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-Saxon’s 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 Period
“Anglo-Saxon England was born of warfare, remained forever a military society, and came to its end in battle.” - J. R. Lander
In a society dominated by aggression, what would you expect to be the Anglo-Saxon attitude toward family life, the role of women, art, literature, ethics and work?

5. Anglo-Saxon Civilization
Persons of rank received with grave courtesy
Ruler generous to those who remain loyal
Everyone aware of shortness of life & passing of all things in the world
Impersonal, irresistible fate determined most of life (Wyrd or Fate)
Heroic human will & courage allowed individuals to control their own response to fate

6. Characteristics of an Epic Hero
Is significant and glorified
Is on a quest
Has superior or supernhuman strength, intelligence, and/or courage
Is ethical
Risks death for glory or for the greater good of society
Performs brave deeds
Is a strong and responsible leader
Reflects the ideals of a particular society

7. Anglo-Saxon Poetics
Alliteration – repetition of consonant and vowel sounds at the beginning of words
Assonance- repetition of vowel sounds inside the words
Caesura – a natural pause or break in the middle of the line of poetry and joined by the use of a repeated vowel or consonant sound
Out of the marsh // from the foot of misty
Hills and bogs // bearing God’s hatred
Grendel came // hoping to kill
Anyone he could trap // on this trip to high Herot

8. Anglo-Saxon Poetics
Kennings – a metaphorical phrase used to replace a concrete noun. Ready made descriptive compound words that evoke vivid images
Kennings are formed by prepositional phrases possessive phrases compound words
Prepositional phrase – Giver of knowledge
Possessive phrase – mankind’s enemy
Compound word – sea path

9. Beowulf
Composed by single Christian author for a Christian audience (probably a Northumbrian monk)
Sometime in the 8th -11th centuries ( )
Only manuscript available dates from the year 1000; discovered in the 18th century
Epic poem handed down through oral tradition
Depicts a world from early 6th century
Comitatus – Germanic code of loyalty
Thanes – warriors swearing loyalty to kings in return for land, treasures

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