Introductory Notes British Literature BEOWULF 700? Introductory Notes British Literature

BEOWULF The story of a great Pagan warrior renowned for his courage, strength, and dignity It is an epic poem—a long, heroic poem It is the first known work to be composed in the English language (not English as we know today) Considered the national epic of England

Background on the Epic Beowulf, a Great from a region that is now southern Sweden, sets sail from his homeland to try to free Danish King Hrothgar’s great banquet hall, Herot, of a monster that has been ravaging it for the last 12 years This monster, Grendel, is a terrifying swampland creature of enormous size whose eyes “burn with a gruesome light”

The struggle between Beowulf, a young adventurer eager for fame and Grendel, a fierce and bloodthirsty foe, is the first of three battles in the long poem The Battle versus Grendel The Battle versus Grendel’s mother 50 years later—the battle against a dragon

Beowulf embodies the highest ideals of his time and place: loyalty, valor, unselfishness, and a sense of justice. He represents good while Grendel represents evil Throughout Beowulf, there is an uneasy blend of Christianity (and Christian ethics) and paganism (and pagan morality) Against the gloom (which represents the Anglo-Saxon belief of fate), the story applauds the highest virtues of human nature: courage, generosity, and faithfulness

The author is unknown, versions were probably recited as early as the sixth century The text we have today was composed in the eighth century, and was not written down until the eleventh VALUES: dignity, bravery, prowess in battle