1.  Provenance  Setting  Why Beowulf? Beowulf  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, or Origin 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 11 th century C.E. (1000s), however…

6.  The actual poem probably dates from the 8 th century (700s) or so, and…  The story may be set even earlier, around 500 C.E.  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 11 th century? Eventually, it ended up in the library of this guy. Robert Cotton (1571-1631)

9. Beowulf’s Provenance Unfortunately, Cotton’s library burned in 1731. 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 C.E.

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

12. How we date Beowulf Some Important Dates: 521 C.E. – death of Hygelac, who is mentioned in the poem 680 C.E. – appearance of alliterative verse 835 C.E. – 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. The Poetry in Beowulf A few things to watch out for 1. Alliterative verse a.Repetition of initial sounds of words (occurs in every line) 2. Generally, four feet/beats per line 3. A caesura, or pause, between beats two and four 4. No rhyme

14. The Poetry in Beowulf A few things to watch out for… Alliterative verse – an example from Beowulf: Oft Scyld Scefingsceapena praetum, Monegum maegpummeodo-setla ofteah; Egsode Eorle,syddan aerest weard.

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

16. 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. 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. The Poetry in Beowulf A few things to watch out for… 3. Litotes (LIE-tuh-tease)  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 (pronounced shope or scope) A bard or story-teller. The scop was responsible for praising deeds of past heroes, for recording history, and for providing entertainment.

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

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

22. Wyrd (pronounced weird) Fate. This idea crops up a lot in the poem, while at the same time there are Christian references to God’s will. Some terms you’ll want to know

23. 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 seriousness that accompanies most epics. Some terms you’ll want to know

24. 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. Some terms you’ll want to know

25. Themes In the battle between good and evil, good eventually wins out when it is in league with “the one, true God.” One’s reputation is of overriding importance. Personal identity is so important that one must boast, if necessary, in order to highlight one’s accomplishments.

26. Themes A culture’s moral code must be able to stand up to outside challenges, but at times is unable to do so. E.g., the pagan warrior’s code emphasizes that glory comes from completing great deeds on earth, while the Christian code stresses that glory comes in the after-life. Courage is the foundation of a patriarchal culture. In particular, a warrior’s bravery comes from indifference to death. Cowardice leads to a culture’s downfall.

27. Motifs Religion: Christian and Pagan influences The importance of wealth and treasure Loyalty and allegiance The importance of the sea and sailing The sanctity of the home Fate Heroism and heroic deeds