British%20Literature

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British Literature

• Unit 1
• The Anglo-Saxons 450-1100

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Celtic Britain

• Britain first mentioned by ancient Greeks
• Legendary remote and mysterious
• Romans found the island occupied by Celtic
  Britons
• (related to the Celtic of Western Europe
  conquered by the Romans)
• During 5th century, Romans left the Celtic people
  to find their own means of defense

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Rise of the Anglo-Saxons

• Brief military success under leadership of King
  Arthur, medieval legend
• Celtic Britain culture collapsed by 600
• Attacked by enemies, German tribes from across
  the North Sea
• From 600-850, the Anglo-Saxons, wealthy
  independent lords and kings, fought amongst
  themselves

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Anglo-Saxon
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Fall of Anglo-Saxons

• Viking Danes began to attack and were defeated
• In 1066, the Normans invaded from across the
  English Channel instituted their own culture,
  bringing an end to the Anglo-Saxons

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Anglo-Saxon Culture

• Well developed society organized around the
  family, the clan, the tribe, and the kingdom
• 2 classes The eorls, ruling class
• The ceorls, bondsmen, ancestors were
  former slaves
• King relied on witan, wise men

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Anglo-Saxon Social Life

• Center of social life was the mead hall
• Professional singers, scops, entertained
• served as poets and chroniclers
• kept stories alive
• Until end of 6th century, worshipped pagan
  gods---associated with Norse mythology now

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Rise of Christianity

• At first, Christianity had little impact
• Until Augustine, a missionary, converted King
  Ethelbert of Kent in 597
• Within 2 generations, Christianity spread
  throughout England
• Missionaries brought education and culture
• Christianity influenced literature, as monks
  recorded poetry that had been oral
• Yet Anglo-Saxons still clung to pagan
  superstitions and customs

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Anglo Saxon Literature

• Anglo-Saxons brought literary traditions from the
  continent
• Brought oral literature steeped in pagan beliefs
• Focused on the brave and heroic deeds of warriors
  possessing valued attributes
• Only surviving full length epic in Old English
  (from this tradition) is Beowulf

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Anglo Saxon Poetry

• The lyric and the riddle
• The lyric is personal and emotional
• The riddle describes person or object
• Both reveal
• love of language
• terror of northern winter
• awareness of death
• reverence fear of the sea

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Audio Clip