1. Background and Introduction
Beowulf
Background and Introduction

2. Invasion of the British Isles
B.C. Celtic invasion Brythons (Britons) in Britain and Gaels in Ireland (clan culture)
55 B.C.- Roman invasion (establishment of towns, introduction to Christianity)
407 A.D. – Romans leave British Isles
5th Century (449 A.D.) Anglo-Saxon invasion (Germanic tribes). Celts flee but leave Christian customs

3. Viking Invasion 9th Century Norse invade Scotland, Wales, Ireland
Danes invade southern England
Anglo-Saxons maintain power and Christian values against pagan Vikings
871 A.D. Alfred the Great establishes Saxon rule, promotes rebirth of learning and culture
1066 A.D. Anglo-Saxon rule falls to Normans (North men, Vikings) with death of King Edward

4. Anglo-Saxon Literature
Epic vs. Elegiac poetry
The role of the scop
Alliteration
Assonance
Caesura
Kennings

5. Beowulf Composed by single Christian author for a Christian audience
Sometime in the 8th -11th centuries
Epic Poem
Comitatus – Germanic code of loyalty
Thanes – warriors swearing loyalty to kings in return for land, treasures

6. Old English Old English is also known as Anglo-Saxon 449-1100
Runic alphabet
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