1. Beowulf

2. Anglo-Saxon Period The Anglo-Saxon period is the earliest recorded time period in English history.

3. Why Study Beowulf? 1. Beowulf is the oldest poem in the English language, so everything written since Beowulf stems from it in some way 2. The story of Beowulf encompasses common themes that we still see in English literature today The Anglo-Saxon period ranges from 449- 1066.

4. Why Study Beowulf? 4. In some ways, it doesn’t matter what you read, but how you read it, so…since Beowulf came first, you might as well start there. 5. Studying Old English improves your understanding of modern English 6. It’s a great story

5. Beowulf’s Provenance What we don’t know:  who wrote it  when exactly it was written  how much, exactly, is based on historical truth

6. Beowulf’s Provenance What we do know:  Beowulf is the oldest surviving English poem. It’s written in Old English (or Anglo-Saxon), which is the basis for the language we speak today. So why wasn’t it written down in the first place?

7. Anglo-Saxon Literature Few people read in this period Oral tradition – was performed and/or sung by a Bard (Scop) from memory in Old English This is why there are often several versions of the same story. Scops – poet/minstrels Authors were unknown

8. Beowulf’s Provenance It wasn’t until after the Norman Invasion (1066) that writing stories down became common in this part of the world.

9.  Scholars believe “The Beowulf Poet” was most likely a Christian monk, thus adding a Christian perspective.

10.  Motifs – a motif is a recurring theme or image in a work of literature  Biblical and Christian Allusions  Pagan Customs  Social Customs  Traits of the Warrior  Beowulf Boasts

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

12.  Greek “Illiad” and “Odyssey” – Homer

13. The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings – Tolkien

14.  EPIC HERO – must undertake a quest to achieve something of tremendous value to himself and his society

15.  What are the qualities that make up a hero?  List three fictional heroes and list three real-life heroes.

16.  Everyone has the potential to be a hero  There are no heroes left in the world  A hero must use violence to achieve his/her goals  It is okay for a hero to use any means to achieve his/her goal

17.  A long narrative poem  Larger than life hero; often with super- human characteristics  Concerns eternal human problems like the struggle between good and evil  Presented in a serious manner using elevated (poetic) language  Hero represents widespread national, cultural, or religious values

18. Setting: Beowulf’s time and place Europe today Insert: Time of Beowulf

19.  loyalty  valor  Selflessness  sense of justice

22. (She also represents evil.)

23. (It not only represents evil but also Greed.)

24.  It’s a very creative, imaginative, poetic masterpiece.  It gives us insight into the origins of the British people, the culture, who, through seafaring conquests, founded the world we currently live in.  It gives us insight into the origins of our language.

25.  It gives us insight into all people everywhere and throughout time (time, birth, death, fame/success/glory, honor, friendship, conflict, home, country, adventure, spirituality – all of these things transcend English literature and matter to all people)  It’s challenging and we love a good challenge!!!

26.  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!!)

27. The Poetry in Beowulf A few things to watch out for 1. Alliterative verse a.Repetition of initial sounds of words (occurs in every line) b. Generally, four feet/beats per line c. A caesura, or pause, between beats two and four d. No rhyme

28. The Poetry in Beowulf A few things to watch out for 2. Kennings a. Compound metaphor (usually two words) b. Most were probably used over and over For instance: hronade literally means “whale- road,” but can be translated as “sea”

29. ACTIVITY Find one example for each of the poetry devices previously mentioned: Alliteration Simile Allusion

30. The Poetry in Beowulf Alliteration: the repetition of similar sounds, especially the initial consonant sound of a word or of a stressed syllable, Example: “Shild’s strong son” (23, line 19). Alliteration is a literary device that was used frequently by Anglo-Saxons Simile: A direct comparison of two unlike things using like´ or as. Example: The ship foamed through the sea like a bird…” Allusion: a reference that is made indirectly, subtly suggested, or implied that refers to another work (of literature, art, etc.) Example: Grendel is referred to as the son of Cain, a Biblical allusion.

31. epic Beowulf is an epic poem. This means it has a larger- than life hero and the conflict is of universal importance. There’s a certain serious that accompanies most epics. Other terms you’ll want to know

32. Some terms you’ll want to know scop A bard or story-teller. The scop was responsible for praising deeds of past heroes, for recording history, and for providing entertainment

33. comitatus Literally, this means “escort” or “comrade” This term identifies the concept of warriors and lords mutually pledging their loyalty to one another Some terms you’ll want to know

34. thane A warrior mead-hall The large hall where the lord and his warriors slept, ate, held ceremonies, etc. Some terms you’ll want to know

35. wyrd Fate. This idea crops up a lot in the poem, while at the same time there are Christian references to God’s will. Some terms you’ll want to know

36. elegy An elegy is a poem that is sad or mournful. The adjective is elegiac. homily A homily is a written sermon or section of the poem that gives direct advice. Some terms you’ll want to know