1. Introduction to Beowulf
Ms. Beauchamp’s English IV Class
Introduction to Beowulf

2. Beowulf – An Epic An epic is sometimes called a heroic poem.
Examples of epic poems are: Beowulf, the Iliad, and the Odyssey.
Epics are long narratives about the adventures of larger-than-life characters.

3. Characteristics of Epics
Long narrative
Hero is a great leader strongly identified with a particular people or society
Setting is broad and often includes the upper and lower worlds
Hero does great deeds in battle or undertakes an extraordinary journey
Sometimes the gods or other
supernatural or fantastic beings take part
in the action

4. Characteristics of an Epic Hero
Central figure in a long narrative
Reflects the values and heroic ideals of a particular society
Superior physical strength
Very ethical
Has spiritual powers
Mighty leader of his people
Mixture of divine and human birth (weaknesses because of humanity)

5. Importance of Beowulf
Beowulf is to England what Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey are to ancient Greece.
It is the first great work of the English national literature – the mythical and literary record of a formative stage of English civilization.
It is an epic of the heroic sources of English culture.
It uses many traditional recurring elements associated with other heroic world literature.

6. Background of Beowulf Name “Beowulf” may mean “bear”
Story of a Geat from Sweden who crosses the sea to Denmark
Quest to rescue King Hrothgar from the demonic monster Grendel
Story of dream and legend, monsters and god-fashioned weapons
Deals with fights with dragons and the underworld

7. How the Story Came to Us Oral Art
Based on folk legends-Celtic and Scandinavian
Handed down, with changes and embellishments, from one bard to another
Harpist-bards shared these stories in communal halls in the evenings
Contains approximately 3200 lines, which is relatively short when compared to other epics
Of the modern retelling, we will be studying 842 lines divided into 17 parts.

8. When and Where It Came From
Composed in Old English
In Northumbria in northeast England
Between the years of 700 and 750 A.D.
Given the Christian elements, the poet may have been a monk.
Only manuscript we have dates from year 1000 and is in the British Museum in London.
It was discovered in the 18th century, and is burned and stained.
It somehow survived King Henry VIII’s destruction of the monasteries two hundred years earlier.

9. Beowulf Manuscript

10. Beowulf Characters Beowulf: a Geat, son of Edgetho and
nephew of Higlac, king of the Geats.
Higlac is Beowulf’s feudal lord and his uncle.
Brecca: Chief of the Brondings, a tribe, and Beowulf’s friend.
Grendel: Man-eating monster who lives at the bottom of a foul swamp (or mountain lake).
Herot: Golden guest hall built by King Hrothgar, the Danish ruler. Might have been built on the coast of Zealand, in Denmark.

11. More Characters
Hrothgar: King of the Danes, builder of Herot. He had once befriended Beowulf’s father.
Unferth: One of Hrothgar’s courtiers, reputed to be a skilled warrior. His sword, called Hrunting, is used by Beowulf in a later battle.
Welthow: Hrothgar’s wife, queen of the Danes.
Wiglaf: A Geat warrior, one of Beowulf’s select band, and the only one to help him in his final battle with the dragon. Wiglaf might be related to Beowulf.

12. Religious Elements
This poem is full of religious elements, even though its basis may be a pagan heroic code.
The poet sings to the “Almighty,” and many references are made to God, God’s creation, and the need to thank God.
Most importantly, it indicates that it is God who leads Beowulf to victory of Grendel’s mother.