BEOWULFand the Anglo-SaxonPeriod

Anglo-Saxon Timeline

• Before we look at the Anglo-Saxon culture and Beowulf, we need to understand what happened before, during and after the time period

• Anyone know anything about the Anglo-Saxon time period or culture???

The Celts inThe Celts in BritainBritain

Before and during the Before and during the 4th century B.C.4th century B.C.

Britain home to Britain home to several Celtic tribesseveral Celtic tribes

Britain named for one Britain named for one of the Celtic tribes – of the Celtic tribes – BrythonsBrythons

Celtic religion is a Celtic religion is a form of form of animismanimism

DruidsDruids were Celtic were Celtic priestspriests

The Roman OccupationThe Roman Occupation

55 B.C. Hadrian’s Wall

Romans evacuate their troops

• Central government breaks down

Julius Caesar invades Britain

Celts defeated by Claudius

A.D. 43

• Romans build walls, villas, baths, roads

Roman ruins

• Britain left vulnerable to attack

A.D. 409

The Anglo-Saxon InvasionThe Anglo-Saxon Invasion

A.D. 449 The Anglo-Saxons push the Celts into the far west of the country.

Angles

Saxons

Jutes

Celts

8th–9th centuries

Vikings called Danes invade Britain

King Alfred against the DanesKing Alfred against the Danes

878 King Alfred unifies Anglo-Saxons against the Danes.

871 Alfred of Wessex is king of England.

England becomes a nation.

King Sweyn and his Danish troops arrive in England, from a

manuscript (c. 14th century)

• William of Normandy crosses the English Channel

The Norman Invasion

The Norman Invasion, Bayeux Tapestry

• French replaces English as the language of the ruling class

1066

• William defeats Harold and Anglo-Saxon army

• Christianity and Anglo-Saxon culture co-exist

The Spread of ChristianityThe Spread of Christianity

• Christian monks settle in Britain

• British pagan religions replaced by Christianity

Around A.D. 400

By A.D. 699

The Anglo-Saxon Invasion

Anglo-Saxon Society

• kinship groups led by strong warrior chief

• people farmed, established local governments, produced fine craftwork

• English emerged as a written language

Similarity to Similarity to Arthurian, Arthurian, Charlemagne, Charlemagne, Celtic, Viking Celtic, Viking societies and societies and literaturesliteraturesReligion – Religion – Nordic/animist then Nordic/animist then ChristianChristianTravel and tradeTravel and trade

Social attitudesSocial attitudes

Warrior–based societyWarrior–based society

Focus on the hero, and trial of personal Focus on the hero, and trial of personal worthworth

Security and threat – survival in harsh worldSecurity and threat – survival in harsh world

WyrdWyrd

Fate – acceptance of the inevitableFate – acceptance of the inevitable

ComitatusComitatus

Loyalty and responsibility to groupLoyalty and responsibility to group

Warrior Code Comitatus: Germanic code of loyalty Thane: warrior – swears loyalty to the king

for whom they fought and whom they protected

Kings: generous, protected thanes Reputation: thanes were expected to be

loyal, brave, courageous; kings were expected to be generous and hospitable

Wergild: “man-payment”; a fee paid to the family of a slain man to atone for his murder and to prevent the family from seeking revenge.

Old English

Beowulf was written in Old English, an early form of English

Old English was spoken in the Middle Ages from about 6th century to 11th century CE

In 1066, when William the Conqueror successfully invaded England, bringing his Norman French language with him; the nobility began to speak French, and gradually Old English evolved into Middle English (1100-1500): “Whan that Aprill, with his shoures soote/The droghte of March hath perced to the roote”

Modern English has been spoken since the Renaissance – Shakespeare is NOT Old English; he is Early Modern English

Old English language and literature

• The Wanderer:Ðonne onwæcneð eft wineleas guma,gesihð him biforan fealwe wegas,baþian brimfuglas brædan feþra,hreosan hrim ond snaw hagle gemenged.

Þonne beoð þy hefigran heortan benne,sare æfter swæsne Sorg bið geniwad

Then the friendless man awakes again,He sees before him fallow waves,Sea birds bathing, preening their feathers,Frost and snow fall, mixed with hail.

Then are the heavier the wounds of the heart,Grievous with longing for the lord. Sorrow is renewed

The Epic PoemThe Epic Poem

An EPIC is a long narrative An EPIC is a long narrative poem which follows a poem which follows a

hero’s struggle against hero’s struggle against universal issues.universal issues.

2 Types of Epics2 Types of Epics

1.1. FolkFolk– Told out loud first Told out loud first

(usually by scops)(usually by scops)– Unknown authorUnknown author– Unknown datesUnknown dates– (E.g.—Beowulf is a (E.g.—Beowulf is a

folk epic because we folk epic because we don’t know who don’t know who wrote it) wrote it)

2. Literary2. Literary– Known authorKnown author– (E.g.– (E.g.– Paradise LostParadise Lost, ,

by John Milton is a by John Milton is a literary epic because literary epic because we know who wrote we know who wrote it.)it.)

Elements of an EpicElements of an Epic

1.1. Epic heroEpic hero– an character with a trait or – an character with a trait or characteristic that is valued by his society. characteristic that is valued by his society.

• (E.g.– Superman’s bravery or valor)(E.g.– Superman’s bravery or valor)

2.2. QuestQuest– A journey through which the character – A journey through which the character or the reader learns somethingor the reader learns something

3.3. Valorous DeedsValorous Deeds– Doing something bravely.– Doing something bravely.4.4. Divine InterventionDivine Intervention– The hand of God (or – The hand of God (or

gods) help the hero, proving his value.gods) help the hero, proving his value.5.5. Great eventsGreat events– The hero has a hand in – The hero has a hand in

something important in the history or something important in the history or mythology of a culture.mythology of a culture.

3 Epic Conventions3 Epic Conventions

1.1. Invoke a museInvoke a muse– Muse– inspiration provided by the gods Muse– inspiration provided by the gods

2.2. Plot begins in medias resPlot begins in medias res– In medias red– “In the middle of” the actionIn medias red– “In the middle of” the action

3.3. Serious toneSerious tone

Not necessary to have all on these, but Not necessary to have all on these, but need most at least need most at least

Other EpicsOther EpicsGilgameshGilgamesh (Babylonian, (Babylonian,

unknown)unknown)

The OdysseyThe Odyssey (Greek, Homer) (Greek, Homer)

The IliadThe Iliad (Greek, Homer) (Greek, Homer)

But what was an aspiring author to do?

Especially if nobody can read !

Epics: An oral traditionMany epics were not originally written down by their authors.

Instead, they were memorized and retold or sung by wandering entertainers.

• Some sections of epics were retold from time to time. It helped the storyteller learn the epic and also caught up any audience member who may have missed a part.

• Scop (pronounced shop) in Anglo-Saxon lands

• Troubadours in France

• Minnesingers in Germany

The StorytellersThe names changed by area:

The Storytellers

These entertainers also served to bring news from other areas. Often, if a heroic deed had occurred in the area, it might be blended into the stories he told.

Changing Stories

• Other influences also played a part in changing the epics.

• The text of Beowulf shows both Norse pagan belief and Christianity, often in the same line.

• This may have evolved as the storytellers encountered villages with different beliefs.

The epic heroThe epic hero

Undertakes role as duty to others, not as a Undertakes role as duty to others, not as a personal achievementpersonal achievement

Strong sense of social morality, including Strong sense of social morality, including code of behaviour to enemiescode of behaviour to enemies

Only becomes hero when needed, may be Only becomes hero when needed, may be unwillingunwilling

Does not necessarily have social status prior Does not necessarily have social status prior to heroics, but may achieve it. Considers it to heroics, but may achieve it. Considers it a consequence, not an aim, in heroics.a consequence, not an aim, in heroics.

Beowulf Background Information

• Written c. 700 C.E.

• Author unknown

• Often called the beginning of English literature

• Written in what is now called Old English

• Only one complete original copy remains

BeowulfBeowulf

Thousand year old manuscript Thousand year old manuscript written 950-1000 CE by 2 scribes, written 950-1000 CE by 2 scribes, probably composed 700-800,West probably composed 700-800,West Saxon dialect, collected into Cotton Saxon dialect, collected into Cotton Vitellius A.XV, now in British LibraryVitellius A.XV, now in British Library

Longest extant OE poem - 3182 Longest extant OE poem - 3182 lineslines

Beowulf – the original poemBeowulf – the original poem

Structure - Introduction and 3 distinct episodesStructure - Introduction and 3 distinct episodes 1000 lines each on Grendel, Grendel's mother, Dragon1000 lines each on Grendel, Grendel's mother, Dragon Continuity break between parts 2 and 3: Continuity break between parts 2 and 3:

Cobbling together of 2 stories (are there lots of other Beowulf Cobbling together of 2 stories (are there lots of other Beowulf stories out there?) stories out there?)

Or deliberate juxtaposition (rise and fall of hero)?Or deliberate juxtaposition (rise and fall of hero)? Emphasis on appropriate displays of nobility of Emphasis on appropriate displays of nobility of

character (and bonds of comitatus) character (and bonds of comitatus) Hrothgar- king - rewards serviceHrothgar- king - rewards service Beowulf - warrior - carries out dangerous foraysBeowulf - warrior - carries out dangerous forays Wiglaf - loyal retainer - sticks by leaderWiglaf - loyal retainer - sticks by leader Grendel's mother - family - seeks revenge for attack on sonGrendel's mother - family - seeks revenge for attack on son

The Setting

Geats and Danes

Beowulf was a war leader of the Geats, a group of people in what is now southern Sweden

Hrothgar was king of the Danes

Herot: the golden guest hall built by King Hrothgar where warriors gathered to celebrate.

[End of Section]

Beowulf

The Mead Hall

•Social, governmental, emotional center of the village

•Mead = honey-based wine

Beowulf: The Epic

Hero

Beowulf’s Name Beowulf’s Name

Beowulf’s father– EdgethoBeowulf’s father– Edgetho In most cases, the son is named after the father In most cases, the son is named after the father

DonDon Donald (son of Don)Donald (son of Don) McDonald (son of son of Don)McDonald (son of son of Don) McDonaldson (son of son of son of Don)McDonaldson (son of son of son of Don)

Proves Beowulf is own individual with own powers and Proves Beowulf is own individual with own powers and abilities (and more important than his father)abilities (and more important than his father)

Beo– BearBeo– Bear Bears are known as Great Protectors in Norse mythologyBears are known as Great Protectors in Norse mythology StrongStrong

Wulf– WolfWulf– Wolf Wolves are also great protectors, but are also cunning and Wolves are also great protectors, but are also cunning and

speedyspeedy

An epic hero must face

challenges and opponents that

the ordinary person could not handle.

HOWEVER...

There is often a character flaw or other weakness which brings problems to the epic hero.

Top 10 Problems Women Have About Dating Beowulf

• 10. Hangs out with dragons.

• 9. Chain mail rips up bed sheets.

• 8. Throws his swords around apartment.

• 7. Wakes up in the middle of the night screaming "She's gonna eat me!”

• 6. Carries a long knife to compensate for feelings of inadequacy.

• 5. Only washes twice a year.

• 4. Experiences mead-induced delusions of grandeur and heroism.

• 3. Smells like Grendel breath.

• 2. Freezer full of dragon meat.

• 1. Leaves the toilet seat up.

BeowulfIntroducing the Epic

Hrothgar: king of the Danes.

Wiglaf: a Geat warrior, one of Beowulf’s select band and the only one to help him in his final fight with the dragon.

Other Characters:

BeowulfIntroducing the Epic

Grendel: man-eating monster who lives at the bottom of a foul mere, or mountain lake.

Monsters

Grendel’s mother: water-witch who seeks revenge.

Dragon: giant fire-breathing serpent whom Beowulf fights in Part Two of the epic.

Grendel

• Hybrid:man vs. manman vs. supernatural

• Most human-like of the supernatural fights

Grendel’s Mother

• Less “human” than son• An older and more

animal-like evil• Before Beowulf can

even battle her, he must face the water creatures

The Dragon

• The oldest and most base form of evil

• Referred to as the worm

• Man vs. Supernatural

Elevated

Language

Literary DevicesLiterary Devices

AlliterationAlliteration

KenningsKennings

CaesuraCaesura

Alliteration: the repetition of consonant sounds in words close together

Out from the marsh, from the foot of mistyHills and bogs, bearing God’s hatred,Grendel came, hoping to killAnyone he could trap on this trip to high Herot.

Beowulf

Kenning: a metaphorical phrase or compound word used to name a person, place, thing, or event indirectly. Examples of kennings from Beowulf:

gold-shining hall= Herotguardian of crime = Grendelstrong-hearted wakeful sleeper = Beowulfcave-guard and sky-borne foe = dragon

Beowulf

Beowulf was composed in Old English, which uses a caesura, or rhythmic pause, to create unity.

Out from the marsh, from the foot of mistyHills and bogs, bearing God’s hatred,Grendel came, hoping to killAnyone he could trap on this trip to high Herot.

Line divided into two parts by a caesura.

Punctuation reproduces pause effect of the caesura.

Beowulf

Let the journey begin...