Beowulf Introduction
Epic
A long narrative poem about a hero and his
deeds/ reflects the values of the culture
Epic hero: larger than life/ self-confident/
values courage, honor, loyalty/ upholds the
values of his culture
Warrior’s Code
He must exhibit bravery and courage at all
times.
He then could achieve “fame”.
He must defend the ring-giver (king) even
with his life/ loyalty to one’s “liege lord,”
the king, was of utmost importance to the
Anglo-Saxons
Afterlife and Fame
The only afterlife was “fame” or being
remembered in the scops songs for one’s
courage and brave deeds.
Hyperbole: boasting about one’s
accomplishments was expected.
Weirguild
“man-price”
IF a warrior was killed even by accident, his
relatives would demand either his “manprice” or vengeance from the slayer.
The King and his Thanes
The king (or ring-giver) was protected by
his thanes’ absolute loyalty.
If he was a good king, he was generous with
his thanes and rewarded their bravery with
weapons and treasure as a sign of love.
The Musician
Bard or scop
Would insure a warrior’s immortality, and
that of the tribe, by composing and passing
down songs of their brave deeds.
This was the only afterlife they might
expect.
Monsters and Dragons
They were real.
The thanes believed in them.
When they boasted they might kill one, they
had best be prepared to meet one.
Beowulf
Composer is unknown, but was written
down by a Christian Englishman hundreds
of years later in the 10th century AD
Kenning
A special metaphor referring to ordinary
things such as the ocean and rivers as
descriptive phrases such as “whale’s road”
or “swan’s way.”
Alliteration and Caesura
Poetry had no rhyme.
Words began with the same sound
(alliteration)
Had a pause in the midst of the line
(caesura)