1. Beowulf
BEOWULF

2. Anglo-Saxon timeline
600 BC: Celts arrive in Britain and form tribes, establish farms and villages and are often in conflict.
43 AD : Romans invade Britain
Romans encounter Celts
Build roads, large buildings, sanitation system
Introduce Christianity
Romans rule for approx. 400 years.
300 AD : Irish ,Scottish and Germans invaded for plunder and slaves
410 AD : Romans leave Britain

3. Anglo Saxon timeline (cont)
450 AD: Jutes from Denmark and Angles and Saxons from Northern Germany invade Britain
Germanic tribes push out Celts
597 AD Anglo Saxons become Christian
Anglo-Saxons dominate England for 600 years . Though this period is marked by strife and confusion, they provide a language, began its literature , establish laws, government and religion. They were the first English people.

4. Anglo- Saxon culture Lived in tribal groups
Strongest ties were to kin and Lord
Kings emerged
Spoke old English
Newly Christian but still valued pagan ideals
Valued: Family, lineage, reputation, virtue, and a good story.
Desired: wealth, power

5. Heroic code Derived from Anglo-Saxon Germanic roots
Called for strength, courage and loyalty of warriors
Called for generosity, loyalty, hospitality and political acumen of Kings

6. Anglo Saxon literature
Oral tradition- passed down through generations by storyteller s (called scops)
Poems had strong beat, alliterative verse and no rhyme
Caesura (a cutting) used in Old English to depict a half line. We use a comma for a modern effect.
Da com of more from mistheleopum
“Out of the marsh, from the foot of the hills.”
Kenning: a compound metaphor that functions as a name. Examples: Whale- road ; sky- candle; sea-steed

8. Beowulf: The Epic Poem
Epic poem: a long narrative poem that describes a significant event and typically features a hero.
Modern Examples of Epics: Star Wars; Lord of the Rings

9. Beowulf: The Poem Beowulf is the oldest surviving English poem.
Poem written in Old English (Anglo-Saxon)
Some characters in the poem actually existed.
Only copy of manuscript written sometime around the 11th century A.D. (1000’s),

10. Setting: Time of Beowulf Europe today
Set in what is now Sweden, home of the Geats.
Set as early as 400 or 500 A.D.
Time of Beowulf
Europe today

11. Some terms you’ll want to know
comitatus
Literally, this means “escort” or “comrade”
lords mutually pledging loyalty to one another

12. Fate. In conflict with Christian references to God’s will
Terms Continued…
Mead Hall:
The large hall where the lord and his warriors slept, ate, held ceremonies, etc.
Thane:
a warrior
Wyrd
Fate. In conflict with Christian references to God’s will .

13. Themes 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