1. Beowulf

2. I. Historical background
A.D. -- Angles, Saxons, and Jutes invade (Beowulf set)
410 A.D. – Rome renounces control of Britain
521 A.D. – Hygelac invades the Netherlands
597 A.D. – St. Augustine
625 A.D. – Sutton Hoo
A.D. -- Christian poet composed the poem

3. II. The manuscript - Origins
Handwritten by a monk around 1000 A.D. (author unknown)
Written in Old English
Obtained by Sir Robert Cotton
Bound in Cotton Vitellius A.15.
Damaged in fire in 1731
Currently at British Museum
Available on “The Electronic Beowulf” CD

4. III. Poetic form and devices
Allusion: Biblical, Germanic oral tradition, Norse myth and legend, historical Anglo-Saxon kings (eg. King Offa of Mercia)
Alliteration (eg. Scyld’s strong son)
Epic poetry: a long narrative poem written in elevated style which celebrates the deeds of a legendary hero or god.
Kenning: two-word metaphorical name for something (eg. whale-road=sea)
Scop: Anglo-Saxon composers and storytellers (like minstrels or bards)

5. Structure of Beowulf 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“ ( )

6. Structure of Beowulf Use of kenning
A specific type of compound used for stylistic effects; a compressed metaphor.
“swan-road” for ocean
“wave-courser” for ship
“death-shadow” for Grendel

7. Structure of Beowulf Use of oral structure Primary Epic because it:
arises from remembered oral traditional tales – aristocratic entertainment
was sung by poets or bards in banquet halls
arises in a culture shortly after writing is introduced
Viewing hero’s life or segments of his life as part of a historical pattern 7

8. Themes in Beowulf Heroic glory Characteristics of good warrior
Strength
Loyalty
Courage
Characteristics of good king
Hospitality
Generosity
Diplomacy
Social structure of the Germanic people revolved around Germanic heroic code valued
Strong warrior group ruled by a good king
Other WOMEN were to be ceremonious
All should have a good reputation 8

9. Themes in Beowulf Distribution of treasure
King rewarded strong, loyal warriors
Gold
Horses
Armor

10. Themes in Beowulf Pagan vs. Christian elements
Blackburn, The Christian Colouring in Beowulf:
Poem was composed by a Christian who had heard the stories and used them in the material of his work.
Poem was composed by a heathen from old stories. At a later date, it was revised by a Christian to include the Christian allusions.

11. Themes in Beowulf Pagan vs. Christian elements Blackburn
Passages containing references to biblical history or allusion to scripture
Passages containing disapproval of heathen ideas or pagan worship
Passages containing references to distinctively Christian doctrines (heaven, hell, day of judgment)
53 cases of incidental allusions to the Christian God.

12. IV. Anglo-Saxon values Loyalty Fighting for one’s king
Avenging one’s kinsmen
Keeping one’s word
Generosity -- gifts symbolize bonds
Brotherly love -- not romantic love
Heroism
Physical strength
Skill and resourcefulness in battle
Courage
Public reputation, not private conscience

13. V. Beowulf vocabulary Comitatus: Germanic warrior code of loyalty
Scop: poet in oral culture (“shaper”)
Preserves history
Entertains court
Spreads hero’s fame
Thane (thegn): warrior retainer: swears loyalty to king
Kings: generous; protected thanes
Wergild: “man-price” or “man-payment”
Substitute for violence
a fee paid to the family of a slain man to atone for his murder and to prevent the family from seeking revenge.
Wyrd: fate (to the POET = God’s will)

14. VI. The structure of the poem
Three fights (Rogers 1955)
Grendel
Grendel’s mother
The dragon
Ring structure (Niles 1983)
Individual passages
Three main combats
Example
Poem as a whole
Inside/order vs. outside/chaos
Heorot

15. IX. What about the women?
Women make peace, bearing children who create blood ties
Wealtheow unites Danes/Helmings
Hildeburh unites Danes/Frisians
Freawaru intended to unite Danes/Heathobards
Women pass the cup at the mead-hall, cementing social bonds
Women lament loss, don’t avenge

16. X. What is heroism? Strong will? Valor in battle? Concern for others?
Are the same traits required for a warrior and for a king?

17. XI. Is Beowulf a hero?
Does Beowulf act for selfish motives – glory? treasure?
Does Beowulf act for selfless motives – preserving the community?
Does Beowulf ever make a raid or start a feud?
Does Beowulf stand for violence or civilization?
Is Beowulf successful as a warrior? As a king?

18. XII. What is the poet’s attitude toward the culture?
Does the poet celebrate the culture he depicts and mourn its loss?
Does he view it as limited and inferior to another alternative, perhaps Christianity?
It affirms vengeance
It overvalues glory
It depends on a hero
References

20. Sutton Hoo Burial site discovered in 1939
Important links to Anglo-Saxon world and Beowulf
Remains of a boat were discovered and large burial chamber containing numerous artifacts
Artifacts suggest a distinctly Christian element intermingled with pagan ritual.
Episodes in Beowulf now have tangible archaeological evidence to add creditability to the blend of customs in the text.

21. References
Beowulf