Beowulf Why Beowulf? Provenance Setting Poetic devices Terms Themes Why Study Beowulf?

1. Beowulf is the oldest surviving poem in the English language. As such it has influenced English literature like no other work.

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

3. Beowulf is simply good writing and a great adventure tale Beowulf’s Provenance

What we don’t know:

who wrote it when exactly it was written

how much, exactly, is based on historical truth Beowulf’s Provenance What we do know: Beowulf is the oldest surviving English poem. It’s 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. (1000’s), however… The actual poem probably dates from the 8th century (700’s) 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 Pagan. A number of scholars feel the Christian passages were added in by monks who first wrote it down in the 11th Century. Beowulf’s Provenance The poem came first and written language came later.

This story was probably passed down orally for centuries before it was first written down. It wasn’t until after the Norman Invasion (1066) that writing stories down became common in this part of the world. Setting: Beowulf’s time and place

Europe today Insert: Time of Beowulf 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 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 rhymes 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. Beowulf The Poetry of Beowulf

Beowulf was composed in Old English, which uses a caesura, or rhythmic pause, to create unity. Locate the caesura in these lines:

ða com of more under misthleoþum Grendel gongan, godes yrre bær; mynte se manscaða manna cynnes sumne besyrwan in sele þam hean.

Line divided into two parts by a caesura. Beowulf The Poetry of Beowulf

Here are the same lines in modern English from Burton Raffel’s translation:

Out from the marsh, from the foot of misty Hills and bogs, bearing God’s hatred, Grendel came, hoping to kill Anyone he could trap on this trip to high Herot.

Punctuation reproduces pause effect of the caesura. 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 The Poetry in Beowulf A few things to watch out for

3. Litotes . A negative expression; usually an understatement . Example: Hildeburh had no cause to praise the Jutes

In this example, Hildeburh’s brother has just been killed by the Jutes. This is a poetic way of telling us she hated the Jutes absolutely. Some terms you’ll want to know

scop A bard or story-teller. The scop was responsible for praising deeds of past heroes, for recording history, and for providing entertainment 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

thane A warrior; (later) a chieftan mead-hall – (named Herot) The large hall where the lord and his warriors slept, ate, held ceremonies. Represents the best that Denmark has to offer. 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. There’s a certain seriousness that accompanies most epics. Some terms you’ll want to know

elegy An elegy is a poem that is sad or mournful. The adjective is elegiac. homily A homily is a written sermon or section of the poem that gives direct advice. Themes and Important Aspects Good vs. Evil Religion: Christian and Pagan influences The use of wealth and fame in those times The importance of tribal identities The true nature of struggle The Anglo-Saxon view of Fate Loyalty and allegiance Qualities of the True Hero, then and now SOURCE: faculty.musowls.org/reese/Intro%20to%20Beowulf.ppt