AND THE AND THE

ANGLO SAXON ANGLO SAXON CULTURECULTURE

BEOWULF

Who were THE Anglo Saxons?Who were THE Anglo Saxons?

• Germanic people who inhabited Britain between the 5th and 9th centuries

• Three major tribes: Geats, Danes, and Swedes

• Language spoken is referred to as Old English

OLD ENGLISHOLD ENGLISH

Where in the world are we?Where in the world are we?

Anglo Saxon SocietyAnglo Saxon Society

• Freeman

• Slaves

• Thanes

In this society the relationship between a king and his thanes is vital. It is a symbiotic relationship in which the thanes defend the king and his land and fight his wars. In return, the king provides for his men. He offers them such items as swords, helmets, gold rings, mead, beer, shelter and companionship.

Anglo Saxon BuildingsAnglo Saxon Buildings

Built of wood with a thatched roof

Mead HallMead HallHistorically, the mead-hall represented a safe haven for warriors returning from battle, a small zone of refuge within a dangerous and precarious external world that continuously offered the threat of attack by neighboring peoples. The mead-hall was also a place of community, where traditions were preserved, loyalty was rewarded, and, perhaps most important, stories were told and reputations were spread.

WERGILD – (the “man WERGILD – (the “man price”)price”)

The Anglo-Saxons didn't have prisons. People were often punished with fines.

For minor crimes, a nose or a hand might be cut off. If a person killed

someone they had to pay money to the dead person's relatives. This was

called a 'wergild'. The amount depended on whether the victim was a slave or

freeman.

COMITATUSCOMITATUSComitatus is the basic idea that everyone protects the king at all costs even if it means a warrior giving up his own life. If a king is killed, the warriors must avenge the death of the king or they can

no longer serve as warriors for the next king.

SCOPSCOP

• An Old English Poet

• Celebrated cultural values by singing epics

• Man of repute; equal to thanes

• Defined the values of society by praising deeds and slandering unacceptable actions

Paganism vs. ChristianityPaganism vs. Christianity

• Belief in many gods• Beowulf characters

are pagan• Elaborate sea burials• Grand feasts in Mead

Hall• Belief in fate (Wyrd)• Material rewards

• In 597, Pope sent monk to convert kings to Christianity

• Narrator of Beowulf is Christian

• Reference to Cain from Bible (Grendel)

Literary TechniquesLiterary Techniques

Caesura – a pause

Ex. Setton him to heafdon hilde-randas. . . .

Kenning - a conventional poetic phrase used for or in addition to the usual name of a person or thing

Ex. Grendel’s mother is called Troll-Wife

Alliteration - the repetition of initial sounds in neighboring words.Ex. Now Beowulf bode in the burg of the Scyldings

Beowulf Manuscript Beowulf Manuscript BackgroundBackground

• Beowulf is the first surviving epic written in the English language.

• The single existing copy dates from around the 7th century-- in the years 650 to 800.

• Epic Poem--meant to be spoken out loud by poets or bards.

• Beowulf is the oldest known piece of literature in English.

Original Beowulf ManuscriptOriginal Beowulf Manuscript

BeowulfBeowulf Author Unknown Author Unknown

• Originally written in Old English verse.

• Many scholars believe that Beowulf was originally transcribed by one or two monks.

• They most likely wrote it down after hearing it orally or by copying an already existing manuscript.

• The time period of the actual story takes place in the late 5th or early 6th centuries.

Why Do We Read Why Do We Read BeowulfBeowulf??

• It’s the first Hero’s Journey tale in English. • The poem documents the values,

questions, and attitudes of the time and explores themes that are still present today.

• It relates the lifestyle of the Anglo-Saxon period. Beowulf’s poet tries to recreate the past for the reader; the poem is almost nostalgic for those bygone pagan days.

THEMESTHEMES

• Violence--this is a bloody and descriptive story. Violence is seen as valid in this society. Consider the historical significance behind the violence. – Good vs. Evil--the idea behind good

conquering evil is played out between Beowulf and the enemies he fights.

– Beowulf vs Gendel, Beowulf vs. Grendel’s mother, Beowulf vs. the Dragon.

THEMES CONTINUEDTHEMES CONTINUED

• Kinship--The close relationship between groups of men like the Danes and the Geats. Men who are willing to die for each other without question. – Heroism--Beowulf is the ultimate hero of his

time demonstrating kinship and fearless leadership.

– Consider how heroism is defined today. Why is Beowulf still considered a hero today?

Key CharactersKey Characters

• Beowulf--the title character and hero. He is the prince of the Geats and becomes their King. Son of Edgetheow.

• Hrothgar--the old, once great King of the Danes. His hall (Heorot) is attacked by Grendel. He is the son of Healfdane.

Key Characters ContinuedKey Characters Continued

• Grendel--the monster who attacks Herot. He is an evil giant, descendent of Cain.

• Grendel’s Mother--more fierce and ferocious than her son. Beowulf also fights her when she seeks revenge for her son.

• The Dragon--guards a great treasure. Attacks the Geats. Fights Beowulf in the end of the poem.

Key Characters ContinuedKey Characters Continued

• Wiglaf--the bravest and most loyal of Beowulf’s warriors.

• Danes--originate in Denmark.

• Geats--originate in South Sweden.