Beowulf Provenance Setting Poetic devices Terms Themes

Anglo-Saxon Period The Anglo-Saxon period is the earliest recorded time period in English history.

Why Study Beowulf? 1. Beowulf is the oldest poem in the English language, so much of our language stems from it in some way. 2. The story of Beowulf encompasses common themes that we still see in English literature today. 3. Studying Old English improves your understanding of modern English 4. Beowulf is simply good writing and a great story.

Beowulf’s Provenance What we don’t know: who wrote it when exactly it was written how much, exactly, is based on historical truth

Beowulf’s Provenance What we do know: Beowulf is the oldest surviving English poem. It’s written in Old English (or Anglo-Saxon), which is the basis for the language we speak today. Some of the characters in the poem actually existed. The only copy of the manuscript was written sometime around the 11th century A.D. (1000’s), however…

The actual poem probably dates from the 8th century (700’s) or so, and… The story may be set even earlier, around 500 A.D.

Scholars believe “The Beowulf Poet” was most likely a Christian monk, thus adding a Christian perspective.

Beowulf’s Provenance So why wasn’t it written down in the first place? This story was probably passed down orally for centuries before it was first written down. It wasn’t until after the Norman Invasion (1066) that writing stories down became common in this part of the world.

Beowulf’s Provenance So what’s happened to the manuscript since the 11th century? Eventually, it ended up in the library of this guy. Robert Cotton (1571-1631)

Beowulf’s Provenance Unfortunately, Cotton’s library burned in 1731. Many manuscripts were entirely destroyed. Beowulf was partially damaged. The manuscript is now preserved and carefully cared for in the British Museum.

There is only one original Beowulf manuscript existing today There is only one original Beowulf manuscript existing today. It is in the British History Museum in London.

BEOWULF is an EPIC poem. EPIC – a long, narrative poem that relates the great deeds of a larger-than-life hero who embodies the values of a particular society.

Examples of other EPICS are… Greek “Illiad” and “Odyssey” – Homer

The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings – Tolkien

And of course there’s the EPIC HERO!!!! EPIC HERO – must undertake a quest to achieve something of tremendous value to himself and his society

SUMMARY OF EPIC FEATURES: A long narrative poem Larger than life hero; often with super-human characteristics Concerns eternal human problems like the struggle between good and evil Presented in a serious manner using elevated (poetic) language Hero represents widespread national, cultural, or religious values

This EPIC poem of BEOWULF is often divided into 3 sections; it is about Beowulf’s 3 epic battles w/ evil.

…the Battle with Grendel (Grendel represents evil)

…the Battle with Grendel’s Mother (She also represents evil.)

…the Battle with the Dragon (It not only represents evil but also Greed.)

Beowulf represents good: loyalty valor selflessness sense of justice

Setting: Beowulf’s time and place Although Beowulf was written in English, it is set in what is now Sweden, where a tribe called the Geats lived. NONE of this story takes place in England. The story may take place as early as 400 or 500 A.D.

Setting: Beowulf’s time and place Insert: Time of Beowulf Europe today