BeowulfBeowulf

Textual BackgroundTextual Background Composed around 700 A.D.Composed around 700 A.D. The story had been in circulation as an oral narrative for many The story had been in circulation as an oral narrative for many

years before it was written.years before it was written. The action of the poem takes place around 500 A.D.The action of the poem takes place around 500 A.D. Poet is reviving the heroic language, style and values and Poet is reviving the heroic language, style and values and

pagan values of ancient Germanic oral poetry.pagan values of ancient Germanic oral poetry. The poem deals with ancient Germanic forebears, the Danes The poem deals with ancient Germanic forebears, the Danes

and the Geats.and the Geats. Only a single manuscript of the poem survived the Anglo-Only a single manuscript of the poem survived the Anglo-

Saxon era. In the 1700’s it was nearly destroyed in a fireSaxon era. In the 1700’s it was nearly destroyed in a fire It was not until 1936 when the Oxford scholar J.R.R> Tolkien It was not until 1936 when the Oxford scholar J.R.R> Tolkien

published a paper on the poem that is became popular.published a paper on the poem that is became popular.

Heroic Code – code of behavior Heroic Code – code of behavior and belief for the heroand belief for the hero

StrengthStrength CourageCourage LoyaltyLoyalty HospitalityHospitality GenerosityGenerosity Honor and RemembranceHonor and Remembrance

Heroic Values Heroic Values Relationship between king and his Relationship between king and his

warriorswarriors The king rewards his warriors with The king rewards his warriors with

giftsgifts If a kinsman is slain, obligation to kill If a kinsman is slain, obligation to kill

the slayer or obtain payment the slayer or obtain payment (wergeld) in compensation(wergeld) in compensation

Pagan Versus ChristianPagan Versus Christian Honor attained Honor attained

in this life in this life through deedsthrough deeds

RetaliationRetaliation

Glory/PrideGlory/Pride

Reward is received in the afterlife

Turning the other cheek

Humility

Geats and The DanesGeats and The DanesBeowulf was a war leader of the Geats, a Beowulf was a war leader of the Geats, a group of people in what is now southern group of people in what is now southern SwedenSweden

Hrothgar was king of the DanesHrothgar was king of the Danes

Old EnglishOld English Beowulf was written in Old English, an Beowulf was written in Old English, an

early form of Englishearly form of English Old English was spoken in the Middle Ages Old English was spoken in the Middle Ages

from the 6from the 6thth century to 11 century to 11thth century BC century BC In 1066, William the Conqueror In 1066, William the Conqueror

successfully invaded England, bringing his successfully invaded England, bringing his Norman French language with him; the Norman French language with him; the nobility began to speak French, and nobility began to speak French, and gradually Old English evolved into Middle gradually Old English evolved into Middle English (1100-1500)English (1100-1500)

Oral Tradition and Tools of the Oral Tradition and Tools of the ScopScop

Scop – bard, singer, poetScop – bard, singer, poetHelping the ScopHelping the Scop Alliteration - Lade ne letton. Leoht eastan com. Alliteration - Lade ne letton. Leoht eastan com. Kennings - A metaphorical expression, usually Kennings - A metaphorical expression, usually

compound in form, that is used in place of a name or compound in form, that is used in place of a name or noun: noun: whale-roadwhale-road (for sea), (for sea), sea-horsesea-horse (for ship), and (for ship), and iron-showeriron-shower (for the rain of spears or arrows during a (for the rain of spears or arrows during a battle). battle).

Epithets - An epithet is an adjective or a brief phrase Epithets - An epithet is an adjective or a brief phrase used to characterize a person, place, or thing: ruler used to characterize a person, place, or thing: ruler of elves (Beowulf), The Lord of all Life (God) = of elves (Beowulf), The Lord of all Life (God) = summary of the character’s qualities summary of the character’s qualities

Elements of an EpicElements of an Epic

1.1. Long Narrative Poem – Long Narrative Poem – formal, elevated styleformal, elevated style2.2. Epic heroEpic hero– a character with a trait or – a character with a trait or

characteristic that is valued by his society characteristic that is valued by his society 2.2. QuestQuest– A journey through which the character – A journey through which the character

or the reader learns somethingor the reader learns something3.3. Valorous DeedsValorous Deeds– Doing something bravely– Doing something bravely4.4. Divine InterventionDivine Intervention– The hand of God (or – The hand of God (or

gods) help the hero, proving his value.gods) help the hero, proving his value.5.5. Great eventsGreat events– The hero has a hand in – The hero has a hand in

something important in the history or mythology something important in the history or mythology of a culture.of a culture.

Types of EpicsTypes of Epics1.1. FolkFolk

Told out loud first (usually by scops)Told out loud first (usually by scops) Unknown authorUnknown author Unknown datesUnknown dates

2.2. LiteraryLiterary Known authorKnown author ((Paradise LostParadise Lost by John Milton is a by John Milton is a

literary epic)literary epic)