1. Introduction to Beowulf
Story isn’t about the English—it’s about the Danes and the Geats. So what’s it doing in England?
Romans controlled England (up to Hadrian’s Wall) until the 5th century
Waves of post-Roman invasions by Angles, Saxons, Jutes, Danes, and Irish
Native Britons couldn’t hold them off

2. Anglo-Saxon Kingdoms Map from C. Warren Hollister,
The Making of England, p. 64

3. I. Historical background
A.D. -- Angles, Saxons, and Jutes invade (Beowulf set)
410 A.D. – Rome renounces control of Britain
521 A.D. – Hygelac invades the Netherlands
597 A.D. – St. Augustine
625 A.D. – Sutton Hoo
A.D. -- Christian poet composed the poem

4. The Danelaw
Viking raids in late 8th century along East coast of England, Ireland, northern France
In 850, Danish Vikings began to settle in Kent
In 865, a large Danish army invaded and took control of nearly all of England except Wessex
In 870, Danes attacked Wessex

5. The Danelaw 871: Alfred the Great becomes king of Wessex
Warrior, diplomat, administrator, scholar, Christian; Greatest Anglo-Saxon king
872: Alfred had to bribe the Danes to stop the fighting
Built a navy of 60-oared ships, bigger and faster than the Danes’ ships

6. The Danelaw
After almost losing his kingdom in 872, Alfred’s military reforms allowed him to begin retaking land
By 886, Alfred had retaken London and made a treaty with the Danes establishing their area of authority in England—the Danelaw
By Alfred’s death in 899, the Danish threat was over, and subsequent kings reconquered the Danelaw

7. Sutton Hoo
Ship burial of a 7th-century Anglo-Saxon king, possibly Raedwald (d. 624/625)
Found in 1939 at Sutton Hoo in eastern England, formerly the Danelaw
Ship was nearly 80 feet long, laden with treasures and everyday equipment (even if it is everyday equipment made of gold)
Window into the early Anglo-Saxon world

8. Sutton Hoo
Photos from British Museum

9. Sutton Hoo

10. Sutton Hoo

11. Introduction to Beowulf
Oral vs. written text
Many ancient works were memorized and recited—and were not written down until centuries later (Odyssey, Iliad, Beowulf)
Only surviving Beowulf manuscript dates from late 10th century
Probably composed mid-8th century

12. Introduction to Beowulf
The scop: Anglo-Saxon equivalent of a singing poet
Oral techniques: alliteration, repetition, variation, kennings, half-lines, metonymy (one thing substituted for another), synecdoche (part for the whole)

13. Beowulf Manuscript (Note the burn marks on the top and sides—the ms
Beowulf Manuscript (Note the burn marks on the top and sides—the ms. was severely damaged in a fire)

14. Poetics Hwaet! Wē Gār-Dena in geārdagum þēodcyninga þrym gefrūnon,
hū ðā æþelingas ellen fremedon.
Oft Scyld Scēfing sceaþena þrēatum
monegum mægþum meodosetla oftēah,
egsode eorlas syððan ærest wearð
fēasceaft funden. Hē þæs frōfre gebād,
wēox under wolcnum, weorðmundum þāh
oð þæt him æghwylc þāra ymbsittendra
ofer hronrāde hyran scolde,
gomban gyldan. Þæt wæs gōd cyning!

15. Kennings A metaphorical expression used in place of a noun
Sea = “whale-road” or “swan’s way”
Joints, ligaments = “bone-locks”
Sun = “sky-candle”
Icicles = “water-ropes”

16. Metonymy and Synecdoche
Metonymy: Name of one thing is substituted for the name of something else that most people would associate with the first thing
“Iron” for “Sword”
“Crown” for “king” or “monarchy”
Synecdoche: Substitute a part for the whole
“keel” for “ship”
“All hands on deck”
“Heads of cattle”

17. Anglo-Saxon Society
Tribal society with kinship bonds and a heroic code of behavior
bravery
loyalty to one's lord, one's warband (comitatus), and one's kin
willingness to avenge one's warband or lord at all costs – death preferable to exile.
generosity of lord to thanes and of hero to warband and lord--gift-giving
heroism (i.e., great deeds) brings honor, eternal fame, and political power

18. Anglo-Saxon values Loyalty Fighting for one’s king
Avenging one’s kinsmen
Keeping one’s word
Generosity -- gifts symbolize bonds
Brotherly love -- not romantic love
Heroism
Physical strength
Skill and resourcefulness in battle
Courage
Public reputation, not private conscience

19. What about the women?
Women make peace, bearing children who create blood ties
Women pass the cup at the mead-hall, cementing social bonds
Women lament loss, don’t avenge

20. Religion in Anglo Saxon Times
Mix of pagan and Christian values--often in conflict.
Pagan (secular (non-religious) lineage vs. Christian lineage;
Eternal earthly fame through deeds vs afterlife in hell or heaven;
honor & gift-giving vs. sin of pride (hubris);
revenge vs pacifist view (forgiveness);
Wyrd (Anglo-Saxon "Fate") vs God's will, etc.

21. Epic hero traits Is significant and glorified Is on a quest
Has superior or superhuman strength, intelligence, and/or courage
Is ethical
. Risks death for glory or for the greater good of society
Is a strong and responsible leader
Performs brave deeds
Reflects ideals of a particular society