Beowulf – 700(?)

Beowulf

This epic poem marks the beginning of English literature.It was recited by scops for about 300 years before it was written down.Only one original manuscript of the complete 3,128-line poem survives.It has lasting historical significance as a record of the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes in England.

Beowulf

Although the action takes place in 6th century Scandinavia, the poem is unmistakenly English. Beowulf is the oldest Anglo-Saxon epic poem in existence.There is a blend of Christian and pagan beliefs in the poem.

BeowulfIn 1936 Tolkien saw Beowulf as more than a historical account of the Anglo-Saxons. He saw the work as poetry; thus, the modern Beowulf scholarship was born.

Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings series were shaped by Beowulf.

Additionally, John Gardner wrote Grendal – narrated from Grendal’s point of view.

Beowulf

Recited originally in Old English, the poem is based on legends of various Northern Europeans who migrated to England.The story is simple: Grendal was terrifying the Danes, so Beowulf sails from his native Geatland (southern Sweden) to save the day in two battles. Beowulf is the hero.

Characters in Beowulf

Hrothgar = King of the DanesGrendal = a monstrous man/beastBeowulf = a future king of the Geats and a great heroHiglac = King of the Geats and a relative of Beowulf’sWiglaf = Beowulf’s nephewWyrd = the goddess of FATE

Anglo-Saxons = What did they admire in their warriors?

1. Good sportsmanship2. Endurance3. Loyalty to king4. Athletic prowess5. Bravery6. Respect for each other7. Action and fighting

An aside…

Pagans did not believe in an afterlife, so having one’s name live on after one’s death was as close to immortality as one could get.

Heroic Paradox

By dying gloriously one may achieve immortality; therefore, a hero depended on the poet/bard/scop for fame.

Anglo-Saxon poetry

Characteristics of an Anglo-Saxon poem:

1. Caesura – pause in a line2. Alliteration- repetition of initial

consonant sounds3. Kennings – metaphorical phrases, a

colorful indirect way of naming something (whale’s home = sea)

Reading Poetry – in general

Don’t stop at the end of a line, stop at the punctuation mark. The end of the line has to do with the “beat” of the line; it has nothing to do with the “meaning” of the line. Reading to the punctuation mark is called enjambment.