1. Beowulf “It’s all Old English to me”

2. The Basics Epic poem Third person omniscient Pagan story told by Christian writer Set in Scandinavia (land of Geats) and Denmark Composed orally between the Seventh and Tenth century ACE.

3. The Historical Reminders Germanic tribes (Angles, Saxons, and Jutes) settled in England as early as 400 ACE. Much conflict happened between tribes. Out of 7 original kingdoms, only 1 (Wessex) survived the Viking (Danes) raids. Christianity began as early 597 ACE through the work of Augustine of Canterbury.

4. Who’s Who? Geats? The Germanic people of Scandinavia that had been conquered by the Swedes (500s ACE) Danes: people from Denmark Swedes: Swedish people Jutes: tribes from Denmark and northern Germany; conquerors of most of England Frisians: from Friesland (north Netherlands) Scandinavians: from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.

5. Writing Devices Alliteration, Metaphor, Simile, Symbolism Allusions (ex. Cain) Caesura – a pause or break in the meter or rhythm of a line of verse Epic – long poem that relates exploits of a hero Foil – characters that through contrast emphasize of enhance one another Kenning – figurative (usually metaphorical) compound expression used as a name or noun (sail-road; bone-cage)