1. Beowulf Why Beowulf? English History Setting Poetic devices Terms
Motifs

2. Why Study Beowulf?
1. Beowulf is the oldest 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 is simply good writing

3. Early History of England
First settlers were the Celts around 400 B.C. Their religion was based on animism—they saw spirits everywhere
Priests (druids) acted as intermediaries between gods and people
Importance of Stonehenge
Celtic stories—women warriors, mother goddess, male god
Romans invaded 55 B.C.
Angles, Saxons invaded from Germany
King Alfred of Wessex

4. 8. Religion of Anglo-Saxons
a. Co-existed with Christianity
b. Woden
c. Dragon
d. Ethics
9. Bards, scops
Importance of Irish monks, monastaries

5. Beowulf’s Provenance What we don’t know: who wrote it
when exactly it was written
how much, exactly, is based on historical truth

6. Beowulf’s Provenance What we do know:
Beowulf is the oldest surviving English poem. 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 existed.
The only copy of the manuscript was written sometime around the 11th century A.D. (1000’s), however…

7. Beowulf’s Provenance
So what’s happened to the manuscript since the 11th century?
Eventually, it ended up in the library of this guy.
Robert Cotton ( )

8. Beowulf’s Provenance
Unfortunately, Cotton’s library burned in Many manuscripts were entirely destroyed. Beowulf was partially damaged.
The manuscript is now preserved and carefully cared for in the British Museum.

9. Setting: Beowulf’s time and place
Although Beowulf was written in English, it is set in what is now Sweden, where a tribe called the Geats lived.
The story may take place as early as 400 or 500 A.D.

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

11. A few things to watch out for
The Poetry in Beowulf
A few things to watch out for
1. Alliterative verse
Repetition of initial sounds of words (occurs in every line)
b. Generally, four feet/beats per line
c. A caesura, or pause, between beats two and four
d. No rhyme

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

13. A few things to watch out for
The Poetry in Beowulf
A few things to watch out for
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.

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

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

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

17. 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.

18. Some terms you’ll want to know
epic
Beowulf is an epic poem.
Epic heroes represent the finest values of civilization; ethical
Face extraordinary obstacles
Seem to be superhuman but they’re mortal
Perform brave deeds
Quest or journey with followers
Name their horses/swords

19. Motifs and Important Aspects
Good vs. Evil
Religion: Christian and Pagan influences
The importance of wealth and treasure
The importance of the sea and sailing
The sanctity of the home
Fate
Loyalty and allegiance
Heroism and heroic deeds