1. Beowulf A brief introduction…

2. Historical Background  Oldest English epic -- 6-11 century  Only one manuscript exists, written c. 1000  Setting: 5th century, Scandinavia  Fuses pagan & Christian belief  Largely ignored until Tolkien wrote of it as a unified work of art  Oldest English epic -- 6-11 century  Only one manuscript exists, written c. 1000  Setting: 5th century, Scandinavia  Fuses pagan & Christian belief  Largely ignored until Tolkien wrote of it as a unified work of art

3. Epics  The hero is a great leader strongly identified with a particular people.  The setting is broad and often includes the upper & lower worlds.  The hero does great deeds in battle or undertakes an extraordinary journey.  The values of the society that produced the epic are clearly portrayed.  Epics tend to be long (though Beowulf is short for an epic) and told in heightened language.  May include supernatural elements.  The hero is a great leader strongly identified with a particular people.  The setting is broad and often includes the upper & lower worlds.  The hero does great deeds in battle or undertakes an extraordinary journey.  The values of the society that produced the epic are clearly portrayed.  Epics tend to be long (though Beowulf is short for an epic) and told in heightened language.  May include supernatural elements.

4. Heroic Code of Honor  Anglo-Saxon culture was governed by the ideals of BRAVERY, LOYALTY and GENEROSITY.  Warriors pledged loyalty to and fought (to the death) for the king.  Blood vengeance is regarded as a sacred duty.  Kings rewarded followers with treasure from battles.  The dispensing of treasure was a symbol of the loyalty between king and people.  Anglo-Saxon culture was governed by the ideals of BRAVERY, LOYALTY and GENEROSITY.  Warriors pledged loyalty to and fought (to the death) for the king.  Blood vengeance is regarded as a sacred duty.  Kings rewarded followers with treasure from battles.  The dispensing of treasure was a symbol of the loyalty between king and people.

5. Miscellaneous terms…  Blood Feud – If a family member is killed, the family must “exact a price for death”— either kill or receive the wergild (man- price, or legally-fixed compensation).  Wyrd – Fate: All see themselves living a determined life; they must live up to the code of loyalty and bravery & seek glory.  Woman – Men always ruled; women were always under a man’s authority.  Blood Feud – If a family member is killed, the family must “exact a price for death”— either kill or receive the wergild (man- price, or legally-fixed compensation).  Wyrd – Fate: All see themselves living a determined life; they must live up to the code of loyalty and bravery & seek glory.  Woman – Men always ruled; women were always under a man’s authority.

6. Old English Poetry  Each line is composed of two half-lines, with two strongly accented words in each.  Alliteration: 2-3 of the accented words in a line must alliterate (share the same opening sound).  Caesura: the pause between the half-lines  Kenning: figuratively descriptive compound phrases to name an ordinary thing, like “whale-road” for sea or “ring-giver” for king.  Each line is composed of two half-lines, with two strongly accented words in each.  Alliteration: 2-3 of the accented words in a line must alliterate (share the same opening sound).  Caesura: the pause between the half-lines  Kenning: figuratively descriptive compound phrases to name an ordinary thing, like “whale-road” for sea or “ring-giver” for king.

7. The 3 Adversaries  Grendel – easiest to kill –greedy & brutal – angered by others’ joy  Grendel’s mother – wants vengeance  Dragon – thief of gold/treasure – Beowulf protects his people and fulfills his role as king by killing it.  Grendel – easiest to kill –greedy & brutal – angered by others’ joy  Grendel’s mother – wants vengeance  Dragon – thief of gold/treasure – Beowulf protects his people and fulfills his role as king by killing it.

8. The 3 Locations Three archetypal sites of FEAR:  Grendel – barricaded night house  Mother – infested underwater realm  Dragon – reptile-haunted wilderness These three fears make the poem more universal. Three archetypal sites of FEAR:  Grendel – barricaded night house  Mother – infested underwater realm  Dragon – reptile-haunted wilderness These three fears make the poem more universal.