BeowulfBeowulfText and ContextText and Context

BeowulfBeowulf

► The Old English language was mostly The Old English language was mostly spoken, but it did have highly developed spoken, but it did have highly developed poetry and prose; the most famous of poetry and prose; the most famous of course, being the epic ballad of: BEOWULFcourse, being the epic ballad of: BEOWULF

► Beowulf: the earliest known recorded Beowulf: the earliest known recorded (written around 8th century) epic ballad. (written around 8th century) epic ballad. Since the poem takes place in Scandinavia, Since the poem takes place in Scandinavia, it provides some information about customs it provides some information about customs and traditions of the people of this time and and traditions of the people of this time and place:place:

► http://fred.wheatonma.edu/wordpressmu/mhttp://fred.wheatonma.edu/wordpressmu/mdrout/2007/11/26/beowulf-lines-1-11/drout/2007/11/26/beowulf-lines-1-11/

BackgroundBackground

► Unknown date of composition (roughly 8Unknown date of composition (roughly 8thth-11-11thth Century CE)Century CE) around 700 A.D. around 700 A.D.

► The story had been in circulation as an oral The story had been in circulation as an oral narrative for many years before it was written.narrative for many years before it was written.

► The action of the poem takes place around 500 ADThe action of the poem takes place around 500 AD► Poet is reviving the heroic language, style and Poet is reviving the heroic language, style and

values and pagan values of ancient Germanic oral values and pagan values of ancient Germanic oral poetrypoetry

Unknown author; possibly one Christian author in Unknown author; possibly one Christian author in Anglo-Saxon EnglandAnglo-Saxon England

•Only a single manuscript of Only a single manuscript of the poem survived the Anglo-the poem survived the Anglo-Saxon era. In the 1700’s it Saxon era. In the 1700’s it was nearly destroyed in a firewas nearly destroyed in a fire•It was not until 1936 when It was not until 1936 when

thethe Oxford scholar J.R.R Oxford scholar J.R.R Tolkien published a paper on Tolkien published a paper on the poem that it became the poem that it became popular.popular.

…….Background.Background

……BackgroundBackground► Was bound together with 4 other works in Was bound together with 4 other works in

Old English. Old English. The Passion of St. ChristopherThe Passion of St. Christopher The Wonders of the EastThe Wonders of the East Alexander’s Letter to AristotleAlexander’s Letter to Aristotle JudithJudith (a poem) (a poem)

► All have the presence of monsters, so this suggests All have the presence of monsters, so this suggests that was the common thread.that was the common thread.

Today, the manuscript is in the British Library in Today, the manuscript is in the British Library in LondonLondon

Beowulf’s Name Beowulf’s Name

► Beowulf’s father– EdgethoBeowulf’s father– Edgetho In most cases, the son is named after the father In most cases, the son is named after the father

► DonDon► Donald (son of Don)Donald (son of Don)► McDonald (son of son of Don)McDonald (son of son of Don)► McDonaldson (son of son of son of Don)McDonaldson (son of son of son of Don)

► Proves Beowulf is own individual with own powers Proves Beowulf is own individual with own powers and abilities (and more important than his father)and abilities (and more important than his father)

► Beo– BearBeo– Bear Bears are known as Great Protectors in Norse mythologyBears are known as Great Protectors in Norse mythology StrongStrong

► Wulf– WolfWulf– Wolf Wolves are also great protectors, but are also cunning and Wolves are also great protectors, but are also cunning and

speedyspeedy

Geats and Geats and DanesDanes

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

Beowulf was a war Beowulf was a war leader of the Geats, leader of the Geats, a group of people in a group of people in what is now what is now southern Swedensouthern Sweden

Hrothgar was king of Hrothgar was king of the Danesthe Danes

The Beowulf PoetThe Beowulf Poet

► The poet is ChristianThe poet is Christian► The poem reflects The poem reflects

established Christian established Christian traditiontradition

► Allusions to the Old Allusions to the Old TestamentTestament

► Beowulf is a Redeemer who Beowulf is a Redeemer who is sent by God to save man is sent by God to save man from sinfrom sin

► The price of salvation is life The price of salvation is life itselfitself

► Correspondences between Correspondences between Beowulf’s death and the Beowulf’s death and the death of Christdeath of Christ

Elements of an EpicElements of an Epic

1.1. Epic heroEpic hero– an character with a trait or – an character with a trait or characteristic that is valued by his society. characteristic that is valued by his society.

• (E.g.– Superman’s bravery or valor)(E.g.– Superman’s bravery or valor)2.2. QuestQuest– A journey through which the – A journey through which the

character or the reader learns somethingcharacter or the reader learns something3.3. Valorous DeedsValorous Deeds– Doing something – Doing something

bravely.bravely.4.4. Divine InterventionDivine Intervention– The hand of God (or – The hand of God (or

gods) help the hero, proving his value.gods) help the hero, proving his value.5.5. Great eventsGreat events– The hero has a hand in – The hero has a hand in

something important in the history or something important in the history or mythology of a culture.mythology of a culture.

2 Types of Epics2 Types of Epics

1.1. FolkFolk Told out loud first (usually by scops)Told out loud first (usually by scops) Unknown authorUnknown author Unknown datesUnknown dates (E.g.—Beowulf is a folk epic because we don’t (E.g.—Beowulf is a folk epic because we don’t

know who wrote it) know who wrote it)

2.2. LiteraryLiterary Known authorKnown author (E.g.– (E.g.– Paradise LostParadise Lost, by John Milton is a literary , by John Milton is a literary

epic because we know who wrote it.)epic because we know who wrote it.)

3 Epic Conventions3 Epic Conventions

1.1. Invoke a museInvoke a muse Muse– inspiration provided by the gods Muse– inspiration provided by the gods

2.2. Plot begins in medias resPlot begins in medias res In medias red– “In the middle of” the In medias red– “In the middle of” the

actionaction

3.3. Serious toneSerious tone

Heroic Values in BeowulfHeroic Values in Beowulf

► Relationship between Relationship between king and his warriorsking and his warriors

► The king rewards his The king rewards his warriors with giftswarriors with gifts

► If a kinsman is slain, If a kinsman is slain, obligation to kill the obligation to kill the slayer or obtain slayer or obtain payment (wergeld) in payment (wergeld) in compensationcompensation

Warrior CodeWarrior Code Comitatus: Germanic code of loyaltyComitatus: Germanic code of loyalty Thane: warrior – swears loyalty to the king Thane: warrior – swears loyalty to the king

for whom they fought and whom they for whom they fought and whom they protectedprotected

Kings: generous, protected thanesKings: generous, protected thanes Reputation: thanes were expected to be Reputation: thanes were expected to be

loyal, brave, courageous; kings were loyal, brave, courageous; kings were expected to be generous and hospitableexpected to be generous and hospitable

Wergild: “man-payment”; a fee paid to the Wergild: “man-payment”; a fee paid to the family of a slain man to atone for his family of a slain man to atone for his murder and to prevent the family from murder and to prevent the family from seeking revenge.seeking revenge.

Conflicting Christian Values and Conflicting Christian Values and Heroic ValuesHeroic Values

► This tension is at This tension is at the heart of the the heart of the poempoem

► Pagan history and Pagan history and myth are made to myth are made to point to a Christian point to a Christian moralmoral

► Beowulf is poised Beowulf is poised between two value between two value systemssystems

The Character of BeowulfThe Character of Beowulf

► He fights for personal He fights for personal honor, but is honor, but is committed to service committed to service to his own people to his own people and humanity.and humanity.

► A superhuman who A superhuman who remains recognizableremains recognizable

► Contrast old and Contrast old and young Beowulfyoung Beowulf

► Beowulf as saviorBeowulf as savior

Theme TopicsTheme Topics

► Good vs. EvilGood vs. Evil► FateFate► The Importance of The Importance of

Establishing IdentityEstablishing Identity► Tension between Tension between

Heroic Code and Heroic Code and ChristianityChristianity

► Significance of Significance of artifactsartifacts

► The pastThe past

Important Elements of the Poem Important Elements of the Poem

► Elegaic toneElegaic tone► Heroic poemHeroic poem► ContrastsContrasts

Christian and paganChristian and pagan Youth and old ageYouth and old age Rise and fall of nationsRise and fall of nations Joy and sorrowJoy and sorrow Fate and God’s willFate and God’s will ViolenceViolence IronyIrony

Literary DevicesLiterary Devices Allusion: Biblical, Germanic oral tradition, Allusion: Biblical, Germanic oral tradition,

Norse myth and legend, historical Anglo-Norse myth and legend, historical Anglo-Saxon kings (eg. King Offa of Mercia)Saxon kings (eg. King Offa of Mercia)

Alliteration (eg. Scyld’s strong son)Alliteration (eg. Scyld’s strong son) Epic poetry: a long narrative poem written Epic poetry: a long narrative poem written

in elevated style which celebrates the in elevated style which celebrates the deeds of a legendary hero or god.deeds of a legendary hero or god.

Kenning: two-word metaphorical name for Kenning: two-word metaphorical name for something (eg. whale-road=sea)something (eg. whale-road=sea)

Scop: Anglo-Saxon composers and Scop: Anglo-Saxon composers and storytellers (like minstrels or bards)storytellers (like minstrels or bards)

Sutton HookSutton Hook► Near Woodbridge, Suffolk, England, is the site of two Anglo-Near Woodbridge, Suffolk, England, is the site of two Anglo-

Saxon cemeteries of the 6th century and early 7th century. Saxon cemeteries of the 6th century and early 7th century. One contained an undisturbed ship burial including a wealth One contained an undisturbed ship burial including a wealth of Anglo-Saxon artefacts of outstanding art-historical and of Anglo-Saxon artefacts of outstanding art-historical and archaeological significance, which are now held in the British archaeological significance, which are now held in the British Museum in London. Other sites before then had already Museum in London. Other sites before then had already produced significant finds, but many had been looted.produced significant finds, but many had been looted.Burial Burial site discovered in 1939site discovered in 1939

► Important links to Anglo-Saxon world and BeowulfImportant links to Anglo-Saxon world and Beowulf► Remains of a boat were discovered and large burial chamber Remains of a boat were discovered and large burial chamber

containing numerous artifactscontaining numerous artifacts► Artifacts suggest a distinctly Christian element intermingled Artifacts suggest a distinctly Christian element intermingled

with pagan ritual.with pagan ritual.► Episodes in Beowulf now have tangible archaeological Episodes in Beowulf now have tangible archaeological

violence to add credibility to the blend of customs in the text.violence to add credibility to the blend of customs in the text.

Sutton Hoo ArtifactsSutton Hoo Artifacts

Suggested Further ReadingSuggested Further Reading

► Beowulf, A Verse Translatioin. Beowulf, A Verse Translatioin. Trans. Trans. Seamus Heaney. Ed. Daniel Donaghue. Seamus Heaney. Ed. Daniel Donaghue.

Norton Critical Edition. 2002.Norton Critical Edition. 2002.► http://www.lnstar.com/literature/beowulf/http://www.lnstar.com/literature/beowulf/

beowulf.htmlbeowulf.html► http://greenehamlet.com/beowulf-

resources/#suttonhoo► http://www.blinkx.com/watch-video/anglo-

saxon-treaure-hoard-found-in-staffordshire-field/AOyZvCEUOPurd3cSGJ05ZQ