BEŌWULF FROM ORAL TRADITION TO WRITTEN NARRATIVE

The Dark Ages “A time of bloody conflicts, ignorance, violence, and barbarism. (23)” “A time of bloody conflicts, ignorance, violence, and barbarism. (23)” Very few works of literature exist from this time period. These were the days before the printing press. Very few works of literature exist from this time period. These were the days before the printing press. There was no unified language in the early years. There was no unified language in the early years. Stories often featured an epic hero and his struggles in battle. Stories often featured an epic hero and his struggles in battle.

Roman Invasion The Romans invaded in 55 B.C. The Romans invaded in 55 B.C. After Caesar achieved victory, he quickly returned to Rome, leaving the Britons to fend for themselves. After Caesar achieved victory, he quickly returned to Rome, leaving the Britons to fend for themselves. A century later, the Romans returned and introduced cities, roads, written scholarship, and Christianity. A century later, the Romans returned and introduced cities, roads, written scholarship, and Christianity. When the Roman empire fell, the Romans pulled out of Britain in 409 A.D. and it was left defenseless against invaders. When the Roman empire fell, the Romans pulled out of Britain in 409 A.D. and it was left defenseless against invaders. As a result of no central government, much of the developed civilization disappeared as other invaders entered the country. As a result of no central government, much of the developed civilization disappeared as other invaders entered the country.

The Anglo- Saxons The Anglos and the Saxons were two German tribes that migrated to England in 449 A.D. The Anglos and the Saxons were two German tribes that migrated to England in 449 A.D. The Britons were driven to the outer providences such as Wales and Scotland as the Anglo-Saxons claimed land across England. The Britons were driven to the outer providences such as Wales and Scotland as the Anglo-Saxons claimed land across England. The name changed from Briton to “Angle-land” or England. The name changed from Briton to “Angle-land” or England. Anglo-Saxon culture took over as the basis for English culture, and the universal language across the country became “Old English.” Anglo-Saxon culture took over as the basis for English culture, and the universal language across the country became “Old English.”

The Vikings In the 790s A.D. the Vikings from Norway and Denmark invaded England. In the 790s A.D. the Vikings from Norway and Denmark invaded England. “The Vikings raided, looted, and burned down entire villages” (24). “The Vikings raided, looted, and burned down entire villages” (24). In the south, the Vikings were finally defeated by Alfred the Great, an Anglo-Saxon king. In the south, the Vikings were finally defeated by Alfred the Great, an Anglo-Saxon king. Alfred unified England with Christianity and learning and culture thrived. Alfred unified England with Christianity and learning and culture thrived.

The Norman Conquest The conflict: After Alfred died, Edward the Confessor took the throne. Once Edward died, he had no children so the Anglo-Saxons decided to make Harold, an English Earl, king of England. William, Duke of Normandy, claimed that Edward stated he should be king before he died. A church council of nobles and church officials decided to make Harold king. The conflict: After Alfred died, Edward the Confessor took the throne. Once Edward died, he had no children so the Anglo-Saxons decided to make Harold, an English Earl, king of England. William, Duke of Normandy, claimed that Edward stated he should be king before he died. A church council of nobles and church officials decided to make Harold king. As a result, William waged war on the English and defeated them at the Battle of Hastings in Harold was killed and William, known as William the Conqueror, became King of England. As a result, William waged war on the English and defeated them at the Battle of Hastings in Harold was killed and William, known as William the Conqueror, became King of England. The Norman Conquest, as it became known, ended the Anglo-Saxon rule in England. The once nobles of Anglo- Saxon England became peasants as Norman nobles took their place. The Norman Conquest, as it became known, ended the Anglo-Saxon rule in England. The once nobles of Anglo- Saxon England became peasants as Norman nobles took their place.

Christianity The early invader of Anglo-Saxon England believed in paganism. There was the belief in wyrd, or fate, and that life ended at death. The early invader of Anglo-Saxon England believed in paganism. There was the belief in wyrd, or fate, and that life ended at death. Christianity brought new hope for the Anglo-Saxons by allowing a belief of an after life. Christianity brought new hope for the Anglo-Saxons by allowing a belief of an after life. In 597 A.D., St. Augustine arrived in Kent and created a monastery in Canterbury. In 597 A.D., St. Augustine arrived in Kent and created a monastery in Canterbury. By 690 A.D. virtually all of Britain believed in Christianity, but many held on to Pagan beliefs. By 690 A.D. virtually all of Britain believed in Christianity, but many held on to Pagan beliefs. Organized schools were unknown, so monasteries served as a center for learning, culture, and entertainment. Organized schools were unknown, so monasteries served as a center for learning, culture, and entertainment. Many literary works were created in the monasteries, the most famous being A History of the Church and People and The Anglo-Saxon Chronicles by the Venerable Bede. Many literary works were created in the monasteries, the most famous being A History of the Church and People and The Anglo-Saxon Chronicles by the Venerable Bede. When the Vikings invaded, they destroyed most of the monasteries and threatened to extinct all traces of cultural refinement, but Christianity thrived despite all of this. When the Vikings invaded, they destroyed most of the monasteries and threatened to extinct all traces of cultural refinement, but Christianity thrived despite all of this.

Mead Halls and Anglo-Saxon Entertainment Mead Hall: large reception buildings that were a social gathering space for kings to entertain nobles and other honored guests. Mead Hall: large reception buildings that were a social gathering space for kings to entertain nobles and other honored guests. Often large banquets with lots of food and ale. Often large banquets with lots of food and ale. Entertained by Scops. Entertained by Scops.

Scops and the Epic Poem Scops: Professional poet Scops: Professional poet They often used a musical instrument and entertained the nobles with lengthy poems. They often used a musical instrument and entertained the nobles with lengthy poems. “The Scop’s performance was a history lesson, moral sermon, and pep talk all rolled into one, instilling cultural pride and teaching how a true hero should behave” (26). “The Scop’s performance was a history lesson, moral sermon, and pep talk all rolled into one, instilling cultural pride and teaching how a true hero should behave” (26). –Symbols such as gold (symbolizing honor) were often used. Epic Poems were memorized and recited as an oral art form. They were only recorded after Christianity spread and the monks in the monasteries decided to write them down. Epic Poems were memorized and recited as an oral art form. They were only recorded after Christianity spread and the monks in the monasteries decided to write them down. –Example: Beowulf Lyric Poems: reflect a more everyday reality Lyric Poems: reflect a more everyday reality –Example: “The Seafarer”

Characteristics of an Epic Poem Beowulf is an epic poem. Characteristics of an epic poem include: Beowulf is an epic poem. Characteristics of an epic poem include: The hero is a great leader who is identified with a particular people or society The hero is a great leader who is identified with a particular people or society The setting is broad and often includes upper and lower worlds The setting is broad and often includes upper and lower worlds The hero does great deeds in battle or undertakes an extraordinary journey The hero does great deeds in battle or undertakes an extraordinary journey There are supernatural elements There are supernatural elements The story is told in heightened language The story is told in heightened language

Other Epics o Gilgamesh (Babylonian, unknown) o The Odyssey (Greek, Homer) o The Iliad (Greek, Homer) o The Aeneid (Roman, Virgil)

Characteristics of an Epic Hero Excels in skill, strength and courage Excels in skill, strength and courage Succeeds in war and adventure Succeeds in war and adventure Values honor and duty Values honor and duty Usually has a guide or a mentor Usually has a guide or a mentor Battles demons or monsters Battles demons or monsters Descends into darkness Descends into darkness Achieves his goal Achieves his goal Is generous with followers, but ruthless with enemies Is generous with followers, but ruthless with enemies Is a man of action Is a man of action Accepts challenges and sometimes invites problems Accepts challenges and sometimes invites problems Sometimes makes rash decisions and takes unnecessary risks Sometimes makes rash decisions and takes unnecessary risks Encounters women who tempt him Encounters women who tempt him

The Poem’s Beginning o Composed sometime around the 8 th century (700 AD) o Tells the loose history of events that were to have occurred previously. o Part of the oral narrative tradition.

Creating the Poem o First, the story line and whole of the poem was created by a poet. o Then, the original poet performed his poem for audiences as he traveled. o Bards used stories to not only entertain, but also to retain their culture’s history. o The stories gradually spread from village to village, bard to bard

The Poets’ Tellings o As the story of Beowulf became popular, it was told and retold by other performers and bards. o This is what the first three lines of the poem sound like in Old English.

What Beowulf Sounds Like Hwæt! Wē Gār-dena in geār-dagum, þēod-cyninga, þrym gefrūnon, hū ða æþelingas ellen fremedon. So, The Spear-Danes in days gone by and the kings who ruled them had courage and greatness. We have heard of those princes’ heroic campaigns.

The Poet’s Accomplishments o Early Anglo-Saxons in England had no written language. o The poet had to compose it and remember it entirely in his head. o Beowulf is very complex. stories within the story stories within the story intricate details of family lineage intricate details of family lineage centuries-old feuds centuries-old feuds extremely detailed descriptions of settings and events. extremely detailed descriptions of settings and events.

Oral Transmission of Texts o Since the story was told from memory, changes occurred. o Have you ever played “Telephone?”

Effects of Transmission o Altered slightly with each telling and re-telling. o The collective work of many different poets and bards by the time is was written o At least two—and possibly more—scribes responsible for the surviving manuscript o Human interpretation, addition, omission and error can only be expected.

The Beowulf Manuscript o The Poet’s skill at remembering the poem and retelling it similarly every time led to Beowulf becoming a complete and significant part of the oral tradition of Anglo-Saxon Britain. o The original Old English text has 3,182 lines. o Around the later 10 th or early 11 th centuries, two scribes recorded the story on vellum, a type of early paper made from animal skin.

Effects of Transmission: Oral Tradition to Written Manuscript o Monastic scribes most likely created the written manuscript, since monks were the first literates o The Beowulf poet infuses clear references to Christian beliefs. o Pre-Christian elements are still present, demonstrating that cultural change is gradual and not immediate.

Pagan v. Christian Concepts Pagan Concepts o elaborate Germanic sea-burials, grand feasts in the mead-halls, belief in fate, material rewards. Christian Concepts o reference to Cain (used in connection to Grendel), reference to the Flood, “God’s will be done…”

Significance of the Manuscript o That the story was substantial enough to be written down is a testament to the importance of the oral tradition in Anglo- Saxon culture. o The Beowulf manuscript is o the only surviving written record of the story o written in Old English o one of the first ever recorded stories written in vernacular (language of the people) and not Latin.

Survival of the Manuscript o No one is sure where the Beowulf manuscript was until the 16 th century, though it was most likely held in monasteries. o At that point, it showed up in the collection of Laurence Nowell, a historian primarily interested in Anglo-Saxon Britain. o In the 17 th century, Sir Robert Cotton, a collector, acquired the manuscript for his personal library.

Survival of the Manuscript o In 1700, Sir Cotton’s grandson gave the library collection including the manuscript to the nation as a gift. o On October 23, 1731, a fire destroyed the house where the manuscript was held. o Though the edges of the manuscript’s pages were heavily damaged, Beowulf survived.

Home at the British Library o In 1753, the manuscript was acquired by the British Library. o Since its acquisition of Beowulf, the Library has restored the manuscript and produced an Electronic Beowulf project so that readers may see and read the original text…in Old English!

Translation o Turning Old English text from a damaged manuscript to modern English is no easy task. o Every time Beowulf is translated, the result is slightly different. o For example, the first word of Beowulf in Old English is “Hwæt.” o This one word has been given countless translations. The Seamus Heaney translation begins with “So.” Variations include “Lo,” “Hark,” “Behold,” and “Attend.”

Beowulf Today o The surviving manuscript is still viewable today at the St Pancras location of the British Library in London. o There are countless translations of the text available in audio and print. Of course, you can still buy the original Old English too. o The story has been adapted for children’s books, cartoons, and full-length feature movies.

Themes, continued… Violence--this is a bloody and descriptive story. Violence is seen as valid in this society. Consider the historical significance behind the violence. Violence--this is a bloody and descriptive story. Violence is seen as valid in this society. Consider the historical significance behind the violence. Good vs. Evil--the idea behind good conquering evil is played out between Beowulf and the enemies he fights. Good vs. Evil--the idea behind good conquering evil is played out between Beowulf and the enemies he fights. –Beowulf vs. Grendel, Beowulf vs. Grendel’s mother, Beowulf vs. the Dragon.

Themes cont… Kinship--The close relationship between groups of men like the Danes and the Geats. Men who are willing to die for each other without question. Kinship--The close relationship between groups of men like the Danes and the Geats. Men who are willing to die for each other without question. Heroism--Beowulf is the ultimate hero of his time demonstrating kinship and fearless leadership. Heroism--Beowulf is the ultimate hero of his time demonstrating kinship and fearless leadership. Consider how heroism is defined today. Why is Beowulf still considered a hero today? Consider how heroism is defined today. Why is Beowulf still considered a hero today?

The Anglo-Saxon oral poet also used the poetic device of alliteration.alliteration. Grendel gongan, godes yrre bær; mynte se manscaða manna cynnes Beowulf The Poetry of Beowulf

Alliteration: the repetition of consonant sounds in words close together. The emphasis on the w sound in this line from Shakespeare’s Sonnet 30 creates a melancholy tone. And with old woes new wail my dear time’s waste. Beowulf The Poetry of Beowulf

Find examples of alliteration in Burton Raffel’s translation of lines 1-5: Out from the marsh, from the foot of misty Hills and bogs, bearing God’s hatred, Grendel came, hoping to kill Anyone he could trap on this trip to high Herot. Beowulf The Poetry of Beowulf

Find examples of alliteration in Burton Raffel’s translation of lines 1-5: Out from the marsh, from the foot of misty Hills and bogs, bearing God’s hatred, Grendel came, hoping to kill Anyone he could trap on this trip to high Herot. Beowulf The Poetry of Beowulf