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Beowulf Part I.

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Beowulf Part I.

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  1. Warm up: • What are the qualities you look for in a modern hero? Provide a detailed example, by describing the deeds of a person you consider heroic.

  2. Anglo-Saxon Period • The Anglo-Saxon period is the earliest recorded time period in English history.

  3. The Anglo-Saxon period ranges from 449-1066. • It ends with the Battle of Hastings where the French, under the leadership of William the Conqueror invaded England.

  4. Anglo-Saxon Literature • Few people read in this period • Oral tradition – was performed and/or sung by a Bard (Scop) from memory in Old English • This is why there are often several versions of the same story. • Scops – poet/minstrels • Authors were unknown

  5. THE STORY OF BEOWULF • Beowulf marks the beginning of English literature • Beowulf is one of the earliest known pieces of literature known in the English language; written in Old English • For over 200 years, Beowulf was told over and over again, passed down through the oral tradition.

  6. The story of Beowulf wasn’t written down until about 700 AD by “The Beowulf Poet” who is unknown. He wrote down the poem which for many years had been only sung or spoken.

  7. What’sitallabout? • Beowulfis an ancientepicpoem. • The character of Beowulf is a warrior from the Geat tribe (from what is now southern Sweden). • Beowulf uses his superhuman strength and sense ofdutytofightoffthreemonsters: • Grendel,whoisterrorizingtheDanetribe (in whatisnow Denmark) • Grendel’smother,whowantsrevengeon theDanesforGrendel’sdeath • Adragonthat threatens theGeats OneinterpretationofGrendel ©2022BritLitWit

  8. OriginsofBeowulf • Manyscholars believeBeowulfwasfirst developed in the 700sCE andretold aloudinvariousversionsbeforeitwas written downaround 1000 CE. • Beowulf takes place in what is now Sweden and Denmark(i.e. Scandinavia),butitwaswritten in what is now England. • Tribes from ScandinaviacalledtheAngles, Saxons,and Jutesmigrated toEnglandand broughtwiththemlegendsofbattlesand peoplethatwereimportanttotheirculture. For short, historiansusethe name “Anglo-Saxon”fortheculturethat was prominent in England duringthe earlypart ofthefirstmillenniumCE.

  9. Contains specific Motifs • Motifs – a motif is a recurring theme or image in a work of literature • Biblical and Christian Allusions • Pagan Customs • Social Customs • Traits of the Warrior • Beowulf Boasts

  10. Scholars believe “The Beowulf Poet” was most likely a Christian monk, thus adding a Christian perspective to the writing.

  11. CulturalvaluesrepresentedinBeowulf • The writer ofthe originalBeowulf manuscript tellsthestoryin a way thatreflectsadoubleperspective: • The writer (who was likely a monk) brings a monotheistic, Christian worldview, which was a relatively new beliefsystemintheareaandwould havebeena lateradditiontothestory. • However, the tribes the writer describes in the storyare pre-Christiansocieties. ©2022BritLitWit

  12. There is only one original Beowulf manuscript existing today. It is in the British History Museum in London.

  13. What Is an Epic?

  14. BEOWULF is an EPIC poem. • EPIC – a long, narrative poem that relates the great deeds of a larger-than-life hero who embodies the values of a particular society.

  15. CulturalvaluesrepresentedinBeowulf • ThecharactersofBeowulfdemonstrate howtheirtribalsocietieswere held togetherby the loyaltybetween a lord and hiswarriors(known asthanes). • Thebond between thelordandthaneswas called comitatus: The lord rewarded his warriorswithtreasureinreturnfortheir loyalty,performanceinbattle,andpromiseto avengethelord’sdeath ifnecessary. • Constant feuding across tribes prioritized the need for strong fighters to protect the community. Those who succeededachieved high status.

  16. CulturalvaluesrepresentedinBeowulf • Tobeanoutlawor someonewho livedonthe fringeoftribalsociety was considered to be a frightening andevenimmoralcondition. • The representationofthemonster Grendel,wholivesina swampaway from thecommunityand attacks at nightreflectsthefear oftheoutcast state. • Grendel attacks Heorot, the mead-hallwhichis the gathering place at the center of the community that symbolizes belonging. Amodernreplicaofabuildingsimilartothe mead-halldescribedinBeowulf

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