the dark ages or old english period 449-1066 ad. why is it important to study history before reading...
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The Dark Ages orThe Dark Ages orOld English PeriodOld English Period
449-1066 AD
Why is it important to study history before reading a piece of literature?
Who wrote Beowulf?
Why is Beowulf Important?
Was Beowulf a real person?
If the setting of the poem is Denmark, why is Beowulf considered the first English poem?
Who were the Anglo-Saxons?
Historical contextHistorical context
England was a land of upheaval and uncertainty from the fifth through the fifteenth centuries (400s-1400s).
Invasions, plagues, and wars beleaguered the people, and they created stories/epic poems with heroes who exhibited strength, honor, and virtue.
The world was experiencing great change: Supposedly Leif Erikson
discovered America. Christianity reached Greenland and
Iceland.Indian mathematician Sridhara
recognized importance of the zero.
Attempts to fly were unsuccessfulThe Chinese perfected their invention—
gun powder.
There was “widespread fear of the end of the world and last judgment” (Grun 124).
The Mayan civilization had reached its peak on Yucatan Peninsula.
Why is it important to study history before Why is it important to study history before reading a piece of literature?reading a piece of literature?
By studying the historical context of a literary piece, we can understand what was going on socially, culturally, politically, spiritually, technologically, etc.
The literature of the time will reflect most of these elements.
Ex: To Kill a Mockingbird= race relations of late 1930s and treatment of those who are mentally different
Ex: The Great Gatsby = politics and culture of the 1920s
Ex: The Crucible = religion, politics, and culture of Massachusetts in 1700s
Who wrote Who wrote BeowulfBeowulf??
The story of Beowulf, a mighty warrior from Sweden, was passed down from generation to generation through the tradition of storytelling.
The story traveled across Northern Europe and reached England.
Who wrote Who wrote BeowulfBeowulf??
An English nobleman or monk wrote
down the story in the 8th century
(700s).
Since the epic was written in Old English, Burton Raffel is the translator of our version.
Say What?????Say What?????
Gewar that neosian, sythan niht becomHean huses, hut hit Hring-DeneAefter beorthege gebun haefdon.Fand tha thaer inne aethelinga gedruhtSwefan aefter symble; sorge ne cuthon
Then, under cover of night, Gendel cameTo Hrothgar’s lofty hall to see how the Ring-DanesWere disposed after drinking ale all evening;And he found there a band of brave warriorsWell-feasted, fast asleep, dead to worldly sorrow
Why is Why is BeowulfBeowulf Important? Important? It is the oldest surviving
poem written in English. Elements of the story are
factual. (Swedish king
named Hyglec.) The poem shows us the
civilized and barbaric
societies of the time.Image source from website
Stormfront.org
Why is Why is BeowulfBeowulf Important? Important? The Anglo-Saxons were fairly new proselytes of Christianity, and the epic illustrates this.
It shows us some of the morals of the Anglo-Saxons: loyalty to leaders, bravery, Generosity
It was the first secular
(non-Christian) writingImage source from website
Medieval.ucdavis.edu
Was Was BeowulfBeowulf a real person? a real person?No one knows for sure, but probably Beowulf was a combination of the characteristics of different men. He illustrates the best virtues but still is mortal and flawed.
Tragic Flaw: A flaw in the character of the protagonist of a tragedy that brings the protagonist to sorrow or downfall
Image source from the website
Beowulf vs. Sir Gawain
Epic-ness!Epic-ness!
• Beowulf considered an
• epic poem-- based on a
• hero's adventures.
• Written in blank verse.
• Alliterative verse.
• Many allusions and new
• figurative element,
• Kenning
If the setting of the poem is Denmark, why is If the setting of the poem is Denmark, why is
BeowulfBeowulf considered the first English poem? considered the first English poem?
Only the nobility and certain members of the church were educated and could read and write.
While set in Scandinavia, the story of Beowulf was actually written in what is now England.
.
Who were the Anglo-Saxons?Who were the Anglo-Saxons?The Britons were the original people
of what is now called England.
England was divided into five kingdoms.
From 1st – 5th centuries, Romans inhabited and protected the land from invaders like Vikings.
Image source website Wnccoins.com/Englandmap
Who were the Anglo-Saxons?Who were the Anglo-Saxons?
The Romans left to defend Rome and England was invaded by Germanic tribes: Angles, Saxons,
and Jutes
Who were the Anglo-Saxons?Who were the Anglo-Saxons?The Angles, Saxons, and Jutes forced most of
the Britons north.
Those Britons that stayed or
were enslaved by the more
aggressive, violent tribes
eventually adopted the
customs of the Angles
and Saxons.
Who were the Anglo-Saxons?Who were the Anglo-Saxons?
Language is always evolving. We would not be able to speak like the Anglo-Saxons or the Britons, and it would be difficult to understand them.
After a couple hundred years, the name of the country underwent a few changes:
Who were the Anglo-Saxons?Who were the Anglo-Saxons?
Anglo-Lond = AngleLond =
Englelond =England
By the time England was called England, it was a unified country, sharing a national language, customs, defense, agrarian society, and culture.
Who were the Anglo-Saxons?Who were the Anglo-Saxons?AnimalsChickens (other fowls) = eggs, meat, bones
used as needles and musical instruments (flute).
Cattle= prized meat, vellum (stretched and bleached hide for writing), dairy, leather, bones used for belt ends, knife handles, and ice skates
Sheep/Goat= dairy (milk), wool, mutton (meat)
Pigs raised primarily as food= lard and meat.
Wild game like deer, boar, rabbit, etc. used as food.
Fish and shellfish were popular.
Who were the Anglo-Saxons?Who were the Anglo-Saxons?
Other foods:
Grew vegetables like cabbage, turnips, carrots, and beets.
Grains like oats, barley, rye were used in breads, porridge, and beer
Honey was a sweetener.
Who were the Anglo-Saxons?Who were the Anglo-Saxons?Drink
The Anglo-Saxons drank milk, water,
cider (apples), mead
(honey-beer), and berry
wine
Who were the Anglo-Saxons?Who were the Anglo-Saxons?Entertainment-Sporting events were popular and contestants
had to have a lot of stamina.
WrestlingRunning—miles, often carrying a loadSwimming—miles of sea, often in full armorClimbing—scale the cliffs without rappel cordsWeightlifting—lifting boulders, tree trunks, other heavy objectsSkiingHorseracing
Who were the Anglo-Saxons?Who were the Anglo-Saxons?EntertainmentDancingWhittlingRiddling: Exeter Book
Riddle: A wonder on the wave / water became bone.
Contemporary riddlesContemporary riddles
Riddle: I am the red tongue of the Earth, that buries cities.
Riddle: Three eyes have I, all in a row; when the red one opens, all freeze.
Who were the Anglo-Saxons?Who were the Anglo-Saxons?
Storytelling
Scops (pronounced shōps) were the storytellers and important for three reasons:
1. Acted as historians, recounted events
2. Entertained because there were few activities
3. Inspired when morale was low due to battle or hunger
You need toKnow this
Who were the Anglo-Saxons?Who were the Anglo-Saxons?
Beliefs
Wyrd- fate, not a supernatural being guided them
Wergild-literally means “man-price.” Used to end feuds with other tribes/villages.
Comitatus- “brotherhood.” loyalty to each other in combat
Write down all Three terms and
definitions
Who were the Anglo-Saxons?Who were the Anglo-Saxons?Symbols often seen on helmets or shields
Dragons Horses Birds
Boars Stags
Anglo-Saxon legaciesAnglo-Saxon legacies
Norse deities (gods/goddesses)
Tuesday= Tiw, the god of war
Wednesday= Woden/Odin, chief god
Thursday= Thor/Thunor, god of thunder
Friday= Freya/Frigg, goddess of home, marriage
Where do the other days of the week come from?
Anglo-Saxon legaciesAnglo-Saxon legacies
Geographical Names
--ford river crossing (Hartford, Oxford,
-port= town with market, not necessarily on coast (Gulfport, Freeport, Newport Beach, Portland)
-bury= burh, borough, burg= a walled town with market and coinage