Beowulf

Beowulf

BeowulfBeowulf• Why study Beowulf?• Provenance• Setting• Poetic Devices• Terms• Themes

• Why study Beowulf?• Provenance• Setting• Poetic Devices• Terms• Themes

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. 2. The story of Beowulf encompasses common themes that we still see in English literature today

3. 3. Beowulf is simply good writing

Why Study Beowulf?4. In some ways, it doesn’t matter what you

read, but how you read it, so…since Beowulf came first, you might as well start there.

5. Studying Old English improves your understanding of modern English

6. It’s a great story

Why Study Beowulf?4. In some ways, it doesn’t matter what you

read, but how you read it, so…since Beowulf came first, you might as well start there.

5. Studying Old English improves your understanding of modern English

6. It’s a great story

PROVENANCEPROVENANCE

ProvenanceWhat we don’t know:

who wrote itwhen exactly it was writtenhow much, exactly, is based on historical truth

ProvenanceWhat we do know:

Beowulf is the oldest surviving English poem. It’s written in Old English (or Anglo-Saxon), which is the basis for the language we speak today.

Some of the characters in the poem actually existed.

The only copy of the manuscript was written sometime around the 11th century A.D. (1000’s), however…

ProvenanceThe actual poem probably dates from the 8th

century (700’s) or so, and…

The story may be set even earlier, around 500 A.D. There are a lot of Christian references in the

poem, but the characters and setting are Pagan…this means a monk probably translated it.

ProvenanceSo why wasn’t it written down in the first

place?This story was probably passed down orally

for centuries before it was first written down.

It wasn’t until after the Norman Invasion (1066) that writing stories down became common in this part of the world.

ProvenanceSo what’s happened to the manuscript since the 11th century?

Eventually, it ended up in the library of this guy.

Robert Cotton (1571-1631)

Provenance

Unfortunately, Cotton’s library burned in 1731. Many manuscripts were entirely destroyed. Beowulf was partially damaged.

The manuscript is now preserved and carefully cared for in the British Museum.

SETTINGSETTING

SettingAlthough 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.

Setting

Europe today Insert: Time of Beowulf

SettingSome Important Dates:

521 A.D. – death of Hygelac, who is mentioned in the poem

680 A.D. – appearance of alliterative verse835 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

POETIC DEVICESPOETIC DEVICES

Poetic DevicesPoetic Devices

• Alliteration• Kenning• Litotes

• Alliteration• Kenning• Litotes

Poetic devicesThe Poetry in Beowulf

1. Alliterative versea. 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 BeowulfAlliterative verse – an example from Beowulf:

Oft Scyld Scefing sceapena praetum,

Monegum maegpum meodo-setla ofteah;

Egsode Eorle, syddan aerest weard.

Poetic devices

Poetic devicesThere was Shield Sheafson,

scourge of many tribes,

A wrecker of mead-benches, rampaging among foes.

The terror of the hall-troops had come far.

CaesuraCaesura• An obvious pause in a line of poetry. • In Old English poetry, it usually

comes near the middle of a line, with two stressed syllables before and two after, often allowing little or no “run-on” of meaning from the first half line to the second.

– “A prince of the Geats / had killed Grendel.”

• An obvious pause in a line of poetry. • In Old English poetry, it usually

comes near the middle of a line, with two stressed syllables before and two after, often allowing little or no “run-on” of meaning from the first half line to the second.

– “A prince of the Geats / had killed Grendel.”

Poetic devices2. 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”

Poetic devices

Other kennings from Beowulf:banhus = “bone-house” = body

beaga brytta = “ring-giver” = lord

beadoleoma = “flashing light” = sword

goldwine gumena = “gold-friend of men” = generous prince

Kenning

Compound Words Prepositional Phrases Possessives

"hell-forged" "banquet-rich“

"ring-giver" "mead-cup" "she-wolf"

"Shelter of warriors" "shapes of darkness"

"shepherd of evil" "tormentor of their days" "journey into darkness"

"ocean's/Furrows" "God's bright beacon" "Heaven's high arch" "Geats'/Brave prince"

"hell's captive"

• Kennings are special kinds of metaphors that use compound words, prepositional phrases, or possessives to name a person, place, thing, or event indirectly.

• Kennings are special kinds of metaphors that use compound words, prepositional phrases, or possessives to name a person, place, thing, or event indirectly.

Poetic devices3. Litotes

A negative expression; usually an understatement

Example:Hildeburh had no cause to praise the Jutes

In this example, Hildeburh’s brother has just been killed by the Jutes. This is a poetic way of telling us she hated the Jutes absolutely.

TERMSTERMS

TERMS TO REMEMBERTERMS TO REMEMBERTerms

scopcomitatus

thane

mead hall

wyrdwergild

epic

elegyhomily

Terms

scop

A bard or story-teller.

The scop was responsible for praising deeds of past heroes, for recording history, and for providing entertainment

comitatusLiterally, this means “escort” or “comrade”

This term identifies the concept of warriors and lords mutually pledging their loyalty to one another

Terms

thane

A warrior

mead-hall

The large hall where the lord and his warriors slept, ate, held ceremonies, etc.

Terms

wyrd

Fate. This idea crops up a lot in the poem, while at the same time there are Christian references to God’s will.

Terms

wergild• Man price -the amount of

money a person or family could accept in place of vengeance if a man was killed.

• If a kinsman is slain, obligation to kill the slayer or obtain payment in compensation

Terms

epic

Beowulf is an epic poem.

This means it has a larger-than life hero and the conflict is of universal importance. There’s a certain serious that accompanies most epics.

Terms

Characteristics of an Epic Hero:Characteristics of an Epic Hero: The epic hero is a

mythical character who is strong, courageous, morally upright, and driven by the desire for glory.

He faces enormous obstacles in these pursuits, usually some force or character that represents evil

Even if he loses his life, he is victorious in his pursuit of glory.

The epic hero is a mythical character who is strong, courageous, morally upright, and driven by the desire for glory.

He faces enormous obstacles in these pursuits, usually some force or character that represents evil

Even if he loses his life, he is victorious in his pursuit of glory.

Is significant and glorified

Is on a quest Has supernatural

strength, intelligence, and courage

Is Ethical Risks death for the good

of society Performs brave deeds Is a strong and

responsible leader Reflects the ideas and

values of his society

elegyAn elegy is a poem that is sad or mournful. The adjective is elegiac.

homilyA homily is a written sermon or section of the poem that gives direct advice.

Terms

THEMESTHEMES

Good vs. Evil

Religion: Christian and Pagan influences

The importance of wealth and treasure

Loyalty and allegiance

The importance of the sea and sailing

The sanctity of the home

Fate

Heroism and heroic deeds

Themes