water-witch who seeks revenge. Dragon: giant fire-breathing serpent whom Beowulf fights in Part Two of the epic.

Introducing the Epic Places Beowulf takes place in Scandinavia. Britain Scholars think Herot might have been built on the coast of Zealand, in Denmark.

Introducing the Epic Places Herot: the golden mead hall built by King Hrothgar where warriors gathered to celebrate.

Introducing the Epic Terms Wergild: payment made to the family of a murdered person amount paid is based on the dead person’s wealth or status Wyrd: Anglo-Saxon term for fate Thane: upper class member who pledged loyalty to his ruler and vowed to fight to the death for him In return he would be rewarded with treasures

Anglo-Saxon Verse Beowulf was written in the tradition of alliterative verse, the style of poetry which the ancestors of the Beowulf-poet brought to England from their homelands in Scandinavia. The heroic poems were sung by trained singers, called scops, who sometimes composed them extemporaneously for the entertainment of the king and his warriors at celebrations in the mead-hall. The scops were honored by the Anglo-Saxon kings and people because they were the keepers of the history and mythology of their countrymen, since the Anglo-Saxons, until they became Christians, did not know how to read or write. A good scop spread the fame of his king by composing songs about the exploits in battle of the king and his warriors and comparing him to the ancient heroes of saga and song. Many warriors would flock to the mead-hall of a famous king to share in his glory.

Anglo-Saxon Verse The characteristic style of Anglo-Saxon poetry consists of a line with four stressed syllables, a pause or caesura dividing the line into two half-lines, and no end-rhyme. The stressed syllables are alliterated, and there is no set number of unstressed syllables. The poet also uses a metaphor called a kenning. Kennings are descriptive comparisons, such as “whale-road” or “sail-road” for the sea, “bone-chamber” for the body, or “candle of heaven” for the sun. Photo:Dr. Renee Summers

Anglo-Saxon Rhythm Find four strong beats (stressed syllables) in each line. Draw a slanted mark (/) over each. In the middle of the line, between the second and third strong beats, find a natural pause (caesura). Mark its position with paired up and down lines (//). Unstressed syllables are shown with a mark like an arc on the bottom of a circle, such as U. Mark the unstressed syllables. This is the rhythm of Anglo-Saxon poetry. It may help you to read the lines aloud.

Anglo-Saxon Rhythm “Lo! We have listened to many a lay Of the Spear-Danes’ fame, their splendor of old. Their mighty princes, and martial deeds! Many a mead-hall Scyld, son of Sceaf, Snatched from the forces of savage foes. From a friendless foundling, feeble and wretched, He grew to a terror as time brought change. He throve over heaven in power and pride Till alien peoples beyond the ocean Paid toll and tribute. A good king he!”

Anglo-Saxon Rhythm Is there any rhyme, either end rhyme or internal? Did you notice that often the stressed syllables in a line contain alliteration? Provide examples. What function does the alliteration seem to have? In the lines above, is there any particular number of unstressed syllables per line, or does the number seem to vary?

Kennings The Anglo-Saxons apparently enjoyed word-play and were interested in cleverness with words. In Beowulf, as in other Anglo-Saxon poetry, a type of riddling metaphor called a “kenning” is used. Find the kennings; explain what each means and why it is an apt comparison: “Beowulf spoke; his byrny glittered, His war-net woven by cunning of smith;” “They lay on the sea-bench slain with the sword” “The hell-thane shrieking in sore defeat” “But the bold one had found that the battle-flasher Would bite no longer,” “The foamy necked plunger plowed through the billows,”

Literary Focus: The Epic Hero The epic hero is the central figure in a long narrative that reflects the values and heroic ideals of a particular society. An epic is a quest story on a grand scale.

Elements of an Epic Epics are sometimes called “heroic poems.” They are long narratives about the adventures of larger-than-life characters. They tend to have these characterisics: The hero is a great leader who is identified strongly with a particular people or society. The setting is broad and often includes supernatural realms, especially the land of the dead. The hero does great deeds in battle or undertakes and extraordinary journey or quest. Sometimes gods or other supernatural or fantastic beings take part in the action. The story is told in heightened language.

Beowulf Background Beowulf is an oral epic passed from bard to bard. Harpist-bards told the familiar story for audiences in the communal halls at night. Reconstructed Anglo-Saxon village in West Stow, England, with communal hall on the left. Written down between 700 and 750.

Beowulf Background Who wrote it down? Theory: The poet who wrote Beowulf down may have been a Northumbrian monk. Evidence: scenery described resembles Northumbria (northeastern England) Christian elements in epic

Beowulf Vocabulary Previewing the Vocabulary resolute adj.: determined vehemently adv.: violently infallible adj.: unable to fail or be wrong furled v.: rolled up lavish adj.: extravagant assail v.: attack extolled v.: praised archetype n.: pattern (character, plot, image, or setting) that appears in literature across cultures and is repeated through the ages

Beowulf Vocabulary resolute furled extolled assail Previewing the Vocabulary: Activity resolute furled extolled assail vehemently lavish infallible Which Word…… is often used in reference to a flag?________ describes someone who is stubborn?________ describes how someone might argue about a subject he or she feels strongly about?___________ is a synonym for praised? __________ describes someone who cannot fail?_________ describes someone who gives generous gifts?________ is another way of saying attack? ________ furled resolute vehemently extolled infallible lavish assail

Anglo-Saxon Riddle I am by nature solitary, scarred by spear and wounded by sword, weary of battle. I frequently see the face of war and fight hateful enemies. What am I?