1. Beowulf : Literary Notes and Historical Background

2. Beowulf: a Study in Intertextuality 3 Major Elements of Concentration: 1.Historical Background of Britiain 2.Literary History (genre, terminology) 3.Evolution of text Historical Background Old English Period(428 A.D. – 1100 A. D.) Beowulf (725? A.D.) Anglo-Norman Period(1100 A.D. – 1350 A. D.)

3. The Invaders: The groups and approximate time period of their invasions of Britain include: 1.600 BC Celts (from different parts of Europe) 2.55 BCRomans (from Italy) 3.410 ADAnglo-Saxons (from modern Germany) 4.793 ADVikings (from modern Denmark, Norway, and Sweden) 5.1066 AD Normans (from modern France) RESULT: Fusion of Greco-Roman, Christian, and Germanic traditions One textbook refers to the Anglo-Saxons as the “first Englishmen”

4. 1066: Normans (Northmen who had conquered France) conquer Anglo- Saxon England under William the Conqueror (duke of Normandy) Anglo-Saxon England 441-793 In 441, the Anglo-Saxons were a tribal culture like the Celts. Their culture is chronicled in the epic poem, Beowulf.

5. The Tribal Culture of the Celts and other Northern Europeans Tribes Each tribe had their own king They built walled farms and wood-hut villages They used bronze and iron tools, and grew crops They also warred with each other Since war was always a possibility, life was unstable and often violent warriors were loyal to a king and would fight to the death for him, surrender was cowardly these were oral cultures (there was no writing or recorded history) these cultures were non-Christian; they were “pagans”, worshipping many gods Scholars say that these invasions happened because of Britain’s fertile land; the land in Northern Europe being less fertile and subject to flooding from the North Sea.

6. Final Reminder As we read Beowulf, we are in Denmark and Sweden, around 500 AD, before the move towards one king, Christianity, peace, and literacy. Though we are in Denmark and Sweden, these tribal cultures (the Geats and the Scyldings) are much like those in early Anglo-Saxon England.

7. CHRISTIANITY: 1.St. Augustine: (597 A.D.) sent by Pope to preach Christianity to Anglo-Saxons 2.Venerable Bede: (730 A.D.) highly literate churchman who wrote annals in Latin 3.Alfred (King of West Saxons): (871 A.D.) patron of literature; translated works from Latin to Old English The spread of CHRISTIANITY to the Anglo- Saxon’s, benefited the Anglo-Saxon culture in many ways: 1. it brought writing to this formerly oral culture, an essential skill for an “advanced culture” 2. it brought new values (peace, compassion, cooperation--instead of arrogance and violence) 3. books were copied, records were written by monks, thus preserving their culture in writing

8. Literary Genre of Beowulf Epic: A long narrative poem in elevated style. It presents a character (s) of high degree and details important events that have a national, worldwide, or cosmic setting. (The Odyssey, the Star Wars films etc.) Traditionally, epics came from oral cultures, were passed down orally, and were of importance to a nation. With the spread of literacy and writing, single authors began to write epics. Most epics have the following characteristics: 1.) an epic hero of imposing stature and who is meaningful as a legend or historical figure 2.) his/her actions take place on a grand scale and are important nationally, internationally, or worldwide 3.) the action consists of a great deed( s) requiring superhuman courage & maybe superhuman strength 4.) supernatural forces (gods, angels, demons) are involved or interested in the action 5.) the style is grand or elevated A hero is simply a behavioral model. To some, a basketball player might be a hero, but to another that may seem silly. How could a basketball player be a hero? What are the reasons? We all have our own heroes for our own reasons. Thus a simple all-encompassing definition of a hero might simply be as a behavioral model.

9. Life in the Times of Beowulf Though this Anglo-Saxon work seems to chronicle the life of a Viking people, as opposed to the Germanic Anglo-Saxons, these cultures were close enough for the cultures to be interchangeable. The following aspects of Anglo-Saxon society include (as noted in British history notes): The Tribal Culture of the Anglo-Saxons -Each tribe had their own king -They built walled farms and wood-hut villages -They used bronze and iron tools, and grew crops -They also warred with each other -Since war was always a possibility, life was unstable and often violent -warriors were loyal to the king and would fight to the death for him, surrender was cowardly. Honor and loyalty to the tribe and to the king were more important, in a way, than material goods, for being remembered well after death, where you could not take material objects, was very important -these were oral cultures (there was no writing or recorded history) -these cultures were non-Christian; they were “pagans”, worshipping many gods.

10. Additional Notes on Anglo-Saxon Culture The mead-hall:within the tribal cluster of wooden buildings surrounded by a strong wooden fence, stood the mead-hall. Here the king and his warriors (called thanes) feasted and drank mead (Anglo-Saxon beer). In the mead-hall, they were entertained by a scop (shope), a poet/story teller/historian. The scop: the job of the scop was very important. Besides telling a story, his job was to retell current and past events, to record, remember, and retell history all from the record of his mind. Fame and honor meant a lot to these people; it was the scop’s job to preserve a record of their achievements for later generations.

11. Main Characters in Beowulf Beowulf (The hero.A Geat who leads his band of warriors to find and kill Grendel) Grendel (man-monster who raids Hrothgar’s mead-hall, eating his people) Hrothgar (King of the Scyldings in Denmark) Hygelac (King of the Geats-Beowulf’s king back in Sweden) Unferth (one of Hrothgar’s thanes--he questions Beowulf’s strength and ability ) Wealhtheow (Hrothgar’s wife) Important Relationships to Remember for Understanding: Son of Ecgtheow--Beowulf (also called Hygelac’s thane) Son of Ecglaf--Unferth (also called Hrothgar’s herald) Son of Healfdene--Hrothgar

12. 3 Major Combats Beowulf vs. Grendel Beowulf vs. Grendel’s Mother Beowulf vs. Dragon 3 Aspects of each Combat: Nature of the enemy Beowulf’s motivation Weapons involved

13. Characteristics of Anglo-Saxon Poetry (The skill and style of the Scop) An important fact to remember about the style of Beowulf is the matter of ANCESTRY. The writer of Beowulf often mentions details that do not seem to relate to the main plot, (mainly commentary on ancestors: “son of...”; so-and- so’s “thane”). This is done for a few reasons: a. as an oral marker -- stories were often told in more than one sitting. The scop might leave off one spot and repeat some information the next day to remind listeners were he left off. b. as a retelling of history and a chronicle of ancestry.When the writer mentions relationships (i.e. calling Beowulf “Hygelac’s thane” in line 131 or calling Hrothgar “the son of Healfdene” in line 125) he may do this to remind listeners of who came from where and who is related to who. They had no writing or history books to chronicle these things. Being remembered was very important in Anglo-Saxon society. c. to keep rhythm.The scop told the poem to a beat, rhythm, and with alliteration. Words may be shortened or elongated for this purpose.

14. Kenning: two or more words which, when put together, serve as a symbol or metaphor for another word. These were often used for entertainment, variety, and to keep the beat and rhythm. Sometimes they are obvious to us. Other times, they are more obscure. Examples: candle of heaven -- the sun peace-weaver -- women light of battle-- sword

15. Alliteration: the repetition of initial consonant sounds. Also used for entertainment, variety, and to keep the beat and rhythm. Incidentally, Beowulf doesn’t rhyme--not all poems have to rhyme. Anglo-Saxon poetry is known more for alliteration than rhyme). Example from lines (4-7): Many a mead-hall Scyld, son of Sceaf, Snatched from the forces of savage foes, From a friendless foundling, feeble and wretched, He grew to a terror as time brought change

16. Caesura: the building block of Anglo-Saxon poetry. Each line had a pause in the middle to create a kind of beat. By my count, each line had 8 syllables with the pause or the caesura in the middle. In meter, caesura (alternative spellings are cæsura or cesura) is a term to denote an audible pause that breaks up a line of verse. In most cases, caesura is indicated by punctuation marks which cause a pause in speech: a comma, a semicolon, a full stop, a dash, etc. Punctuation, however, is not necessary for a caesura to occur.meterversepunctuation marks commasemicolonfull stopdash There are two types of caesurae: masculine and feminine. A masculine caesura is a pause that follows a stressed syllable; a feminine caesura follows an unstressed syllable.stressedsyllable Consider the opening line of Beowulf:Beowulf Hwæt! we Gar-Dena || on geardagum ("Lo! we Spear-Danes, in days of yore...")

17. In the Anglo-Saxon culture, the group, the community was valued over the individual. The worst thing that could happen to a person was to have their tribe wiped out, or to be banished. Joy, security, and survival came from the group. Grendel was alone, “banished from men, a cursed and ugly creature. ”We see in lines 78- 79 that perhaps Grendel was sorrowful and bitter that that he had been banished as the seed of Cain. He sees the men sleeping “fast in slumber, forgetting grief,/Forgetting the woe of the world of men.” Perhaps he wants to have a community, to have happiness, to cure his loneliness. This is all speculation; however, we definitely see that he does not like it that Hrothgar’s people were so joyous.

18. Once he had his men land safely, they “gave thanks to God” for a safe journey.This mentioning of God would have taught the audience that even great heroes must acknowledge a higher power greater than themselves, and perhaps even to avoid boasting too much, getting too big of a head. (*God is also mention in the following lines:234-235, 288, 361-362, 439 500, 516, 530, 677-678, 684, 698, 707, 717, 906, 1090-1093, 1093, 1103, 1130, 1132, 1169-1225

19. In lines 163 - 190 we see the first of what seems to be long-winded speeches in Beowulf.The coast guard is both visually impressed with the stature of Beowulf and his men, but also must challenge them so that he may know if they are friends or enemies.The information in these speeches could be said more economically, but we must remember that these long (epic) speeches fulfill several purposes: 1.)They provide story information (in this speech we learn how impressive Beowulf and his men look). 2.)They can chronicle ancestry (important to know where someone came from both for the characters in the story, but for the scop to provide a oralhistory of important people, deeds, and battles in his culture). 3.)An oral marker.The scop may have left off at a certain point (these stories were told in more than one sitting, perhaps over days) so people needed to be reminded, say the next day of where a story left off. 4.)Being able to speak well was valued by the Anglo-Saxon culture.We will see that Beowulf speaks well and thus is a valued leader. In lines 191 - 210, Beowulf responds with his own “wordy speech”.We see the coast guard is once again impressed and he agrees to allow Beowulf into his country, saying in lines 234-235 “The mighty Lord in His mercy shield you and hold you safe.”

20. III. Final Comments on Theme A. The Hero Theme In the end Beowulf has hit many of the categories needed to fulfill his role in literature as an EPIC HERO.I probably have not included every example possible, but those listed will make a good case. 1.) An epic hero of imposing stature and who is meaningful as a legend or historical figure Lines that describe his stature:238 - 256, 279 - 292 (Beowulf is rumored to have 30 men’s strength). 2.) The hero’s actions take place on a grand scale and are important nationally, internationally, or worldwide. Beowulf saves Hrothgar’s people and inspires a lasting peace between nations. 3.) The action consists of a great deed( s) requiring superhuman courage & maybe superhuman strength. 4.) Supernatural forces (gods, angels, demons) are involved or interested in the action

21. Outside of that definition we learn what the idea of the HERO/GOOD LEADERin Anglo-Saxon Society meant. BEOWULF was: 1. STRONG.He was the “real deal.” He could back up his promises with action and heroic deeds. 2. WISE/SPOKE WELL. Knew the right thing to say at the right time. He could win a battle with words, avoiding violence. Was a gracious and humble speaker as well. 3. LED BY EXAMPLE, not by boasting. 4. HUMBLE. He was not too prideful (note his contrast with the big-talking Unferth; thanking Unferth for his lending the sword and not mentioning it failed. Gave credit to God for his success, realizing he was not all powerful. 5. LOYAL and obedient to his own king (Hygelac) as well as Hrothgar. Beowulf would have been the ideal leader in Anglo-Saxon times mainly because of 1, 2, and 5.Hrothgar was also an ideal leader because he treated his people well. Remember, in Anglo-Saxon times it was important to be loyal to your own people, to be able to fight, and to take care of your own. It was also important to be remembered well. Doing these things would mean you were remembered well. Doing what Beowulf did makes you a legend for all time. As we all know, only a select few people in every day and age get to be the “Beowulf”.

22. Relationship of Society to the Individual (Relationship of Team to Individual: Relating this Theme to the Lives of Modern Students) In order to give the students a vested interest in anything, relating it their lives is the key.This thematic discussion of Beowulf’s society might look as much like a discussion on basketball.I find it useful to see connections from Beowulf in team sports. 1.Modern Connection: So you want to be a star? (Use Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant, or Allen Iverson, for example.) Fine, but your team will not win if all you care about is yourself (i.e. scoring your 30 points a game). Present the scenario that winning as a team is elevated above superstar status in our society. Sure a superstar will have tons of respect, but there is a certain kind of ultimate respect paid to winners and team players. Often the great career of a star will be remembered with an “asterisk”. Many people will say:“ Yes he was one of the best, but he never won a championship. (Would Jordan be considered so great if he had never won a championship, but he led the league in scoring every year?) The scenario is the same in Anglo-Saxon times. 2.What if you aren’t a team player and you aren’t a great player? What might happen to your fate on the basketball team? You may be benched, disrespected, released, or traded (essentially fired)

23. 2.Beowulf’s Time:What if you weren’t a team player, in Anglo-Saxon times? What if you were selfish, putting your needs above the needs of your tribe? Guess what? You may be disrespected, reprimanded, or even banished. Taking care of your own, just like being a team player, was of utmost importance. Without your tribe in these rough and violent times you were nothing. They were your family, life, friends, source of joy and laughter, support etc. Having one’s tribe wiped out or being banished were two of the worst things that could happen to a person. All your emotional support, gone. Someone to take care of you when you are ill, gone. Protection, gone. Some warriors (and others) would rather die than be overcome overruled by another group. One of the morals: be good to your tribe and be remembered well. If you want to be great, accomplish great things, but you must treat your people well in order to be respected.