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Old English to Now - Did You Know?. The Lord’s Prayer in Old English 400-1100 A.D.

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Presentation on theme: "Old English to Now - Did You Know?. The Lord’s Prayer in Old English 400-1100 A.D."— Presentation transcript:

1 Old English to Now - Did You Know?

2 The Lord’s Prayer in Old English 400-1100 A.D. http://www.pastperfect.org.uk/sites/yeavering/archive/prayerclip.html The Lord’s Prayer in Old English 400-1100 A.D. Some words: Faeder - Father eart - art heofonum - heaven ure - Our we - we Rice - Reich/kingdom Gyltas - Guilts yfele - evil Soplice - Amen or Truly http://www.pastperfect.org.uk/sites/yeavering/archive/prayerclip.html http://www.pastperfect.org.uk/sites/yeavering/archive/prayerclip.html

3 The Lord’s Prayer in Old English 400-1100 A.D. The Lord’s Prayer in Old English 400-1100 A.D.

4 The Lord’s Prayer in Middle English 1100-1500/1600 A.D. The Lord’s Prayer in Middle English 1100-1500/1600 A.D. Some words: Fadir - Father heunenes - heaven kyngdoom - kingdom dettis & dettouris (French) - Guilts/debts and debtors temptacioun - Temptation (French) delyuere - deliver (French) Amen - (Hebrew)

5 More Middle English 1100-1500/1600 A.D. http://papyr.com/hypertextbooks/can_tale.wav More Middle English 1100-1500/1600 A.D. http://papyr.com/hypertextbooks/can_tale.wav http://papyr.com/hypertextbooks/can_tale.wav

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7 By Whom? By whom was it written? By whom was it written? –Most Anglo-Saxon poetry was oral at first, meaning it was transmitted or performed by a Bard from memory; it wasn’t actually written down, per se until... –Somewhere between the eighth and ninth centuries A.D., “The Beowulf-Poet” (his identity is unknown) wrote down the poem which for many years had been sung/spoken. –The Beowulf-poet, scholars believe, was an English monk, and therefore, Christian, who probably lived in one of the Anglo-Saxon settlements in Western England

8 About Whom? Even though the poet himself was English and Christian, the poem is about neither Englishmen nor Christians Even though the poet himself was English and Christian, the poem is about neither Englishmen nor Christians It is the story of several Scandinavian peoples/tribes, mainly the Geats and the Danes, but also the Swedes. Beowulf is a Geat. He goes to the aid of the Danes, whose king is Hrothgar It is the story of several Scandinavian peoples/tribes, mainly the Geats and the Danes, but also the Swedes. Beowulf is a Geat. He goes to the aid of the Danes, whose king is Hrothgar They live in... They live in...

9 Map of Baltic Region of Scandinavia and the Viking Invasions (700-800)

10 “Who?” in Depth The poem’s hero is Beowulf, a Geat who lives in Scandinavia. He is probably a fictional character. He is certainly an epic hero. More on this later. The poem is also about three races or tribes: The poem’s hero is Beowulf, a Geat who lives in Scandinavia. He is probably a fictional character. He is certainly an epic hero. More on this later. The poem is also about three races or tribes: –The Geats –The Danes –The Swedes It is written by an English (Anglo-Saxon) monk who is looking back in time to the days when his ancestors still lived in Scandinavia and by a different code of ethics. (The Anglo-Saxon code was on its way out, soon to be replaced by Christian values) It is written by an English (Anglo-Saxon) monk who is looking back in time to the days when his ancestors still lived in Scandinavia and by a different code of ethics. (The Anglo-Saxon code was on its way out, soon to be replaced by Christian values) The original audiences would have heard the poem, and they would probably have been distant relatives of those tribes who play major roles in the poem The original audiences would have heard the poem, and they would probably have been distant relatives of those tribes who play major roles in the poem

11 Who are the main characters? Beowulf (Geat) Beowulf (Geat) Wiglaf (Geat) Wiglaf (Geat) Hrothgar (Dane) Hrothgar (Dane) Unferth (Dane) Unferth (Dane) Grendel Grendel Grendel’s mother Grendel’s mother The dragon The dragon

12 Many people divide the poem into thirds; it is about Beowulf’s three epic battles with evil creatures Many people divide the poem into thirds; it is about Beowulf’s three epic battles with evil creatures –Grendel –Grendel’s Mother –The Dragon However, again, it is also, again, about three tribes: However, again, it is also, again, about three tribes: –The Geats –The Danes –The Swedes

13 What? What is it? Beowulf is an epic poem. What is it? Beowulf is an epic poem. What is he? Beowulf is an epic hero What is he? Beowulf is an epic hero What is it about? It is about a transitional point in history, though it is mostly mythological and fictional What is it about? It is about a transitional point in history, though it is mostly mythological and fictional It is poetic, creative, imaginative, and one of the earliest works of art in the English language (Old English) It is poetic, creative, imaginative, and one of the earliest works of art in the English language (Old English) It is also important to remember that it is NOT a work written in Latin. It is written in Old English and about people who were England’s founders (or conquerors). It is also important to remember that it is NOT a work written in Latin. It is written in Old English and about people who were England’s founders (or conquerors).

14 What? EPIC POEM AND HEROES: EPIC POEM AND HEROES: An epic is “a long narrative poem that relates the great deeds of a larger-than-life hero who embodies the values of a particular society.” An epic is “a long narrative poem that relates the great deeds of a larger-than-life hero who embodies the values of a particular society.” Most epics/epic poems include elements of myth, legend, folklore, and history. Their tone is serious, and their language is grand. They have universal themes. Most epics/epic poems include elements of myth, legend, folklore, and history. Their tone is serious, and their language is grand. They have universal themes. Most are in high status, can act super-human with amazing physical strength, plot and setting can have supernatural elements, may deliver a long, formal speech. Most epic heroes are in high status, can act super-human with amazing physical strength, plot and setting can have supernatural elements, may deliver a long, formal speech. The hero will undertake quests to achieve something of tremendous value to themselves and their society. The hero will undertake quests to achieve something of tremendous value to themselves and their society. Hero’s actions determine the fate of many people- a nation or civilization. Hero’s actions determine the fate of many people- a nation or civilization. Honor and glory are important. Honor and glory are important.

15 What? Beowulf is also, in very many ways, allegorical. Beowulf is also, in very many ways, allegorical. An allegory is “A story in which the characters, settings, and events stand for abstract or moral concepts” An allegory is “A story in which the characters, settings, and events stand for abstract or moral concepts” EXAMPLES: EXAMPLES: –Grendel stands for the monstrous features of fratricide; consider that he is born of Cain (who is know for killing his brother). The Geats, Danes, and Swedes, were in many ways “brothers,” but they were also at war. Who else kills his brother (or kinsmen) in the poem? –Grendel’s mother may stand for the root of (or mother of) our deepest animalistic aggressions. When heroes go into the sea, it is said by some scholars that they are actually going into the deepest recesses of their psyche. IS Beowulf, by defeating Grendel’s mother, simply “killing” the concept of revenge for revenge’s sake? –Dragons often represent greed. They horde treasure and become violent if the treasure is touched. By killing the dragon, is Beowulf killing his own greed? Notice what he gives to his people after he dies.

16 When? When was it written? It was probably written sometime around 700 A.D. When was it written? It was probably written sometime around 700 A.D. When did the events in it take place? When did the events in it take place? It is an imaginative work about people who occupied the Baltic region sometime around the fifth century. It is an imaginative work about people who occupied the Baltic region sometime around the fifth century. Some events in the poem did take place: Some events in the poem did take place: –The raid against the Franks by Hygelac, Beowulf’s lord, took place in the sixth century A.D. It is important to remember the vast role TIME (Past, Present, and Future) plays within the poem itself. Beowulf and the other characters who populate the poem seem to be obsessed themselves with the human relationship to time (or “when”) It is important to remember the vast role TIME (Past, Present, and Future) plays within the poem itself. Beowulf and the other characters who populate the poem seem to be obsessed themselves with the human relationship to time (or “when”) Most important thing to remember is that it is a poem that reminisces about a previous, “dead” world. Most important thing to remember is that it is a poem that reminisces about a previous, “dead” world.

17 Where? Where was it written? It was written down, most likely, in the kingdom of Mercia (East Central England today). Where was it written? It was written down, most likely, in the kingdom of Mercia (East Central England today). Where do the events in the poem take place? The action in the poem takes place in Geatland and Denmark (the island of Zealand and in Southern Sweden)... Or more generally, in the Baltic region of Scandinavia Where do the events in the poem take place? The action in the poem takes place in Geatland and Denmark (the island of Zealand and in Southern Sweden)... Or more generally, in the Baltic region of Scandinavia Also consider more specific settings: Also consider more specific settings: –The sea, the meadhall, the swamp, the battlefield, etc. In the modern world, it is Denmark and Sweden and the islands in the Baltic between the two countries. In the modern world, it is Denmark and Sweden and the islands in the Baltic between the two countries. But it is also indirectly about the poet who wrote the poem down; we can say this because so many Christian features exist in the work. So it is also about Anglo- Saxon England, but only indirectly. But it is also indirectly about the poet who wrote the poem down; we can say this because so many Christian features exist in the work. So it is also about Anglo- Saxon England, but only indirectly. NONE of the action takes place in England. NONE of the action takes place in England.

18 Where? England: Anglo’s, Saxon’s, Jutes

19 The Scary, Horror Movie “Where” One might say that Beowulf takes place in a “once upon a time world” and that it taps into fears: One might say that Beowulf takes place in a “once upon a time world” and that it taps into fears: –The barricaded night house (Grendel) –The infested underwater current (Grendel’s mother) –Reptile-haunted rocks of a wilderness (dragon) You might like to think of them this way, in terms which may mean more to your and my generation: You might like to think of them this way, in terms which may mean more to your and my generation: –Our beds on a stormy night when we are alone in the house (where we should feel safe) –A murky lake, or the beach where Jaws takes place (Ever been waterskiing and wondered what was nibbling on your toes?). Or, how about a dark forest by yourself? –The dark recesses of the earth: a cave, or even better, your own, dark basement

20 Why? Why do we read it? Why do we read it? –It’s a very creative, imaginative, poetic masterpiece –It gives us insight into the origins of the British people, the culture who, through seafaring conquest, founded the world we currently live in –It gives us insight into the origins of our English language –It gives us insight into all people everywhere and throughout time and themes most of us can connect with: time, birth, death, fame/success/glory, honor, friendship, conflict, home, country, adventure, spirituality—all of these things are connected to all people –It’s challenging and we all love a good challenge! –It’s scary and gets us to think about our own worst fears –It’s a VERY important piece of literature historically (this is the “because we have to” reason!).

21 Important Themes in the Poem Past, Present, and Future (and Fate) Past, Present, and Future (and Fate) Life and Death Life and Death Fame (often achieved through war) Fame (often achieved through war) Setting Setting –Geography (Denmark, Geatland, Sweden,... And England??) –The Meadhall (Heorot) Good vs. Evil & Religion Good vs. Evil & Religion –Man vs. Man –Man vs. Beast (Man vs. Himself? If allegorical) –Good Christian Traits vs. Evil –Good Pagan (Anglo-Saxon traits) vs. Evil –Bad Pagan Traits –Christianity vs. Paganism (Paganism in poem is not evil) Anglo-Saxon Code Anglo-Saxon Code –Friendship –Loyalty –Fame, Honor –Bravery –Generosity –Man-Price –Thane’s duty to his Lord; Lord’ duty to his Thanes Christianity emerging as the dominant faith and worldview in the Scandinavian world Christianity emerging as the dominant faith and worldview in the Scandinavian world Stories and Songs themselves Stories and Songs themselves Masculine and feminine roles in the world Masculine and feminine roles in the world

22 The Major Things We’ll Be Focusing On: Conventions of the Epic poem and Epic Hero Conventions of the Epic poem and Epic Hero The “Code” of values and ethics these people lived by The “Code” of values and ethics these people lived by Literary Terms: Epic poem, Epic Hero, Plot, Alliteration, Caesura, Theme Literary Terms: Epic poem, Epic Hero, Plot, Alliteration, Caesura, Theme Connections to our lives: Heroes, personal and cultural values, culture Connections to our lives: Heroes, personal and cultural values, culture


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