BEOWULF

PROYECTO INTEGRADO

ENGLISH LITERATURE

BILINGUAL ESO4

ISABEL QUESADA GÓMEZ

INTRODUCING Beowulf: THE POEM AND THE WARRIOR

SOCIETY Superman vs Batman: who is the hero and

who is the superhero? Batman has no super powers but he

chooses to help his community, just like Beowulf does! Let’s analyse the warrior society to understand Beowulf’s, the hero of the poem, behaviour and acts.

The origin of the poem Beowulf is mysterious. We do not know the identity of the author, and we are unsure of its precise date of composition. However, most scholars believe it was composed by a single Christian author for a Christian audience in Anglo-Saxon England anywhere from the eighth to eleventh century. Beowulf was composed in the oral poetic tradition. Whether it was originally written or oral is not known. The poem, filled with biblical allusions to the Old Testament, is also influenced by Germanic oral tradition and Old Norse myth and legend.

It is be interesting to know about the Germanic code of loyalty (Comitatus). Thanes, or warriors, swore loyalty to their king, for whom they fought and whom they protected. In return the king was expected to be generous with gifts of treasure and land. The king also protected his thanes. Kings were highly praised for their generosity and hospitality. Warriors were expected to be brave, courageous, and loyal. Their reputation for such qualities was very important

It is an epic poem: Epic poetry: a long, narrative poem

written in an elevated style which celebrates the deeds of a legendary hero or god

Epic hero: superhuman hero or god of an epic.

Beowulf

Written c. 700 C.E. Author unknown Often called the beginning of

English literature Written in Old English Only one complete original copy

remains

Beowulf: an epic poem

An EPIC is a long narrative poem which follows a hero’s struggle against universal issues.

The epic will contain 3 elements: A larger-than life hero The Supernatural Elevated language style

Other Epic Poems

The Iliad and Odyssey (Greek, Homer) The Aeneid (Roman, Virgil) Gilgamesh (Babylonian, unknown) Cantar de mio Cid (Spanish, unknown) Chanson de Roland (French, unknown)

Themes in Beowulf

Identity Ancestral heritage Individual reputation

Heroic glory Characteristics of good warrior

Strength Loyalty Courage

Characteristics of good king Hospitality Generosity Diplomacy Distribution of treasure: gold, horses, armour

Beowulf’s Literary elements

Kennings (epithets) (two-word phrase for a common word)ex: world-candle for sun or whale-road for ocean

Metaphores and symbolism Hyperboles Highly descriptive passages Alliteration

Beowulf’s Alliteration

Use of alliteration Beginning 3 or 4 words in a line with the

same letter OE: “waes se grimma gaest Grendel haten” TRANS: “a horror from hell, hideous

Grendel.” “Then out of the night came the shadow-

stalker, stealthy and swift“ (702-703)

Beowulf: Oral Tradition Oral poetry was sung by many; was

performed when warriors gathered in meadhalls during celebrations. Scop (pronounced shop) in Anglo-Saxon lands Troubadours in France Trovadores in Spain Minnesingers in Germany

Beowulf: Writing it Down

Mistakes in translations

Misunderstanding out-of-date slang

Political correctness

Intentional changes in the text

It all depended on who did the writing and their feelings about the texts.

Beowulf shows both Norse pagan belief and Christianity

Beowulf: The Legend

Seems to have been entirely fictional Why has this story lasted through the ages?

Good against Evil Strength of heart and spirit Truth and light vs. dark powers Constant Challenge Death always awaits, even for the hero.

Isabel Mª Quesada Gómez

THE END