Anglo-Saxon Poetry, the Epic, and Beowulf Mrs. Decker ~ English IV

People Celts – Southern Europeans (possibly from Spain); invaded the British Isles between 800 and 600 B.C.; farmers and hunters Romans – invaded Britain in 55 B.C. and ruled for more than 300 years; established roads and towns and introduced Christianity; left in 407 A.D. to defend Rome Anglo-Saxons – German invaders who followed the Romans; farmers and fishermen

Poetry and Poetic Terms Elegiac Poetry – “Elegy”; laments (expresses sorrow) the death of loved ones and the loss of the past Examples: “The Seafarer” and “The Wife’s Lament” The Exeter Book – a collection of manuscripts that includes pieces of oral tradition, including “The Seafarer”, “The Wanderer”, and “The Wife’s Lament” Heroic Poetry – recounts the achievements of warriors Lyric Poem – expresses the thoughts and feelings of a single speaker

Poetry and Poetic Terms (cont.) Caesuras – rhythmic breaks in the middle of lines, where the reciter could pause for a breath Kennings – two-word poetic renamings of people, places, and things (“whales home” = sea) Assonance – repetition of vowel sounds in unrhymed, stressed syllables (“…it was sweet to hear the voices of gleeful children…”) Alliteration – repetition of initial consonant sounds in accented syllables (“…that famous prince / fought with fate against him…”) Oral Tradition – stories passed down from generation to generation by word of mouth

The Epic Epic – Long narrative poem that recounts the adventures of a legendary hero in pursuit of a goal of national importance. Epic Hero – Central character of the Epic. Larger-than life; of noble/semi divine birth; uses courage, skill and virtue against opposing/evil forces. Quest – long, dangerous journey/mission undertaken by the epic hero. Valorous Deeds – actions that demonstrate the hero’s courage, strength, or virtue; make up the action in the narrative. Divine Intervention – hero receives help from a god or other supernatural force that takes interest in his quest. Great Events – Important events from the history/ mythology of a nation/culture that provide the backdrop for the narrative.

Types of Epics Folk Epic – stories about heroes that were recited or sung; passed down orally from one generation to the next. Written down long after they were composed. Literary Epic – written by individual authors; draw on the style of the folk epic

Beowulf Background An epic (long heroic poem) that tells of a warrior renowned for his courage, strength, and dignity. Originally an example of Oral Tradition First great work of English national literature Reflects both pagan and Christian traditions

Beowulf Background (cont.) Considered a relatively short epic = approximately 3200 lines in length. Composed in Old English sometime between the years 700 and 750. Author is unknown Only remaining manuscript of Beowulf is from the year 1000; housed at British Museum in London; burned and stained; discovered in 18th century.

Beowulf in Old English