Beowulf 8th century?

origin One of the earliest forms of literature is the EPIC Epic poem – a long narrative poem the recounts the adventures of a legendary hero in pursuit of a goal of national importance Common motif: Struggle between good and evil It was an Oral Poem Told from memory and passed along form tribe to tribe and generation to generation Told a social gatherings, weddings, dinners, and parties

Vernacular art Oral poetry was done in a simple, every day language that “ordinary” people could understand

The scops…pronounced shopEs… A Scop is an Anglo - Saxon poet…SOMETIMES IN SONG They were also the tribe’s entertainer and historian Recited his stories from memory…often accompanied by a lyre or harp Told stories that offered models of good and bad warrior Behavior The Scops had immense power, prestige, and respect in Anglo-Saxon society

Oral tradition Game of telephone? Every time the story was told and re-told, it changed a little. Over time, it changed a lot. Therefore, we see that language, even though powerful, is also fragile…its meanings and words change as it is passed along

Christianity influence Edict of Milan - Roman Emperor Constantine finally decriminalizes Christianity…313 ad Christianity begins to spread throughout roman empire It goes from a secret religion practiced in fear to a widespread ideology 597 ad – roman monk Augustine arrived in Britain by Pope Gregory to convert pagan Anglo-Saxons to Christianity. -he converts King Aethelbert of Kent to Christianity…and “the others” follow suit

PAGANISM VS. CHRISTIANITY VERY DIFFERENT OPPOSITE BELIEFS – MANY GODS VS. ONE ONE BOASTFUL, ONE NOT ONE BELIEVED IN REVENGE, ONE DIDN’T

Beowulf and Christianity As it is told and retold during this time, it began to take on elements of Christianity The story of Jesus and Beowulf begin to become intertwined After 3 centuries of oral transmission…it is finally written down by 2 Christian monks in the 11th century How do we know there was 2 of them? ONLY ONE MANUSCRIPT EXISTS There is only one original Beowulf manuscript existing today. It is in the British History Museum in London. ONCE WRITTEN DOWN…IT WAS FORGOTTEN ABOUT FOR NEARLY 600 YEARS…UNTIL THE 16TH CENTURY

REASONS BEOWULF GAINED FAME 1. A LECTURE BY J.R.R. TOLKEIN IN 1936…WHERE BE ARGUED THAT BEOWULF WAS A MORE ARTISTICALLY COMPLEX STORY THAN MOST CRITICS THOUGHT TOLKEIN WAS AN ANGLO-SAXON PROFESSOR AT OXFORD 2. THE FINDING OF AN ARCHAELOGICAL BURIAL SHIP AT PLACE CALLED SUTTON HOO IN 1939 IN ENGLAND A BURIAL SHIP WAS A WARSHIP THAT THE PEOPLE WOULD PLACE THEIR DEAD KING IN WITH GOLD, TREASURE, AND CEREMONIAL WAR GEAR…THEN LIGHT IT ON FIRE OR BURYING IT IN THE GROUND…TO BE RECEIVED BY THE GODS…MAKING A BURIAL MOUND

SUTTON HOO BURIAL SITE

THE LORDS PRAYER (M.E. VS o.E.) - STOP AT 7:56

WORDS TO KNOW RHETORIC – ART OF PERSUASION THROUGH LANGUAGE KENNING –metaphor considered artful in Anglo-Saxon poetry. a picturesque metaphoric compound in Old English that stands for a simple noun. You might think of them almost as riddles, which Anglo-Saxon people loved.  Ex: sea = whale’s home Ex: battle = spear play ELEGIAC Elegy - a poem, song, or other work of art composed as a lament for someone who has died This is a mournful, contemplative poem Mourns the loss of someone

WORDS TO KNOW(CONTINUED) LITOTES –FIGURE OF SPEECH USING A NEGATIVE TERM TO MAKE A POSITIVE STATEMENT. IT USES IRONY AND UNDERSTATEMENT TO MAKE A POINT HE IS NO GENIUS = ______________________________________? HE WAS LESS THAN HELPFUL =__________________________________? THIS AIN’T GONNA BE PRETTY=_________________________________? FLYTING – A COMPETITIVE EXCHANGE OF INSULTS IN THE MEAD HALL BETWEEN WARRIORS IN VERSE EXAMPLE: (MODERN DAY RAP BATTLE)

ANGLO SAXON RAP