BEOWULF

BEOWULFFirst epic of England

What is it?Anglo-Saxon literature (starting in 449 A.D.) takes on two typical forms: Elegiac poem: poem that grieves for the deadHeroic poem: epic verse that recounts the deeds of a famous warrior or warriorsBeowulf is the first surviving heroic poem written entirely in the English language.Dates from the 8th-11th centuries (manuscript survives from the 11th)Action takes place in sixth-century ScandinaviaOriginally told in Old English (language spoken by Anglo-Saxons in England during the years 500-1100) by scops, traveling minstrels who made their living by entertaining listeners (usually after feasting!) with poems, songs, and stories.Beowulf read aloud in Old EnglishCould have been easily lostManuscript survived in a Renaissance antiquarians possession; in 1731, the manuscript was saved from a fire but did not escape damage: 2,000 letters crumbled away from the edges of the manuscript.An Icelandic scholar (Grimur Jonsson Thorkelin) transcribed the manuscript in 1786 and published it in 1815. As the manuscript itself deteriorated further; Thorkelins work was essential for scholars to preserve certain parts of the poem. And thank goodness! Just imagine if you couldnt read Beowulf today!Many sourcesScandinavian SagasGerman Heroic PoetryIrish folk talesClassical Epics (Odysssey and Aeneid)Old TestamentNewly Christian societyHuge debate over the pagan and Christian elements in the poemThe FACTS:That the scribes of the Beowulf manuscript were Christian is beyond doubt (monks transcribing in a monastery).And, Beowulf was transcribed in Christianized England (conversion took place in the sixth and seventh centuries A.D.)YET the only Biblical references in the poem are to the Old Testament: Christ is never mentioned.Questions to ponderThe poem is set in pagan times.Beowulf does offer prayers to the Father Almighty, however.So is Beowulf a pagan who uses Christian phrases? Is Beowulf a Christian? Is the narrator a Christian? How is he describing (or even judging) this pagan society? Finally, is the poem a Christian or a pagan poem?Review Beowulf is the ________ surviving heroic poem in the English language. (most accurate, most distinguished, oldest, most violent).German storytellers who first told the tale of Beowulf were known as _______ (bards, minstrels, tenors, scops).Which of these is not a source for Beowulf?: Irish folktales, Scandinavian sagas, the New Testament, The OdysseySailAWOLNATIONAWOLNATIONMegalithic Symphony2011-03-15T07:00:00Zeileen.varga@gmail.com 2011 Red Bull Records, Inc.2013-06-02 16:28:12IODA:isrc:USP6L10000532:256