1. Beowulf Introduction and historical background

2. Setting The action in the poem takes place in the late 5 th -early 6 th century AD (so, around the year 500). Originated as an old pagan story handed down through the oral tradition –The scribes of the manuscript we have today were definitely Christian; and it is equally certain that Beowulf was composed in a Christianized England, since conversion took place in the sixth and seventh centuries. –So, look for the mixing of pagan AND Christian elements as you read.

3. Beowulf is the oldest surviving English poem—it was probably composed around 750 by an unknown author. The oldest written version of Beowulf we have is a manuscript that dates back to 1000. (It was written in Anglo-Saxon, or Old English. Add a little French with the Norman conquest of 1066, and you’re on your way to the English we speak today.)

4. Although Beowulf was written in English, it’s about the Germanic ancestors of the Anglo-Saxons, the Danes and the Geats, who lived in the area now known as Sweden. Also, most of the action (especially at the beginning) takes place in Denmark.

6. Beowulf, Lines 1-188

7. Important Terms scop: an Old English poet or storyteller kinship: a social relationship thane: a warrior heroic code: governed the Anglo-Saxon culture wergild: man-price wyrd: Old English, means something like fate (although their conception of it is different than ours)

8. Characteristics of Old English Poetry kenning: an Old English poetic device in which a compound poetic phrase is substituted for the usual name of a person or thing –Examples: whale-road (line 10), ring-giver (line 36), sea-rider litotes: an ironic understatement, also a common feature of Old English poetry. Pronounced "LIE-TA-TEES." –Example: “no less bountifully” (line 43) alliteration: the occurrence in a phrase or line of poetry of two or more words having the same initial sound. In OE poetry, alliteration is the principal poetic device. caesura: a pause in a line of poetry. metonymy: a figure of speech in which one thing is used to designate something with which it is commonly associated, for example, using "bottle" for "liquor." synecdoche: a figure of speech in which a part of something is used to designate a whole, for example, using "keel" for "ship."

10. Important Passages 64-85: What kind of King is Hrothgar? –Heorot (69-79); his generosity (72, “God-given goods”; 80, “doled out rings”) 86-98: Who is Grendel? –Why does Grendel resent the Ring-Danes? 88: “It harrowed him to hear the din…” 106: Grendel descended from Cain (wyrd and wergild) 156: Grendel and wergild

11. Important Passages 194-209: pay close attention to the way Beowulf is introduced 258-285: Beowulf speaks 440-455: Beowulf speaks again –Fate, wyrd: 440-1 and 455

12. For tomorrow, read what we didn’t get through in class today and also read lines 662-835 Complete Beowulf homework assignment also be sure and do Vocabulary Unit 4, S&A