Beowulf: The Beginnings of English Literature

Origins  Unknown author; possibly one Christian author in Anglo- Saxon England  Unknown date of composition (roughly 8 th -11 th Century CE)

England before the English When the Roman legions arrived, they found the land inhabited by “Britons.” –Today, the Britons are known as the Celts Stonehenge no written language The Britons were absorbed into Roman society –Latin is spoken Romans withdraw as the Empire crumbles, leaving the Britons behind

group of pagan people from Northern Europe begin a series of invasions –Anglo-Saxons (Angles, Saxons, Jutes) –bring Germanic languages –still have their language Wednesday…day of Woden, father of the gods Thursday…day of Thor, god of war Woden--father of the gods

By 600, Anglo-Saxons conquer the Britons –language becomes more Germanic still retains some Latin The Anglo-Saxons’ two urgings--war and wandering become part of the oral tradition –Beowulf is an example of an Anglo-Saxon hero tale

By 700, Christian missionaries arrive to convert the pagans –Latin (the language of the Church) returns King Alfred –the Britons become organized –first true king of the Britons –period of prosperity

In 1066, the Normans (French speaking people from Normandy), led by William the Conqueror attack and defeat the Britains (a blend of the Britons and Anglo-Saxons) at the Battle of Hastings the 3rd language is introduced-- French –French culture and French literature arrives

Welcome to England and the English… an island of peoples, languages, and divisions... Latin -- church, schools French -- court, castle English -- commoners

What was it like to live in the Middle Ages?

The 3 Estates in the Middle Ages The idea of estates, or orders, was encouraged during the Age, but this ordering was breaking down. –Clergy Latin chiefly spoken, those who pray, purpose was to save everyone’s soul –Nobles French chiefly spoken, those who fight, purpose was to protect— allow for all to work in peace— and provide justice –Commoners English spoken, those who work, purpose was to feed and clothe all above them

feudalism The economic system of much of the Middle Ages ( ) Commoners (peasants) lived on a feudal manor. The lord of the manor gave his vassals (the peasants) land to farm. In return, the vassals received protection from roving bandits. Yet they were taxed and had to surrender a portion of their crops to the lord. –it was better to be a lord than a vassal! Feudalism is important as it created ties of obedience and fostered a sense of loyalty between the vassals and their lord. A tenant (vassal) renews his oath of fealty to his lord

Chivalry A product of feudalism, chivalry was an idealized system of manners and morals –Restricted to nobility The Medieval knight was bound to the chivalric code to be loyal to… –God –his lord –his lady Chivalric ideals include... –benevolence –brotherly love –politeness Sir Gawain is an example

The Church Provided guidance through well known precepts.. –Seven Deadly Sins Pride Greed Wrath Envy Gluttony Sloth Lust

The Wheel of Fortune The idea of Fortune and her wheel was one of the most pervasive ideas throughout the Middle Ages. On the wheel are depicted four figures: one at the top, one at the bottom, one rising, and one falling.

It served to remind of the temporality of earthly things. The Wheel helps understand the medieval mind, and it can help remind us that the important things in life come from within, that hard work has its own merits. An award, an office, a title--these are not the things that make for greatness.

the Ptolemaic Universe Imagine a sphere that encloses another that holds another that holds yet another…and continues into heaven… It is a commonly held myth that people of the Medieval period thought the Earth was flat…FALSE! –It was round, but at the center of the universe! So what! Well, the people of the Medieval period loved order! Remember the Three Estates, the Seven Deadly Sins—a place for everyone and everyone in that place. Watch for this order to begin to be displaced…

Enough already! I thought this was an English class!

Literary Devices  Allusion: Biblical, Germanic oral tradition, Norse myth and legend, historical Anglo- Saxon kings (eg. King Offa of Mercia)  Alliteration (eg. Scyld’s strong son)  Epic poetry: a long narrative poem written in elevated style which celebrates the deeds of a legendary hero or god.  Kenning: two-word metaphorical name for something (eg. whale-road=sea)  Scop: Anglo-Saxon composers and storytellers (like minstrels or bards)

Warrior Code  Comitatus: Germanic code of loyalty  Thane: warrior – swears loyalty to the king for whom they fought and whom they protected  Kings: generous, protected thanes  Reputation: thanes were expected to be loyal, brave, courageous; kings were expected to be generous and hospitable  Wergild: “man-payment”; a fee paid to the family of a slain man to atone for his murder and to prevent the family from seeking revenge.

Characteristics of Medieval Literature Heroism –from both Germanic and Christian traditions, sometimes mingled Beowulf Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Presentations of idealized behavior –literature as moral lesson loyalty to king chivalry use of kennings (especially in Beowulf) –A figurative, usually compound expression used in place of a name or noun. Example, storm of swords is a kenning for battle.

Geats and Danes  Beowulf was a war leader of the Geats, a group of people in what is now southern Sweden  Hrothgar was king of the Danes

Old English  Beowulf was written in Old English, an early form of English  Old English was spoken in the Middle Ages from about 6 th century to 11 th century CE  In 1066, William the Conqueror successfully invaded England, bringing his Norman French language with him; the nobility began to speak French, and gradually Old English evolved into Middle English ( ): “Whan that Aprill, with his shoures soote/The droghte of March hath perced to the roote”shoures sootedroghte  Modern English has been spoken since the Renaissance – Shakespeare is NOT Old English; he is Early Modern English

Elements of an Epic 1.Epic hero– an character with a trait or characteristic that is valued by his society. (E.g.– Superman’s bravery or valor) 2.Quest– A journey through which the character or the reader learns something 3.Valorous Deeds– Doing something bravely. 4.Divine Intervention– The hand of God (or gods) help the hero, proving his value. 5.Great events– The hero has a hand in something important in the history or mythology of a culture.

2 Types of Epics 1.Folk –Told out loud first (usually by scops) –Unknown author –Unknown dates –(E.g.—Beowulf is a folk epic because we don’t know who wrote it) 2.Literary –Known author –(E.g.– Paradise Lost, by John Milton is a literary epic because we know who wrote it.)

3 Epic Conventions 1.Invoke a muse –Muse– inspiration provided by the gods 2.Plot begins in medias res –In medias red– “In the middle of” the action 3.Serious tone Not necessary to have all on these, but need most at least

Beowulf’s Name Beowulf’s father– Edgetho –In most cases, the son is named after the father Don Donald (son of Don) McDonald (son of son of Don) McDonaldson (son of son of son of Don) Proves Beowulf is own individual with own powers and abilities (and more important than his father) Beo– Bear –Bears are known as Great Protectors in Norse mythology –Strong Wulf– Wolf –Wolves are also great protectors, but are also cunning and speedy