1. The epic of Beowulf By Ms. Hampton Unit 2 English IV

2. Anonymous, but translated by Burton Raffel The greatest masterpiece of Anglo-Saxon lit Composed in Northumbria by an unknown scop/gleeman Written early 700’s, but the story is older Characters are Germanic people (not A-S): Geats & Danes from Scandinavia

3. Stories passed through Oral Tradition May have a little historical truth Beowulf is the hero, but did he exist? Poem composed in 700’s, but written down in late 900’s by a monk Only one existing manuscript, contains errors - damaged by a fire in 1731

4. Is a Germanic heroic epic: what is an epic? Composed in traditional Anglo-Saxon verse form Chanted by scop to harp music Consists of a prologue & 43 sections (cantos) 3/4 discuss Beowulf as young man, 1/4 as aged king

5. Germanic tradition: king, surrounded by thanes, shared his house & fought his battles King rewarded them with gifts, had feasts “Wergild” meant man-price; payment for death…all about maintaining honor Blood feuds were common “Wyrd” is the concept of fate; life was harsh, fate was fickle