eowulf and Old English Literature

Beowulf is the Oldest Surviving Northern

European Epic

GloomyFierce

Stalwart“Nothing stirred

the poet’s

imagination more than a

sword or a ship.”

Old Engli

sh Poet

ry

Mostly anonymousExceptions: Caedmon &

CynewulfOral TraditionScops and Gleemen: traveling poets/

minstrelsTwo types of Poetry:1. Heroic Epics

Definition: a long, narrative poem about the exploits of a hero who embodies the values of the cultureExample: Beowulf

2. Elegiac lyricsDefinition: a poem that reflects the poet’s thoughts & feelings, and that laments the loss of somethingExample: “The Seafarer”

Characteristics of Anglo-Saxon Poetry

Alliterative

Unrhymed

Strong Beat

Unique Devices

Unique Devices

COLE WAS THE KING; HE WAS KEEN AND MERRY;MIRTHFUL HE WAS; WITH MINSTRELS IN MEAD

HALL.HE CALLED FOR HIS CUP; HE CALLED FOR HIS PIPE.HIS FIDDLERS WERE THREE, AND FINE WAS THEIR

TRILLING.

CaesuraA pause in the

middle of a line of poetry

KenningA compound noun that

is colorful & descriptive

“whale road” = the sea

The Mystery, Puzzles, & Contradictions of Beowulf

The Mystery

Only one manuscript survives: the Cotton

Manuscript

Almost destroyed by fire

Discovered in the 16th century but not published

until 1815

A Puzzle:Beowulf is the definitive English epic and the

beginning of English literature,

BUT

The hero is a Geat (Yea-ot) or Swede, and none of the action takes place in England.

Why?

In 449 AD Germanic tribes (Angles, Saxons & Jutes) invaded the British Isles; they

brought this story with them.

AND

Beowulf embodies Anglo-Saxon values and celebrates the essence of a warrior society.

BraveryLoyaltyDevotion to the community

The challeng

es of Existenc

e

Weapons

used

Festive Celebrati

ons

It is difficult to convey just how challenging the lives of the earliest Anglo-Saxons were. Every day was a battle to survive. The Anglo-Saxons

lived in huts and dressed in animal skins to protect themselves against the miserable,

bone-chilling dampness of the weather. They eked out an existence by farming the land, hunting, and venturing forth on dangerous,

turbulent seas to fish. Whenthey weren't scraping together a skimpy

existence, they were fighting neighboring tribes and clans. These tough conditions

created strong ties within tribes andencouraged intense loyalty to clan leaders. The

environment also contributed to the high esteem in which the inhabitants held individual

bravery, a quality they honored above all others.

A Contradiction:

Beowulf represents a

violent warrior culture;

Beowulf also shows the influence of Christian

culture.

Belief in Wyrd

Trolls, monsters, & elves

from Norse mythology

Old Testament Elements

(Ex.: Cain)

Belief in a higher power who

rewards virtue, forgiveness,

honesty

The reason for

this contradiction lies in

the transmission history

of the poem. . .

300

AD

449

AD

900

AD

1000

AD

597

AD

C

hri

stia

n

Con

vers

ion

800

AD

700

AD

Oral Tradition: Beowulf-

type stories are told.

“The Bear Story”

Anglo-Saxon

Invasion

Beowulf sung by

scops

Christian monks write down the spoken epic.editor not`

authorwell-read

conscious role of poet

Viking Invasions

Monks in the Scriptorium: preservers and editors of Anglo-Saxon literature

The Story of

A King and Country in Trouble

Hrothgar, King of the Danes

Beowulf’s Home

The Young Hero from Geatland

The Monster:

A Descendant

of Cain

Versus

FATE brings them to HEROT, the Mead Hall

The epic continues until Beowulf is an

old king. . .

. . .and he dies in his last battle with a

dragon