Beowulf Background

Anglo Saxons The Angles, Saxons, and Jutes, (Germanic Tribes), arrived in England in 449 The Angles, Saxons, and Jutes, (Germanic Tribes), arrived in England in 449 These tribes formed small tribal kingdoms in the southeastern part of England These tribes formed small tribal kingdoms in the southeastern part of England They were hunters, farmers, and believed in many different gods They were hunters, farmers, and believed in many different gods

Danes and Norse attacks 8 th and 9 th centuries – Danes and Norse attack England – much had fallen to them in the 9 th century 8 th and 9 th centuries – Danes and Norse attack England – much had fallen to them in the 9 th century Alfred, Saxon king of Wessex wins battles and returns England to peace Alfred, Saxon king of Wessex wins battles and returns England to peace

Christian influence By 650, Christian missionaries had converted England into Christianity – in name at least. There were still plenty of pagan beliefs and stories still around By 650, Christian missionaries had converted England into Christianity – in name at least. There were still plenty of pagan beliefs and stories still around

Pagan Influence: Norse Mythology and the Norse hero Death is inevitable (wyrd), so heroes strive to gain glory and fame – keeping their names alive in stories told through the ages They fight in a brutal, uncaring, and treacherous world – the Norse gods offer no solace The only aspects the hero can control is his values, attitudes, and behavior Therefore, the hero strives to live in a such a way that others honor him.

Wergild The Germanic and Norse cultures believed in wergild, or man-price. This would come about when a person was killed accidentally – the family of the killer would pay a wergild to the victim’s family. Sometimes, the wergild would be a blood vengeance, or payment in the life of another. The Germanic and Norse cultures believed in wergild, or man-price. This would come about when a person was killed accidentally – the family of the killer would pay a wergild to the victim’s family. Sometimes, the wergild would be a blood vengeance, or payment in the life of another.

Comitatus The system that ruled kings or other rulers and their warriors The system that ruled kings or other rulers and their warriors A king was obligated to provide his warriors with food, drink, weapons, armor, land, and jewels A king was obligated to provide his warriors with food, drink, weapons, armor, land, and jewels A warrior was obligated to fight to the death to defend the king. A warrior was obligated to fight to the death to defend the king. Skill in battle and loyalty were principal virtues Skill in battle and loyalty were principal virtues

Wyrd The Norse pagan belief in unalterable fate (wyrd) The Norse pagan belief in unalterable fate (wyrd) Everyone was subject to their fates, including death, and no sense of afterlife Everyone was subject to their fates, including death, and no sense of afterlife Immortality could only be achieved through everlasting fame Immortality could only be achieved through everlasting fame Achieving fame, receiving gifts, and enjoying life were valued Achieving fame, receiving gifts, and enjoying life were valued

Beowulf – a mix of pagan and Christianity Beowulf is believed to be an old tale told from pagan times Beowulf is believed to be an old tale told from pagan times Written down during the times of Christianity, by someone believed to be a Christian who loved Norse heroic stories Written down during the times of Christianity, by someone believed to be a Christian who loved Norse heroic stories Written in Old English by an Englishman, but the story is set in Denmark, Sweden, and Geatland (southern Sweden) Written in Old English by an Englishman, but the story is set in Denmark, Sweden, and Geatland (southern Sweden) The plot is Germanic in origin and also references earlier Norse stories The plot is Germanic in origin and also references earlier Norse stories

Scop Scops were storytellers/professional poets that traveled and told stories Scops were storytellers/professional poets that traveled and told stories Beowulf was a story told through the times, and was written down in the 700s Beowulf was a story told through the times, and was written down in the 700s

The Epic Poem: Characteristics Revolves around an ideal hero Revolves around an ideal hero Setting is vast in scope Setting is vast in scope The battles involve superhuman strength The battles involve superhuman strength Ceremonial writing style Ceremonial writing style Genealogies are given to give context Genealogies are given to give context Extended formal speeches are given Extended formal speeches are given Written in verse (poetry) Written in verse (poetry)

The Writing Style Written in Old English (Anglo-Saxon) Written in Old English (Anglo-Saxon) Utilizes these 3 poetic aspects: Utilizes these 3 poetic aspects: –Alliteration –Kennings –Caesura (though not written in the version we are reading)

Alliteration, Caesura, Kenning Alliteration: Grendel came gliding; God’s wrath he bore Alliteration: Grendel came gliding; God’s wrath he bore Caesura: a break in the middle of the line: Caesura: a break in the middle of the line: Then from the moorland under misty hills Kennings: Compound words that are metaphors. Some examples are: Kennings: Compound words that are metaphors. Some examples are: Whale’s road = the sea Whale’s road = the sea Sky’s candle = the sun Bone house = the body

The basic storyline Hrothgar, king of the Danes (Sheaf- Danes), is troubled by a terrible monster, Grendel. Hrothgar, king of the Danes (Sheaf- Danes), is troubled by a terrible monster, Grendel. Beowulf, of the Geats, travels to the land of the Danes to offer his assistance. Beowulf, of the Geats, travels to the land of the Danes to offer his assistance. 3 major battles ensue throughout the course of the story, preceded and followed by much ceremony and ceremonial story telling 3 major battles ensue throughout the course of the story, preceded and followed by much ceremony and ceremonial story telling