Beowulf: The Beginnings of English Literature

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BeowulfThe Beginnings of English Literature
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Origins

• Unknown author possibly one Christian author in
  Anglo-Saxon England
• Unknown date of composition (roughly 8th-11th
  Century CE)

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Literary Devices

• Allusion Biblical, Germanic oral tradition,
  Norse myth and legend, historical Anglo-Saxon
  kings (eg. King Offa of Mercia)
• Alliteration (eg. Scylds strong son)
• Epic poetry a long narrative poem written in
  elevated style which celebrates the deeds of a
  legendary hero or god.
• Kenning two-word metaphorical name for something
  (eg. whale-roadsea)
• Scop Anglo-Saxon composers and storytellers
  (like minstrels or bards)

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Warrior Code

• Comitatus Germanic code of loyalty
• Thane warrior swears loyalty to the king for
  whom they fought and whom they protected
• Kings generous, protected thanes
• Reputation thanes were expected to be loyal,
  brave, courageous kings were expected to be
  generous and hospitable
• Wergild man-payment a fee paid to the family
  of a slain man to atone for his murder and to
  prevent the family from seeking revenge.

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Geats and Danes

• Beowulf was a war leader of the Geats, a group of
  people in what is now southern Sweden
• Hrothgar was king of the Danes

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Old English

• Beowulf was written in Old English, an early form
  of English
• Old English was spoken in the Middle Ages from
  about 6th century to 11th century CE
• In 1066, William the Conqueror successfully
  invaded England, bringing his Norman French
  language with him the nobility began to speak
  French, and gradually Old English evolved into
  Middle English (1100-1500) Whan that Aprill,
  with his shoures soote/The droghte of March hath
  perced to the roote
• Modern English has been spoken since the
  Renaissance Shakespeare is NOT Old English he
  is Early Modern English

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What do I need to know?

• As we read, make a list of characters and their
  traits try two-column notes
• Make note of any literary devices used
• Note any words with which you are unfamiliar if
  necessary, define them
• Think about how this epic is like The Odyssey or
  other epics youve read
• Think about other works of literature that relate
  to Beowulf

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