Take 20 on Beowulf 20 slides of information related to the Anglo-Saxon text Beowulf, including key literary terms and ideas

Language of Beowulf The text dates back to c.1000 Written in Old English

FUN FACT: 100 of the most used words today are Old English ones By Wordle.net

Language of Beowulf Words a people have tell us of their concerns. in the text of Beowulf the Anglo-Saxons have 36 words for "hero" 12 words for "battle" 11 words for "ship" By asteri611 at

ANGO-SAXON LITERATURE scop -minstrel poet who performed poetry in the oral tradition at feasts

ANLGO- SAXON LITERATURE caesura – mid-line pause in a verse Thus, the Spear-Danes in days gone by and the kings who ruled them had courage We have heard of their heroic campaigns There was Shield Sheafson, scourge of many, a wrecker of mead benches, plundering foes.

ANLGO-SAXON LITERATURE alliteration – repetition of letter sounds The fortunes of war favored Hrothgar. friends and kinsmen flocked to his ranks, young followers, a force that grew to be a mighty army. The fortunes of war favored Hrothgar. friends and kinsmen flocked to his ranks, young followers, a force that grew to be a mighty army.

So his mind turned to hall-building: he handed down orders for men to work on a great mead hall meant to be the wonder of the world forever; it would be his throne-room ANLGO-SAXON LITERATURE kenning – concise compound metaphors

By Andrew Becraft at ANGLO-SAXON LITERATURE epic – long narrative poem, written in a formal style, about a hero, who represents the ideals of a people

“Thor” By Sarai Mitnik at “Celtic Cross” By Billy Ker at “Esus on The Pillar of the Boatmen.” at Beowulf is a pre-Christian story written by a Christian monk, so we see the transition of Anglo-Saxons from Norse and Celtic polytheism to Christianity

Early Anglo-Saxons believed that life was in the ominous hands of wyrd, or fate. wyrd – Anglo-Saxon concept of fate By Drowned Man at

FUN FACT: We still honor these Norse-Celtic gods. How? TIU, WODEN, THOR, FRIA By Andrew Becraft at

mead – alcoholic drink of fermented ale and honey By Charles Youngs Anglo-Saxon drinking cups

wyrd – Anglo-Saxon concept of fate 2008 Regia Anglorum Photo used by permission courtesy of meadhall – center of Anglo-Saxon social life

Oseberg Viking Ship 9 th C By Karen P. at

By Rachel H at and Saxon Clasp and Hinge Notice the artistry in design of metal and semi-precious gems

Early Anglo-Saxons believed that life was in the ominous hands of wyrd, or fate. Sword hilt and brooch s By Kotomi Yamamura at and

Also of note: Book of Kells c. 800 The Gospel, or first 4 books of the New Testament illuminated manuscript – text supplemented with decoration: initials, borders, marginalia, etc. Beowulf is not an illuminated manuscript

ANGO-SAXON LITERATURE Venerable Bede monk who wrote History of English Church and People By Robert Scarth at

This a page from The History of the English Church and People What type of text is it?

QUIZ: Define these terms related to Anglo- Saxon Literature. Can you name an example? ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPT SCOP CAESURA ALLITERATION KENNING EPIC By Matthew Sylvester at