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BeowulfBeowulf
A brief introduction…A brief introduction…
Historical BackgroundHistorical Background
Oldest English epic -- 6-11 centuryOnly one manuscript exists, written c. 1000
Setting: 5th century, ScandinaviaFuses pagan & Christian beliefLargely ignored until Tolkien wrote of it as a unified work of art
Oldest English epic -- 6-11 centuryOnly one manuscript exists, written c. 1000
Setting: 5th century, ScandinaviaFuses pagan & Christian beliefLargely ignored until Tolkien wrote of it as a unified work of art
EpicsEpicsThe hero is a great leader strongly identified with a particular people.
The setting is broad and often includes the upper & lower worlds.
The hero does great deeds in battle or undertakes an extraordinary journey.
The values of the society that produced the epic are clearly portrayed.
Epics tend to be long (though Beowulf is short for an epic) and told in heightened language.
May include supernatural elements.
The hero is a great leader strongly identified with a particular people.
The setting is broad and often includes the upper & lower worlds.
The hero does great deeds in battle or undertakes an extraordinary journey.
The values of the society that produced the epic are clearly portrayed.
Epics tend to be long (though Beowulf is short for an epic) and told in heightened language.
May include supernatural elements.
Heroic Code of HonorHeroic Code of HonorAnglo-Saxon culture was governed by the ideals of BRAVERY, LOYALTY and GENEROSITY.
Warriors pledged loyalty to and fought (to the death) for the king.
Blood vengeance is regarded as a sacred duty.
Kings rewarded followers with treasure from battles.
The dispensing of treasure was a symbol of the loyalty between king and people.
Anglo-Saxon culture was governed by the ideals of BRAVERY, LOYALTY and GENEROSITY.
Warriors pledged loyalty to and fought (to the death) for the king.
Blood vengeance is regarded as a sacred duty.
Kings rewarded followers with treasure from battles.
The dispensing of treasure was a symbol of the loyalty between king and people.
Miscellaneous terms…Miscellaneous terms…Blood Feud – If a family member is killed, the family must “exact a price for death”—either kill or receive the wergild (man-price, or legally-fixed compensation).
Wyrd – Fate: All see themselves living a determined life; they must live up to the code of loyalty and bravery & seek glory.
Woman – Men always ruled; women were always under a man’s authority.
Blood Feud – If a family member is killed, the family must “exact a price for death”—either kill or receive the wergild (man-price, or legally-fixed compensation).
Wyrd – Fate: All see themselves living a determined life; they must live up to the code of loyalty and bravery & seek glory.
Woman – Men always ruled; women were always under a man’s authority.
Old English PoetryOld English PoetryEach line is composed of two half-lines, with two strongly accented words in each.
Alliteration: 2-3 of the accented words in a line must alliterate (share the same opening sound).
Caesura: the pause between the half-lines
Kenning: figuratively descriptive compound phrases to name an ordinary thing, like “whale-road” for sea or “ring-giver” for king.
Each line is composed of two half-lines, with two strongly accented words in each.
Alliteration: 2-3 of the accented words in a line must alliterate (share the same opening sound).
Caesura: the pause between the half-lines
Kenning: figuratively descriptive compound phrases to name an ordinary thing, like “whale-road” for sea or “ring-giver” for king.
The 3 AdversariesThe 3 Adversaries
Grendel – easiest to kill –greedy & brutal – angered by others’ joy
Grendel’s mother – wants vengeance
Dragon – thief of gold/treasure – Beowulf protects his people and fulfills his role as king by killing it.
Grendel – easiest to kill –greedy & brutal – angered by others’ joy
Grendel’s mother – wants vengeance
Dragon – thief of gold/treasure – Beowulf protects his people and fulfills his role as king by killing it.
The 3 LocationsThe 3 Locations
Three archetypal sites of FEAR:Grendel – barricaded night houseMother – infested underwater realmDragon – reptile-haunted wilderness
These three fears make the poem more universal.
Three archetypal sites of FEAR:Grendel – barricaded night houseMother – infested underwater realmDragon – reptile-haunted wilderness
These three fears make the poem more universal.
