Beowulf

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Beowulf►Composed around 700 A.D.►The story had been in circulation as an oral

narrative for many years before it was written.

►The action of the poem takes place around 500 AD

►Poet is reviving the heroic language, style and values and pagan values of ancient Germanic oral poetry

►The poem deals with ancient Germanic forebears, the Danes and the Geats

►Only a single manuscript of the poem survived the Anglo-Saxon era. In the 1700’s it was nearly destroyed in a fire

►At 3215 lines, it is smaller than most epics.

The EpicA long narrative poem that relates the great

deeds of a larger-than-life hero who embodies the values of a particular society.

Often include elements of myth and legend.Tone is serious.Language is “high” (grand, fancy, not

commonplace)Involves an “epic hero.”Epic hero usually goes on a long, dangerous

journey.

Look at this Modern Epic

Epic Hero“Larger than Life”Often possesses an exceptional ability of some

sort.Is required to do something only he can do to

save himself, others, and possibly a way of life.Embodies honorable traits, such as loyalty,

courage, and a sense of justice.Goes on a long dangerous journey that

sometimes includes self discovery.

Look at this Modern Epic

ArchetypesAn archetype is a pattern that appears

in literature across cultures and is repeated through the ages.

An archetype can be a character, plot or story line, an image, or even a setting.

In Beowulf, the hero archetype is the dragon slayer.

Christianity in BeowulfMany references to God.God is given credit for man’s success.Cain story is specifically alluded to.However, Beowulf does a lot of boasting, which is generally unChristian. This is an influence from the Anglo-Saxon warrior culture.

Kenninga compound expression in Old English and Old Norse poetry with metaphorical meaning.

Example:

Whale-road

What does this refer to?

Kenninga compound expression in Old English and Old Norse poetry with metaphorical meaning.

Example:

Spear-din

What does this refer to?

AlliterationThe repetition of initial consonant sounds in words that appear close together.

There are 3 examples of alliteration in the following line:

A powerful monster, living down in the darkness, growled in pain, impatient

AlliterationThe repetition of initial consonant sounds in words that appear close together.

The “P” sounds

A powerful monster, living down in the darkness, growled in pain, impatient

AlliterationThe repetition of initial consonant sounds in words that appear close together.

The “D” sounds

A powerful monster, living down in the darkness, growled in pain, impatient

AlliterationThe repetition of initial consonant sounds in words that appear close together.

The “N” sounds

A powerful monster, living down in the darkness, growled in pain, impatient

Look at this Modern Epic

SymbolismCharacters, settings, and events often represent larger ideas.

Grendel, one of the fearsome monsters in Beowulf, symbolizes pure evil.