Chapter One The Anglo --- Saxon Period 2. Northumbrian School and Wessex Literature 3. Anglo --- Saxon Poetry 1. Historical background in the north, in the 7th century in the south, in the 9th century

Celts --- earliest settlers of the British Isles in the upper Rhineland to the British Isles about 600B.C. branch name the isles Britain (400 to 300 B.C.) Culture of the Celts: an early stage of the Iron Age Beliefs: little knows Religious ceremonies: May Day the cult of mistletoe

The Roman Empire --- from 55 B.C. to 407 A.D. Form of society : slave society, but with high level of civilization London was founded. The first Roman general: Julius Caesar The contributions: build temples, roads, walls, military camps; make little influence on the cultural life of the Celts Walled towns: a name ending in “chester” or “caster” fort knowledge of the Roman Britain De Bello Gallico defeated Celts ---- Germania

The Angles, Saxons, and Jutes ---- about 450 A.D. Settled in England Drove the Celts into Wales, Scotland and Ireland Germanic tribes The Saxon words angula hook lived by sea fishing seaxsword hardy fighters tribal society master of the British Isles ancestors of the present English people

the kingdom of Wessex around 500 A.D. feudal society Celtic King Arthura legendary figure The Knights of the Round Table the bravest of his fellowers King Alfred, the Great of Wessex --- the second half of the 9th century It was not until the reign of his great grandson Edgar that England was united under one king. At the close of the 6th century there were 7 prominent Saxon kingdoms in England. in the south

The Duke of Normandy In the early 11th century --- Danes for 23 years from Normandy in northern France English throne William the last Saxon king promise Norman Conquest Religion: heathens be Christianized Heathen mythologyChristian religion Churches were built, and monks became the most learned in the country. the end of Anglo – Saxon period

two highlights in the development of the Anglo - Saxon literature Northumbrian School Wessex

Center:monasteries and abbeys Leader:1. Caedmon in the 7th century his contribution:Paraphrase turned the stories in the Bible into verse form the first Anglo --- Saxon poet 2. Bede The Ecclesiastical History of the English People Father of English History

In the 7th and 8th centuries the center of learning in the north In the 9th and 10th centuries the center of learning in the south with King Alfred as the guiding spirit His contribution: * Latin to his own language * The Anglo --- Saxon Chronicle history book literary work * A style of Anglo --- Saxon prose the reign of King Alfred

30,000 lines of Anglo --- Saxon poetry have survived. Beowulf epic poetry religious poems heroic poems elegies the earliest heroic poetry the most important poem now preserved

Beowulf probably written down in the 8th Cen. the manuscript of poem in the 10th Cen. 3,183 lines based on partly historical and legendary materials oral form existed in the 6th Cen. The first page of the Beowulf manuscript.

Hrothgar Danish King Heorot build a splendid hall Grendel monster comes out of the lair goes to the hall devour warriors holds the parties for 12 years Beowulf nephew to king Hygelac of the Geats helps rewards fights dies Part 1 the fight against Grendel

Beowulf Grendel’s mother Grendel avenge fights kills Hrothgar rewards the Geats Hygelachis son dies be killed be chosen a dragon fights and wounded dies People lamented Beowulf’s death and praised him as a great and good king. Part 2 the fight against Grendel’s mother---sea monster. Part 3 the fight against dragon: aged king and died

Themes: high spiritual qualities resolution to serve the country and kinsfolk true courage courteous conduct love of honour Characteristics: Beowulf is strong, courageous, selfless, ready to risk his life.

artistic features \ technical structure caesura alliteration kenning repetition and variation

caesura every line consists of two clearly separated half lines between which is a pause, called caesura Grendel stalking; God’s brand was on him. …… the gold-hall of men, the mead-drinking place nailed with gold plates. That was not the first visit

Alliteration It is a form of initial rhyme, or head rhyme. It is the repetition of the same sound or sounds at the beginning of two or more words that are next to or close to each other. He came on under the clouds, clearly saw at last Rage-inflamed, wreckage-bent, be ripped open

Kenning a figurative language in order to add beauty to ordinary objects. It is a metaphor usually composed of two works, which becomes the formula for a special object. Helmet bearer___ warrior Swan road___ the sea The world candle___ the sun

repetition and variation Grendel / The spoiler / warlike creature/ the foe/ horrible monster A host of young soldiers/ a company of kinsmen/ a whole warrior-band