Manuscript Adventures of 6th c. warrior Adventures of 6th c. warrior Composed 8th c. Composed 8th c. Old English manuscript from the 11th c. Old English manuscript from the 11th c. Almost destroyed by fire in 1730 Almost destroyed by fire in 1730 Housed in British Library Housed in British Library

WHY LEARN TO READ THIS worm-eaten piece of animal skin? Because more has been written about it than any other work in English; because Antonio Banderas is presently starring in a rip-off version, with another starring Christopher Lambert; because an entire Voyager episode was devoted to it; because it just WON'T GO AWAY. Because it has monsters and a dragon - all real ones, no faking it with computer animation. Because someone could once upon a time say it by heart to an audience of spellbound listeners; because you'll cry at the end.

Why learn to read a language no one has spoken since the 12th century? Because you'll be able to read the original English language, which very few people can do; Because this will make it easy to learn German, Dutch, Scandinavian; Because this will make it much easier to learn many other languages between North America and Iran (if you head east), because they have the same kind of grammar, and Modern English doesn't. You'll be able to read another language: the earliest form of English. You'll know a lot about why English exists as a language at all, and why it wasn't Norwegian or French which became the only global language today. You'll have read a lot of really great poetry, and the oldest and most well-known story in English.

Battle with Grendel’s Mother

Journey

Battle with the Dragon

First Battle: Grendel Considered a descendent of Cain Considered a descendent of Cain Grendel is evil personified Grendel is evil personified Slew 30 men in one night Slew 30 men in one night 12 winters attacked Herot…until Beowulf arrived. 12 winters attacked Herot…until Beowulf arrived. Beowulf ______________of Grendel Beowulf ______________of Grendel

Setting & Nationality of Characters

Beowulf Author: Unknown Author: Unknown

Genre of Beowulf Epic Poem Epic Poem Anglo-Saxon Literature Anglo-Saxon Literature

When was Beowulf written? Historical event occurred in 6th Century Historical event occurred in 6th Century Composed in the 8 th Century Composed in the 8 th Century Originally an epic poem meant to be told orally in th 8th century----often sung or chanted in the courts of the king Originally an epic poem meant to be told orally in th 8th century----often sung or chanted in the courts of the king It was meant to be heard and not just read. It was meant to be heard and not just read. Written down in the 11th 1250 A.D. Written down in the 11th 1250 A.D.

Herot

Herot--in the Dane’s REALM Banquet Hall Banquet Hall Contained the throne Contained the throne The throne was protected by God The throne was protected by God Built by Hrothgar Built by Hrothgar

Cast of Characters Shild Shild Beo Beo Healfdane Healfdane Hrothgar Hrothgar Welthrow Welthrow Esher Esher Unferth Unferth Higlac Higlac Higd Higd Beowulf Beowulf Brecca Brecca Wiglaf Wiglaf Herdred Herdred DanesGeats

Terms Thane Thane Kenning Kenning King’s Warrior King’s Warrior Two-words separated by a hypen Two-words separated by a hypen Used in Anglo-Saxon Literature Used in Anglo-Saxon Literature Ring-giver, sea-horse, whale’s-road, sky-candle Ring-giver, sea-horse, whale’s-road, sky-candle

What was the purpose of the Lay of Finns? “little” story “little” story Told after Beowulf killed Grendle Told after Beowulf killed Grendle It told the story of another hero. It told the story of another hero. Considered entertainment to tell stories. Considered entertainment to tell stories.

Pagan View: With pagan view “wyrd” things were preordained With pagan view “wyrd” things were preordained Pagan view of God was “wyrd” = fate Pagan view of God was “wyrd” = fate “Omens were good” “Omens were good” “Beowulf fought not with the sword but with fate.” (2685) “Beowulf fought not with the sword but with fate.” (2685) Christian View: Beowulf is the Christ figure Beowulf is the Christ figure When Beowulf goes to fight the dragon, all betray him and only one is loyal: Wiglaf. When Beowulf goes to fight the dragon, all betray him and only one is loyal: Wiglaf.

Is the epic pagan or Christian? A pagan piece of literature with both Pagan & Christian views of God.

Terms Runic Runic Letters on the sword showing the original owners Letters on the sword showing the original owners (1694) (1694) Sometimes magic is connected to the words Sometimes magic is connected to the words Exemplum Exemplum Short tale or story Short tale or story With a moral With a moral Sometimes sounds like a sermon from church Sometimes sounds like a sermon from church

Second Battle: Grendel’s Mother Killed in an underwater cave Killed in an underwater cave Beowulf was protected by his mail armor and Hrothgar’s helmet Beowulf was protected by his mail armor and Hrothgar’s helmet Brought back Grendel’s head and the hilt of the Giant’s sword to Hrothgar Brought back Grendel’s head and the hilt of the Giant’s sword to Hrothgar

Third Battle: Dragon Beowulf was killed by the dragon Beowulf was killed by the dragon Dragon angry because a slave had stolen a precious cup from his den. Dragon angry because a slave had stolen a precious cup from his den.

The Danes Shild First King of Danes, father of Beo First King of Danes, father of Beo Grandfather of Grandfather of Beo Third King, father of Healfdane Third King, father of Healfdane Grandfather of Grandfather of Healfdane Third King before his son Hrothgar Third King before his son Hrothgar Father of Father of

The Danes Hrothgar King of the Danes King of the Danes Built Herot Built Herot He is a good king because he has the wisdom to accept Beowulf’s help to overthrow Grendel. He is a good king because he has the wisdom to accept Beowulf’s help to overthrow Grendel. Welthrow Hrothgar’s wife Hrothgar’s wife Queen of the Danes Queen of the Danes

The Danes Esher Danish nobleman & trusted friend of King Hrothgar. Danish nobleman & trusted friend of King Hrothgar. Unferth Hrothgar Courtier (Warrior) Hrothgar Courtier (Warrior) Arrogant & jealous of Beowulf when they first met Arrogant & jealous of Beowulf when they first met Respect after Beowulf killed Grendel Respect after Beowulf killed Grendel Gave his sword (name Hrunting) to Beowulf Gave his sword (name Hrunting) to Beowulf

The Geats Higlac King of the Geats when Beowulf heard about Grendel King of the Geats when Beowulf heard about Grendel Beowulf’s uncle Beowulf’s uncle Higd Queen, Higlac’s wife Queen, Higlac’s wife Beowulf gave her the necklace from Welthrow. Beowulf gave her the necklace from Welthrow.

The Strongest Geat Beowulf Sailed to Denmark with 14 Geats Sailed to Denmark with 14 Geats Returned to Sweden (Geatland) with 13 Geats Returned to Sweden (Geatland) with 13 Geats Geat Warrior Geat Warrior Slew (killed) Grendel Slew (killed) Grendel As a child considered lazy, noble but slow As a child considered lazy, noble but slow An heroic & idealized literary figure An heroic & idealized literary figure He was Higlac’s nephew He was Higlac’s nephew By the end of the epic, after death of Higlac & his son (Herdred), Beowulf became king of the Geats. By the end of the epic, after death of Higlac & his son (Herdred), Beowulf became king of the Geats.

Geats Brecca Childhood friend of Beowulf Childhood friend of Beowulf Beat Beowulf in a swimming match (contest) Beat Beowulf in a swimming match (contest) Brecca made it to the other side Brecca made it to the other side However, Beowulf killed 9 monsters in the sea. However, Beowulf killed 9 monsters in the sea.

Geats Wiglaf Wextan’s son Wextan’s son Beowulf’s faithful thane (King’s Warrior) Beowulf’s faithful thane (King’s Warrior) Only warrior who remained loyal to Beowulf, to help fight the dragon, and carried out Beowulf’s dying wishes. Only warrior who remained loyal to Beowulf, to help fight the dragon, and carried out Beowulf’s dying wishes. Herdred Son of King Higlac Son of King Higlac Beowulf succeeded him as king of the Geats. Beowulf succeeded him as king of the Geats.