Beowulf

1
(No Transcript)
2
Beowulf is an epic

• An epic is a long poem about a larger than life
  hero.

3
Characteristics of an epic

• A loyal hero with great strength.
• Broad setting which includes upper and lower
  worlds.
• The hero does great deeds or goes on long
  journeys.
• Supernatural beings are involved.
• Poetic language.

4
Epic Hero

• Characteristics of the Epic Hero
• Super strong a man of stature or nobility (but
  still mortal)
• Reflects the values or heroic ideals of his
  society
• Extremely loyal to his leader and people.
• Brave and courageous.
• Victorious in battle never gives up
• Selflessly fights evil to rid society of danger.
• Has a god-fashioned weapon
• Receives help from the gods
• Is glorified by the people he saves

5
Why is Beowulf Special?

• Oldest surviving epic in British Literature.
• Written in Old English between 700-750.
• Depicts life in Anglo-Saxon times.

6
Beowulf, The Manuscript

• Story passed down through oral tradition.
• Was later written down by two scribes.
• Dates back to 1000 CE.
• Exists in a single Anglo-Saxon manuscript.
• A fire in 1731 damaged it.
• First translated into Latin in 1815.
• Translated into Modern English in 1837.
• The British Library in London now owns it.

7
A peek at OldEnglish
N\My documents\Department Documents\English
IV\1st six weeks - anglo-saxon,
Beowulf\Beowulf\Beowulf Prologue in Old
English.mht
8
What is Old English?

• It is also called Anglo-Saxon.
• It is a mixture of Celtic, Roman and Anglo-Saxon.
• It was spoken for a period of 700 years from
  Anglo-Saxon invasion (5th century) until 1066
  when the Normans invaded.
• It has Germanic origin eg, compare the modern
  Good day to Old Englishs Gódne dæg and to the
  Germans Guten Tag.

9
The Anglo-Saxon folk tale originated from oral
tradition, sung by a harpist-bard for kings and
their guests in great halls to entertain and to
encourage the values of the tribe 1. Honoring
courage over long life. 2. Enjoying feasting,
storytelling, and music. 3.Viewing life
fatalistically, even within the Christian
tradition. 4. Admiring physical strength more
than mental acuity. 5. Valuing loyalty to the
lord or king above all.
10
The Setting

• The story is set in 6th Century Scandinavia.
• It has a historical perspective, recording the
  culture and beliefs of the period.
• Beowulfs kingdom would have been what is now
  Southern Sweden

North Sea
Baltic Sea
11
The Story

• Beowulf tackles three enemies
• He fights and kills the monster Grendel.
• He fights and kills Grendels mother.
• He fights and kills the Dragon

12
Recurring Themes
The importance of establishing identity (family
lineage.) Loyalty to ones king and people is
paramount Heroic deeds are rewarded Fame can
be achieved Good vs. Evil. When humans remain
loyal and sacrifice for those in need, even
though it may be painful, good will triumph over
evil.
13
Code of Ethics

• A code of conduct that called for a close
  allegiance between a leader and his followers.
• Loyalty and bravery were rewarded with treasure
  and armor.
• Ones rich armor was viewed as a symbol of ones
  success and bravery in battle.

14
Literary Devices in Beowulf

• Alliteration - repetition of initial consonant
  sounds in neighboring words eg, sweet smell of
  success, a dime a dozen, jump for joy.
• In Beowulf, there are three alliterations in
  every line
• Now Beowulf bode in the burg of the Scyldings,
  leader beloved, and long he ruled in fame with
  all folk since his father had gone

15
Literary Devices in Beowulf

• Kenning - a literary device in which a noun is
  renamed in a creative way using a compound word
  or union of two separate words to combine ideas.
• Examples
• Whale-road (sea)
• Ring-giver (king)
• Battle-friend (arrow)
• Bone house (body)

16
Literary Devices in Beowulf

• Caesura rhythm created by pauses. Usually in the
  first half of a line there will be two
  alliterated sounds and then a pause, followed by
  another alliterated sound.
• Ex 5218 And then, in the morning, this
  mead-hall glittering/

17
and finally

• We have epic poems to
• record and chronicle ones heroic deeds.
• preserve history.
• achieve immortality.
• reward courage and loyalty.
• entertain and flatter.