 Origin  Setting  Why Beowulf? Beowulf  Poetic devices  Terms  Themes

Why Study Beowulf? 1. Beowulf is the oldest epic poem in the English language, so everything written since Beowulf stems from it in some way 2. The story of Beowulf encompasses common themes that we still see in English literature today 3. Beowulf

Why Study Beowulf? 4. In some ways, it doesn’t matter what you read, but how you read it, so…since Beowulf came first, you might as well start there. 5. Studying ______________________ improves your understanding of modern English 6.

Beowulf’s Origin What we don’t know:  ____________wrote it  _________ exactly it was written  how much, exactly, is based on _______________________

Beowulf’s Origin What we do know:  It’s written in Old English (or Anglo-Saxon), which is the basis for the language we speak today.  Some of the characters in the poem actually _____________________.  The only copy of the manuscript was written sometime around the ___________ century A.D. (900’s), however…

 The actual poem probably dates from the _________ century (700’s) or so, and…  The story may be set even earlier, around _________________  There are a lot of Christian references in the poem, but the characters and setting are Pagan…this means a _____________ probably translated it.

Beowulf’s Provenance So why wasn’t it written down in the first place? This story was probably passed down orally for centuries before it was first written down. It wasn’t until after the Norman Invasion (____________________________________) that writing stories down became common in this part of the world.

Setting: Beowulf’s time and place Although Beowulf was written in English, it is set in what is now _____________, where a tribe called the ______________ lived. The story may take place as early as 400 or 500 A.D. The characters are __________________ people, not Anglo-Saxon

Setting: Beowulf’s time and place Europe today Insert: Time of Beowulf

How we date Beowulf Some Important Dates: ______A.D. – death of Hygelac, who is mentioned in the poem ______ A.D. – appearance of alliterative verse ______ A.D. – the Danish started raiding other areas; after this, few poets would consider them heroes SO: This version was likely composed between 680 and 835, though it may be set earlier

The Poetry in Beowulf A few things to watch out for 1. Alliterative verse a.R b. Generally, four feet/beats per line c. A caesura, or ____________, between beats two and four d. No rhyme

The Poetry in Beowulf A few things to watch out for Alliterative verse – an example from Beowulf: Oft Scyld Scefingsceapena praetum, Monegum maegpummeodo-setla ofteah; Egsode Eorle,syddan aerest weard.

There was Shield Sheafson, scourge of many tribes, A wrecker of mead-benches, rampaging among foes. The terror of the hall-troops had come far. The Poetry in Beowulf A few things to watch out for

The Poetry in Beowulf A few things to watch out for 2. Kennings a. Compound b. Most were probably used over and over For instance: hronade literally means “whale- road,” but can be translated as “sea”

The Poetry in Beowulf A few things to watch out for Other kennings from Beowulf: banhus = goldwine gumena = “gold-friend of men” = generous prince beaga brytta = beadoleoma = “flashing light” = sword

The Poetry in Beowulf A few things to watch out for 3. Litotes  A  Example: Hildeburh had no cause to praise the Jutes In this example, Hildeburh’s brother has just been killed by the Jutes. This is a poetic way of telling us she hated the Jutes absolutely.

Structure Consists of: a prologue ________ sections (cantos) First three-fourths: Final fourth: Beowulf as an aged king of the Geats

Some terms you’ll want to know Gleeman (scop) A bard or story-teller. The scop was responsible for praising deeds of past heroes, for recording history, and for providing entertainment

comitatus Literally, This term identifies the concept of warriors and lords mutually pledging their loyalty to one another Some terms you’ll want to know

thane mead-hall The large hall where the lord and his warriors slept, ate, held ceremonies, etc. Some terms you’ll want to know

wyrd Fate. This idea crops up a lot in the poem, while at the same time there are Christian references to God’s will. Some terms you’ll want to know

epic Beowulf is an epic poem. Long story, Portraits of an entire culture— beliefs, legends, values, laws, arts, and ways of life of the people. Heroic epic: main purpose is to tell the life story of a great hero. Some terms you’ll want to know

Apposition Grammatical form in which Grendel is described as “Till the monster stirred, that demon, that fiend, Grendel Some terms you’ll want to know

Wergild Man-price Must pay if you kill a family member If debt is not paid, Battles and blood-feuds were common

What makes a good King? Good King Great King

Heroic Code of Behavior –_____________ –_____________ to one's lord, one's warband (comitatus), and one's kin –_________________ to avenge one's warband or lord at all costs – death preferable to exile. –__________________of lord to thanes and of hero to warband and lord--gift-giving –__________________ (i.e., great deeds) brings honor, eternal fame, and political power

Anglo-Saxon Values Loyalty –Fighting for one’s king –Avenging one’s kinsmen –Keeping one’s word Generosity -- gifts symbolize bonds Brotherly love -- not romantic love Heroism Public reputation, not private conscience

Themes and Important Aspects Good Religion: The importance of Loyalty and allegiance The importance of The sanctity of the Fate Heroism and heroic deeds

Works Cited Literature and the Language Arts: The British Tradition. Ed. Laurie Skilba et. al. St. Paul, MN: EMC Corporation, Print. Reese, Spencer M. “Introduction to Beowulf.” Mr. Reese’s Homepage. Memphis University School, Web. 1 Oct