2. We Begin With a Loss Beowulf was part of an oral traditionBeowulf was part of an oral tradition –Few written records –19 th century –Badly burned We may never know “how it really goes”We may never know “how it really goes” –Understanding lost –Oral tradition lost –Missing text

3. Heaney’s Translation Various authors tried translating BeowulfVarious authors tried translating Beowulf –Heaney (2000) –Fairly faithful –Readable Heaney initially struggled to translate the poemHeaney initially struggled to translate the poem –He still doesn’t speak/read Old English

4. Heaney’s Translation, Continued He noticed the presence of Anglo-Saxon traditions in his poetryHe noticed the presence of Anglo-Saxon traditions in his poetry –Fascinated by linguistic bleed-over Between Old English and contemporary languageBetween Old English and contemporary language Irish / English relationshipsIrish / English relationships Theorized that precise language changes, but that meaning and feeling remain unchangedTheorized that precise language changes, but that meaning and feeling remain unchanged –Attacked the work again – and found success

5. Breaking Down the Poem Heaney has a “prejudice for forthright delivery.”Heaney has a “prejudice for forthright delivery.” –You can see this in the way he captures the Old English Poet’s voice Even when the language is flowery, the voice is directEven when the language is flowery, the voice is direct –Readers appreciate this approach because Heaney makes challenging passages a bit easier

6. Poetry Terms! Kenning – A combination of two or more words that can be substituted for an original termKenning – A combination of two or more words that can be substituted for an original term –One of the two words (the “base” word) relates to the other word in a way that allows the new term to replace the old one –For example, ocean = whale + road = whale-road –Human body = bones held together – “bone-house” –Other kennings can have many words; what do you think “sleep of the sword” replaces?

7. Poetry Terms! Alliteration – Refers to the repetition of a vowel or consonant sound (not necessarily the letter itself) in the beginning of each word in a seriesAlliteration – Refers to the repetition of a vowel or consonant sound (not necessarily the letter itself) in the beginning of each word in a series –It can only occur at the beginning of a word –We have numerous examples of this!

8. Analyze a Bit of Alliteration! “There was Shield Sheafson, scourge of many tribes.”“There was Shield Sheafson, scourge of many tribes.” “…as his powers waxed and his worth was proved.”“…as his powers waxed and his worth was proved.” “…the path to power among people everywhere.”“…the path to power among people everywhere.”

9. Poetry Terms! Assonance and consonance also refer to repeated sounds in a string of wordsAssonance and consonance also refer to repeated sounds in a string of words –Assonance refers to a repeated vowel sound –Consonance refers to a repeated consonant sound Unlike alliteration, consonance and assonance can occur anywhere within a word – beginning, middle, or end!Unlike alliteration, consonance and assonance can occur anywhere within a word – beginning, middle, or end!

10. Poetry Terms Enjambment refers to a sentence in a poem that continues over multiple linesEnjambment refers to a sentence in a poem that continues over multiple lines –“He was well-regarded and ruled the Danes For a long time after his father took leave For a long time after his father took leave Of his life on Earth. And then his heir…” Of his life on Earth. And then his heir…”

11. Poetry Terms Meter refers to the rhythmic pattern of a line of poetryMeter refers to the rhythmic pattern of a line of poetry –Syllables form the basic rhythmic units of poetry The various groups of stressed or unstressed syllables form feet.The various groups of stressed or unstressed syllables form feet. –Types of meter are defined by the number and nature of syllables in a given line

12. Major Types of Feet You’ll run into four common feet:You’ll run into four common feet: –Iamb – Unstressed/Stressed (“Trapeze”) –Trochee – Stressed/Unstressed (“Hazel”) –Anapest – Unstressed/Unstressed/Stressed (ex: Dr. Seuss) –Dactyl – Stressed/Unstressed/Unstressed (“Marmalade”) The analysis of the rhythmic and linguistic features of a poem is called scansion.The analysis of the rhythmic and linguistic features of a poem is called scansion. The study of the elements of language that contribute to rhythmic and acoustic effects in poetry is called prosody.The study of the elements of language that contribute to rhythmic and acoustic effects in poetry is called prosody.

13. Begin at the Beginning We start in the past, remembering courage and greatnessWe start in the past, remembering courage and greatness –The first two lines set the tone for the entire poem We also know that we have “heard” of their “heroic campaigns”We also know that we have “heard” of their “heroic campaigns” –An oral tradition/culture –Reputation was important –Legends = lineage

14. That Was One Good King Shield Sheafson is a “god cyning” – a “good king”Shield Sheafson is a “god cyning” – a “good king” People have to “pay tribute” – how is this a mark of goodness?People have to “pay tribute” – how is this a mark of goodness? That was part of the social contractThat was part of the social contract –The king provided leadership, protection, and stability –The people provided the king with the wealth necessary to keep the kingdom solvent and stable –The king, in turn, shared the spoils of victory – and tribute – with his subjects – they’re called “ring-givers” because of the rewards and titles they share and bestow on loyal subjects –Therefore, both subjects and rulers entered into complicated relationships, both giving and receiving simultaneously –How does this compare with our societal structure? Have we improved by abandoning this? A bad king hoards treasure, or spends it wildly and poorly, or endangers his people needlessly or dishonestlyA bad king hoards treasure, or spends it wildly and poorly, or endangers his people needlessly or dishonestly –We’ll see a bad king later

15. As His Worth Was Proved We see Beow’s birth as the reward for a suffering people, whose hardships stemmed from a lack of leadership. (Remember this!)We see Beow’s birth as the reward for a suffering people, whose hardships stemmed from a lack of leadership. (Remember this!) Shield and Beow also provide us with the “beginning” of our family tree – a source for the lineage and reputation that consumes BeowulfShield and Beow also provide us with the “beginning” of our family tree – a source for the lineage and reputation that consumes Beowulf Finally, we see why behavior is important – not just in earning tribute for a kingFinally, we see why behavior is important – not just in earning tribute for a king –“Behaviour that’s admired/is the path to power among people everywhere.” We begin in earnest, however, with Shield’s funeral – the death of the “good king” (More foreshadowing!)We begin in earnest, however, with Shield’s funeral – the death of the “good king” (More foreshadowing!) Afterwards, we see his people thrive under the rule of his descendants – the last thing a good king has to doAfterwards, we see his people thrive under the rule of his descendants – the last thing a good king has to do –If you don’t sire a successor, you’re risking instability –It was your duty to have a son!

16. King Hrothgar Hrothgar (name means a combination of “spear” and “glory”) is a descendent of Shield Sheafson (whose death and funeral opens the poem)Hrothgar (name means a combination of “spear” and “glory”) is a descendent of Shield Sheafson (whose death and funeral opens the poem) He is a good king, and “the fortunes of war favor him”He is a good king, and “the fortunes of war favor him” –With the spoils of successful warfare, Hrothgar builds Heorot Hall – the greatest hall around! However, he is helpless to stop Grendel’s ferocious attacks, and his men become demoralized and fearfulHowever, he is helpless to stop Grendel’s ferocious attacks, and his men become demoralized and fearful

17. Grendel “A descendent of Cain’s clan”“A descendent of Cain’s clan” The sounds of celebration from Heorot infuriate him until he launches a series of vicious attacks on the hall, slaughtering the warriors and striking fear in the hearts of all who surviveThe sounds of celebration from Heorot infuriate him until he launches a series of vicious attacks on the hall, slaughtering the warriors and striking fear in the hearts of all who survive The Old English Poet uses him to symbolize sin and wickedness; Beowulf’s victory over him is supposed to represent the triumph of God’s will over evilThe Old English Poet uses him to symbolize sin and wickedness; Beowulf’s victory over him is supposed to represent the triumph of God’s will over evil

18. Is Grendel Evil? Grendel commits some truly horrific murders when he storms Heorot, and torments its citizens for twelve years before Beowulf defeats himGrendel commits some truly horrific murders when he storms Heorot, and torments its citizens for twelve years before Beowulf defeats him However, it’s worth noting – as the OEP ever-so-slightly does – that Grendel was cursed by God because of his family’s legacy, not because of his own actionsHowever, it’s worth noting – as the OEP ever-so-slightly does – that Grendel was cursed by God because of his family’s legacy, not because of his own actions His father, Cain, killed his own brother – and his descendents have paid for that original sin through banishmentHis father, Cain, killed his own brother – and his descendents have paid for that original sin through banishment He’s even been twisted into something inhuman – a symbol of his family’s past, but not of his actionsHe’s even been twisted into something inhuman – a symbol of his family’s past, but not of his actions He suffers for crimes he never committed until he’s driven insane, tortured by the sounds of the life he’s been denied and the joy he’ll never shareHe suffers for crimes he never committed until he’s driven insane, tortured by the sounds of the life he’s been denied and the joy he’ll never share Is he evil – or tragic?Is he evil – or tragic?