1. Beowulf Circa 700-750

2. Epic What is an Epic? A long narrative poem- Tells of heroic deeds- Gives a history of a nation or culture Beowulf is an Oral Epic because it was told through word of mouth. There were no books and people could not read during this time. With any story handed down from minstrel to minstrel, often words were changed and embellishments were added to make it more interesting.

3. Minstrel- Scop The scop went from castle to castle telling the epic.

4. Beowulf Facts 3000 Lines Long Written in Old English Dates- 700-750 AD Author- Unknown

5. The Manuscript This copy was written in approximately1000 AD Discovered in the 18 th century this copy was found partially burned and stained from a fire.

6. Beowulf: The Epic Hero Superhuman strength Highest ideals of Anglo-Saxon culture Quest Must defeat monsters Glorified by his people

7. Beowulf Characters Beowulf- The epic hero Grendel- Descendant of Cain Hrothgar- King of the Danes Unferth- Challenges Beowulf Wiglaf- Assisted Beowulf in his final battle

8. Allusion Makes a reference to a place, event, literary work, myth, or work of art It is said that Grendel is a descendent of Cain

9. Kenning Anglo- Saxon compound word used to name a person, place, thing or event Sheppard of evil- Grendel-monster Slaughter dew- blood Ring giver- king Whale road- sea

10. Mead Hall Residence of the lord and his servants Mead- Equivalent to beer- honey, water and yeast