INTRODUCTION TO BEOWULFMs. Beauchamp’s English IV Class

BEOWULF – AN EPIC

An epic is sometimes called a heroic poem.

Examples of epic poems are: Beowulf, the Iliad, and the Odyssey.

Epics are long narratives about the adventures of larger-than-life characters.

CHARACTERISTICS OF EPICS

Long narrative Hero is a great leader strongly identified with a

particular people or society Setting is broad and often includes the upper

and lower worlds Hero does great deeds in battle or undertakes an

extraordinary journey Sometimes the gods or other

supernatural or fantastic beings take part in the action

CHARACTERISTICS OF AN EPIC HERO

Central figure in a long narrative Reflects the values and heroic ideals of a

particular society Superior physical strength Very ethical Has spiritual powers Mighty leader of his people Mixture of divine and human birth

(weaknesses because of humanity)

IMPORTANCE OF BEOWULF

Beowulf is to England what Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey are to ancient Greece.

It is the first great work of the English national literature – the mythical and literary record of a formative stage of English civilization.

It is an epic of the heroic sources of English culture.

It uses many traditional recurring elements associated with other heroic world literature.

BACKGROUND OF BEOWULF

Name “Beowulf” may mean “bear” Story of a Geat from Sweden who

crosses the sea to Denmark Quest to rescue King Hrothgar from the

demonic monster Grendel Story of dream and legend, monsters

and god-fashioned weapons Deals with fights with dragons and the

underworld

HOW THE STORY CAME TO US

Oral Art Based on folk legends-Celtic and Scandinavian Handed down, with changes and

embellishments, from one bard to another Harpist-bards shared these stories in

communal halls in the evenings Contains approximately 3200 lines, which is

relatively short when compared to other epics Of the modern retelling, we will be studying

842 lines divided into 17 parts.

WHEN AND WHERE IT CAME FROM

Composed in Old English In Northumbria in northeast England Between the years of 700 and 750 A.D. Given the Christian elements, the poet may have

been a monk. Only manuscript we have dates from year 1000

and is in the British Museum in London. It was discovered in the 18th century, and is burned

and stained. It somehow survived King Henry VIII’s destruction

of the monasteries two hundred years earlier.

BEOWULF MANUSCRIPT

BEOWULF CHARACTERS

Beowulf: a Geat, son of Edgetho and nephew of Higlac, king of the Geats. Higlac is Beowulf’s feudal lord and his uncle.

Brecca: Chief of the Brondings, a tribe, and Beowulf’s friend.

Grendel: Man-eating monster who lives at the bottom of a foul swamp (or mountain lake).

Herot: Golden guest hall built by King Hrothgar, the Danish ruler. Might have been built on the coast of Zealand, in Denmark.

MORE CHARACTERS

Hrothgar: King of the Danes, builder of Herot. He had once befriended Beowulf’s father.

Unferth: One of Hrothgar’s courtiers, reputed to be a skilled warrior. His sword, called Hrunting, is used by Beowulf in a later battle.

Welthow: Hrothgar’s wife, queen of the Danes. Wiglaf: A Geat warrior, one of Beowulf’s select

band, and the only one to help him in his final battle with the dragon. Wiglaf might be related to Beowulf.

RELIGIOUS ELEMENTS

This poem is full of religious elements, even though its basis may be a pagan heroic code.

The poet sings to the “Almighty,” and many references are made to God, God’s creation, and the need to thank God.

Most importantly, it indicates that it is God who leads Beowulf to victory of Grendel’s mother.