Beowulf My Powerpoint

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Beowulf Beowulf

Transcript of Beowulf My Powerpoint

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BeowulfBeowulf

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----Henry Wadsworth Henry Wadsworth LongfellowLongfellow

One of the most important remains of One of the most important remains of Anglo-Saxon literature is the epic Anglo-Saxon literature is the epic poem poem BeowulfBeowulf. Its age is unknown; but . Its age is unknown; but it comes from a very distant and hoar it comes from a very distant and hoar antiquity…It is like a piece of ancient antiquity…It is like a piece of ancient armor; rusty and battered, and yet armor; rusty and battered, and yet strong.strong.

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What is it about What is it about BeowulfBeowulf that moved the that moved the American poet Longfellow to compare it American poet Longfellow to compare it to “a piece of ancient armor; rusty and to “a piece of ancient armor; rusty and

battered, and yet strong”?battered, and yet strong”?► Perhaps it is that the poet fused early Germanic Perhaps it is that the poet fused early Germanic

history, legends, mythology, and ideals with history, legends, mythology, and ideals with Christian faith and values to create an enduring Christian faith and values to create an enduring work of art that inspires as it entertains.work of art that inspires as it entertains.

► Or perhaps it is that we still cherish many of the Or perhaps it is that we still cherish many of the qualities that Beowulf embodies—among them qualities that Beowulf embodies—among them courage, loyalty, and generosity.courage, loyalty, and generosity.

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Historical PerspectiveHistorical Perspective

► Ancient civilizations, some of which were quite Ancient civilizations, some of which were quite advanced, had arisen in other parts of the world well advanced, had arisen in other parts of the world well before the Anglo-Saxon period.before the Anglo-Saxon period.

► For example, the great pyramids had already been For example, the great pyramids had already been built along the Nile.built along the Nile.

► City states had risen and fallen in Mesopotamia.City states had risen and fallen in Mesopotamia.► Persia had already united many lands.Persia had already united many lands.► China was a unified, powerful empire.China was a unified, powerful empire.► The beginnings of democracy had already come and The beginnings of democracy had already come and

gone in Greece.gone in Greece.► By contrast, Britain was a green, dark, isolated, By contrast, Britain was a green, dark, isolated,

sleepy island where civilization and empire had yet to sleepy island where civilization and empire had yet to bloom.bloom.

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England’s BeginningsEngland’s Beginnings

►Beowulf is an English poem, yet the Beowulf is an English poem, yet the setting is northern Europe in what is setting is northern Europe in what is now Denmark and Sweden.now Denmark and Sweden.

►The events described probably took The events described probably took place at the same time as invasions of place at the same time as invasions of England by Scandinavian tribes from England by Scandinavian tribes from Denmark in the 5Denmark in the 5thth & 6 & 6thth centuries. centuries.

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►After the first foothold in c. 440, the After the first foothold in c. 440, the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes inhabited Angles, Saxons, and Jutes inhabited most of England by the middle 6most of England by the middle 6thth century.century.

►Although Beowulf appears to be a Although Beowulf appears to be a fictional character, Hygelac, Beowulf’s fictional character, Hygelac, Beowulf’s uncle and king, is an historical uncle and king, is an historical character who was killed in battle c. character who was killed in battle c. 521.521.

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► The story includes Beowulf early adventures The story includes Beowulf early adventures in Denmark through his succession to in Denmark through his succession to Hygelac’s throne after the death of both Hygelac’s throne after the death of both Hygelac and the son whom Beowulf helped Hygelac and the son whom Beowulf helped to succeed him.to succeed him.

► Thus, Beowulf’s story occurs in the Thus, Beowulf’s story occurs in the homelands about the same time the first homelands about the same time the first Englishmen were migrating to England and Englishmen were migrating to England and establishing themselves as a dominant establishing themselves as a dominant culture.culture.

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Meet the Geats, Danes, and Meet the Geats, Danes, and Swedes of Swedes of BeowulfBeowulf

By the time that By the time that Beowulf Beowulf was written down, was written down, Germanic tribes from Scandinavia and Germanic tribes from Scandinavia and elsewhere in northern Europe had been elsewhere in northern Europe had been invading England’s shores for centuries. The invading England’s shores for centuries. The principal human characters in principal human characters in Beowulf Beowulf hail hail from three Scandinavian tribes: the Geats, from three Scandinavian tribes: the Geats, the Danes, and the Swedes.the Danes, and the Swedes.

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The GeatsThe Geats

Swerting/

Hrethel

Herbald Higlac (m. Higd)

daughterm. Edgetho

/

BEOWULF

The Geats

/

Swerting

/

Hrethel

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What is the date of Beowulf?What is the date of Beowulf?

► It is not known exactly, but it tells of It is not known exactly, but it tells of people who lived in Denmark or southern people who lived in Denmark or southern Sweden between 550 and 600 A.D.Sweden between 550 and 600 A.D.

► The tribes who made the poem came with The tribes who made the poem came with the Angles, Saxons, and the Jutes to conquer the Angles, Saxons, and the Jutes to conquer Britain.Britain.

► Finally, in Britain, or England, between 800 Finally, in Britain, or England, between 800 and 900 A.D. someone wrote Beowulf down and 900 A.D. someone wrote Beowulf down in the West-Saxon dialect. in the West-Saxon dialect.

► About 1000 A.D. someone transcribed a About 1000 A.D. someone transcribed a single copy of the manuscript, probably a single copy of the manuscript, probably a monk from Northumbria.monk from Northumbria.

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Pagan and Christian ElementsPagan and Christian Elementsin Beowulfin Beowulf

► The monasteries served as centers of The monasteries served as centers of learning in this period, just as they would in learning in this period, just as they would in the Middle Ages.the Middle Ages.

► In England the cultural and spiritual In England the cultural and spiritual influence of monasteries existed right influence of monasteries existed right alongside the older Anglo-Saxon religion.alongside the older Anglo-Saxon religion.

► The monasteries preserved not only the The monasteries preserved not only the Latin and Greek classics but also some of Latin and Greek classics but also some of the works by popular literature, such as the works by popular literature, such as Beowulf. Beowulf.

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►The copy of The copy of BeowulfBeowulf has been lost. A has been lost. A copy is now safely guarded in the copy is now safely guarded in the British Museum.British Museum.

►A single copy survived Henry VIII’s A single copy survived Henry VIII’s destruction of all the monasteries and destruction of all the monasteries and the great libraries.the great libraries.

► It has two distinct handwritings and It has two distinct handwritings and the edges are burned and ragged as the edges are burned and ragged as the result of a fire in 1731.the result of a fire in 1731.

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► It is the sole survivor of a great epic It is the sole survivor of a great epic tradition.tradition.

► It is great poetry.It is great poetry.► It is an archaeological relic which is It is an archaeological relic which is

most interesting.most interesting.►As a linguistic document, it’s full of As a linguistic document, it’s full of

revelations.revelations.► It gives us information about Old It gives us information about Old

English social life and politics.English social life and politics.

Why is this poem important to us?Why is this poem important to us?

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Language Language

► English is divided into three periods: Old English English is divided into three periods: Old English (ca.449-1100), Middle English (ca. 1100-1500), and (ca.449-1100), Middle English (ca. 1100-1500), and Modern English (ca. 1500-).Modern English (ca. 1500-).

► Old English is sometimes known as Anglo-Saxon.Old English is sometimes known as Anglo-Saxon.► The English language changed from Old English to The English language changed from Old English to

Middle English in 1100 and from Middle English to Middle English in 1100 and from Middle English to Modern English in 1500. These shifts took place over Modern English in 1500. These shifts took place over hundreds of years.hundreds of years.

► It is important to realize that the wide-spread notion It is important to realize that the wide-spread notion of a standard language or even of standardized of a standard language or even of standardized spelling are modern notions made possible by the spelling are modern notions made possible by the printing press.printing press.

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Evolution of English LanguageEvolution of English Language

► Although major grammatical and phonetic Although major grammatical and phonetic changes took place throughout the Old English changes took place throughout the Old English period, the Norman invasion of 1066 and its period, the Norman invasion of 1066 and its resulting influx of French words into the resulting influx of French words into the language meant that the English of 1100 was language meant that the English of 1100 was much different from the English of 1000.much different from the English of 1000.

► Likewise, while English underwent a number of Likewise, while English underwent a number of grammatical and phonetic changes throughout grammatical and phonetic changes throughout the Middle English period, the 15the Middle English period, the 15thth century saw century saw such a radical change in the pronunciation of such a radical change in the pronunciation of English that 1500 serves as a useful date for English that 1500 serves as a useful date for the shift from Middle to Modern English.the shift from Middle to Modern English.

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Language Evolution Language Evolution continuedcontinued

Old English makes use of unfamiliar Old English makes use of unfamiliar letters, most of which derive from the letters, most of which derive from the runic alphabet, an alphabet used by runic alphabet, an alphabet used by the Germanic peoples.the Germanic peoples.

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The Features of an Epic The Features of an Epic

► Takes the form of a long narrative poem about a Takes the form of a long narrative poem about a quest, told in formal, elevated languagequest, told in formal, elevated language

► Narrates the exploits of a larger-than-life hero who Narrates the exploits of a larger-than-life hero who embodies the values of a particular cultureembodies the values of a particular culture

► Begins with a statement of subject and theme and, Begins with a statement of subject and theme and, sometimes, a prayer to a deitysometimes, a prayer to a deity

► Deals with events on a large scaleDeals with events on a large scale► Uses many of the conventions of oral storytelling, Uses many of the conventions of oral storytelling,

such as repetition, sound effects, figures of speech, such as repetition, sound effects, figures of speech, and stock epithetsand stock epithets

► Often includes gods and goddesses as charactersOften includes gods and goddesses as characters► Mixes myth, legend, and history [Holt 55]Mixes myth, legend, and history [Holt 55]

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Other Examples of EpicsOther Examples of Epics

►GilgameshGilgamesh from Mesopotamia from Mesopotamia

►The The Iliad Iliad and the and the OdysseyOdyssey from Greece from Greece

►The The AeneidAeneid by Virgil from Rome by Virgil from Rome

►Paadise LostPaadise Lost by Milton by Milton

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Why is the poem an epic?Why is the poem an epic?

It is the first great work of the English It is the first great work of the English national literature—the mythical and national literature—the mythical and literary record of a formative stage of literary record of a formative stage of English civilization. It is also an epic of English civilization. It is also an epic of the heroic sources of English culture.the heroic sources of English culture.

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►Tells of the traditions of the peopleTells of the traditions of the people► Is a long, dignified narrative poemIs a long, dignified narrative poem►Tells of the actions of the heroTells of the actions of the hero►Has definite verseHas definite verse►The characters are of noble birth.The characters are of noble birth.

What characteristics of the heroic epic What characteristics of the heroic epic do we find in do we find in BeowulfBeowulf? ?

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► Stern, barbarous lifeStern, barbarous life► Relgious feeling, fatalism of Anglo-SaxonRelgious feeling, fatalism of Anglo-Saxon► Mixtures of savagery, sentiment, and Mixtures of savagery, sentiment, and

nobilitynobility► Love of nature and especially being Love of nature and especially being

influenced by the seainfluenced by the sea► Common sense, power of endurance, Common sense, power of endurance,

seriousness of thoughtseriousness of thought► Emotional, imaginative, sensitive.Emotional, imaginative, sensitive.

Anglo-Saxon Elements Anglo-Saxon Elements

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Also—the ideals are Also—the ideals are

►Love of gloryLove of glory►Allegiance to lord or kingAllegiance to lord or king►Reverence for womenReverence for women►Love of personal freedomLove of personal freedom►Open-handed hospitality of lord to Open-handed hospitality of lord to

thanethane►Honoring truthHonoring truth►Repression of too much sentimentRepression of too much sentiment

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Four episodes of Four episodes of BeowulfBeowulf

► The purging of Herot, the Danish mead-hall The purging of Herot, the Danish mead-hall of Hrothgar, the king, from Grendel, the of Hrothgar, the king, from Grendel, the giantgiant

► The killing of Grendel’s mother down in her The killing of Grendel’s mother down in her watery lairwatery lair

► The triumphant return of the hero to his The triumphant return of the hero to his homelandhomeland

► After fifty years of peace, the hero-king After fifty years of peace, the hero-king saves his own people by slaying the fire-saves his own people by slaying the fire-drake, but he dies in this attempt.drake, but he dies in this attempt.

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Beowulf as Verse FormBeowulf as Verse Form

► Four stressed syllables with three syllables alliterated /’(‘)/’Four stressed syllables with three syllables alliterated /’(‘)/’► Alliteration means repetition of the same letter sound, usually Alliteration means repetition of the same letter sound, usually

the first letter of the accented syllable. “Ship, its timbers icy, the first letter of the accented syllable. “Ship, its timbers icy, waiting” (three waiting” (three ss’s – one ’s – one cc))

► The verse does not rhymeThe verse does not rhyme► Lines have a pause in the middle, called a caesura, or are Lines have a pause in the middle, called a caesura, or are

end-stopped (definite pause at the end of the line)end-stopped (definite pause at the end of the line)► Rhythm is free.Rhythm is free.► Use of parallelism – ideas expressed in the same form or Use of parallelism – ideas expressed in the same form or

repeated for emphasisrepeated for emphasis► Use of kennings – two words separated by a hyphen as sea-Use of kennings – two words separated by a hyphen as sea-

horse, a ship; whale’s road, the sea; sky-candle, the sunhorse, a ship; whale’s road, the sea; sky-candle, the sun► Gnomic sentences – used for emphasis as “There was a king!”Gnomic sentences – used for emphasis as “There was a king!”► Written to be accompanied by a harp with a person singing—Written to be accompanied by a harp with a person singing—

meant to be heard, not read.meant to be heard, not read.

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BeowulfBeowulf is… is…

a long, dignified narrative poem of a long, dignified narrative poem of 3,182 lines telling the story in a 3,182 lines telling the story in a serious way of a hero and his great serious way of a hero and his great deeds trying to save people in dangerdeeds trying to save people in danger

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What is the source of What is the source of BeowulfBeowulf??

It is a version of the widespread “Bear’s Son It is a version of the widespread “Bear’s Son Tale.” There are over two hundred different Tale.” There are over two hundred different versions, ranging from Iceland to Japan. The versions, ranging from Iceland to Japan. The American Indians knew it. The hero is usually American Indians knew it. The hero is usually brought up by bears or as a child of bears, brought up by bears or as a child of bears, comparable to the story of Romulus and comparable to the story of Romulus and Remus and the founding of Rome. This hero’s Remus and the founding of Rome. This hero’s name would be “Beewulf”, a kenning for name would be “Beewulf”, a kenning for “Bear.” Again the hero fights with his hands, “Bear.” Again the hero fights with his hands, having great strength so he can crush his having great strength so he can crush his enemiesenemies

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The Translations of The Translations of BeowulfBeowulf

► Part One of the text you will read is from Burton Part One of the text you will read is from Burton Raffel’s 1963 translation of the epic.Raffel’s 1963 translation of the epic.

► Part Two is from the Irish poet Seamus Heaney’s Part Two is from the Irish poet Seamus Heaney’s award-winning, bestselling translation of the work award-winning, bestselling translation of the work published in 2000.published in 2000.

► Other translators include Bruce Mitchell and Fred C. Other translators include Bruce Mitchell and Fred C. Robinson (1998),Charles Scott Moncrieff (1921), Robinson (1998),Charles Scott Moncrieff (1921), Francis B. Gummere (1923), R.K. Gordon (1926), Francis B. Gummere (1923), R.K. Gordon (1926), William Ellery Leonard (1939),Charles W. Kennedy William Ellery Leonard (1939),Charles W. Kennedy (1940), Lucien Dean Pearson (1965), E. Talbot (1940), Lucien Dean Pearson (1965), E. Talbot Donaldson(1975), Howell D. Chickering, Jr. Donaldson(1975), Howell D. Chickering, Jr. (1977),Ruth P.M. Lehmann (1988), R.M. Liuzza (1977),Ruth P.M. Lehmann (1988), R.M. Liuzza (2000).(2000).

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What was the Anglo-Saxon What was the Anglo-Saxon religion?religion?

It was a dark fatalistic religion It was a dark fatalistic religion influenced by Norse Mythinfluenced by Norse Myth

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What figures in Norse What figures in Norse mythology influenced ethics?mythology influenced ethics?

►Anglo-saxon ethics haAnglo-saxon ethics ha►d much in common with d much in common with

Norse/Scandinavian mythology.Norse/Scandinavian mythology.►Woden (Odin) represents death, Woden (Odin) represents death,

poetry, magicpoetry, magic►Woden’s Day becomes Wednesday.Woden’s Day becomes Wednesday.

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Origin of poetryOrigin of poetry

► In Norse myth poetry was originally a In Norse myth poetry was originally a sacred mead that came into sacred mead that came into possession of a giant (Kvasir) but was possession of a giant (Kvasir) but was stolen by Odin, who assumed the stolen by Odin, who assumed the shape of an eagle and carried it to the shape of an eagle and carried it to the world of the godsworld of the gods

►Poetry was called Odin’s theft or Poetry was called Odin’s theft or Kvasir’s BloodKvasir’s Blood

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Norse Myth Norse Myth continued continued

►Thunor (Thor) symbolized lightening Thunor (Thor) symbolized lightening and thunder. His symbol is the and thunder. His symbol is the hammer and the twisted cross hammer and the twisted cross (swastika)(swastika)

►Thursday comes from Thor’s Day.Thursday comes from Thor’s Day.

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Norse Myth Norse Myth continuedcontinued

►Anglo-saxons believed that Anglo-saxons believed that immortality or immortality or lof – fame that survives lof – fame that survives death– could be earned through heroic death– could be earned through heroic action.action.

►The deity Wyrd (Norms) in Norse myth The deity Wyrd (Norms) in Norse myth represents fate in liferepresents fate in life

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Worldview Worldview

► An important element An important element of the Anglo-Saxon of the Anglo-Saxon worldview was the worldview was the concept of fate (wyrd).concept of fate (wyrd).

► Specifically, the Anglo-Specifically, the Anglo-Saxons believed that a Saxons believed that a hero could postpone hero could postpone death through death through personal bravery but personal bravery but that fate eventually that fate eventually would win out.would win out.

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Norse Norse InfluenceInfluence

► The dragon is the protector of the treasure; the fiery The dragon is the protector of the treasure; the fiery dragon is the personification of “death the devourer” dragon is the personification of “death the devourer” and the guardian of the grave mound (where and the guardian of the grave mound (where warriors’ ashes & treasure lay)warriors’ ashes & treasure lay)

► The dragon was the living embodiment of evil and The dragon was the living embodiment of evil and death. [Danes sailed boats with prows carved in death. [Danes sailed boats with prows carved in shape of dragons’ heads and fangs]shape of dragons’ heads and fangs]

► Iormungand, the Midgard Serpent, is the dragon of Iormungand, the Midgard Serpent, is the dragon of the Northlanders. the Northlanders.

► The dragon is an archetypal figure that emerges from The dragon is an archetypal figure that emerges from the bowels of the earth and dominates the air with its the bowels of the earth and dominates the air with its flames.flames.

► Translator Seamus Heaney says that the dragon Translator Seamus Heaney says that the dragon appears less a physical opponent than an appears less a physical opponent than an embodiment of embodiment of wyrdwyrd..

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Norse Myth & GrendelNorse Myth & Grendel

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Grendel’s OriginGrendel’s Origin

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►Grendel’s character has roots in Old Grendel’s character has roots in Old Norse stories of the Norse stories of the draugardraugar, , or dead or dead men of supernatural strength who men of supernatural strength who walked at night, spreading evil and walked at night, spreading evil and terror. Often a terror. Often a draugardraugar had a mother had a mother even more terrible than he —a even more terrible than he —a ketta ketta or or she-cat.she-cat.

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What earthly virtues did Anglo-Saxons value?What earthly virtues did Anglo-Saxons value?

► BraveryBravery► LoyaltyLoyalty► GenerosityGenerosity► FriendshipFriendship

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The Epic HeroThe Epic Hero

► The The epic heroepic hero is the central figure in a long is the central figure in a long narrative that reflects the values and heroic narrative that reflects the values and heroic ideals of a particular society. An epic is a quest ideals of a particular society. An epic is a quest story on a grand scale.story on a grand scale.

► Beowulf is ancient England’s hero, but he is also Beowulf is ancient England’s hero, but he is also an an archetypearchetype, or perfect example, of an epic , or perfect example, of an epic hero.hero.

► The hero archetype in Beowulf is the dragon The hero archetype in Beowulf is the dragon slayer, representing a besieged community slayer, representing a besieged community facing evil forces that lurk in the cold darkness facing evil forces that lurk in the cold darkness (Grendel). (Grendel).

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Beowulf, the epic heroBeowulf, the epic hero

►Beowulf, like all epic heroes, possesses Beowulf, like all epic heroes, possesses superior physical strength and superior physical strength and supremely ethical supremely ethical

►He embodies the highest ideals of He embodies the highest ideals of Anglo-Saxon culture. In his quest he Anglo-Saxon culture. In his quest he must defeat monsters that embody must defeat monsters that embody dark, destructive powers. At the end of dark, destructive powers. At the end of the quest, he is glorified by the people the quest, he is glorified by the people he has saved.he has saved.

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The Oral Tradition The Oral Tradition

► To the anglo-saxon poetry was as important as To the anglo-saxon poetry was as important as fighting, hunting, & farming.fighting, hunting, & farming.

► The anglo-saxon bard was a honored member of The anglo-saxon bard was a honored member of society.society.

► The anglo-saxon communal hall, besides offering The anglo-saxon communal hall, besides offering shelter and a place for council meetings, provided shelter and a place for council meetings, provided space for storytellers & their audiencespace for storytellers & their audience

► As in other parts of the ancient world (Homeric As in other parts of the ancient world (Homeric Greece), skilled story tellers, or bards [Greece), skilled story tellers, or bards [rhapsodesrhapsodes], ], sang of gods and heroes.sang of gods and heroes.

► The Irish The Irish allamhsallamhs were both historians and were both historians and entertainers who preserved their culture’s myths & entertainers who preserved their culture’s myths & legends. The Irish legends. The Irish shanachiesshanachies, the tellers of tales of , the tellers of tales of history, were entrusted with 178 accounts. history, were entrusted with 178 accounts.

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Story Tellers Story Tellers

► Other cultures have their traditional Other cultures have their traditional storytellers, too. These include Navajo storytellers, too. These include Navajo singers, who recite stories in Blessingway singers, who recite stories in Blessingway ceremonies that last for days, and the Inuit ceremonies that last for days, and the Inuit of the far north, who use whalebone knives of the far north, who use whalebone knives to trace scenes from their traditional stories to trace scenes from their traditional stories in the snow and mud.in the snow and mud.

► All these storytellers preserve oral traditions All these storytellers preserve oral traditions and in the end influence the written and in the end influence the written literature of their peopleliterature of their people..

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The Anglo-Saxon Storyteller or BardThe Anglo-Saxon Storyteller or Bard

► The Anglo-Saxons did not regardThe Anglo-Saxons did not regard

these bards – whom they calledthese bards – whom they called

scops (pronounced shop)scops (pronounced shop) – as inferior to – as inferior to warriors.warriors.

► The poets sang to the strumming of a harp.The poets sang to the strumming of a harp.► As sources for their improvisational poetry, As sources for their improvisational poetry,

the storytellers had a rich supply of heroic the storytellers had a rich supply of heroic tales that reflected the concerns of a people tales that reflected the concerns of a people constantly under threat of war, disease, or constantly under threat of war, disease, or old age.old age.

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Beowulf, the textBeowulf, the text

Section TitleSection Title Section #sSection #s Page #sPage #sThe Monster GrendelThe Monster Grendel 1 - 31 - 3 21 - 2421 - 24

The Arrival of the HeroThe Arrival of the Hero 4 – 5 4 – 5 24 - 2624 - 26

Unferth’s ChallengeUnferth’s Challenge 6 – 76 – 7 26 – 3126 – 31

The Battle with GrendelThe Battle with Grendel 8 – 118 – 11 31 – 3631 – 36

The Monster’s MotherThe Monster’s Mother 12 – 1312 – 13 36 – 3836 – 38

The Final BattleThe Final Battle 14 – 1714 – 17 43 - 4843 - 48

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Anglo-Saxon ConceptsAnglo-Saxon Concepts

The Anglo-Saxons had a custom called The Anglo-Saxons had a custom called wergildwergild, of paying compensation to the , of paying compensation to the relatives of the people they murdered. relatives of the people they murdered. If the murdered person was not related If the murdered person was not related to the murderer, then this kind of to the murderer, then this kind of payment was considered satisfactory by payment was considered satisfactory by the relatives of the victim. No such way the relatives of the victim. No such way of making amends existed, however, for of making amends existed, however, for taking the life of one’s own kin.taking the life of one’s own kin.

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Anglo-Saxon ConceptsAnglo-Saxon Concepts continuedcontinued

According to the Anglo-Saxon code of the According to the Anglo-Saxon code of the comitatuscomitatus, warriors must defend their lord to , warriors must defend their lord to the death. Some critics see the failure of the death. Some critics see the failure of Beowulf’s men to come to his aid — a Beowulf’s men to come to his aid — a catastrophic breach of catastrophic breach of comitatuscomitatus — as an — as an ominous forecast of the demise of the Geats. ominous forecast of the demise of the Geats. In ll. 802 – 809 Beowulf wants to see the In ll. 802 – 809 Beowulf wants to see the treasure to assure himself that he has provided treasure to assure himself that he has provided for his people’s welfare after he is gone. for his people’s welfare after he is gone. Dispensing treasure as a symbol of the loyalty Dispensing treasure as a symbol of the loyalty between a king and his people, according to between a king and his people, according to the Anglo-Saxon code, is the Anglo-Saxon code, is comitatuscomitatus..

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Anglo-Saxon Mead Hall Anglo-Saxon Mead Hall

► Herot means “hart” or “stag.” The hart was an Herot means “hart” or “stag.” The hart was an Anglo-Saxon symbol of kinship.Anglo-Saxon symbol of kinship.

► Archaeologists have confirmed that Herot was built Archaeologists have confirmed that Herot was built of wood held together with iron bands. The gabled of wood held together with iron bands. The gabled roof was overlaid with gold, and the floor was inlaid.roof was overlaid with gold, and the floor was inlaid.

► The mead hall was a communal gathering place. The mead hall was a communal gathering place. Warriors gathered here to drink mead and celebrate Warriors gathered here to drink mead and celebrate victories. The community gathered here to hear victories. The community gathered here to hear ancient epic tales told by scops. ancient epic tales told by scops.

► In literature, the mead hall symbolizes safety, In literature, the mead hall symbolizes safety, fellowship, and all that is good in humanity. The fellowship, and all that is good in humanity. The Anglo-Saxons lived in a dark, cold, often frightening Anglo-Saxons lived in a dark, cold, often frightening world. The mead hall was a bright spot in this world. The mead hall was a bright spot in this darkness. darkness.