Beowulf Why Beowulf? Provenance Setting Poetic devices Terms Themes Why Study Beowulf? 1. Beowulf is the oldest poem in the English language, so everything written since Beowulf stems from it in some way

2. The story of Beowulf encompasses common themes that we still see in English literature today

3. Studying Old English improves your understanding of modern English 4. It’s a great story Beowulf’s Provenance

What we don’t know:

who wrote it when exactly it was written

how much, exactly, is based on historical truth Setting: Beowulf’s time and place

Although Beowulf was written in English, it is set in what is now Sweden, where a tribe called the Geats lived.

The story may take place as early as 400 or 500 A.D.

Anglo-Saxons, 449-1066 B. C. 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 Setting: Beowulf’s time and place

Europe today Insert: Time of Beowulf Beowulf was orally passed down

scop A bard or story-teller. The scop was responsible for praising deeds of past heroes, for recording history, and for providing entertainment The Poetry in Beowulf A few things to watch out for 1. Alliterative verse a. Repetition of initial sounds of words (occurs in every line) b. Generally, four feet/beats per line c. A caesura, or pause, between beats two and four d. No rhyme The Poetry in Beowulf A few things to watch out for

Alliterative verse – an example from Beowulf:

Oft Scyld Scefing sceapena praetum, Monegum maegpum meodo-setla ofteah; Egsode Eorle, syddan aerest weard. The Poetry in Beowulf A few things to watch out for

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. The Poetry in Beowulf A few things to watch out for

2. Kennings a. Compound metaphor (usually two words) b. Most were probably used over and over

For instance: hronade literally means “whale- road,” but can be translated as “sea” The Poetry in Beowulf A few things to watch out for Other kennings from Beowulf: banhus = “bone-house” = body goldwine gumena = “gold-friend of men” = generous prince beaga brytta = “ring-giver” = lord beadoleoma = “flashing light” = sword Some terms you’ll want to know

thane A warrior

mead-hall The large hall where the lord and his warriors slept, ate, held ceremonies, etc. Some terms you’ll want to know

comitatus Literally, this means “escort” or “comrade” This term identifies the concept of warriors and lords mutually pledging their loyalty to one another Some terms you’ll want to know

Weregild Literally, this means "man price"

If property was stolen, or someone was injured or killed, the guilty person would have to pay weregild as restitution to the victim's family or to the owner of the property Some terms you’ll want to know

wyrd Fate. This idea crops up a lot in the poem, while at the same time there are Christian references to God’s will. Some terms you’ll want to know

epic

Beowulf is an epic poem. This means it has a larger-than life hero and the conflict is of universal importance. Themes and Important Aspects Good vs. Evil Religion: Christian and Pagan influences The importance of wealth and treasure The importance of the sea and sailing The sanctity of the home Fate Loyalty and allegiance Heroism and heroic deeds