English poetry: its background and developmentA brief survey

Anglo-Saxon poetry: VII to XI centuries

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Anglo-Saxon poetry English poetry has is roots in the Anglo-Saxon period. The Angles and the Saxons were Germanic tribes who settled in Britain, bring with them their own kind of literature , language and ideals. these tribes were brave and adventurous and like many an ancient people they loved to sing of great battles, heroic deed , gods , and heroes. It was these songs that English poetry began not in English as we know it today , but in Anglo-Saxon or Old English.

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One of the most important poems of this period is Beowulf.in which many of the ideals above are enshrined. Beowulf is the first English epic, written in Anglo-Saxon or Old English.it is along poem consisting of more than three thousand lines full of vivid adventures . It was composed by an anonymous poet around the seventh century . It tells the story of a heroic leader, Beowulf , and his courage in fighting Grendel , the monster, and a dragon. besides Beowulf, there were other shorter pieces such as Widsith , the wanderer and the Seafarer. other than these poem of leeds , there was also Christian verse written by two notable religious poets of this period : Caedmon , the first Anglo-Saxon Christian poets , and Cynewulf (kiniwulf). Both these poets were chiefly interested in Biblical material.

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Anglo-Saxon poetry is characterized by certain features. Its language is quite different from modern English .it reflects the traditions of a an older world. It does not have rhyme. It is based on the principle of alliteration , and on the use of “kennings”. Kenning is an old-fashion device no longer used by poets. It is a kind of metaphor “in which the simple name of anything is replaced by a phrase describing one of its function or qualitie. “ thus, ring-giver is used for king , sea-wood for ship and so on.

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Pagan vs. Christianity in Beowulf

Pagan

• Strong nature presence• Strength of the

warrior

Christianity• God is mentioned by two of

the main characters in the poem: Beowulf and Hrothgar.

• Grendel as Lucifer– Both are outcasts– Perform a task for God– Grendel is described as a son

or descendant of Cain, a clear Biblical reference.

The Anglo-Saxons mixed both pagan and Christian traditions. Beowulf contains traces of both beliefs.

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Anglo-Saxon Literature• Anglo-Saxon literature began as an oral tradition. Stories, poems,

and songs were all told aloud and passed from generation to generation orally through minstrels (also called scops).

• Poems traditionally had a strong beat, alliteration, and no rhyme.• Caesura: “a cutting.” A break in a line of poetry, used in Old English

to depict a half line. We use a comma for a modern effect.– i.e. Da com of more under mistheleopum

“Out from the marsh, from the foot of the hills.”• Kenning: derived from the Norse word “kenna” which means “to

know, to recognize.” It is a compact metaphor that functions as a name.• i.e. helmberend: “Helm bearer” or “warrior”

• Old English example6

Why Is Beowulf Important?

• It is the sole survivor of a great epic tradition.• It is great poetry.• It is an archaeological relic which is most

interesting.• As a linguistic document, it’s full of

revelations.• It gives us information about Old English

social life and politics.

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Language of the Age • English is divided into three periods: Old English (ca.449-

1100), Middle English (ca. 1100-1500), and Modern English (ca. 1500-).

• Old English is sometimes known as Anglo-Saxon.• The English language changed from Old English to

Middle English in 1100 and from Middle English to Modern English in 1500. These shifts took place over hundreds of years.

• It is important to realize that the wide-spread notion of a standard language or even of standardized spelling are modern notions made possible by the printing press.

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Heroic Code• The epic poem Beowulf

strengthens the Heroic Code. This code was derived from the Anglo-Saxons’ Germanic roots, and called for strength, courage, and loyalty in warriors. It also required kings to be hospitable, generous, and have great political skills. This code was a basis for Anglo-Saxon honor.

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Common Themes Of an Epic Poem

• Universal themes of epic poetry– Good vs. evil

• Beowulf vs. Grendel– Isolation– Courage and honor

• Beowulf is fearless and brave while fighting the monsters.– Gods or semi-divine creatures

• Grendel, Grendel’s mother, the dragon– Tale involves the fate of an entire race

• Beowulf saves Hrothgar’s village from Grendel.

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Characters• Beowulf: main character, a hero featuring

all the qualities of an epic hero. He has superhuman strength and is fearless and brave in battler.

• Hrothgar: the king of the village that Beowulf saves from Grendel.

• Grendel: a monster terrorizing Hrothgar’s village.

• Grendel’s mother: a monster set out to avenge her son’s death.

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View of Grandel

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Old English ExampleOld English circa 500CE-1100CE

“Cyning” means “king,” so “Cyningas” must mean “kings.”

What other words look familiar to today’s language?

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