(450-1066 A.D.)

Author UnknownEpic – a long narrative poem detailing a hero’s deeds.

Passed down through word of mouth by storytellers known as scops (pronounced she-ops)

Probably recited to harp musicWas written down at one point; many

mysteries remain surrounding text

Events in the poem take place between late 5th century & early 7th century

Composed in Old English or Anglo-Saxon Considered earliest major work of

English poetry A single manuscript exists, now in British

Library in London Caught fire in 1731, left pages burned

and brittle

3,000 lines longUnrhymed, four-beat alliterative

lines called alliterative verseTitle added later, no title included in

manuscript

http://youtu.be/NB7hpw7bCrE

Lived in tribesKings were decided by deeds, not

last namesSpoke Old EnglishPagans before adopting Christianity

Pagans = strong nature presence; strength of warrior

Anglo Saxons mixed both beliefs – Beowulf contains traces of both beliefs

Even when they adopted Christianity, they valued heroic ideals and traditional values

Culture valued human contact, family, virtue, and a good story Valued heroic code over tribal loyalties

Feared humiliation and lonelinessDesired richness, power, and valued

heroic actions of warriors

Story of noble warrior, BeowulfBecomes King of GeatsFights 3 major battles (Grendel,

Grendel’s Mother, Dragon)He travels from Scandinavia (modern

day Sweden) to Heorot (in modern day Denmark) Pronounced “hair-ut”

Warriors Strength, courage, loyalty

Kings Generous to his thanes (warriors) Show hospitality Strong political leader Anyone can become king

Society A good reputation

Poem's Hero: Beowulf http://youtu.be/-A9rFt7ITy4 a mighty warrior from the land of the

Geats (modern day Sweden) arrives in modern day Denmark (home

of Spear-danes or “Danes”) noble, courageous, bold, and stronger by

far than any other living mortal

Arrives to build his reputation Important to Anglo Saxons

When he arrives to Heorot, he has already defeated seamonsters

Grendel nightmarish creature–half-beast, half-

man–that strikes at night Born with dark heart and dark spirit Born out of chaos – from the lineage of

the biblical Cain (who killed his own brother)

Kings balance out chaos

Grendel's mother Disgusting creature Lives in swamp with her son

Fire-breathing dragon Dragons believed to be former kings

who were greedy Dragon is opposite of good king (ie:

Beowulf)

King Hrothgar (Dane) Hroth = benefit of; gar= spear Who Beowulf travels to help

Wiglaf (pronounced weeg-lauf) Wig= war/fight Young thane originally from Sweden (was a

prisoner)– loyal to Beowulf in his last battle Edgetho (pronounced ej-thoe)

Beowulf’s father who died when he was young

Danes Hrothgar and his thanes

Geats Beowulf and his men

Wulfing Tribe Hrothgar made peace with for

Beowulf’s father

Establishing Identity (Family Lineage vs. Individual Reputation)

Good vs. EvilStrong Warrior vs. Strong King

Thane = warriorMead-hall = built by King Hrothgar.

Place for men to gather, eat, drink mead (like beer), and tell stories

Wyrd = fateScop (pronounced she-op) = oral

storyteller; often to harp music; provided entertainment and education; sang or chanted stories

Hrunting = sword

Heorot is the mead-hall King Hrothgar built his men after much military success

Enjoyed prosperity there for a long time Until Grendel, monster who lives in the

swamplands just outside Heorot, becomes angered by their celebrations

He has been terrorizing Heorot for 12 years; Hrothgar’s men defenseless against him

Beowulf is well-known hero of Geatland not far from Denmark – the land of

DanesHe heard of the terror Grendel

causedHe brought 14 of his bravest men to

helpTraveled by sea to Denmark

Setting is vast scope, often involving more than 1 nation

Plot is complicated by supernatural beings or events and may involve a long, dangerous journey

Poem reflects timeless values (ex: courage, honor)

Poem treats universal themes (ex: life and death; good and evil)

Major characters often deliver long, serious speeches

Is of noble of birth or high position; often of great historical or legendary importance

Character traits reflect important ideals of his society

Performs courageous (sometimes superhuman) deeds that reflect the values of the era

Actions of hero often determine the fate of a nation or group of people