Introduction to Introduction to Anglo-Saxon CultureAnglo-Saxon Culture

Culture - Language, social habits, values, Culture - Language, social habits, values, hierarchies, religion, beliefs, art, and musichierarchies, religion, beliefs, art, and music

Lived during MEDIEVAL PERIOD; 500 to 1150 Lived during MEDIEVAL PERIOD; 500 to 1150 ADAD

Major surviving literary works: Major surviving literary works: BeowulfBeowulf (600 AD) (600 AD) and and The Exeter Book The Exeter Book (1000 AD)(1000 AD)

Period characterized by political unrest and Period characterized by political unrest and bloody warfare amidst economic/cultural declinebloody warfare amidst economic/cultural decline

Angles, Saxons, and Jutes - Germanic-speaking Angles, Saxons, and Jutes - Germanic-speaking tribes of Northern Europe who settled in Englandtribes of Northern Europe who settled in England

England

Scotland

Ireland

France

Denmark(Danes)Herot Hall

Further West – Geatland SwedenBeowulf, Wiglaf’s home

Note:Danes of Denmark and Geats of Sweden were allies

GermanyNorthernEurope

Old English 500-1150 ADOld English 500-1150 ADclaene - cleanclaene - cleancrypel crypel fisc fisc seglseglgraes graes gyltig gyltig brycg brycg

What do youthink these words mean?

What do youthink these words mean?

Old English 500-1150 ADOld English 500-1150 ADclaene ("clean") claene ("clean") crypel ("cripple")crypel ("cripple")fisc ("fish")fisc ("fish")segl (“sail)segl (“sail)graes ("grass")graes ("grass")gyltig ("guilty") gyltig ("guilty") brycg ("bridge")brycg ("bridge")

1. se bat seglode fif dagas 2. bates segl is lytel 3. fif batas seglodon ofer brim 4. seglas bata sind lytel

ExperimentExperiment Read 4 Old English Sentences.

Translate the meaning on a sheet of paper.

1. se bat seglode fif dagas ("the boat sailed for five days")2. bates segl is lytel ("the boat's sail is small [little]")3. fif batas seglodon ofer brim ("five boats sailed over the sea")4. seglas bata sind lytel ("the sails of the boats are small")

Answer Key

1-21 HWÆT, WE GAR-DEna in geardagum, þeodcyninga þrym gefrunon, hu ða æþelingas ellen fremedon! oft Scyld Scefing sceaþena þreatum, monegum mægþum meodosetla ofteah, egsode eorlas, syððanærest wearðfeasceaft funden; he þæs frofre gebad,weox under wolcnum weorðmyndum þah,oð þæt him æghwylc ymbsittendraofer hronrade hyran scolde, gomban gyldan; þæt wæs god cyning! Ðæm eafera wæs æfter cenned geong in geardum, þone God sende

The openinglines ofBeowulf:An oral epicpoem written by an anonymous“scop” orpoet singer

Click thelink to hearthe musicand speechof a modernday scop recite theselines

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y13cES7MMd8

Anglo-Saxon Villagehttp://www.suffolktouristguide.com/Things-to-do-in-Suffolk.asp

Anglo-Saxon Hall, likened to the Danes’ Herot Hall in Beowulfhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/primaryhistory/anglo_saxons/stories_and_pastimes/

Battle Helmets http://www.germantribes.org/tribes/AngloSaxons/anglosaxons.htm

Religious Beliefs of Religious Beliefs of the Anglo-Saxonsthe Anglo-Saxons

Pagan – Polytheistic faithPagan – Polytheistic faith Heathens – Persons not belonging to a Heathens – Persons not belonging to a

widely held religion widely held religion Worshipped many gods (“ese”) Worshipped many gods (“ese”)

Main god: WodenMain god: Woden Christianization of the Anglo-Saxons Christianization of the Anglo-Saxons

gradually occurred in 7gradually occurred in 7thth century century Beowulf poet was a Christian, although Beowulf poet was a Christian, although

characters were still Paganscharacters were still Pagans

http://www.fashion-era.com/ancient_costume/clothing-saxon-frankish-anglo.htm#Sixth_Century_Costume_Images_500-599_AD

Household Tools of the Household Tools of the Anglo-SaxonsAnglo-Saxons

Knife and Sheath

Pottery

Music of Anglo-SaxonsMusic of Anglo-Saxons

Harp

Whistles

Literary Terms CommonLiterary Terms Commonin Anglo-Saxon Poetryin Anglo-Saxon Poetry

AlliterationAlliterationCaesura Caesura CharacterizationCharacterizationEpicEpicKenningKenningRepetitionRepetition

Alliteration – Alliteration – Repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning Repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words. Adds emphasis and musical effects to sung poetry.of words. Adds emphasis and musical effects to sung poetry.

Caesura – Caesura – Extra space within lines of poetry. Adds a pause Extra space within lines of poetry. Adds a pause

for breathing and comprehension. for breathing and comprehension.

Characterization – Characterization – Process by which writer reveals Process by which writer reveals character personality and motivation. character personality and motivation.

Epic- Epic- Long narrative poem about the adventures of a hero. Long narrative poem about the adventures of a hero. Contains vast settings and supernatural figures.Contains vast settings and supernatural figures.

Kenning - Kenning - A descriptive phrase or compoundA descriptive phrase or compoundword that creatively renames a nounword that creatively renames a noun. .

Repetition – Repetition – Repeating phrases, words, or lines. Supports Repeating phrases, words, or lines. Supports listeners and adds emphasis.listeners and adds emphasis.

Kennings: Kennings: Common in Anglo-Saxon poetry, a Common in Anglo-Saxon poetry, a kenningkenning is a descriptive phrase or compound is a descriptive phrase or compound

word that renames a noun. word that renames a noun. ““whale-roadwhale-road”” ““world-candleworld-candle”” ““bone-housebone-house”” ““lock teaserlock teaser”” ““sea-ridersea-rider”” ““ring-giverring-giver”” ““battle-friendbattle-friend”” ““feast of vulturesfeast of vultures””

““whale-roadwhale-road”” seasea ““world-candleworld-candle”” sunsun ““bone-housebone-house””body, graveyardbody, graveyard ““lock teaserlock teaser”” combcomb ““sea-ridersea-rider”” shipship ““ring-giverring-giver”” kingking ““battle-friendbattle-friend”” swordsword ““feast of vulturesfeast of vultures”” battlebattle

Answer Key

QuickwriteQuickwrite

You just been introduced to the culture of You just been introduced to the culture of the Anglo-Saxon people who lived a the Anglo-Saxon people who lived a thousand years ago. thousand years ago.

How does what you have seen compare How does what you have seen compare with today’s culture? with today’s culture?

Focus on 2 or 3 elements (religion, Focus on 2 or 3 elements (religion, language, arts) in a compare/contrast language, arts) in a compare/contrast paragraph.paragraph.