Beowulf – 700(?)

Beowulf This epic poem marks the beginning of English literature. It was recited by scops for about 300 years before it was written down. Only one original manuscript of the complete 3,128-line poem survives. It has lasting historical significance as a record of the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes in England.

Beowulf Although the action takes place in 6 th century Scandinavia, the poem is unmistakenly English. Beowulf is the oldest Anglo-Saxon epic poem in existence. There is a blend of Christian and pagan beliefs in the poem.

Beowulf In 1936 Tolkien saw Beowulf as more than a historical account of the Anglo-Saxons. He saw the work as poetry; thus, the modern Beowulf scholarship was born. Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings series were shaped by Beowulf. Additionally, John Gardner wrote Grendal – narrated from Grendal’s point of view.

Beowulf Recited originally in Old English, the poem is based on legends of various Northern Europeans who migrated to England. The story is simple: Grendal was terrifying the Danes, so Beowulf sails from his native Geatland (southern Sweden) to save the day in two battles. Beowulf is the hero.

Characters in Beowulf Hrothgar = King of the Danes Grendal = a monstrous man/beast Beowulf = a future king of the Geats and a great hero Higlac = King of the Geats and a relative of Beowulf’s Wiglaf = Beowulf’s nephew Wyrd = the goddess of FATE

Anglo-Saxons = What did they admire in their warriors? 1.Good sportsmanship 2.Endurance 3.Loyalty to king 4.Athletic prowess 5.Bravery 6.Respect for each other 7.Action and fighting

An aside… Pagans did not believe in an afterlife, so having one’s name live on after one’s death was as close to immortality as one could get.

Heroic Paradox By dying gloriously one may achieve immortality; therefore, a hero depended on the poet/bard/scop for fame.

Anglo-Saxon poetry Characteristics of an Anglo-Saxon poem: 1.Caesura – pause in a line 2.Alliteration- repetition of initial consonant sounds 3.Kennings – metaphorical phrases, a colorful indirect way of naming something (whale’s home = sea)

Reading Poetry – in general Don’t stop at the end of a line, stop at the punctuation mark. The end of the line has to do with the “beat” of the line; it has nothing to do with the “meaning” of the line. Reading to the punctuation mark is called enjambment.