Beowulf Introduction English 4

Warrior’s Code He must exhibit bravery and courage at all times. He then could achieve “fame”. He must defend the ring-giver (king) even with his life

Afterlife and Fame The only afterlife was “fame” or being remembered in the scops songs for one’s courage and brave deeds.

Weirguild “man-price” IF a warrior was killed even by accident, his relatives would demand either his “man-price” or vengeance from the slayer.

The King and his Thanes The king (or ring-giver) was protected by his thanes’ absolute loyalty. If he was a good king, he was generous with his thanes and rewarded their bravery with weapons and treasure as a sign of love.

Gods and Goddesses Wyrd (Fate/Fortuna): goddess of fortune. Wyrd knew if the warrior was doomed, and if he was not doomed, then courage might save him in battle. Fate would send tests to the warrior, especially if he boasted.

The Musician Bard or scop Would insure a warrior’s immortality, and that of the tribe, by composing and passing down songs of their brave deeds. This was the only afterlife they might expect.

Monsters and Dragons They were real. The thanes believed in them. When they boasted they might kill one, they had best be prepared to meet one.

The Celts The Celtic people (Irish, Scots, Cornish and Welsh) migrated to Britian sometime around 6000 BC. Language: Cymric, became modern Gaelic, Cornish, Welsh, and Breton. They became feared Britons who painted their bodies blue and went into battle naked

The Romans Conquered Briton in 54 BC and made it a rich and civilized colony Built Hadrian’s Wall to keep out the bartbarians. Rome fell to the barbarians (457 AD) and the Dark Ages began

Angles and Saxons Barbarian tribes It was during this time of war that Beowulf took place across the North Sea in Denmark. Composer is unknown, but was written down by a Christian Englishman hundreds of years later in the 10th century AD

Kenning A special metaphor referring to ordinary things such as the ocean and rivers as “whale’s road” or “swan’s way.”

Alliteration and Caesura Poetry had no rhyme. Words began with the same sound (alliteration) Had a pause in the midst of the line (caesura) Now the hard helmet…hammered with gold