Anglo-SaxonAnglo-Saxon(Beowulf)(Beowulf)

ReviewReview

BackgroundBackground► Composed around 700 A.D.Composed around 700 A.D.► The story had been in circulation as an oral narrative The story had been in circulation as an oral narrative

for many years before it was written.for many years before it was written.► The action of the poem takes place around 500 ADThe action of the poem takes place around 500 AD► Poet is reviving the heroic language, style and values Poet is reviving the heroic language, style and values

and pagan values of ancient Germanic oral poetryand pagan values of ancient Germanic oral poetry► The poem deals with ancient Germanic forebearers, The poem deals with ancient Germanic forebearers,

the Danes and the Geatsthe Danes and the Geats► Only a single manuscript of the poem survived the Only a single manuscript of the poem survived the

Anglo-Saxon era. In the 1700’s it was nearly Anglo-Saxon era. In the 1700’s it was nearly destroyed in a firedestroyed in a fire

► It was not until 1936 when the Oxford scholar J.R.R> It was not until 1936 when the Oxford scholar J.R.R> Tolkien published a paper on the poem that it Tolkien published a paper on the poem that it became popular. (who knows who this is?)became popular. (who knows who this is?)

The Beowulf PoetThe Beowulf Poet

► The poet is ChristianThe poet is Christian► The poem reflects The poem reflects

established Christian established Christian traditiontradition

► Allusions to the Old Allusions to the Old TestamentTestament

► Beowulf is a Redeemer who Beowulf is a Redeemer who is sent by God to save man is sent by God to save man from sinfrom sin

► The price of salvation is life The price of salvation is life itselfitself

► Correspondences between Correspondences between Beowulf’s death and the Beowulf’s death and the death of Christdeath of Christ

Heroic Values in BeowulfHeroic Values in Beowulf

► Relationship between Relationship between king and his warriorsking and his warriors

► The king rewards his The king rewards his warriors with giftswarriors with gifts

► If a kinsman is slain, If a kinsman is slain, obligation to kill the obligation to kill the slayer or obtain slayer or obtain payment (wergeld) in payment (wergeld) in compensationcompensation

Conflict Christian Values and Conflict Christian Values and Heroic ValuesHeroic Values

► This tension is at This tension is at the heart of the the heart of the poempoem

► Pagan history and Pagan history and myth are made to myth are made to point to a Christian point to a Christian moralmoral

► Beowulf is poised Beowulf is poised between two value between two value systemssystems

The Character of BeowulfThe Character of Beowulf

► He fights for He fights for personal honor, but personal honor, but is committed to is committed to service to his own service to his own people (his people (his thanesthanes) ) and humanity.and humanity.

► A superhuman who A superhuman who remains recognizableremains recognizable

► Contrast old and Contrast old and young Beowulfyoung Beowulf

► Beowulf as saviorBeowulf as savior

ThemesThemes

► Good vs. EvilGood vs. Evil► FateFate► The Importance of The Importance of

Establishing Establishing IdentityIdentity

► Tension between Tension between Heroic Code and Heroic Code and ChristianityChristianity

► Significance of Significance of artifactsartifacts

► The pastThe past

Important Elements of Important Elements of the Poem the Poem

► Elegaic toneElegaic tone►Heroic poemHeroic poem► ContrastsContrasts

Christian and paganChristian and pagan Youth and old ageYouth and old age Rise and fall of Rise and fall of

nationsnations Joy and sorrowJoy and sorrow Fate and God’s willFate and God’s will

ViolenceViolenceIronyIrony

Anglo-Saxon Period: 55 B.C. to A.D 1066Anglo-Saxon Period: 55 B.C. to A.D 1066► Early conquests (before A-S period): Early conquests (before A-S period):

Iberians-built Stonehenge (monoliths on Salisbury Plain); brought Stone Age weapons to BritainIberians-built Stonehenge (monoliths on Salisbury Plain); brought Stone Age weapons to Britain

Celts—farmers and hunters organized into clans with a king (called a chieftain); Druids presided Celts—farmers and hunters organized into clans with a king (called a chieftain); Druids presided over religious rituals and memorized and recited long, heroic poemsover religious rituals and memorized and recited long, heroic poems

Two Celtic Tribes:Two Celtic Tribes:

Brythons (Britons) settled on BritainBrythons (Britons) settled on Britain

Gaels settled on IrelandGaels settled on Ireland► Roman Conquest (start of A-S period):Roman Conquest (start of A-S period):

Julius Caesar wrote of his raids on islands—first recorded history of Britain (55 BC)Julius Caesar wrote of his raids on islands—first recorded history of Britain (55 BC)

Emperor Claudius drove tribes into Wales and ScotlandEmperor Claudius drove tribes into Wales and Scotland

Hadrian built wall to protect n-ern border BritainHadrian built wall to protect n-ern border Britain

*Romans ruled Brit for ~400 yrs*Romans ruled Brit for ~400 yrs► III. A-S Conquest—fierce warriors, skilled seamen:III. A-S Conquest—fierce warriors, skilled seamen:

Divided into 3 groups: Angles, Saxons, Jutes—they drove Celts into WalesDivided into 3 groups: Angles, Saxons, Jutes—they drove Celts into Wales

Celts is where we get King Arthur legendCelts is where we get King Arthur legend

Angles took over lower Brit—they became the EnglishAngles took over lower Brit—they became the English► A-S England:A-S England:

Recorded Recorded Beowulf Beowulf (1(1stst English epic poem) English epic poem)

Tribal society ruled by warring kings—protected by thanes (fighting men who pledged Tribal society ruled by warring kings—protected by thanes (fighting men who pledged allegiance to him)allegiance to him)

King rewarded w treasureKing rewarded w treasure

People gathered royal structures for safety (lg #s); main structure (mead hall)People gathered royal structures for safety (lg #s); main structure (mead hall)

Scop—singing poet for entertainmentScop—singing poet for entertainment Bretwaldas—system of ruling kings to reduce chaosBretwaldas—system of ruling kings to reduce chaos

Christianity—crucial for development of A-S culture—advanced writingChristianity—crucial for development of A-S culture—advanced writing

► Viking Era:Viking Era: Denmark, Norway area—Vik raided Brit 780s ( Denmark, Norway area—Vik raided Brit 780s (opposedopposed by Alfred by Alfred the Great)the Great)

AG est 1AG est 1stst Eng navy Eng navy

AG fortified towns as burhs (bergs). . . . aka suburbs. . . . grid patternAG fortified towns as burhs (bergs). . . . aka suburbs. . . . grid pattern

AG studied/translated Latin works, inclu Bede’s history of England into AG studied/translated Latin works, inclu Bede’s history of England into A-SA-S

► VI. Contributions of A-S to EngVI. Contributions of A-S to Eng—they were the —they were the 11stst Englishmen!! Englishmen!!

Provided its languageProvided its language

Began its literatureBegan its literature

Est traditions in law, government, religionEst traditions in law, government, religion► Beginning of Eng poetry and lit—4 characteristicsBeginning of Eng poetry and lit—4 characteristics

Love of adventureLove of adventure

Emphasis/importance of honorEmphasis/importance of honor

Awe of NATURal beautyAwe of NATURal beauty

Delight in manipulating words (Delight in manipulating words (kennings, A-S riddles)kennings, A-S riddles)

*A-S prose was *A-S prose was utilitarianutilitarian (should serve a purpose) rather than imaginative, (should serve a purpose) rather than imaginative, consisting of histories, lives of the Saints, sermonsconsisting of histories, lives of the Saints, sermons

► VIII. Kennings--VIII. Kennings--key key poetic devicepoetic device of A-S of A-S

metaphor metaphor of 2 words or phrases of 2 words or phrases INdirectlyINdirectly naming something naming something

Ring-giver—the king Life-house—the bodyRing-giver—the king Life-house—the body

Swan road—the calm sea, current Whale’s home—sea, oceanSwan road—the calm sea, current Whale’s home—sea, ocean

Sutton HooSutton Hoo

► Burial site discovered in 1939Burial site discovered in 1939► Important links to Anglo-Saxon world and Important links to Anglo-Saxon world and

BeowulfBeowulf► Remains of a boat were discovered and large Remains of a boat were discovered and large

burial chamber containing numerous artifactsburial chamber containing numerous artifacts► Artifacts suggest a distinctly Christian element Artifacts suggest a distinctly Christian element

intermingled with pagan ritual.intermingled with pagan ritual.► Episodes in Beowulf now have tangible Episodes in Beowulf now have tangible

archaeological violence to add creditability to archaeological violence to add creditability to the blend of customs in the text.the blend of customs in the text.

Sutton Hoo ImagesSutton Hoo Images

Themes of BeowulfThemes of Beowulf► Fame and Glory – What is the difference between the two?Fame and Glory – What is the difference between the two?► Self versus the WyrdSelf versus the Wyrd► Fortune – What is the purpose of amassing great fortune and fame?  Fortune – What is the purpose of amassing great fortune and fame? 

What ideal does this uphold in the Anglo-Saxon world?What ideal does this uphold in the Anglo-Saxon world?► What makes a hero?What makes a hero?► What do weapons and armor say about the individual?What do weapons and armor say about the individual?► Epic of extreme contrasts.Epic of extreme contrasts.► Struggle of human-kind.Struggle of human-kind.► The Manly Virtues – all are seen in this poem.The Manly Virtues – all are seen in this poem.► Comitatus - community of warriors - die to save prince or king.  Strict Comitatus - community of warriors - die to save prince or king.  Strict

loyalty code.loyalty code.► Interlacing Poetry - like a Celtic Knot.Interlacing Poetry - like a Celtic Knot.► Hospitality and loyalty to host and guest.Hospitality and loyalty to host and guest.► Pride as a sin - Hrothgar warns Beowulf about this - does Beowulf fall Pride as a sin - Hrothgar warns Beowulf about this - does Beowulf fall

into the trap?into the trap?► Heroic Code - tragicHeroic Code - tragic