Beowulf2The King and his Thanes

“Anglo-Saxon Culture” by Michael Delahoyde, Washington State UniversityStudy Guide by Rod McRae, University of West Georgia

Learning Objectives Analyze cultural, historical, and

contemporary contexts and provide evidence from the text to support their understanding. (TEKS §110.32.b.8)

Anglo-Saxon Trivia Many of our days of the week are based on

the names of Anglo-Saxon gods. Tuesday – Tiw, the dark god Wednesday – Woden, the war god Thursday – Thor, the thunder god Friday – Frigga, goddess of the home

Leadership in Beowulf King Thanes (Warriors)

Warrior culture - Fighting was a way of life

The Code of Comitatus A special relationship between King and his thanes

The thane swears to defend the king to his death

The king provides protection

The king gives the thanes land, wealth, & weapons

Created camaraderie between King and his thanes

Comitatus“And a young prince must be prudent like that,Giving freely while his father livesSo that afterwards in age when fighting startsSteadfast companions will stand by himAnd hold the line.” (lines 20-24)

Wergild “Man-payment” or “man-price” Germanic custom of paying a slain man’s

family to atone for the killing. Prevents the slain man’s family from taking

revenge. Hrothgar paid wergild to Beowulf’s father. Beowulf feels compelled to help Hrothgar in

his time of need.

Anglo-Saxon Poetry Oral tradition meant for mead-hall

entertainment. Scops (the poets) and Gleemen (harpists) sung

or recited poems. They were the historians of the time.

The poetic structure was based on accent and alliteration, not rhyme and meter.

Themes Confluence of Christianity and Paganism