Beowulf and the Epic Hero Anglo-Saxons Beowulf and the Epic Hero

The Big Picture Here’s the way the history of English literature is labeled (all A.D.): The Anglo-Saxons 450-1066 The Middle Ages 1066-1485 The Renaissance 1485 – 1660 The Restoration and the 18th Century 1660-1800 The Romantic Period 1798-1832 The Victorian Period 1832-1901 Twentieth Century/Modern 1901 – present

A second way we divide English Old English 450-1100 Middle English 1100-1500 Modern English 1500 - present

Some background Anglo-Saxon Period 449 A.D.-1066 A.D. The Language is called Old English It was derived from the Celts, who were in England, as well as the conquering Germanic tribes – the Angles, the Saxons and the Jutes.

People of Anglo-Saxon England Celts – 700 B.C. – 55 B.C. original inhabitants; oral langugage; Druid religion (Stonehenge) 55 B.C. – Romans came and stayed until the early 5th century Brought roads, aqueducts, villas, and Christianity When the Romans left, the island was invaded by Angles, Saxons, and Jutes. (named after the Angles)

History of Anglo-Saxon period Lots of little kingdoms existed under various efforts to unify England The warrior was the dominant position in society The king was a warrior Witan = king’s group of advisers Women were unimportant in A-S society, and except for the queen, were regarded as valuable only for domestic duty

Anglo-Saxon culture Appreciated craftsmanship Agricultural, semi-nomadic Two classes of people – earls (upper class) and churls (lower class) Great feasts were a crucial part of A-S life Feasts were held in Mead Halls (mead is a sweet alcoholic drink made from fermented honey) A scop, or bard, was the entertainer/historian/poet Would tell tales of the great heroes of the past Tales were delivered in a rhythmic chant and alliterative verses

Christianity and Paganisn Christianity in England came by way of Rome St. Augustine was sent in 597 to convert King Ethelbert of Kent Augustine was the first Archbishop of Canterbury Christianity spread Pagan ways still permeated – in literature and in practice – ex. Yule logs, days of week, books of remedies, mistletoe We will see evidence of both Christianity and Paganism in Beowulf

Beowulf A poem of 3182 lines Composed between 700 and 750 A.D., but concerns the Germanic people who lived around 500 A.D. It is an EPIC

The Epic A long narrative poem Hero is a figure of national importance Actions consist of deeds of valor The setting is vast in scope (time and place) Involves the fate of an entire group of people Begins in the middle “in medias ras” Has an elevated, grand style of language Rich in imagery, metaphor, kennings, etc. Supernatural forces are present Told in objective manner

The Epic continued Hero has superhuman strength of body, character, or mind Blends historical fact with legend Simple plot Theme involves universal human problems

Theme topics in Beowulf Courage and loyalty Struggle against evil (good vs. evil) Youth vs. age Relationship between king and his subjects

Literary Terms for Beowulf Caesura A pause or break near the middle of every line; helped the oral poets (scops) remember their lines Alliteration Repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words ex. Behaviour that’s admired is the path to power among people everywhere.            (20–25) Epithets Identifying expressions used with or in place of names of people, places, or objects Ex. Higlac’s follower

Literary Terms Kennings Apposition Related to epithets, but more imaginative (usually) Uses metaphoric compound words in place of simple nouns Ex. Sea = the whale road Ex. Sun = heaven’s candle Apposition A phrase set off by commas used to describe another noun Ex. Beowulf, our hero, sailed across the ocean

Literary Terms Simile – comparison using “like” or “as”; these are often clichéd and meaningless Ex. He was as quick as lightning Personification – giving human qualities to non-human objects Ex. The chair tripped me Parody – imitates another, usually serious, work or type of literature, often adding a new insight to the original We will read a section of a parody of Beowulf called Grendel

Beowulf I will understand the characteristics of the Epic and how Beowulf is an example of an epic. I will identify, understand and create the literary techniques found in Beowulf: epithet, kenning, appositive, alliteration, simile, personification, imagery. I will understand universal archetypes including the Hero’s Journey and themes such as good vs. evil and leadership. I will recognize these archetypes in literature and media today.