intro to “beowulf”. background info beowulf is to england what homer’s iliad and odyssey are...

Intro to “Beowulf”Intro to “Beowulf”

Background InfoBackground Info

Beowulf is to England what Homer’s Iliad Beowulf is to England what Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey are to ancient Greeceand Odyssey are to ancient Greece

It is important because it is the first great It is important because it is the first great work of the English national literature-work of the English national literature-shows the beginnings of English shows the beginnings of English civilizationcivilization

Background InfoBackground Info The epic tells the story of Beowulf (his The epic tells the story of Beowulf (his

name may mean “bear”), a Geat from name may mean “bear”), a Geat from Sweden who crosses the sea to Sweden who crosses the sea to Denmark in a quest to rescue King Denmark in a quest to rescue King Hrothgar from the demonic monster Hrothgar from the demonic monster Grendel.Grendel.


Beowulf is Beowulf is oral artoral art (a.k.a.) (a.k.a.) oral epic-oral epic-heroic story passed down from heroic story passed down from generation to generationgeneration to generation

It was composed in Old English, It was composed in Old English, probably probably in Northumbria in northeast England, in Northumbria in northeast England, sometimesometime between the years 700 and between the years 700 and 750.750.


Scene-NorthumbriaScene-Northumbria Many Christian references, so it could Many Christian references, so it could

have been written by a monkhave been written by a monk

Beowulf: People, Beowulf: People, Monsters, and Places Monsters, and Places

Beowulf: a Geat, son of Edgetho and Beowulf: a Geat, son of Edgetho and nephew of Higlac, king of the Geats. nephew of Higlac, king of the Geats. Higlac is both Beowulf’s feudal lord and Higlac is both Beowulf’s feudal lord and his uncle. his uncle.

http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/07_02/beowulf2SCPE2507_468x322.jpg

Beowulf: People, Beowulf: People, Monsters, and PlacesMonsters, and Places

Brecca: chief of the Brondings, a tribe, Brecca: chief of the Brondings, a tribe, and Beowulf’s friend. and Beowulf’s friend.


Grendel: man-eating monster who lives Grendel: man-eating monster who lives at the bottom of a foul mere, or mountain at the bottom of a foul mere, or mountain lake. His name might be related to the lake. His name might be related to the Old Norse grindill, meaning “storm,” or Old Norse grindill, meaning “storm,” or grenja, “to bellow.”grenja, “to bellow.”

http://www.courier-journal.com/blogs/vel05/uploaded_images/grendel1-790559.jpg


Herot: golden guest-hall built by King Hrothgar, Herot: golden guest-hall built by King Hrothgar, the Danish ruler. It was decorated with the the Danish ruler. It was decorated with the antlers of stags; the name means “hart [stag] antlers of stags; the name means “hart [stag] hall.” Scholars think Herot might have been hall.” Scholars think Herot might have been built near Lejre on the coast of Zealand, in built near Lejre on the coast of Zealand, in Denmark.Denmark.

http://home.sou.edu/~hedges/hedges/Sodashop/Classes/108/Herot.htm


Hrothgar: king of the Danes, builder of Hrothgar: king of the Danes, builder of Herot. He had once befriended Beowulf’s Herot. He had once befriended Beowulf’s father. His father was called Healfdane father. His father was called Healfdane (which probably means “half Dane”). (which probably means “half Dane”). Hrothgar’s name might mean “glory Hrothgar’s name might mean “glory spear” or “spear of triumph.” spear” or “spear of triumph.”

http://i.thisislondon.co.uk/i/pix/2007/11/beowulf5_243x187.jpg


Unferth: one of Hrothgar’s courtiers, reputed to be a skilled warrior.

His sword, called Hrunting, is used by Beowulf in a later battle.

http://www.filmdope.com/Gallery/ActorsM/10949-27116.gif


Welthow:Welthow: Hrothgar’s wife, queen of the Hrothgar’s wife, queen of the Danes. Danes.

http://www.aveleyman.com/FilmCredit.aspx?FilmID=27116


WiglafWiglaf: a Geat warrior, one of Beowulf’s : a Geat warrior, one of Beowulf’s select band, and the only one to help him select band, and the only one to help him in his final fight with the dragon. Wiglaf in his final fight with the dragon. Wiglaf might be related to Beowulf. might be related to Beowulf.

http://www.aveleyman.com/FilmCredit.aspx?FilmID=27116

The Epic Hero The Epic Hero

Beowulf, like all epic heroes, has superior Beowulf, like all epic heroes, has superior physical strength and is supremely physical strength and is supremely ethical. In his quest, he must defeat ethical. In his quest, he must defeat monsters that embody dark, destructive monsters that embody dark, destructive powers. At the end of the quest, he is powers. At the end of the quest, he is glorified by the people he has saved. glorified by the people he has saved.

The Epic HeroThe Epic Hero

The The epic hero epic hero is the central figure in a is the central figure in a long narrative that reflects the values and long narrative that reflects the values and heroic ideals of a particular society.heroic ideals of a particular society.

An An epicepic is a quest story on a grand is a quest story on a grand scale. scale.

Quickwrite Quickwrite

Take notes on three contemporary Take notes on three contemporary fictional heroes from novels, films, or fictional heroes from novels, films, or even comics or television.even comics or television.

Spiderman, Obama, Justin Morneau, Spiderman, Obama, Justin Morneau,

Princess Diana Princess Diana

QuickwriteQuickwrite

Pick one of them, and briefly analyze him Pick one of them, and briefly analyze him or her using these questions: or her using these questions:

• • What sort of evil or oppression do they What sort of evil or oppression do they confront? confront?

• • Why do they do it? What’s their Why do they do it? What’s their motivation? motivation?

• • For whom do they do it? For whom do they do it? • • What virtues do they represent? What virtues do they represent?

QuickwriteQuickwrite

Now discuss some of the heroes you and Now discuss some of the heroes you and your classmates chose. Do they all seem your classmates chose. Do they all seem to qualify as hero-types, or do some of to qualify as hero-types, or do some of them fall short in one way or another? them fall short in one way or another?

ResourcesResources

http://www.nexuslearning.net/books/Elements_of_Lit_Course6/Anglo_Saxon_Period/Beowulf%20Intro.htm

intro to “beowulf”. background info beowulf is to england what homer’s iliad and odyssey are...

Documents

beowulf slide

places beowulf

story of beowulf

background info beowulf

epic hero beowulf

monk slide

places wiglaf

places hrothgar