Beowulf The English Language, The Anglo-Saxons, Beowulf and the Perilous Journey Ms. Scully.
Beowulf - · PDF fileAnglo-Saxons, 449-1066 B. C. How we date Beowulf ... The Poetry in...
Transcript of Beowulf - · PDF fileAnglo-Saxons, 449-1066 B. C. How we date Beowulf ... The Poetry in...
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
4. It’s a great story
3. Studying Old English improves your
understanding of modern English
Beowulf’s Provenance
What we don’t know:
who wrote it
when exactly it was written
how much, exactly, is
based on historical truth
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 A.D.
Anglo-Saxons, 449-1066 B. C.
How we date BeowulfSome Important Dates:
521 A.D. – death of Hygelac, who is
mentioned in the poem
680 A.D. – appearance of alliterative verse
835 A.D. – 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
Beowulf was orally passed down
scop
A bard or story-teller.
The scop was responsible
for praising deeds of past
heroes, for recording
history, and for providing
entertainment
The Poetry in BeowulfA few things to watch out for
1. Alliterative verse
a. Repetition of initial sounds of words
(occurs in every line)
b. Generally, four feet/beats per line
c. A caesura, or pause, between
beats two and four
d. No rhyme
The Poetry in BeowulfA few things to watch out for
Alliterative verse – an example from Beowulf:
Oft Scyld Scefing sceapena praetum,
Monegum maegpum meodo-setla ofteah;
Egsode Eorle, syddan aerest weard.
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 BeowulfA few things to watch out for
The Poetry in BeowulfA 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”
The Poetry in BeowulfA 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
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
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
Weregild
Literally, this means "man
price"
If property was stolen, or someone was injured or
killed, the guilty person would have to pay
weregild as restitution to the victim's family or to
the owner of the property
Some terms you’ll want to know
wyrd
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
epic
Beowulf is an epic poem.
This means it has a
larger-than life hero and
the conflict is of
universal importance.
Some terms you’ll want to know