Beowulf Background & Literary Devices

Beowulf is… The first great work of English national literatureThe first great work of English national literature The epic story of the hero, Beowulf, who fights the demonic monster, Grendel.The epic story of the hero, Beowulf, who fights the demonic monster, Grendel. Beowulf is an epic hero.Beowulf is an epic hero. Reminder: Epic heroes are central figures in long narratives that reflect the values and heroic ideals of a particular society.Reminder: Epic heroes are central figures in long narratives that reflect the values and heroic ideals of a particular society. Reminder: An epic is a quest story on a grand scale.Reminder: An epic is a quest story on a grand scale.

The Bard Definition: a : a tribal poet- singer skilled in composing and reciting verses on heroes and their deeds b : a composer, singer, or declaimer of epic or heroic verse 2: poetDefinition: a : a tribal poet- singer skilled in composing and reciting verses on heroes and their deeds b : a composer, singer, or declaimer of epic or heroic verse 2: poet Beowulf is an oral epic passed from bard to bard.Beowulf is an oral epic passed from bard to bard.

Harpist-bards told the familiar story for audiences in the communal halls at night.Harpist-bards told the familiar story for audiences in the communal halls at night. Reconstructed Anglo-Saxon village in West Stow, England, with communal hall on the left. Written down between 700 and 750.Written down between 700 and 750.

Beowulf takes place in Scandinavia Scholars think Herot might have been built on the coast of Zealand, in Denmark Scandinavia Britain Places

Who wrote it down? scenery described resembles Northumbria (northeastern England) Theory : The poet who wrote Beowulf down may have been a Northumbrian monk. Evidence: Christian elements in epic

Who wrote it down? Only a single manuscript of the poem survived the Anglo- Saxon era. In the 1700’s it was nearly destroyed in a fire.Only a single manuscript of the poem survived the Anglo- Saxon era. In the 1700’s it was nearly destroyed in a fire. It was not until 1936 when the Oxford scholar J.R.R. Tolkien published a paper on the poem that is became popular.It was not until 1936 when the Oxford scholar J.R.R. Tolkien published a paper on the poem that is became popular.

Heroic Values Relationship between king and his warriorsRelationship between king and his warriors The king rewards his warriors with giftsThe king rewards his warriors with gifts If a kinsman is slain, obligation to kill the slayer or obtain payment (wergeld) in compensationIf a kinsman is slain, obligation to kill the slayer or obtain payment (wergeld) in compensation

Conflict: Christian vs. Pagan Values This tension is at the heart of the poemThis tension is at the heart of the poem Pagan history and myth are made to point to a Christian moralPagan history and myth are made to point to a Christian moral Beowulf is poised between two value systemsBeowulf is poised between two value systems

Themes The Importance of Establishing IdentityThe Importance of Establishing Identity The Difference Between a Good Warrior and a Good KingThe Difference Between a Good Warrior and a Good King Good vs. EvilGood vs. Evil Strength & SkillStrength & Skill FateFate WealthWealth ReligionReligion ViolenceViolence Tradition and CustomsTradition and Customs

Beowulf was composed in Old English, which uses a caesura, or rhythmic pause, to create unity. ða com of more under misthleoþum Grendel gongan, godes yrre bær; mynte se manscaða manna cynnes sumne besyrwan in sele þam hean. Line divided into two parts by a caesura. Locate the caesura in these lines: Literary Devices: Caesura (siz-you-rah)

Here are the same lines in modern English from Burton Raffel’s translation: Out from the marsh, from the foot of misty Hills and bogs, bearing God’s hatred, Grendel came, hoping to kill Anyone he could trap on this trip to high Herot. Punctuation reproduces pause effect of the caesura. Literary Devices: Caesura

The Anglo-Saxon oral poet also used the poetic device of alliteration.alliteration. Grendel gongan, godes yrre bær; mynte se manscaða manna cynnes Literary Devices: Alliteration

Alliteration: the repetition of consonant sounds in words close together. The emphasis on the w sound in this line from Shakespeare’s Sonnet 30 creates a melancholy tone. And with old woes new wail my dear time’s waste. Literary Devices: Alliteration

Find examples of alliteration in Burton Raffel’s translation of lines 1-5: Out from the marsh, from the foot of misty Hills and bogs, bearing God’s hatred, Grendel came, hoping to kill Anyone he could trap on this trip to high Herot. Literary Devices: Alliteration

Find examples of alliteration in Burton Raffel’s translation of lines 1-5: Out from the marsh, from the foot of misty Hills and bogs, bearing God’s hatred, Grendel came, hoping to kill Anyone he could trap on this trip to high Herot. Literary Devices: Alliteration

a metaphorical phrase or compound word used to name a person, place, thing, or event indirectly. Literary Devices: Kenning

Kennings: Their Effect A kenning enhances the literal meaning of the words. A kenning gives the listener an idea of how the words connect to an idea or concept that is richer and more emotionally complex.

Examples of kennings from Beowulf: gold-shining hall= Herot guardian of crime = Grendel strong-hearted wakeful sleeper = Beowulf cave-guard and sky-borne foe = dragon

Create modern-day kennings for things you see around you. giver of words word-wand ?? ? ? Practice