Key Facts Author- Unknown Type of Work- Poem Original Language- Anglo-Saxon/Old English Time and Place Written- Between 700-1000AD; Written in England Setting (Time and Place)- The main action of story is set around 500AD. The action is taking place in Denmark and Geatland (now Southern Sweden).

What’s Happening? In 449AD an invasion, (that lasted several decades) Angles, Saxons, and Germanic people left northern Europe and began to settle in Britain. The Angles, Saxons, and Germanic tribes were dominated by bloody warfare which drove them to Brit. These people formed the Anglo-Saxon civilization. And this is where the tale of Beowulf originated from.

A Warrior Culture In the Scandinavian (as well as Angles, Saxon, and Germanic) culture, tiny tribes of people would rely on strong kings to protect them from danger. The warrior culture that results from this feudal arrangement is important to the story and to the understanding of these civilizations. Strong kings demanded bravery and loyalty from their warriors whom they would repay with treasures won in war.

Beowulf’s Narrator The narrator is Christian, but the characters are not. At the time (of the story), the northern Germanic societies had not yet adopted Christianity, unlike the majority of the Anglo-Saxon population. The Germanic warrior culture was still strong and practiced during this time. The combination of a pagan story with a Christian poet is fairly unusual.

Historically Accurate? It is unsure if Beowulf ever really existed, but it is documented that Beowulf’s uncle Hygelec was a historical figure who led a military raid around 525.

Old English and New English Hwæt! We Gardena         in geardagum, þeodcyninga,         þrym gefrunon, hu ða æþelingas         ellen fremedon. Oft Scyld Scefing         sceaþena þreatum, 5 monegum mægþum,         meodosetla ofteah, egsode eorlas.         Syððan ærest wearð feasceaft funden,         he þæs frofre gebad, weox under wolcnum,         weorðmyndum þah, oðþæt him æghwylc         þara ymbsittendra 10 ofer hronrade         hyran scolde, gomban gyldan.         þæt wæs god cyning! LO, praise of the prowess of people-kings of spear-armed Danes, in days long sped, we have heard, and what honor the athelings won! Oft Scyld the Scefing from squadroned foes, from many a tribe, the mead-bench tore, awing the earls. Since erst he lay friendless, a foundling, fate repaid him: for he waxed under welkin, in wealth he throve, till before him the folk, both far and near, who house by the whale-path, heard his mandate, gave him gifts: a good king he!

Epic Poetry An epic is a long narrative poem that celebrates a hero’s deeds. They survived for centuries as oral tales. They were told by poets from one generation to another. Many epics are based on historical facts. Poets drew upon legends and existing songs.

Characteristics of an Epic 1. The hero (mostly male) is of noble birth or high position and of great historical or legendary importance. 2. The hero’s traits reflect important ideals of his society. 3. Hero performs courageous and sometimes superhuman deeds. 4. The actions of the hero often determine the fate of a nation or group of people. 5. There is often more than one nation involved.

6. Poet uses formal diction and a serious tone. 7. Major characters often give long speeches. 8. Plot has supernatural beings or events. May also have a long and dangerous journey through foreign lands. 9. Poem reflects timeless values, such as courage and honor. 10. Poem has universal themes, such as good vs. evil or life and death.

Anglo-Saxon/Medieval Poetry Epic Characteristic 1- Kennings: poetic synonyms found in Germanic poems, like Beowulf. Kenning is a descriptive phrase or compound word that substitutes for a noun. Example from Beowulf= “the Almighty’s enemy” or “sin-stained demon” is used in place of Grendel’s name. Other Examples= “world-candle” is sun “feast of eagles” is battle “ring-givers” is a generous king “whale-road” is ocean

Ang-Sax Poetry Contin… Epic Characteristic 2- Alliteration: the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of the sentence or word. Example from Beowulf- The ancient blade broke, bit into the monster’s skin, drew blood. Alliteration is a helpful took for the poet to remember the thousands of words and lines for epic poems.

Ang-Sax Poetry Contin… Epic Characteristic 3- Archetype: An archetype is the first real example or prototype An archetype can be considered the ideal model, the supreme type or the perfect image of something The Hero The (Anti) Mother Figure The Innocent The Teacher/Mentor The Sacrificial Redeemer, etc…

Oral Characteristics 1. Strong Rhythm- Lines 1-7, 233-235, 736-740 2. Repetition of Sounds- All Alliteration 3. Repetition of Words and Phrases- Lines 3, 18-19

O.C. Contin.. 4. Repetition of Ideas- Lines 16, 273 5. Parallel of Grammatical Structures- Lines 76-78, 233-234 Oral poetry is the repetition of certain words, phrases, or even lines.

Beowulf Characters, Places, and Themes

Geatland (Sweden) to Denmark

Beowulf The protagonist who is a Geatish hero. He is the strongest and most able warrior. In his youth he personifies all of the best values of the heroic culture. In his old age he proves to be a wise and effective ruler.

Grendel A demon descended from Cain. He preys on King Hrothgar’s warriors in Heorot. His ruthless and miserable existence is part of the retribution exacted by God for Cain’s murder of Abel.

Grendel’s Mother & The Dragon She is an unnamed swamp-hag who seems to possess fewer human qualities than Grendel. The dragon is an ancient and powerful serpent who is seeking revenge against the thief that stole his treasure.

King Hrothgar and Wiglaf The King of the Danes who is a wise ruler. He is a father figure and model for the kind of king that Beowulf becomes. Wiglaf is a young kinsman and retainer of Beowulf. He helps Beowulf fight the dragon when all the other warriors run away. Wiglaf is an example of the heroic code.

Beowulf in 3 Parts The story is divided into 3 parts/3 conflicts- 1. Grendel’s attack on Heorot Hall 2. Grendel’s mother and her vengeance for Grendel’s death 3. Dragon’s rage after a thief steals his treasure The overall conflict is between close-knit warrior societies and the various menaces that threaten their boundaries.

Themes There are 3 central themes in Beowulf- 1. Importance of establishing identity. 2. Tensions between the heroic code and other value systems. 3. The difference between a good warrior and a good king.

Important Places: Heorot Heorot is Hrothgar’s mead-hall. Mead-halls important to culture; they provide light and warmth, food and drink, and singing and stories. Historically, it represents a safe haven for warriors returning from battle. It was a community establishment.