The Early Days of The Early Days of EnglandEngland

Too many ideas, too little landToo many ideas, too little land

The PagansThe Pagans

Mostly farmers Mostly farmers Included Celts, Gaels, BritonsIncluded Celts, Gaels, Britons

These people were from Ireland, Wales, and These people were from Ireland, Wales, and EnglandEngland

They worshipped Pagan gods They worshipped Pagan gods Druids spent their time performing rituals, Druids spent their time performing rituals,

sacrifices, and memorizing long, mythical sacrifices, and memorizing long, mythical poems to preserve ideas of the pastpoems to preserve ideas of the past They were the only people that could read and They were the only people that could read and

write during this timewrite during this time

The PagansThe Pagans

Stonehenge is a great example of some of the secret druid rituals. Nobody really knows what a henge is today.Click here for a few theories…

Roman ConquestRoman Conquest

The Romans conquered the The Romans conquered the region and ruled it for over 300 region and ruled it for over 300 yearsyears

Romans pushed Christianity on Romans pushed Christianity on them, but in an interesting waythem, but in an interesting way……

After a time, the Romans left After a time, the Romans left England to defend RomeEngland to defend Rome

A new group of Pagans called the A new group of Pagans called the Anglo Saxons then made their Anglo Saxons then made their move on Englandmove on England

The Anglo SaxonsThe Anglo Saxons

A barbaric, Germanic A barbaric, Germanic style peoplestyle people

Scared the Christian Scared the Christian Celts into fleeing with Celts into fleeing with their religiontheir religion

Ruled England for Ruled England for many yearsmany years

A Time of TroubleA Time of Trouble

With the Gaels, Celts, Britons, and Anglo With the Gaels, Celts, Britons, and Anglo Saxons all in one area there was lots of Saxons all in one area there was lots of fightingfighting

Christians were able to further their own Christians were able to further their own cause by helping to keep the peacecause by helping to keep the peace

Eventually, the area known as Briton Eventually, the area known as Briton became Christian once again.became Christian once again.

Where Does Beowulf Fit In???Where Does Beowulf Fit In??? Beowulf was originally an Beowulf was originally an

oral poemoral poem Started by the druidsStarted by the druids Originally told in Old EnglishOriginally told in Old English Not written down until after Not written down until after

Christianity took a foothold Christianity took a foothold in Englandin England

Pagan and Christian Pagan and Christian ElementsElements

An Old English SampleAn Old English Sample

im ða Scyld gewat to gescæphwileim ða Scyld gewat to gescæphwilefelahror feran on frean wære.felahror feran on frean wære.Hi hyne þa ætbæron to brimes faroðe,Hi hyne þa ætbæron to brimes faroðe,swæse gesiþas, swa he selfa bæd,swæse gesiþas, swa he selfa bæd,þenden wordum weold wine Scyldinga;þenden wordum weold wine Scyldinga;leof landfruma lange ahte. leof landfruma lange ahte.

Epic Hero StyleEpic Hero Style

LONG!!!! So long that it can’t be done in LONG!!!! So long that it can’t be done in one sitting (Orally, remember)one sitting (Orally, remember)

Tale of the tribeTale of the tribe There’s a cycleThere’s a cycle

The Epic Hero CycleThe Epic Hero Cycle

A changeA change A testA test Various mythical, human, or animal helpersVarious mythical, human, or animal helpers Main antagonist, usually supernaturalMain antagonist, usually supernatural Magical unreal world that the hero can visit but Magical unreal world that the hero can visit but

normal humans cannotnormal humans cannot An escape from the questAn escape from the quest ResurrectionResurrection RestorationRestoration

What modern stories also fit this What modern stories also fit this pattern? There are a few.pattern? There are a few.

A changeA change A testA test Various mythical, human, or animal helpersVarious mythical, human, or animal helpers Main antagonist, usually supernaturalMain antagonist, usually supernatural Magical unreal world that the hero can visit but Magical unreal world that the hero can visit but

normal humans cannotnormal humans cannot An escape from the questAn escape from the quest ResurrectionResurrection RestorationRestoration

Modern Epic Hero CyclesModern Epic Hero Cycles

Click on Obi Wan and Aragorn to find information on how these stories fulfill the epic hero cycle

Guide for StudyGuide for Study

How do the Pagan and Christian elements How do the Pagan and Christian elements play off of each other?play off of each other?

What can we tell about Anglo Saxon What can we tell about Anglo Saxon culture from their ideas of heroes?culture from their ideas of heroes?

What elements in the text suggest that What elements in the text suggest that Beowulf was once an oral poem?Beowulf was once an oral poem?

How does imagery evoke feelings of good How does imagery evoke feelings of good and evil in Beowulf?and evil in Beowulf?

Coincidence or Planned??Coincidence or Planned??

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