1. Beowulf
English IV

2. Who were the anglo-saxons?
Invaded and settled in the south and east of Britain in the 5th Century
Anglo-Saxon Era: the years
Language: Old English, spoken and later written; eventually became Middle English in the 11th Century
Descended from three tribes: Angles (modern day Germany), Saxons (Germany and surrounding countries), and Jutes (modern day Denmark)

3. Built small towns near centers of agriculture
Anglo-Saxon society
Built small towns near centers of agriculture
Each town had a main hall at its center, containing a central hearth (containing fire for warmth/cooking)
Wanted to remain peaceful – but had harsh laws for committing crimes
Literature: about 400 works survive, including Beowulf
Religion: originally pagan (believing in multiple gods), but later converted to Christianity

5. Old English heroic epic poem
Beowulf
Old English heroic epic poem
One of the most important works of Anglo-Saxon literature
Composed by an anonymous poet between the 8th and 11th century
Focuses on the adventures of a hero named Beowulf

6. Focuses on heroic deeds or events significant to a culture
What is epic poetry?
Long narrative poem
Focuses on heroic deeds or events significant to a culture
Were originally told aloud, but eventually became written works (may not have survived otherwise).
Gilgamesh, The Odyssey, The Aeneid, Paradise Lost, The Divine Comedy, etc.
First epics are considered “primary” or “folk” epics
This includes Beowulf
Often begins “in medias res”

7. Larger-than-life figure Usually of noble birth or part god
Traits of an epic hero
Larger-than-life figure
Usually of noble birth or part god
Fights against evil forces
Goes on an epic quest
Does good deeds that show virtue and bravery

8. Anglo-Saxon Poetry
Alliteration: repeating of consonant sounds (Example: He is hasped and hooped and hirtling with pain, limping and looped in it.)
Kennings: replaces simple nouns with more descriptive and complex images (Examples: “wound dew” = blood)  TONS of these in Beowulf
Common themes: war/warriors, seas, storms, animals (wolves, ravens), death, fate, destiny