anglo- saxon & beowulf
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Anglo-Saxon Period The Anglo-Saxon period is the earliest recorded time period in English history.TRANSCRIPT
Anglo- Saxon & BEOWULF Anglo-Saxon Period The Anglo-Saxon
period is the earliest recorded time period in English history. The
Anglo-Saxon period ranges from 449-1066.
It ends with the Battle of Hastings where the French, under the
leadership of William the Conqueror invaded England. October 14,
1066 King Harold II of England is defeated by the Norman forces of
William the Conqueror at the Battle of Hastings fought on Senlac
Hill (lake of blood), seven miles from Hastings, England. At the
end of the bloody, all-day battle, Harold was killed--shot in the
eye with an arrow, according to legend--and his forces were
destroyed. He was the last Anglo-Saxon king of England. Bayeux
Tapestry, Battle of Hastings located now in France Where did the
Anglo-Saxons come from?
Between 800 and 600 B.C., two groups of Celts from southern Europe
invaded the British Isles. Brythons (now spelled Britons) settled
on the largest Island, Britain. Gaels, settled on the second
largest island, known to us as Ireland. skt.org.uk The Celts
farmers and hunters organized themselves into clans
clans had fearsome loyalty to chieftains looked to priests, known
as Druids, to settle their disputes meekon5.blogspot.com; no unity
in the kingdom; what does this tell you? Druids often considered
magical throughout historyreligion and magic intertwined. Where did
the Anglo-Saxons come from?
Roman conquest of Britain AD 43 Difficult to control such a large
piece of land Brought Christianity to Britain around AD 300 Pagan
vs. Christian themes throughout; never fully indoctrinated at this
time The last Romans left around 407 A.D. Needed to defend against
rebelling European countries; England left to its own devices The
Reemergence of Christianity
596AD: attempt to convert Anglo- Saxons to Christianity 597AD:
Saint Augustine converted King Ethelbert of Kent to Christianity.
set up a monastery in Canterbury in Kent. 650AD: most of England is
Christian; some hold on to previous beliefs The church provided
counsel to quarreling rulers in efforts to unify the English
people. At this time, the British Isles were not unified and
included separate kingdoms with separate rulers. They fought
continuously over the fertile, green land Roman Cleric St.
Augustine, (not the early Christian Church father) arrived in
southeast England; Romans return stronger than before and force
Saxons north; we see Canterbury show up in other works; The Chruch
becomes a stand in for the govt. A long standing tradition in
EnglandChurch of England is still a big part of the govt. This
again sets up more conflict Anglo Saxon King and Warrior early 7th
century
essentialnormanconquest.com An Anglo-Saxon Hall West stow: a
reconstructed site from 1972 by revising the post holse from the
original site Heroic Ideals Dominate
Warrior culture Poems and stories depict a society like the
Anglo-Saxons Military and tribal loyalties Bravery of warriors
Generosity of rulers Oral tradition Songs and stories often sung
and told about the valiant struggles of heroic warriors More than
just entertainment provided a model for living and a form of
immortality they could aspire to Note: all of these provided the
foundation for early written literature in Old English Anglo-Saxon
Literature cont.
Anglo-Saxon poetry falls mainly into two categories: Heroic poetry
recounts the achievements of warriors Elegiac poetry laments the
deaths of loved ones and the loss of the past Beowulf is the most
famous example of heroic poetry. ORAL TRADITIONthe focuse of our
unit here; well start with Beobear; Wulfwolfanimal symbolism
Anglo-Saxon Literature
Few people read in this period Oral tradition was performed and/or
sung by a Bard (poet/minstrels) from memory in Old English This is
why there are often several versions of the same story. Authors
were unknown Literature that was written down was written on sheep
skin THE STORY OF BEOWULF Beowulf marks the beginning of English
literature
Beowulf is one of the earliest known pieces of literature known in
the English language;written in Old English Beowulf What we do
know:
Beowulf is the oldest surviving English poem.Its 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. (1000s), however The actual poem probably dates
from the 8th century (700s) 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 Paganthis means a monk probably translated it. Beowulf What we
dont know: who wrote it when exactly it was written
how much, exactly, is based on historical truth Contains specific
Motifs
Motifs a motif is a recurring theme or image in a work of
literature Biblical and Christian Allusions Pagan Customs Social
Customs Traits of the Warrior Beowulf Boasts The story of Beowulf
wasnt written down until about 700 AD by The Beowulf Poet who is
unknown.He wrote down the poem which for many years had been only
sung or spoken. Beowulfs Provenance So why wasnt it written down in
the first place?
This story was probably passed down orally for centuries before it
was first written down. It wasnt until after the Norman Invasion
(1066) that writing stories down became common in this part of the
world. Beowulfs Provenance So whats happened to the manuscript
since the 11th century? Eventually, it ended up in the library of
this guy. Robert Cotton ( ) Beowulf Unfortunately, Cottons library
burned in Many manuscripts were entirely destroyed.Beowulf was
partially damaged. The manuscript is now preserved and carefully
cared for in the British Museum. There is only one original Beowulf
manuscript existing today
There is only one original Beowulf manuscript existing today.It is
in the British History Museum in London. BEOWULF is an EPIC poem.
EPIC a long, narrative poem that relates the great deeds of a
larger-than-life hero who embodies the values of a particular
society. Examples of other EPICS are
Greek Illiad and Odyssey Homer The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings
Tolkien And of course theres the EPIC HERO!!!!
EPIC HERO must undertake a quest to achieve something of tremendous
value to himself and his society SUMMARY OF EPIC FEATURES:
A long narrative poem Larger than life hero; often with super-human
characteristics Concerns eternal human problems like the struggle
between good and evil Presented in a serious manner using elevated
(poetic) language Hero represents widespread national, cultural, or
religious values This EPIC poemof BEOWULF is often divided into 3
sections; it is about Beowulfs 3 epic battles w/ evil. the Battle
with Grendel
(Grendel represents evil) The battle represents reputation Grendel
Referred to as demon and fiend Haunts the moors (swampy land)
Descendant of Cain Feasts on 30 men the night of 1st attack Cain
and Abel were, according to the Book of Genesis, two sons of Adam
and Eve. Cain is described as a crop farmer and his younger brother
Abel as a shepherd. Cain was the first human born and Abel was the
first human to die. Cain committed the first murder by killing his
brother. Interpretations of Genesis 4 by ancient and modern
commentators have typically assumed that the motives were jealousy
and anger. the Battle with Grendels Mother
(She also represents evil.) Battle represents vengeance Grendels
Mother Referred to as she-wolf Lives under a lake
Challenges Hrothgar when she kills one of his best men the Battle
with the Dragon
(It not only represents evil but also Greed.) For Beowulf the
battle represents heroic approach to fate Fire Dragon Lives in
Beowulfs kingdom Wakes up when thief steals cup
Guards countless treasures Just in case you wanted to know, Beowulf
himself represents good:
loyalty valor Selflessness sense of justice Beowulf Epic hero Geat
(from southern Sweden)
Nephew of Higlac (King at storys start) Sails to Denmark to help
Hrothgar Heroic Values in Beowulf
Relationship between king and his warriors The king rewards his
warriors with gifts If a kinsman is slain, obligation to kill the
slayer or obtain payment (wergeld) in compensation The Epic Hero
Defeats his enemies using
Physical strength Skill as a warrior Nobility of character Quick
wits Is not modest boasting is a ritual Embodies the ideals and
values of his people Is eager for fame Because the Germanic tribes
believed death was inevitable, warriors sought fame to preserve the
memory of their deeds after death A man of high social status whose
fate affects the destiny of his people Hrothgar Danish king Builds
Herot (banquet hall) for men
Tormented by Grendel for 12 years Loses many men to Grendel Joyless
before Beowulfs arrival Beowulf: Where does it take place?
Geatland and Denmark (Modern Denmark and Sweden) Setting: Beowulfs
time and place
Insert: Time of Beowulf Europe today Note: None of the action takes
place in England!!! How we date Beowulf Some Important Dates:
521 A.D. death of Hygelac, who is mentioned in the poem 680 A.D.
appearance of alliterative verse 835 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 WHY? Why do we read Beowulf?
Its a very creative, imaginative, poetic masterpiece. It gives us
insight into the origins of the British people, the culture, who,
through seafaring conquests, founded the world we currently live
in. It gives us insight into the origins of our language. Why do we
read Beowulf? It gives us insight into all people everywhere and
throughout time (time, birth, death, fame/success/glory, honor,
friendship, conflict, home, country, adventure, spirituality all of
these things transcend English literature and matter to all people)
Its challenging and we love a good challenge!!! Why do we read
Beowulf? Its scary and gets us to think about our own worst fears
Its a VERY important piece of literature historically (This is the
because we have to reason!!) Characteristic features of Anglo-Saxon
Literature
Alliteration Kennings Caesura Alliteration The repetition of
beginning consonant sounds in lines of poetry A few things to watch
out for
The Poetry in Beowulf A few things to watch out for Alliterative
verse an example from Beowulf: Oft Scyld Scefingsceapena praetum,
Monegum maegpummeodo-setla ofteah; Egsode Eorle,syddan aerest
weard. There was Shield Sheafson, scourge of many tribes, A wrecker
of mead-benches, rampaging among foes. The terror of the
hall-troops had come far. Kenning Kenning a metaphorical phrase
used to
replace a concrete noun Ex:sea = whales home Ex:battle = spear play
It is like a mini-riddle Caesura a natural pause in the middle of a
line of poetry.
2 part line each line is separated by a pause or break in the
middle of the line; each part generally has 2 strong beats. (Put
simply,it is a dramatic pause in the middle of a line.) Caesura
example: Then the Scylding warrior savage and grim, Seized the
ring-hilt and swung the sword Struck with fury despairing of life
Thrust at the throat broke through the bone rings: The stout blade
stabbed through her fated flesh.