Anglo-Saxon (Beowulf) Review

Background ► Composed around 700 A.D. ► The story had been in circulation as an oral narrative for many years before it was written. ► The action of the poem takes place around 500 AD ► Poet is reviving the heroic language, style and values and pagan values of ancient Germanic oral poetry ► The poem deals with ancient Germanic forebearers, the Danes and the Geats ► Only a single manuscript of the poem survived the Anglo- Saxon era. In the 1700’s it was nearly destroyed in a fire ► It was not until 1936 when the Oxford scholar J.R.R> Tolkien published a paper on the poem that it became popular. (who knows who this is?)

The Beowulf Poet ► The 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 ► Correspondences between Beowulf’s death and the death of Christ

Heroic Values in Beowulf ► Relationship between king and his warriors ► The king rewards his warriors with gifts ► If a kinsman is slain, obligation to kill the slayer or obtain payment (wergeld) in compensation

Conflict 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

The Character of Beowulf ► He fights for personal honor, but is committed to service to his own people (his thanes) and humanity. ► A superhuman who remains recognizable ► Contrast old and young Beowulf ► Beowulf as savior

Themes ► Good vs. Evil ► Fate ► The Importance of Establishing Identity ► Tension between Heroic Code and Christianity ► Significance of artifacts ► The past Important Elements of the Poem ► Elegaic tone ► Heroic poem ► Contrasts  Christian and pagan  Youth and old age  Rise and fall of nations  Joy and sorrow  Fate and God’s will ViolenceIrony

Anglo-Saxon Period: 55 B.C. to A.D 1066 ► Early conquests (before A-S period): Iberians-built Stonehenge (monoliths on Salisbury Plain); brought Stone Age weapons to Britain Celts—farmers and hunters organized into clans with a king (called a chieftain); Druids presided over religious rituals and memorized and recited long, heroic poems Two Celtic Tribes: Brythons (Britons) settled on Britain Gaels settled on Ireland ► Roman Conquest (start of A-S period): Julius Caesar wrote of his raids on islands—first recorded history of Britain (55 BC) Emperor Claudius drove tribes into Wales and Scotland Hadrian built wall to protect n-ern border Britain *Romans ruled Brit for ~400 yrs ► III. A-S Conquest—fierce warriors, skilled seamen: Divided into 3 groups: Angles, Saxons, Jutes—they drove Celts into Wales Celts is where we get King Arthur legend Angles took over lower Brit—they became the English ► A-S England: Recorded Beowulf (1 st English epic poem) Tribal society ruled by warring kings—protected by thanes (fighting men who pledged allegiance to him) King rewarded w treasure People gathered royal structures for safety (lg #s); main structure (mead hall) Scop—singing poet for entertainmentBretwaldas—system of ruling kings to reduce chaos Scop—singing poet for entertainmentBretwaldas—system of ruling kings to reduce chaos Christianity—crucial for development of A-S culture—advanced writing

► Viking Era: Denmark, Norway area—Vik raided Brit 780s (opposed by Alfred the Great) AG est 1 st Eng navy AG fortified towns as burhs (bergs).... aka suburbs.... grid pattern AG studied/translated Latin works, inclu Bede’s history of England into A-S ► VI. Contributions of A-S to Eng—they were the 1 st Englishmen!! Provided its language Began its literature Est traditions in law, government, religion ► Beginning of Eng poetry and lit—4 characteristics Love of adventure Emphasis/importance of honor Awe of NATURal beauty Delight in manipulating words (kennings, A-S riddles) *A-S prose was utilitarian (should serve a purpose) rather than imaginative, consisting of histories, lives of the Saints, sermons ► VIII. Kennings--key poetic device of A-S metaphor of 2 words or phrases INdirectly naming something Ring-giver—the king Life-house—the body Swan road—the calm sea, current Whale’s home—sea, ocean

Sutton Hoo ► Burial site discovered in 1939 ► Important links to Anglo-Saxon world and Beowulf ► Remains of a boat were discovered and large burial chamber containing numerous artifacts ► Artifacts suggest a distinctly Christian element intermingled with pagan ritual. ► Episodes in Beowulf now have tangible archaeological violence to add creditability to the blend of customs in the text.

Sutton Hoo Images

Themes of Beowulf ► Fame and Glory – What is the difference between the two? ► Self versus the Wyrd ► Fortune – What is the purpose of amassing great fortune and fame? What ideal does this uphold in the Anglo-Saxon world? ► What makes a hero? ► What do weapons and armor say about the individual? ► Epic of extreme contrasts. ► Struggle of human-kind. ► The Manly Virtues – all are seen in this poem. ► Comitatus - community of warriors - die to save prince or king. Strict loyalty code. ► Interlacing Poetry - like a Celtic Knot. ► Hospitality and loyalty to host and guest. ► Pride as a sin - Hrothgar warns Beowulf about this - does Beowulf fall into the trap? ► Heroic Code - tragic