1. Beowulf
Why Beowulf?
Provenance
Setting
Poetic devices
Terms
Themes

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. 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 Old English improves your understanding of modern English
6. It’s a great story

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

5. 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…

6. The actual poem probably dates from the 8th century (700’s) or so, and…
The story may be set even earlier, around 500 A.D.
There are a lot of Christian references in the poem, but the characters and setting are Pagan…this means a monk probably translated it.

7. 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 (1066) that writing stories down became common in this part of the world.

8. 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 ( )

9. 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.

10. 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.

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

12. How we date Beowulf Some Important Dates:
521 A.D. – death of Hygelac, who is mentioned in the poem
680 A.D. – appearance of alliterative verse
835 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

13. 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

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. 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”

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

18. A few things to watch out for
The Poetry in Beowulf
A few things to watch out for
3. Litotes
A negative expression; usually an understatement
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.

19. 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

20. Some terms you’ll want to know
comitatus
Literally, this means “escort” or “comrade”
This term identifies the concept of warriors and lords mutually pledging their loyalty to one another

21. 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.

22. 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.

23. Some terms you’ll want to know
epic
Beowulf is an epic poem.
This means it has a larger-than life hero and the conflict is of universal importance. There’s a certain serious that accompanies most epics.

24. Some terms you’ll want to know
elegy
An elegy is a poem that is sad or mournful. The adjective is elegiac.
homily
A homily is a written sermon or section of the poem that gives direct advice.

25. Themes 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