Beowulf

I. Historical background 400-600 A.D. -- Angles, Saxons, and Jutes invade (Beowulf set) 410 A.D. – Rome renounces control of Britain 521 A.D. – Hygelac invades the Netherlands 597 A.D. – St. Augustine 625 A.D. – Sutton Hoo 700-950 A.D. -- Christian poet composed the poem

II. The manuscript - Origins Handwritten by a monk around 1000 A.D. (author unknown) Written in Old English Obtained by Sir Robert Cotton Bound in Cotton Vitellius A.15. Damaged in fire in 1731 Currently at British Museum Available on “The Electronic Beowulf” CD

III. Poetic form and devices Allusion: Biblical, Germanic oral tradition, Norse myth and legend, historical Anglo-Saxon kings (eg. King Offa of Mercia) Alliteration (eg. Scyld’s strong son) Epic poetry: a long narrative poem written in elevated style which celebrates the deeds of a legendary hero or god. Kenning: two-word metaphorical name for something (eg. whale-road=sea) Scop: Anglo-Saxon composers and storytellers (like minstrels or bards)

Structure of Beowulf Use of alliteration Beginning 3 or 4 words in a line with the same letter OE: “waes se grimma gaest Grendel haten” TRANS: “a horror from hell, hideous Grendel.” “Then out of the night/came the shadow-stalker, stealthy and swift“ (702-703)

Structure of Beowulf Use of kenning A specific type of compound used for stylistic effects; a compressed metaphor. “swan-road” for ocean “wave-courser” for ship “death-shadow” for Grendel

Structure of Beowulf Use of oral structure Primary Epic because it: arises from remembered oral traditional tales – aristocratic entertainment was sung by poets or bards in banquet halls arises in a culture shortly after writing is introduced Viewing hero’s life or segments of his life as part of a historical pattern 7

Themes in Beowulf Heroic glory Characteristics of good warrior Strength Loyalty Courage Characteristics of good king Hospitality Generosity Diplomacy Social structure of the Germanic people revolved around Germanic heroic code valued Strong warrior group ruled by a good king Other WOMEN were to be ceremonious All should have a good reputation 8

Themes in Beowulf Distribution of treasure King rewarded strong, loyal warriors Gold Horses Armor

Themes in Beowulf Pagan vs. Christian elements Blackburn, The Christian Colouring in Beowulf: Poem was composed by a Christian who had heard the stories and used them in the material of his work. Poem was composed by a heathen from old stories. At a later date, it was revised by a Christian to include the Christian allusions.

Themes in Beowulf Pagan vs. Christian elements Blackburn Passages containing references to biblical history or allusion to scripture Passages containing disapproval of heathen ideas or pagan worship Passages containing references to distinctively Christian doctrines (heaven, hell, day of judgment) 53 cases of incidental allusions to the Christian God.

IV. Anglo-Saxon values Loyalty Fighting for one’s king Avenging one’s kinsmen Keeping one’s word Generosity -- gifts symbolize bonds Brotherly love -- not romantic love Heroism Physical strength Skill and resourcefulness in battle Courage Public reputation, not private conscience

V. Beowulf vocabulary Comitatus: Germanic warrior code of loyalty Scop: poet in oral culture (“shaper”) Preserves history Entertains court Spreads hero’s fame Thane (thegn): warrior retainer: swears loyalty to king Kings: generous; protected thanes Wergild: “man-price” or “man-payment” Substitute for violence a fee paid to the family of a slain man to atone for his murder and to prevent the family from seeking revenge. Wyrd: fate (to the POET = God’s will)

VI. The structure of the poem Three fights (Rogers 1955) Grendel Grendel’s mother The dragon Ring structure (Niles 1983) Individual passages Three main combats Example Poem as a whole Inside/order vs. outside/chaos Heorot

IX. What about the women? Women make peace, bearing children who create blood ties Wealtheow unites Danes/Helmings Hildeburh unites Danes/Frisians Freawaru intended to unite Danes/Heathobards Women pass the cup at the mead-hall, cementing social bonds Women lament loss, don’t avenge

X. What is heroism? Strong will? Valor in battle? Concern for others? Are the same traits required for a warrior and for a king?

XI. Is Beowulf a hero? Does Beowulf act for selfish motives – glory? treasure? Does Beowulf act for selfless motives – preserving the community? Does Beowulf ever make a raid or start a feud? Does Beowulf stand for violence or civilization? Is Beowulf successful as a warrior? As a king?

XII. What is the poet’s attitude toward the culture? Does the poet celebrate the culture he depicts and mourn its loss? Does he view it as limited and inferior to another alternative, perhaps Christianity? It affirms vengeance It overvalues glory It depends on a hero References

Sutton Hoo Burial site discovered in 1939 Important links to Anglo-Saxon world and Beowulf Remains of a boat were discovered and large burial chamber containing numerous artifacts Artifacts suggest a distinctly Christian element intermingled with pagan ritual. Episodes in Beowulf now have tangible archaeological evidence to add creditability to the blend of customs in the text.

References Beowulf http://faculty.virginia.edu/OldEnglish/Beowulf.Readings/Prologue.html http://www.lone-star.net/literature/beowulf/index.html