Beowulf

Learning target I will be able to understand and explain the historical context of Beowulf.

Original Text

3 Ways to Consider Beowulf… As an historic text As a literary text As a reference text Allusion

Timeline

History of the English Language Linguists break the history of the English language into three distinct parts Old English (approximately 449-1066) Beowulf was written during the Old English era Derived from a combination of early Germanic dialects Sounds VERY different from the English we know today http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E806VmFC8io&feature=chan nel

Middle and Modern English Middle English (approximately 1066-1470) Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales Modern English (approximately 1470-present) Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, etc. J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter

Culture of the Time Transition from a pagan religion to a Christian religion Pagans believed in multiple gods and not all were peaceful While the transition was taking place parts of the pagan traditions did not immediately disappear Warring tribes Frequent violent attacks Blood Feuds—dictated that an injury done to one’s family member required compensation—in money or blood This idea contradicts the newly introduced religion

History of the Text Most people during this time did not know how to read or write Beowulf was passed down from an oral tradition Dated between early 8th and 11th century—no exact date known Unknown author One of the best preserved English texts we have from this time

Terms to know Kenning—A poetic phrase used for or in addition to the usual name of a person or thing. Ex: instead of “fork” a kenning would be “food-rake” Alliteration— The repetition of the first consonant sound of a word in close succession. Ex: Big Boy ate a Burger at the Busy Bus stop. Epic Poem— A lengthy poem, ordinarily concerning a serious subject containing details of heroic deeds and events significant to a culture or nation. Ex: Beowulf, The Odyssey Scop—An Anglo-Saxon minstrel who traveled to various courts to recite their poetry and served as a kind of historian and preserver of the oral tradition of the Germanic people.

Summary The King of the Danes’ (Hrothgar) grand hall (Herot) is continually being attacked by a monster (Grendel) Beowulf comes to defeat Grendel A battle takes place– Grendel is defeated Grendel’s mother seeks revenge—Beowulf must defeat Grendel’s mother Years go by and Beowulf becomes King A terrible dragon is terrorizing the countryside— Beowulf faces the dragon in his last battle

Questions to consider Characteristics of Beowulf What characteristics do you think the poet’s contemporaries would give to a hero? How does Beowulf’s journey fit into our course theme? What, if anything, does Beowulf learn about himself, or do we as readers learn about ourselves through this story?