Introduction to Beowulf Classics to Contemporary Literature Heroism Unit Classical Selection

Background on Beowulf Oldest and longest surviving poem in Old English Oldest and longest surviving poem in Old English The poem has an oral tradition The poem has an oral tradition Scops chanted the poem – told in three sittings over three evenings Scops chanted the poem – told in three sittings over three evenings Authorship is anonymous Authorship is anonymous Is considered an Epic Poem Is considered an Epic Poem

Characteristics of an Epic The hero, generally male, is of noble birth The hero, generally male, is of noble birth The hero performs courageous and superhuman deeds The hero performs courageous and superhuman deeds The actions of a hero determine the fate of a nation The actions of a hero determine the fate of a nation The setting is vast in scope and involves more than one nation. The setting is vast in scope and involves more than one nation. The plot is complicated by supernatural beings The plot is complicated by supernatural beings It addresses universal themes – such as good and evil and life and death. It addresses universal themes – such as good and evil and life and death.

Characteristics of an Epic The hero, generally male, is of noble birth. The hero performs courageous and superhuman deeds. The actions of a hero determine the fate of the nation. The setting is vast in scope and involves more than one nation. The plot is complicated by supernatural beings. It addresses universal themes – such as good vs. evil and life and death.

Setting of Beowulf Denmark (Danes) Denmark (Danes) Geatland (A “tribal” area in Sweden) Geatland (A “tribal” area in Sweden) Heorot (Herot) – the Mead Hall where the Danes Live Heorot (Herot) – the Mead Hall where the Danes Live

Major Characters Beowulf – The Geatish Hero Beowulf – The Geatish Hero Hrothgar – the King of the Danes Hrothgar – the King of the Danes Wiglaf – a Geatish soldier Wiglaf – a Geatish soldier Grendel – the first monster Grendel – the first monster Grendel’s Mother – the second monster Grendel’s Mother – the second monster The Dragon – the third monster The Dragon – the third monster

Night One: Grendel

Night Two: Grendel’s Mother

Years Later -Three: The Dragon

Is it Fiction or Nonfiction? Fantasy Element: Dragons, Giant Swords, and Superhuman Feats Fantasy Element: Dragons, Giant Swords, and Superhuman Feats Hygelac (Hig-lack) of the Geats, who is Beowulf’s king, is a real person. He appeared in historical records of Gregory of Tours in 521 AD. Hygelac (Hig-lack) of the Geats, who is Beowulf’s king, is a real person. He appeared in historical records of Gregory of Tours in 521 AD. The Vikings sacked the monasteries in 790 AD. Could be the origins of Grendel. The Vikings sacked the monasteries in 790 AD. Could be the origins of Grendel. Or, it could have been brought over from Denmark in 830 AD when the Danish began to invade England. Or, it could have been brought over from Denmark in 830 AD when the Danish began to invade England.

Balance of Religion: Paganism Belief in more than one deity (gods/goddesses) Belief in more than one deity (gods/goddesses) Oral Tradition Oral Tradition Incorporation of the Dragons as a source of knowledge Incorporation of the Dragons as a source of knowledge Deer and Stag Imagery – Celtic deity Cernunnos Deer and Stag Imagery – Celtic deity Cernunnos Concept of “Wyrd” or Fate Concept of “Wyrd” or Fate Raven and Bird Imagery – Nordic deity Odin Raven and Bird Imagery – Nordic deity Odin “Wyrds” or “Norns” as Goddesses “Wyrds” or “Norns” as Goddesses Burial is completed via Funeral Pyre Burial is completed via Funeral Pyre

Wyrd

Balance of Religion: Christianity Written and published – changes were made Written and published – changes were made Incorporation of references to one God (in this case, masculine), the Lord, and glory to God. Incorporation of references to one God (in this case, masculine), the Lord, and glory to God. Allusion to the Cain and Abel story and the connection to Grendel Allusion to the Cain and Abel story and the connection to Grendel Dragon as a snake/serpent Dragon as a snake/serpent

Social Codes of the Anglo-Saxons The family line – only in the case of men The family line – only in the case of men A Man’s Worth A Man’s Worth Blood for Blood Blood for Blood Women as Peace- Weavers Women as Peace- Weavers

Important Literary “Devices” Scops (again, people who chant the poem) Scops (again, people who chant the poem) Example: “We have heard of those princes’ campaigns.” Example: “We have heard of those princes’ campaigns.” Kenning – a hyphenated noun that replaces another noun or a character’s name. Be careful though, a kenning is NOT a replacement for an adjective. Kenning – a hyphenated noun that replaces another noun or a character’s name. Be careful though, a kenning is NOT a replacement for an adjective. Example: “Each clan outlaying the coast – beyond the whale-road.” Example: “Each clan outlaying the coast – beyond the whale-road.” Example: “The Hall-Watcher’s hate.” Example: “The Hall-Watcher’s hate.”