Beowulf Lecture Notes

Epic Poems: An epic is a long, narrative poem celebrating the feats of a traditional hero. Other examples of epic poems: Illiad Odyssey

Characteristics of Epic Poems About the adventures of larger-than-life characters 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 beings take part in the action Story is told in heightened language

Beowulf – The Poem Epic poem about war heroes First great work of English national literature Mythical and literary record of a formative stage of English civilization Uses many traditional motifs associated with heroic literature all over the world

Motifs: Stories of dream and legend Of monster and of god-fashioned weapons Of descents to the underworld Of fights with dragons Of the hero’s quest Of a community threatened by the powers of evil

Plot Tells story of Beowulf (may mean “bear”) Geat from Sweden who crosses the sea to Denmark on a quest to rescue King Hrothgar from the demonic monster Grendel

Beowulf – Epic Hero Central figure in a long narrative that reflects the values and heroic ideals of a particular society Has superior strength Supremely Ethical Must defeat monsters that embody dark, destructive powers At the end of his quest, is glorified by the people he has saved

Beowulf: an Epic that is: Composed by an unknown Anglo-Saxon poet Thought to be composed in England, but set in Scandinavia Originally composed in Old English, probably in northeast England

Composed sometime between the years 700-750 A.D. Depicts the world of the 6th Century

Oral Story Telling Handed down, with embellishments and changes, from minstrel to minstrel A traditional oral epic familiar to the audiences who crowded around the bards in communal halls at night

Details of the Story Many characters in the poem (Swedish & Danish royal family members) correspond to actual historical figures. Much of it is based on early folk legends Some Celtic Some Scandinavian

Religious Aspects Christian elements described lead us to believe the poet may have been a monk. Poem is full of religious elements (both Christian and Pagan references) Ex: Poet sings to the “Almighty” Many references to God, his creation, and the need to thank God. It is God who leads Beowulf to victory over Grendel’s Mother.

Warrior Culture Results from this early feudal arrangement. Is important to the story and our understanding of Saxon civilization Strong kings demand bravery and loyalty from their warriors; warriors then repaid with treasures won in war.

The Manuscript Dates from the year 1000 Now in the British Museum in London Burned and stained Discovered in the 18th Century

Background of the Plot In Scandinavian world of the story, tiny tribes of people rally around strong kings. Kings protect their people from danger, especially from confrontations with other tribes.