1. Beowulf
Introduction

2. Manuscript in the British Museum

3. Anglo-Saxon or “Old English”

4. And now with sound

5. The History of Anglo-Saxon

6. The Heroic Age Anglo-Saxon primitivism The epic-warrior hero dominates
Establishment of a culture and people

7. Greeks vs. Geats Clever intellect Polish
Attempt to avoid imprudent conflict
Praise of the individual
Glorification of mental prowess
Brute strength
Determination
Acceptance of violence
Praise of the clan
Glorification of strength and courage

8. The Barbarian Spirit Rugged individualism Passion for warfare
Loyalty and fellowship of warriors
Superstitious fear and reverence of beasts
Pride in arms and armor
Love of splendor and rich design

9. Background to the Poem
Only one hand-copied manuscript exists in the British Museum, damaged by fire
Originally in the collection of Sir Robert Bruce Cotton (1570?-1631)

10. Background to the Poem
One of several manuscripts found on shelves designated by the busts of ancient rulers
Beowulf is referred to as Cotton Vitellius A.xv.

11. Background Text is from 700-1000 AD, but the action predates it
Christianity later imposed on the text
Evolved out of the oral tradition
Possibly compiled from several smaller narratives
The only known manuscript of Beowulf is referred to as Cotton Vitellius A.xv.

12. Background One of the earliest works of Old English literature
The action does NOT take place in England
Reflects history and tradition of Anglo-Saxon and German ancestors

13. Background Beowulf --> Geats --> Southern Sweden
Hrothgar --> Danes --> Denmark

14. Structure
Digressions
Lacks narrative variety
Humorless

15. Structure Nature is stern and fearsome
Characters are types: hero, king, queen -- simple outlines
Opening = Shield’s funeral ship
Closing = Beowulf’s pyre and tower

16. The Ideal Warrior-Hero
Beowulf Acts from the highest motives
Never uncertain
Does not give way to anger
Sacrifices the self without regard for reward
Too ideal to be life-like
Not rounded like Odysseus

17. thane
a man who held land granted by the king or by a military nobleman, ranking between an ordinary freeman and a hereditary noble

18. comitatus
a Germanic friendship structure that tied warriors to their leaders, thereby forming a warband
the loyalty of thanes and kinsmen to their lord, even more compelling than to family

19. lof praise and esteem of countrymen, reputation
“fame of the mouth,” identified as the joyful verbal pronouncement by an individual or group that another’s deeds are worthy of praise, and thus worthy of imitation

20. Wergild
From the Germanic “Wert” (value) + “Geld” (money) = “man-price”
Payment of material goods as recompense for the destruction of human life
Reflects dependence on the tangible to resolve human problems

21. wyrd a concept roughly corresponding to fate or personal destiny
etymologically related to the Modern English weird, which retains its original meaning only dialectally

22. kennings metaphorical compound “ring-giver” = lord “swan-road” = sea
“word-hoard” = vocabulary

23. Themes The passing of noble souls from the earth Materialistic success
True friendship
Futility of material gain
The value found in life and in death

24. Watch for. . . Man vs. the Preternatural Judeo-Christian vs. Pagan
Youthful Beowulf vs. Old Beowulf
Courtly manners
Digressions