Monday, Sept. 27 * "Beowulf" Notes * Time to work on reading logs Put your "Beowulf" packets in the basket before the bell! Sep 93:02 PM : ote e n ic s a Ple an ep , as oem is p ulf w Beo ither or e ed iciz ed ital erlin und hen in w sed cus ing! s i t d wri BEOWULF • The oldest surviving piece of AngloSaxon literature • Only manuscript we have is from the year 1000 & is stored at the British Library • composed btwn. years A.D. 700750, but the story takes place much earlier (around 520) • written in what is now called Old English • it somehow survived Henry VIII's burning of the monasteries he parted with the church b/c the Pope wouldn't give him dispensation to divorce and marry Anne Bolin • first translated from Old English (AngloSaxon) in 1815 Sep 94:01 PM 1 BEOWULF • Even though Beowulf is the oldest surviving English epic, it is not set in England and its characters are not English. • In the 400s, Germanic peoples known as Anglo Saxons invaded the territory that would become known as England • They brought the story of Beowulf with them. • The text of Beowulf shows both Norse pagan belief and Christianity, often in the same line. Sep 94:01 PM BEOWULF - tHE pOET • AngloSaxon Storyteller = SCOP (pronounced "shop") • HISTORIAN OF A CULTURE • PASSED DOWN HISTORY THROUGH RECITING POEMS • Beowulf existed through oral tradition for an estimated 300 years passed on from one scop (shop) to another BEOWULF's Scop • Author unknown • Probably written by one man • Lived in what is now England • Probably Christian • Was highly skilled in poetic technique • Was thoroughly familiar with the traditions and legends of early Germanic culture Sep 94:01 PM 2 BEOWULF - lANGUAGE AngloSaxon scops relied on certain poetic devices to aid their memory and give their poems structure and impact. These devices can be found in Beowulf: • Alliteration repetition of similiar sounds at the beggining of words • Kennings a metaphorical phrase or compound word used to name something indirectly "WHALE-ROAD" = SEA "sHEPHERD OF EVIL" = gRENDEL • Caesura forced pause in the MIDDLE of a line of poetry Sep 94:01 PM BEOWULF - lANGUAGE Old English/AngloSaxon Poetry original lines were divided in half with white space = CAESURA (forced pause in the middle of a line of poetry) 2 stressed syllables in the first half of the line with 2 ALLITERATIONS 2 stressed syllables in the second half of the line with 1 ALLITERATION Old English Translation Sep 94:01 PM 3 BEOWULF - lANGUAGE Alliteration repetition of sounds at the beginning of words Old English Translation Sep 94:01 PM BEOWULF - lANGUAGE Kennings special kinds of metaphors that use compound words, prepositional phrases, or possessives to name a person, place, thing, or event indirectly. Sep 94:01 PM 4 BEOWULF - an epic • Epics were originally sang or recited orally with musical accompaniment. • At that time, very few people could read. • Audiences were enthralled by monsters, perilous journeys, and fierce battles. • The AngloSaxons, in their primitive and harsh environment, demanded of their heroes: *largerthanlife *elevate social status *courage *physical strength *loyalty to a tribal king * wisdom in guiding others *supreme selfconfidence • The heroes in Beowulf meet these qualifications Sep 94:01 PM BEOWULF - an epic Characteristics of an Epic Hero: • • • • • • Embodies the goals & values of a culture Is on a quest Supernatural integrity, strength, intelligence, and courage Actions are of interest to the gods & they interfere Has flaws & faces challenges because of his flaws Is honored after death Sep 94:01 PM 5 BEOWULF - an epic • is to England what The Iliad & The Odyssey are to Greece These are LITERARY EPICS • Beowulf is an early AngloSaxon FOLK EPIC. *a long narrative poem that recounts, in formal language, the exploits of a largerthanlife hero *the epic hero is usually a man of high social status and is often important in the history of his people • Epic Poem Characteristics: *Long goal or journey *Superhuman deeds *Many obstacles that test bravery *Interference of the gods or supernatural *Huge setting *Purpose to teach & inspire *Main character is a hero (or capable of being a hero) *Long narrative poem Sep 94:01 PM BEOWULF - the Details • Setting When? The 6th Century Where? The Geats Scandinavia The Danes • Characters The people are the Geats from southern Sweden and the Danes from Denmark Sep 94:01 PM 6 Sep 104:49 AM Who's Who? Why am I not italicized or underlined? BEOWULF Haven't we seen this image a lot? • Beowulf was a brave warrior who vanquished evil monsters. • He embodies courage, loyalty, and generosity. • He traveled to Denmark from his home in Geatland (now southern Sweden) to slay Grendel. Sep 71:27 PM 7 Who's Who? Grendel • An enormous ogre or demonlike creature • A descendent of the biblical Cain Adam and Eve had two sons, Cain and Abel. Cain killed Abel out of jealousy. • Despises mankind’s joy • Menaces Hrothgar and the Danes for twelve years before facing Beowulf in battle Sep 71:27 PM Who's Who? Hrothgar • The aging king of the Danes • Welcomes Beowulf’s assistance in facing Grendel • Built Herot (his giant mead hall) to symbolize the kingdom’s success, civilization, and joy Sep 71:27 PM 8 Who's Who? Grendel's Mother Not like this. More like this. • Not as powerful as her son, but still a formidable foe • Lives with her son Grendel in a caveI m po beneath a swampy lake rta n t! • In her cave is a magical, giant sword Sep 71:27 PM Herot • Hrothgar’s meadhall More like a palace Symbolizes the Scyldings’ (Danish people) success and mankind’s joy Social, governmental, and emotional center of the village Grendel delights in raiding and capturing it nightly • Mead honeybased wine Sep 71:27 PM 9 Beowulf (Well, the part in our text at least) The story begins in medias res • For twelve years, Grendel has raided Herot nightly, killing King Hrothgar’s Danish warriors. • Beowulf, who has heard of Grendel’s evil deeds, decides to come to the aid of the Danes. Hrothgar had once sheltered Beowulf’s father during a deadly feud, and Beowulf wants to return the favor. Beowulf also hopes to enhance his own reputation and gain treasure for his king, Higlac. • Beowulf brings with him fourteen of his finest men... here's where our adventure with Beowulf begins! Sep 71:27 PM BEOWULF - wHY uS? • Historical value • Inspiration for writers like Tolkein, etc. • THEMES SPEAK TO US TODAY Good vs. Evil (victory at what cost?) What does it mean to be a hero? War vs. Religion What does it mean to be a good king (leader)? Results of exclusion Loyalty Selfsacrifice Sep 94:01 PM 10 Attachments BREMENB.TTF
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