Anglo-Saxon Literature

Origins of Anglo-Saxon Poetry Began with the Celtic druids Druids memorized and recited long heroic poems about Celtic leaders and their deeds Anglo-Saxon literature began as an oral tradition. Purpose: To pass along tribal history and values to an audience that could not read

Origins Continued Anglo-Saxons brought a rudimentary alphabet with them from Northern Europe – runes Anglo-Saxons brought a rudimentary alphabet with them from Northern Europe – runes Chiefly used for inscriptions. Chiefly used for inscriptions. Few Anglo-Saxons could read or write and, like the Celts, depended on an oral tradition. Few Anglo-Saxons could read or write and, like the Celts, depended on an oral tradition.

What’s Left of the Literature Very little survives Very little survives Monks copied down what was previously oral; written in Latin Monks copied down what was previously oral; written in Latin Alfred the Great – translated works back into Old English or Anglo-Saxon Alfred the Great – translated works back into Old English or Anglo-Saxon “Beowulf” survives as do fragments of other epics; religious poems; and a small group of dramatic poems (“Seafarer” is an example) and riddles “Beowulf” survives as do fragments of other epics; religious poems; and a small group of dramatic poems (“Seafarer” is an example) and riddles

Setting for Anglo-Saxon Literature Ceremonial occasions Ceremonial occasions Gathered in the the mead hall or castle Gathered in the the mead hall or castle Performances were expected Performances were expected Likely began with the telling of riddles Likely began with the telling of riddles Scops – professional story tellers Scops – professional story tellers Assistants – gleeman Assistants – gleeman Recite for hours, sometimes days Recite for hours, sometimes days Accompanied by lyre or harp Accompanied by lyre or harp

Composition of Anglo-Saxon Poetry Set formulaic composition Set formulaic composition Formal, rigid pattern of word stresses (4?) Formal, rigid pattern of word stresses (4?) Caesura – pause mid-line Caesura – pause mid-line Alliteration – of first part of each half Alliteration – of first part of each half Repetition Repetition Kennings – descriptive compound words Kennings – descriptive compound words “sea stallions” = ships

Types of Poetry Lyric: to communicate personal thought and feeling; usually shorter; “Seafarer” Lyric: to communicate personal thought and feeling; usually shorter; “Seafarer” Epic: long narrative poem recording the adventures of a hero; typically epics chronicle the origins of a civilization and embody its central values Epic: long narrative poem recording the adventures of a hero; typically epics chronicle the origins of a civilization and embody its central values

“Beowulf” Purpose: to attain a degree of immortality Purpose: to attain a degree of immortality Remember, there is a strong belief in Wyrd, human destiny controlled by fate; ultimate and inescapable fate is death Remember, there is a strong belief in Wyrd, human destiny controlled by fate; ultimate and inescapable fate is death However, a person who won fame by performing heroic deeds might achieve a degree of immortality through the recitation of these deeds in poetry However, a person who won fame by performing heroic deeds might achieve a degree of immortality through the recitation of these deeds in poetry

Review of Epic Poetry Long narrative Long narrative Tells of the exploits of a larger than life hero Tells of the exploits of a larger than life hero Embodies the ideals of the culture Embodies the ideals of the culture Style: grave, and stately language befitting the subject of the poetry Style: grave, and stately language befitting the subject of the poetry

Anglo-Saxon Values Demonstrated by the Anglo-Saxon hero Demonstrated by the Anglo-Saxon hero Courage Courage Loyalty to king Loyalty to king Wisdom Wisdom Physical Strength Physical Strength Boasting Boasting Determination Determination Commitment to warfare/acceptance of violence Commitment to warfare/acceptance of violence

Origins of “Beowulf” Composed in Northumbira in Old English Composed in Northumbira in Old English Scops recited for 300 years before it was written down Scops recited for 300 years before it was written down First great work of national literature First great work of national literature Only one original manuscript survives – in British Museum of London – discovered in the 18 th century Only one original manuscript survives – in British Museum of London – discovered in the 18 th century

Composition of “Beowulf” 3200 lines 3200 lines Three parts: Beowulf vs. Grendel; Beowulf vs. Grendel’s mother; and Beowulf vs. the Dragon Three parts: Beowulf vs. Grendel; Beowulf vs. Grendel’s mother; and Beowulf vs. the Dragon Distinctive features: two part line with caesura; 4 beats per line; alliteration; kennings Distinctive features: two part line with caesura; 4 beats per line; alliteration; kennings Anonymous author – Christian references and references to Greek and Roman mythology Anonymous author – Christian references and references to Greek and Roman mythology Concept of the hero Concept of the hero Conflict between good and evil Conflict between good and evil

Setting for “Beowulf” Beowulf is a Geat (southern Sweden) Beowulf is a Geat (southern Sweden) Starts from homeland to try to free Danish King Hrothgar’s great banquet hall, Heorot, of a monster, Grendel, that has been ravaging it for 12 years. Starts from homeland to try to free Danish King Hrothgar’s great banquet hall, Heorot, of a monster, Grendel, that has been ravaging it for 12 years. The one verifiable historical event in the poem, Hygelac’s death took place about 520. So, nearly 500 years between that first event and the poem’s first written form. The one verifiable historical event in the poem, Hygelac’s death took place about 520. So, nearly 500 years between that first event and the poem’s first written form.