Post on 11-Jan-2016
Anglo-Saxon History and Literature
449 AD – Britain is invaded by the Anglo-Saxons
1066 AD – The Normans defeat the Saxons; the end of Anglo-Saxon leadership
The Anglo-Saxon invasion signaled the beginning of the English language
It is believed that Anglo-Saxons were deep-sea fishermen and farmers
They had highly organized tribal units with a class system
Over time, the differences between tribes faded and this intermingling produced a new language, Old English
The Anglo-Saxons brought their pagan beliefs to Britain
They believed every human life was in the hands of fate, whereas the Christians believe in a person’s ability to choose their fate
In 597, missionaries from the Roman Church were sent to Britain. These missionaries quickly learned that to win over a kingdom, they must only convert the king
Christianity had a great effect on Anglo-Saxon civilization, softening their ferocious and violent ways
The church also brought written literature and education to Anglo-Saxon civilization
The blend of the new Christian ways and the old pagan beliefs are often apparent in Anglo-Saxon literature, including Beowulf
The reciting of poems was a part of Anglo-Saxon ceremony and celebration
Scops and gleemen were professional minstrels, who recited stories and tales of great warriors for the king and his court
In order to make the performance enjoyable and exciting, the scops used a formula to help them memorize these poems and help their performances stand out
Three poetic devices found in Beowulf are:
The caesura: “A prince of Geats//had killed Grendel” “A powerful monster //living down in the darkness”
Alliteration: “the bright blueberry burst” “miserable, mighty men tormented”
Kenning: “spear play” for battle or “whale road” for ocean
Write your own kennings for the following words:
STAR SHIP WIND