Beowulf BEOWULF

Anglo-Saxon timeline 600 BC: Celts arrive in Britain and form tribes,

establish farms and villages and are often in conflict.

43 AD : Romans invade Britain

– Romans encounter Celts– Build roads, large buildings, sanitation system– Introduce Christianity– Romans rule for approx. 400 years.

300 AD : Irish ,Scottish and Germans invaded for plunder and slaves

410 AD : Romans leave Britain

Anglo Saxon timeline (cont)

450 AD: Jutes from Denmark and Angles and Saxons from Northern Germany invade Britain• Germanic tribes push out Celts

597 AD Anglo Saxons become Christian Anglo-Saxons dominate England for 600

years . Though this period is marked by strife and confusion, they provide a language, began its literature , establish laws, government and religion. They were the first English people.

Anglo- Saxon culture

• Lived in tribal groups• Strongest ties were to kin and Lord• Kings emerged• Spoke old English• Newly Christian but still valued

pagan ideals • Valued: Family, lineage, reputation,

virtue, and a good story. • Desired: wealth, power

Heroic code

• Derived from Anglo-Saxon Germanic roots

• Called for strength, courage and loyalty of warriors

• Called for generosity, loyalty, hospitality and political acumen of Kings

Anglo Saxon literature

Oral tradition- passed down through generations by storyteller s (called scops)

Poems had strong beat, alliterative verse and no rhyme

Caesura (a cutting) used in Old English to depict a half line. We use a comma for a modern effect. Da com of more from mistheleopum“Out of the marsh, from the foot of the hills.”Kenning: a compound metaphor that

functions as a name. Examples: Whale- road ; sky- candle; sea-steed

Beowulf: The Epic Poem

• Epic poem: a long narrative poem that describes a significant event and typically features a hero.

– Modern Examples of Epics: Star Wars; Lord of the Rings

Beowulf: The Poem

Beowulf is the oldest surviving English poem.

Poem written in Old English (Anglo-Saxon)Some characters in the poem actually existed.Only copy of manuscript written sometime around the 11th century A.D. (1000’s),

Setting:

Europe today Time of Beowulf

Set in what is now Sweden, home of the Geats.

Set as early as 400 or 500 A.D.

comitatus

Literally, this means “escort” or “comrade” lords mutually pledging loyalty to one another

Some terms you’ll want to know

Terms Continued…Mead Hall:

The large hall where the lord and his warriors slept,

ate, held ceremonies, etc.

Thane: a warrior

Wyrd

Fate. In conflict with Christian references

to God’s will

.

Themes Good vs. Evil

Religion: Christian and Pagan influences The importance of wealth and treasure

Loyalty and allegiance

The importance of the sea and sailing The sanctity of the home

Fate

Heroism and heroic deeds