Anglo-Saxon Period AD The Anglo-Saxon period is the earliest recorded time period in English history. The Anglo-Saxon period is the earliest recorded time period in English history. Stonehenge video Stonehenge video

From Heathrow Airport to Stonehenge

Anglo-Saxon Literature Oral tradition – stories performed and/or sung by a scop from memory in Old English. Oral tradition – stories performed and/or sung by a scop from memory in Old English. Scops – poet/minstrels (pronounced SHOPES) Scops – poet/minstrels (pronounced SHOPES) Anglo-Saxon literature typically includes Anglo-Saxon literature typically includes Alliteration Alliteration Kennings Kennings Caesura Caesura Epithet Epithet

Alliteration The repetition of beginning consonant sounds in lines of poetry The repetition of beginning consonant sounds in lines of poetry Ex: She sells sea shells on the sea shore.

Kenning a metaphorical phrase used to replace a concrete noun a metaphorical phrase used to replace a concrete noun Ex: teacher = knowledge giver Ex: sea = whale’s home Ex: battle = spear play It is like a poetic riddle or play on words.

Caesura 2 part line – each line is separated by a pause or break in the middle of the line; each part generally has 2 strong beats. 2 part line – each line is separated by a pause or break in the middle of the line; each part generally has 2 strong beats. (Put simply, it is a dramatic pause in the middle of a line.) Then the Scylding warrior savage and grim, Then the Scylding warrior savage and grim, Seized the ring-hilt and swung the sword Seized the ring-hilt and swung the sword Struck with fury despairing of life Struck with fury despairing of life Thrust at the throat broke through the bone rings: Thrust at the throat broke through the bone rings: The stout blade stabbed through her fated flesh. The stout blade stabbed through her fated flesh.

Epithet Adjectives or adjective phrases that describe special traits of particular persons or things – often compound adjectives EX. Sin-stained demon Rosy-fingered dawn

Replica of Anglo-Saxon Village

Boat Sheds on Lindisfarne Island; similar to the Anglo-Saxon mead halls

BEOWULF Present form written between 8 th and 10 th centuries

THE STORY OF BEOWULF Beowulf marks the beginning of English literature Beowulf marks the beginning of English literature It is one of the earliest known pieces of literature in the English language; written in Old English It is one of the earliest known pieces of literature in the English language; written in Old English Its author is unknown Its author is unknown

Beowulf was written down by “The Beowulf Poet,” who is unknown. He wrote down the poem which for many years had been only sung or spoken. Beowulf was written down by “The Beowulf Poet,” who is unknown. He wrote down the poem which for many years had been only sung or spoken. Scholars believe “The Beowulf Poet” was most likely a Christian monk, thus adding a Christian perspective. Scholars believe “The Beowulf Poet” was most likely a Christian monk, thus adding a Christian perspective.

There is only one original Beowulf manuscript existing today. It is in the British History Museum in London. There is only one original Beowulf manuscript existing today. It is in the British History Museum in London.

BEOWULF is an EPIC poem. Epic – a long, narrative poem that relates the great deeds of a larger- than-life hero who embodies the values of a particular society. Epic – a long, narrative poem that relates the great deeds of a larger- than-life hero who embodies the values of a particular society.

What are some other examples of other EPICS? The Iliad and The Iliad and The Odyssey – Homer Harry Potter- Rowling Harry Potter- Rowling  The Lord of the Rings - Tolkien

In every epic is an EPIC HERO ! Epic Hero– must undertake a quest to achieve something of tremendous value to himself and his society

Traditional features of an epic: It is written in narrative poem form (a story in a poem). It is written in narrative poem form (a story in a poem). Its larger-than-life hero is often aided by divine or supernatural forces. Its larger-than-life hero is often aided by divine or supernatural forces. The subject is a struggle for something symbolizing value to the culture. The subject is a struggle for something symbolizing value to the culture. The tone is serious; author uses elevated (poetic) language. The tone is serious; author uses elevated (poetic) language. The hero represents widespread national, cultural, or religious values. The hero represents widespread national, cultural, or religious values.

Features of an epic (cont’d) The hero descends into a literal or figurative underworld. The hero descends into a literal or figurative underworld. Ceremonial qualities are central. Ceremonial qualities are central.

This epic poem is often divided into 3 sections, each addressing the traditional battle between good & evil.

… the Battle with Grendel

…the Battle with Grendel’s Mother

…the Battle with the Dragon What else does a dragon often represent and why?

Beowulf contains specific elements related to epics Pagan Customs Pagan Customs Christian Customs Christian Customs Social Customs Social Customs

Pagan Customs (Romans introduced Christianity – see timeline) Pagans existed before Christianity and became more and more sparsely populated when Christian beliefs became a government’s belief. (Romans introduced Christianity – see timeline) - Polytheism: each god oversaw different aspects of the world (water, sun, earth, etc) - Superstitious belief in many evil monsters who fought to undo the gods and their human followers. -Wyrd (fate): controls their lives -Fame: only guarantee of immortality -Pessimistic outlook - why??

Christian Customs Christianity focuses on a belief in God (note capital G) – One God: created Heaven and Earth - One evil being: Satan (former angel who betrayed God) -Rewarding afterlife -Giving thanks to God for help before battle -Optimistic outlook – why??

Code of Conduct Bravery, both physical and spiritual Bravery, both physical and spiritual Comitatus: loyalty and service to a leader Comitatus: loyalty and service to a leader A band of warriors pledge themselves to a feudal lord. A band of warriors pledge themselves to a feudal lord. They swear to defend him to their deaths; it is shameful if they leave the battlefield. They swear to defend him to their deaths; it is shameful if they leave the battlefield. If the leader is killed, his death must be avenged. If the leader is killed, his death must be avenged. In return, the lord protects them and shares his wealth and weapons with them. In return, the lord protects them and shares his wealth and weapons with them.

Code of Conduct (cont’d) Generosity and rewards Generosity and rewards Love of fame (in a positive sense) Love of fame (in a positive sense) Wisdom Wisdom Piety towards a god Piety towards a god

Anglo-Saxon Terms Mead: drink made by fermenting honey Mead: drink made by fermenting honey Thane: a warrior who followed his lord Thane: a warrior who followed his lord Mead hall: A large hall where the lords and thanes ate and slept. It was a place for gift-giving and entertaining. Royal festivals were held here. Mead hall: A large hall where the lords and thanes ate and slept. It was a place for gift-giving and entertaining. Royal festivals were held here. Wergild: a man’s personal (monetary) worth. Each man had his price or worth according to his station in life. A kinsman could actually accept wergild from his kinsman’s murderer without a loss of face. Wergild: a man’s personal (monetary) worth. Each man had his price or worth according to his station in life. A kinsman could actually accept wergild from his kinsman’s murderer without a loss of face.

Characteristics of an Anglo-Saxon Hero Generosity Generosity Piety Piety Strength Strength Bravery Bravery Loyalty Loyalty Boasts Boasts

?v=7Wl-OZ3breE ?v=7Wl-OZ3breE What does Old English sound like?

Setting: Where does Beowulf take place? Geatland and Geatland and Denmark Denmark (Modern Denmark (Modern Denmark and Sweden) and Sweden)

Setting: The Scary, Horror Movie “Where” Beowulf takes place in a “once upon a time world” which taps into “three archetypal sites of fear.” For thought: Brainstorm places people typically fear.

I like to think of them this way:

Our bed on a stormy night when we are alone in the house (where we should feel safe.)

1. The barricaded warrior house/ Mead Hall

A murky lake or a beach where Jaws takes place.

2. The infested underwater lair

The dark recesses of the earth: a cave, or even your own dark basement!

The reptile-taunted rocks of a wilderness and cave

Danes – citizens of Denmark; their country is being attacked by Grendel Geats – citizens of Geatland (modern-day Sweden); home of Beowulf and his ancestors Herot – name of Danish warrior hall Hrothgar – King of the Danish people; (kenning – Healfdane’s son)

Beowulf – heroic Geat warrior, son of Edgetho Grendel – monster who attacks the Danes Grendel’s mother – monster who attacks the Danes out of revenge for son’s defeat Dragon – monster who attacks the Geats because a thief steals from its treasure Higlac – King of Geatland; Beowulf’s uncle Wiglaf – cousin of Beowulf; comes to Beowulf’s aid in battle with dragon

What is “mail”?