The Early Days of The Early Days of EnglandEngland

Too many ideas, too little landToo many ideas, too little land

The PagansThe Pagans

Mostly farmers Mostly farmers Included Celts, Gaels, BritonsIncluded Celts, Gaels, Britons

These people were from Ireland, Wales, These people were from Ireland, Wales, and Englandand England

They worshipped Pagan gods They worshipped Pagan gods Druids spent their time performing Druids spent their time performing

rituals, sacrifices, and memorizing long, rituals, sacrifices, and memorizing long, mythical poems to preserve ideas of the mythical poems to preserve ideas of the pastpast

They were the only people that could read They were the only people that could read and write during this timeand write during this time

The PagansThe Pagans

Stonehenge is a Stonehenge is a great example of great example of some of the some of the secret druid secret druid rituals. Nobody rituals. Nobody really knows what really knows what a henge is today.a henge is today.

Click here for a Click here for a few theories…few theories…

Roman ConquestRoman Conquest

The Romans conquered the The Romans conquered the region and ruled it for over region and ruled it for over 300 years300 years

Romans pushed Christianity Romans pushed Christianity on them, but in an on them, but in an interesting way…interesting way…

After a time, the Romans left After a time, the Romans left England to defend RomeEngland to defend Rome

A new group of Pagans called A new group of Pagans called the Anglo Saxons then the Anglo Saxons then made their move on made their move on EnglandEngland

The Anglo SaxonsThe Anglo Saxons

A barbaric, A barbaric, Germanic style Germanic style peoplepeople

Scared the Scared the Christian Celts into Christian Celts into fleeing with their fleeing with their religionreligion

Ruled England for Ruled England for many yearsmany years

A Time of TroubleA Time of Trouble

With the Gaels, Celts, Britons, and With the Gaels, Celts, Britons, and Anglo Saxons all in one area there Anglo Saxons all in one area there was lots of fightingwas lots of fighting

Christians were able to further their Christians were able to further their own cause by helping to keep the own cause by helping to keep the peacepeace

Eventually, the area known as Briton Eventually, the area known as Briton became Christian once again.became Christian once again.

Where Does Beowulf Fit In???Where Does Beowulf Fit In??? Beowulf was originally Beowulf was originally

an oral poeman oral poem Started by the druidsStarted by the druids Originally told in Old Originally told in Old

EnglishEnglish Not written down until Not written down until

after Christianity took a after Christianity took a foothold in Englandfoothold in England

Pagan and Christian Pagan and Christian ElementsElements

An Old English SampleAn Old English Sample

im ða Scyld gewat to gescæphwileim ða Scyld gewat to gescæphwilefelahror feran on frean wære.felahror feran on frean wære.Hi hyne þa ætbæron to brimes Hi hyne þa ætbæron to brimes faroðe,faroðe,swæse gesiþas, swa he selfa bæd,swæse gesiþas, swa he selfa bæd,þenden wordum weold wine þenden wordum weold wine Scyldinga;Scyldinga;leof landfruma lange ahte. leof landfruma lange ahte.

Epic Hero StyleEpic Hero Style

LONG!!!! So long that it can’t be LONG!!!! So long that it can’t be done in one sitting (Orally, done in one sitting (Orally, remember)remember)

Tale of the tribeTale of the tribe There’s a cycleThere’s a cycle

The Epic Hero CycleThe Epic Hero Cycle

A changeA change A testA test Various mythical, human, or animal helpersVarious mythical, human, or animal helpers Main antagonist, usually supernaturalMain antagonist, usually supernatural Magical unreal world that the hero can visit Magical unreal world that the hero can visit

but normal humans cannotbut normal humans cannot An escape from the questAn escape from the quest ResurrectionResurrection RestorationRestoration

What modern stories also fit this What modern stories also fit this pattern? There are a few.pattern? There are a few.

A changeA change A testA test Various mythical, human, or animal helpersVarious mythical, human, or animal helpers Main antagonist, usually supernaturalMain antagonist, usually supernatural Magical unreal world that the hero can visit Magical unreal world that the hero can visit

but normal humans cannotbut normal humans cannot An escape from the questAn escape from the quest ResurrectionResurrection RestorationRestoration

Modern Epic Hero CyclesModern Epic Hero Cycles

Click on Obi Wan and Aragorn to find information on how these stories fulfill the epic hero cycle

Guide for StudyGuide for Study

How do the Pagan and Christian How do the Pagan and Christian elements play off of each other?elements play off of each other?

What can we tell about Anglo Saxon What can we tell about Anglo Saxon culture from their ideas of heroes?culture from their ideas of heroes?

What elements in the text suggest What elements in the text suggest that Beowulf was once an oral poem?that Beowulf was once an oral poem?

How does imagery evoke feelings of How does imagery evoke feelings of good and evil in Beowulf?good and evil in Beowulf?

Coincidence or Planned??Coincidence or Planned??

BacBackk