Anglo-Saxon and Beowulf Background
Background Information 30,000 lines of Anglo-Saxon poetry survive today 3, 182 (10%) of the lines are from Beowulf Setting - Denmark and Sweden Author - Unknown, probably a monk Composed in the 7th or 8th century Oldest surviving English poem
Anglo-Saxon Culture Belief in fate (Wyrd) Accumulated treasures amount to success Fame and fortune zealously sought after Loyalty to one’s leader crucial Importance of pagan, Germanic, and Christian ideals to people whose lives were often hard and uncertain
Anglo-Saxon Culture Fierce, hardy life of warrior and seamen Strength, courage, leadership abilities appreciated Boisterous yet elaborately ritualized customs of the mead-hall Expected the hero to boast
Anglo-Saxon Ideals Codes of Conduct Good defeats evil Wergild--restitution for murder or expect revenge from victim’s relatives Boasts must be backed with actions. Fate is in control Fair fights are the only honorable fights
Epic Poem Long narrative poem that recounts the adventures of a hero. Elevated language Does not sermonize Invokes a muse Begins in media res Mysterious origin, super powers, vulnerability, rite of passage
The Epic Hero Actions consist of responses to catastrophic situations in which the supernatural often intervenes. Code of conduct forces him to challenge any threat to society Destiny discovered through a series of episodes punctuated by violent incidents interspersed with idyllic descriptions.
Elements of Anglo-Saxon Poetry Chant-like effect of the four-beat line Alliteration (“Then the grim man in green gathers his strength”) Caesura-pause or break in a line of poetry (“Oft to the wanderer weary of exile”) Kenning-metaphorical phrase used instead of a name (“battle-blade” and “ring-giver”) Epithet-description name to characterize something (“keen-edge sword”) Hyperbole-exaggeration
Title of Epic Poem Anglo-Saxon word Beo means “bright” or “noble” Anglo-Saxon word wulf means “wolf” Beowulf means bright or noble wolf Other sources say Beo means “bear”
How we date Beowulf Some Important Dates: 521 A.D. – death of Hygelac, who is mentioned in the poem 680 A.D. – appearance of alliterative verse 835 A.D. – the Danish started raiding other areas; after this, few poets would consider them heroes SO: This version was likely composed between 680 and 835, though it may be set earlier
The Poetry in Beowulf 1. Alliterative verse Repetition of initial sounds of words (occurs in every line) b. Generally, four feet/beats per line c. A caesura, or pause, between beats two and four d. No rhyme
The Poetry in Beowulf 2. Kennings a. Compound metaphor (usually two words) b. Most were probably used over and over For instance: hronade literally means “whale-road,” but can be translated as “sea”
More Kennings Other kennings from Beowulf: “bone-house” = body “gold-friend of men” = generous prince “ring-giver” = lord “flashing light” = sword
Setting: Beowulf’s time and place Insert: Time of Beowulf Europe today
Some terms you’ll want to know scop A bard or story-teller. The scop was responsible for praising deeds of past heroes, for recording history, and for providing entertainment
Terms: Thane and Mead-Hall A warrior mead-hall The large hall where the lord and his warriors slept, ate, held ceremonies, etc.
Term: Wyrd wyrd Fate. This idea crops up a lot in the poem, while at the same time there are Christian references to God’s will.
Main Characters
Beowulf Epic hero Geat (from southern Sweden) Nephew of Higlac (King at story’s start) Sails to Denmark to help Hrothgar
Hrothgar Danish king Builds Herot (banquet hall) for men Tormented by Grendel for 12 years Loses many men to Grendel Joyless before Beowulf’s arrival
Grendel Referred to as demon and fiend Haunts the moors (swampy land) Descendant of Cain Feasts on 30 men the night of 1st attack
Grendel’s Mother Referred to as she-wolf Lives under a lake Challenges Hrothgar when she kills one of his best men
Fire Dragon Lives in Beowulf’s kingdom Wakes up when thief steals cup Guards countless treasures
Works Cited Intro to Beowulf