We Begin With a LossWe Begin With a Loss• BeowulfBeowulf was part of an oral tradition was part of an oral tradition

– Few written recordsFew written records– 1919thth century century– Badly burnedBadly burned

• We may never know “how it really We may never know “how it really goes”goes”– Understanding lostUnderstanding lost– Oral tradition lostOral tradition lost– Missing textMissing text

Heaney’s TranslationHeaney’s Translation• Various authors tried translating Various authors tried translating

BeowulfBeowulf– Heaney (2000)Heaney (2000)– Fairly faithful Fairly faithful – ReadableReadable

• Heaney initially struggled to Heaney initially struggled to translate the poemtranslate the poem– He He still still doesn’t speak/read Old Englishdoesn’t speak/read Old English

Heaney’s Translation, Heaney’s Translation, ContinuedContinued

• He noticed the presence of Anglo-He noticed the presence of Anglo-Saxon traditions in his poetrySaxon traditions in his poetry– Fascinated by linguistic bleed-overFascinated by linguistic bleed-over

•Between Old English and contemporary Between Old English and contemporary languagelanguage

• Irish / English relationshipsIrish / English relationships• Theorized that precise language changes, but Theorized that precise language changes, but

that meaning and feeling remain unchangedthat meaning and feeling remain unchanged– Attacked the work again – and found Attacked the work again – and found

successsuccess

Breaking Down the PoemBreaking Down the Poem• Heaney has a “prejudice for Heaney has a “prejudice for

forthright delivery.”forthright delivery.”– You can see this in the way he You can see this in the way he

captures the Old English Poet’s voicecaptures the Old English Poet’s voice• Even when the language is flowery, the Even when the language is flowery, the

voice is directvoice is direct– Readers appreciate this approach Readers appreciate this approach

because Heaney makes challenging because Heaney makes challenging passages a bit easierpassages a bit easier

Poetry Terms!Poetry Terms!• KenningKenning – A combination of two or more – A combination of two or more

words that can be substituted for an original words that can be substituted for an original termterm– One of the two words (the “base” word) relates One of the two words (the “base” word) relates

to the other word in a way that allows the new to the other word in a way that allows the new term to replace the old oneterm to replace the old one

– For example, ocean = whale + road = whale-roadFor example, ocean = whale + road = whale-road– Human body = bones held together – “bone-Human body = bones held together – “bone-

house”house”– Other kennings can have many words; what do Other kennings can have many words; what do

you think “sleep of the sword” replaces?you think “sleep of the sword” replaces?

Poetry Terms!Poetry Terms!• AlliterationAlliteration – Refers to the repetition of – Refers to the repetition of

a vowel or consonant a vowel or consonant soundsound (not (not necessarily the letter itself) in the necessarily the letter itself) in the beginningbeginning of each word in a series of each word in a series– It can It can onlyonly occur at the beginning of a word occur at the beginning of a word– We have numerous examples of this!We have numerous examples of this!

Analyze a Bit of Analyze a Bit of Alliteration!Alliteration!

• ““There was Shield Sheafson, There was Shield Sheafson, scourge of many tribes.”scourge of many tribes.”

• “…“…as his powers waxed and as his powers waxed and his worth was proved.”his worth was proved.”

• “…“…the path to power among the path to power among people everywhere.”people everywhere.”

Poetry Terms!Poetry Terms!• AssonanceAssonance and and consonanceconsonance also refer to also refer to

repeated sounds in a string of wordsrepeated sounds in a string of words– Assonance refers to a repeated vowel soundAssonance refers to a repeated vowel sound– Consonance refers to a repeated consonant Consonance refers to a repeated consonant

soundsound• Unlike alliteration, consonance and Unlike alliteration, consonance and

assonance can occur anywhere within a assonance can occur anywhere within a word – beginning, middle, or end!word – beginning, middle, or end!

Poetry TermsPoetry Terms• EnjambmentEnjambment refers to a sentence in a refers to a sentence in a

poem that continues over multiple poem that continues over multiple lineslines– ““He was well-regarded and ruled the He was well-regarded and ruled the

DanesDanes For a long time after his father took leaveFor a long time after his father took leave Of his life on EarthOf his life on Earth. And then his heir…”. And then his heir…”

Poetry TermsPoetry Terms• MeterMeter refers to the rhythmic pattern refers to the rhythmic pattern

of a line of poetryof a line of poetry– Syllables form the basic rhythmic units Syllables form the basic rhythmic units

of poetryof poetry• The various groups of stressed or The various groups of stressed or

unstressed syllables form unstressed syllables form feetfeet..– Types of meter are defined by the Types of meter are defined by the

number and nature of syllables in a number and nature of syllables in a given linegiven line

Major Types of FeetMajor Types of Feet• You’ll run into four common feet:You’ll run into four common feet:

– Iamb – Unstressed/Stressed (“Trapeze”)Iamb – Unstressed/Stressed (“Trapeze”)– Trochee – Stressed/Unstressed (“Hazel”)Trochee – Stressed/Unstressed (“Hazel”)– Anapest – Unstressed/Unstressed/Stressed (ex: Dr. Anapest – Unstressed/Unstressed/Stressed (ex: Dr.

Seuss)Seuss)– Dactyl – Stressed/Unstressed/Unstressed (“Marmalade”)Dactyl – Stressed/Unstressed/Unstressed (“Marmalade”)

• The analysis of the rhythmic and linguistic The analysis of the rhythmic and linguistic features of a poem is called features of a poem is called scansionscansion..

• Finally, the study of the elements of language Finally, the study of the elements of language that contribute to rhythmic and acoustic effects that contribute to rhythmic and acoustic effects in poetry is called in poetry is called prosodyprosody. .