Beowulf Written in Old English

Brief History of Text One copy of the text remains Scientists have dated the copy that exists to around 1000 AD Probably hand copied by two monks

Text’s survival Preserved in a monastery Early 16th Century--the reign of Henry VIII put it in danger Survives probably by being taken into private collection Emerges in 1563, moved to Cotton and then to British Museum

What we know--next to nothing! Scholars have inferred: Consistent style suggests single author Use of conventional poetic devices suggest educated author Repeated phrases and formula words suggest oral composition References to God and Bible suggest Christian author

Things that are still unclear Place of origin Studying Anglo Saxon dialect has been inconclusive Date of poem Anywhere from AD Details about the author Scop?

Structure of the poem

Use of caesura Break (caesura) divides each line into two half-lines Each half line contains 2 stressed words or syllable with remaining syllables left unstressed

Alliteration Used within lines to link important words Consists of a consistent consonant beginning to words within a line or beginning the words with a vowel All vowels were treated the same

Set metrical combinations to fit needs Example: On the sea can be said a couple of ways On hranrade (on the whale-road) On seglrade (on the sail-road)

Kennings Metaphorical phrase used in place of a noun Sun = candle of the sky

Anglo Saxon world Roman roads and oxcarts Villages = wooden houses Communal farmland Stone churches Soldiers in armor Mead halls--communal banquet halls

Anglo Saxon world (cont) Harsh environment War! Few comforts Religion Gods: neither all good nor all powerful

Heroes Could attain some immortality through fame--be remembered for honor and heroic deeds Boasting was hero’s dare to destiny Fighting was the proper business of man Only respectable way to die was in battle

Oral tradition Hunters, fisherman, farmers--relaxed by eating, drinking, listening to songs Scops or bards created songs or poems celebrating heroes