long narrative poem reveals values & history fact, folklore & magic serious tone & grand language hero undertakes a great quest which relates to society’s values

Beowulf’s Genre = Epic Epic – long narrative poem Epic’s were the first ‘history books’! Your goal is to separate fact from fiction as you read Beowulf. Therefore, you need to know the facts (Anglo-Saxon History)

Must battle a great monster Must pay homage to a god/gods (Fate/Wyrd) Has Superhuman strength / skill / wit Of Noble birth or rises to nobilty (sometimes a mystery) Although superhuman, he is mortal Usually has a great weapon

EQ: What role does history & culture play in an epic? Scop – Anglo-Saxon Poet - Memorized epic poems and delivered them at the Mead Hall - ‘Preserved’ the souls of past warriors

Our language and literature today is greatly inspired by the warring tribes of Early England Beowulf is considered the first work in English ( A.D. ) It is an Anglo-Saxon epic poem Epics contain a given group’s culture and history

Actually this term is used to describe a culture composed of the Angles, Saxons, Jutes, and Geats They were Germanic tribes –“guns for hire” – mercenaries Hired by the Romans They stay in Britain after the Romans leave.

Tribal Life – small clans; armies (loyalty and strength most important) Violent society, but loyalty is important. Killing a fellow member of one’s tribe was the worst possible crime Those who committed this crime paid a wergild.

Religion: Anglo-Saxons = pagan beliefs Woden – (Odin) – primary god Thunor (Thor) – friend to man; controlled sky; thunder (royals’ god) Tiw – north star; war god Freya (Frigg) – goddess of love; feast; beauty Loki – god of cunning (shape-shifter)

Religion: Impact in Modern English Sunday -- Sun's day Monday -- Moon's day Tuesday -- Tiw's day Wednesday -- Woden's day Thursday -- Thor's day Friday -- Freya's day Saturday -- Saturn's day (adopted Roman god)

Druids – Pagan priests/shamans (Anglos mix with Britons – Druids ) –Feasts, ceremonies, magic, animism –Druids painted their bodies blue before battle –Human / animal sacrifice and effigy

– Extremely spiritual and violent – Limited concept of an afterlife – need fame to live on = “momento mori” – Reputation = eternal life

EQ: What role does history & culture play in an epic? Memento Mori – ‘remember death’ no afterlife; therefore, achieve immortality by accomplishments (preserve soul) through reputation

Adoration – to regard with the utmost esteem, love, and respect; to honor and idolize The goal of Anglo Saxon society was to attain adoration and fame in order to obtain immortality Methods = poem, statue, jewelry, memorial,…

Wyrd - Fate or personal destiny "to become or to be due” similar to karma an Anglo-Saxon’s ‘reputation’ The Tree of Life (souls)

Mead Hall - center of civilization (symbol) Socializing History preserved (scop – oral poet) Reputations built (brag; give gifts) Sign of tribe’s strength; safe place (sleep)

Comitatus - Germanic code of loyalty Thanes (warriors) swore loyalty King generous in return (give treasure / land) Kings praised for generosity and hospitality. Warriors praised for courage and loyalty

Warfare: Dominated life Comitatus: Remain on battlefield (after King’s defeat) Thane pledged life to the king (bravery) King rewarded thanes with treasure (generosity) Loyalty; oath = basis for social order

Riddles – beauty in mystery = quickness of mind = intellectual strength Boast – confidence was very important must be able to back up claims

Christianity vs. Pagan Christian allusions in the poem result from transcription by a Christian monk Anglo’s originally pagan; changed to Christianity after 600 A.D

Notable Names: Bede: Founds monastic group (strict) Writes ‘Ecclesiastical History’ Rumored as a miracle worker Escapes assassination attempt (twice!)