Beowulf Why Beowulf? Provenance Setting Poetic devices Terms Themes

Why Study Beowulf? 1. Beowulf is the oldest poem in the English language, so everything written since Beowulf stems from it in some way 2. The story of Beowulf encompasses common themes that we still see in English literature today 3. Beowulf is simply good writing

Why Study Beowulf? 4. In some ways, it doesn’t matter what you read, but how you read it, so…since Beowulf came first, you might as well start there. 5. Studying Old English improves your understanding of modern English 6. It’s a great story

Beowulf’s origin What we don’t know: who wrote it when exactly it was written how much, exactly, is based on historical truth

Beowulf’s origin What we do know: Beowulf is the oldest surviving English poem. It’s written in Old English (or Anglo-Saxon), which is the basis for the language we speak today. Some of the characters in the poem actually existed. The only copy of the manuscript was written sometime around the 11th century A.D. (1000’s), however…

The actual poem probably dates from the 8th century (700’s) or so, and… The story may be set even earlier, around 500 A.D. There are a lot of Christian references in the poem, but the characters and setting are Pagan…this means a monk probably translated it.

Beowulf’s origin So why wasn’t it written down in the first place? This story was probably passed down orally for centuries before it was first written down. It wasn’t until after the Norman Invasion (1066) that writing stories down became common in this part of the world.

Beowulf’s origin So what’s happened to the manuscript since the 11th century? Eventually, it ended up in the library of this guy. Robert Cotton (1571-1631)

Beowulf’s origin Unfortunately, Cotton’s library burned in 1731. Many manuscripts were entirely destroyed. Beowulf was partially damaged. The manuscript is now preserved and carefully cared for in the British Museum.

Setting: Beowulf’s time and place Although Beowulf was written in English, it is set in what is now Sweden, where a tribe called the Geats lived. The story may take place as early as 400 or 500 A.D.

Setting: Beowulf’s time and place Time of Beowulf Europe today

A few things to watch out for The Poetry in Beowulf A few things to watch out for 1. Alliterative verse Repetition of initial sounds of words (occurs in every line) b. Generally, four feet/beats per line c. A caesura, or pause, between beats two and four d. No rhyme

The Poetry in Beowulf Alliteration Then out of the night came the shadow stalker, steathy and swift;… …beaten in battle, bloodying the path…

A few things to watch out for The Poetry in Beowulf A few things to watch out for 2. Kennings a. Compound metaphor (usually two words) b. Most were probably used over and over For instance: shadow- stalker = Grendel ( the monster)

A few things to watch out for The Poetry in Beowulf A few things to watch out for Other kennings from Beowulf: Captain of evil = Grendel Hell-serf = Grendel

Some terms you’ll want to know thane A warrior mead-hall The large hall where the lord and his warriors slept, ate, held ceremonies, etc.

Some terms you’ll want to know epic Beowulf is an epic poem. This means it has a larger-than life hero and the conflict is of universal importance. There’s a certain serious that accompanies most epics.

Themes and Important Aspects Good vs. Evil Religion: Christian and Pagan influences The importance of wealth and treasure The importance of the sea and sailing The sanctity of the home Fate Loyalty and allegiance Heroism and heroic deeds

Beowulf