Beowulf Background Setting, History, Structure, Language, Influences, Heroism, Values, Lingering Ideas and Questions

Historical Background 400-600 A.D. -- Angles, Saxons, and Jutes invade Britain (Beowulf set) 410 A.D. – Rome renounces control of Britain 597 A.D. – St. Augustine arrives from Rome. Anglo-Saxons converted to Christianity. 625 A.D. – Sutton Hoo 700-950 A.D. -- Christian poet composed the poem Beowulf.

The Manuscript Handwritten by a monk around 1000 A.D. Written in Old English Obtained by Sir Robert Cotton Bound in Cotton Vitellius A.15. Damaged in fire in 1731 Currently at British Museum

Why read it? It’s important to the study of English literature and language because it is the first real epic in English. It’s often called the BEGINNING of English literature. Beowulf is important in telling us about early English culture. The problem, of course, is that England was a mixing spot for a lot of other cultures. British history involves the Danes and the Germans as well as the Irish, the Scots, and the French.

Who is involved in this epic poem? The Geats Hrethel: Father of Hygelac, King of Geats Hygelac: King of Geats, uncle to Beowulf Ecgtheow: Father of Beowulf, married to Hygelac’s sister Beowulf: Warrior Hygd: Queen of Geats Heardred: Son of Hygelac, brother-in-law to Hrothgar Naegling: Beowulf’s sword Wiglaf: Beowulf’s loyal companion Weder: Southern Geats The Danes Scylding (Shielding): Danish people Hrothgar: King of the Scyldings Heorot: Glorious palace (on island of Seeland) Grendel and his Mother: Descendents of Cain Unferth (Un-peace): Jealous of Beowulf Hrunthing: Unferth’s sword Aeschere: Hrothgar’s favorite sword-thane Wealhtheow and Freawaru: Wife and daughter of Hrothgar Heremod: Ancient cruel and foolish Danish king Finn: King of Frisians, slain by Danes, though husband to Danish princess Frisians: Tribe ruled by Finn, allied with Jutes against Hygelac

The Structure of the Poem Three fights Grendel Grendel’s mother The dragon Ring structure Individual passages Three main combats Poem as a whole Inside/order vs. outside/chaos Heorot

Beowulf Vocabulary Comitatus: Germanic warrior band (Tacitus) Scop: poet in oral culture (“shaper”) Preserves history Entertains court Spreads hero’s fame Thane (thegn): warrior retainer Wergild: “man-price” Substitute for violence (Grendel won’t pay; Hrothgar pays for Beowulf’s father; paid for Hondscioh; Hrethel can’t get) Wyrd: fate (to the POET = God’s will)

The Narrator’s Function Historicizing -- customs change (178, 195-6, 1797-8, 1955-6, 2773-4) Contemporizing -- man’s place in the universe doesn’t change (700-702, 1056-8, 1132-4, 1610-11, 2857-9) Commenting on morality – we learn from the past (20-25, 1534-6, 2166-9, 2168-9, 2541, 2600-01, 3174-5) Putting humanity in perspective -- human knowledge is limited (50-52, 159-63)

Conventions of Epic Poetry/Verse Long verse that deals with the origins of a nation, people, or religious beliefs Gods and other supernatural beings play a role Human, mortal, heroes, national or religious, fight against great odds and triumph, but also die in the end The setting is global The narrative often starts in medias res Aristotle notes that the epic should have objectivity in narrative, and a unity of ethos, or epic question*

Poetic Form and Devices Alliterative verse Same initial consonants Line halved by caesura Four stresses per line Kenning: compressed metaphor “sea-shawl” for sail “would-slurry” for blood Assonance: Repetition of vowel sounds – can be at beginning or middle of words Caesura: Alliteration with a pause – usually a comma or semi-colon

Anglo-Saxon Values/Heroic 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

Qualities of an Epic Hero The untested young hero, often of uncertain parentage, is called forth to seek truth. He is sometimes accompanied by a “second,” who reinforces the human suffering they face. Often, too, he finds a mentor to help and guide him in times of trouble. He fights against superhuman odds, traveling to the realm of death itself, suffers great loss, but through his own human power, achieves glory and rewards. The journey leads him to learn a key aspect of human life (tied to the epic question) and the inescapable fact of human mortality.

Qualities of an Epic Hero The old hero fights his last battle and passes the torch, for all temporal things must perish--man and civilization. Sometimes, the earthly hero achieves apotheosis, but not always. Although the message at the end of an epic is often foreboding, a kind of resurrection is imminent, and like a phoenix or the Christ, from the ashes of the old civilization, a new one will rise. (See Joseph Campbell’s The Hero’s Journey.)*

Is Beowulf a hero? Does Beowulf act for selfish motives – glory? treasure? Does Beowulf act for selfless motives – preserving the community? Does Beowulf ever make a raid or start a feud? Does Beowulf stand for violence or civilization? Is Beowulf successful as a warrior? As a king?

Is Beowulf a hero? Beowulf the hero embodies virtues that are emblematic of the shift in times: He has humility, not pride, although he boasts and is also interested in achieving glory. His loyalty and selflessness come before personal glory. He is strong, virtuous, courageous, and honorable, and he is judged by his honor as much as by his deeds. He is also blessed, due to his particular faith in Christianity, although he too, is tempted by the treasure trove of the dragon.

Conflict between Christian Values and Heroic Values This tension is at the heart of the poem Pagan history and myth are made to point to a Christian moral Beowulf is poised between two value systems

In relation to its structure… The story revolves around battles It has two parts, one with the young Beowulf-the-hero, and the other with the old Beowulf-the-king. The two-part style supports the idea of different stories combined into a single legend. The old story of the hero is much more the pagan story – the mighty warrior fighting the magical powers of darkness and chaos. The second is far more rooted in a new world of politics, stable government, and a king who sacrifices himself for his people

But… The Beowulf poet is Christian The poem reflects established Christian tradition Allusions to the Old Testament Beowulf is a Redeemer who is sent by God to save man from sin The price of salvation is life itself Correlation between Beowulf’s death and the death of Christ

Pagan Beliefs vs. Christianity Water monster Trolls and dragons Underwater fights in a supernatural place Magic swords Dragons and errant knights, freeing the maiden Death and glory Funeral pyre Faithless or faithful companions Blood feuds and revenge; killing of kin Grendel as a descendent of Cain Hrothgar worships pagan gods One pure and virtuous man saves the souls of others Humility of Beowulf Trust in Divine Providence and Divine Intervention Dragon guards the treasures of earth which are returned to the earth Curse on those who do not come to the aid of the king Rule with wisdom and humility, honor, courage, faith, loyalty, hope

Beowulf Legacy Beowulf is the last great hero of his people, and in a way he is a tragic figure as well as a hero. The poem is a mixture of pagan custom with gods and monsters and Christian belief with demons and the power of God. It’s a story of transition, using the wonder of the old ways and mixing it with the beliefs of the new. What does this say about the dual nature of humankind? Pagan/Christian, Hero/Destroyer, Warrior/Leader, Good/Evil, Savior/Devil, etc?