BEOWULF First epic of England

What is it? Anglo-Saxon literature (starting in 449 A.D.) takes on two typical forms: Elegiac poem: poem that grieves for the dead Heroic poem: epic verse that recounts the deeds of a famous warrior or warriors Beowulf is the first surviving heroic poem written entirely in the English language.

Dates from the 8 th -11 th centuries (manuscript survives from the 11 th ) Action takes place in sixth-century Scandinavia Originally told in Old English (language spoken by Anglo-Saxons in England during the years ) by scops, traveling minstrels who made their living by entertaining listeners (usually after feasting!) with poems, songs, and stories. Beowulf read aloud in Old English

Could have been easily lost… Manuscript survived in a Renaissance antiquarian’s possession; in 1731, the manuscript was saved from a fire but did not escape damage: 2,000 letters crumbled away from the edges of the manuscript. An Icelandic scholar (Grimur Jonsson Thorkelin) transcribed the manuscript in 1786 and published it in As the manuscript itself deteriorated further; Thorkelin’s work was essential for scholars to preserve certain parts of the poem. And thank goodness! Just imagine if you couldn’t read Beowulf today!

Many sources Scandinavian Sagas German Heroic Poetry Irish folk tales Classical Epics ( Odysssey and Aeneid ) Old Testament Newly Christian society

Huge debate over the pagan and Christian elements in the poem The FACTS: That the scribes of the Beowulf manuscript were Christian is beyond doubt (monks transcribing in a monastery). And, Beowulf was transcribed in Christianized England (conversion took place in the sixth and seventh centuries A.D.) YET the only Biblical references in the poem are to the Old Testament: Christ is never mentioned.

Questions to ponder The poem is set in pagan times. Beowulf does offer prayers to the Father Almighty, however. So is Beowulf a pagan who uses Christian phrases? Is Beowulf a Christian? Is the “narrator” a Christian? How is he describing (or even judging) this pagan society? Finally, is the poem a Christian or a pagan poem?

Review Beowulf is the ________ surviving heroic poem in the English language. (most accurate, most distinguished, oldest, most violent). German storytellers who first told the tale of Beowulf were known as _______ (bards, minstrels, tenors, scops). Which of these is not a source for Beowulf ?: Irish folktales, Scandinavian sagas, the New Testament, The Odyssey