BEOWULFMr. Carr

23 August 2011

“I AM BEOWULF!”

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi3232825625/

Provenance Setting

Why Beowulf?

Beowulf

Poetic devicesTerms

Themes

Why Study Beowulf?1. Beowulf is the oldest poem in the English language, so everything written since Beowulf stems from it in some way2. The story of Beowulf encompasses common themes that we still see in English literature today 3. Beowulf is simply good writing

Why Study Beowulf?4. In some ways, it doesn’t matter what you read, but how you read it, so…since Beowulf came first, you might as well start there.5. Studying Old English improves your understanding of modern English6. It’s a great story

Beowulf’s ProvenanceWhat we don’t know:

who wrote it when exactly it was

writtenhow much, exactly, is based on historical truth

Beowulf’s ProvenanceWhat we do know:

Beowulf is the oldest surviving English poem. It’s written in Old English (or Anglo-Saxon), which is the basis for the language we speak today.Some of the characters in the poem actually existed.

The only copy of the manuscript was written sometime around the 11th century A.D. (1000’s), however…

The actual poem probably dates from the 8th century (700’s) or so, and…The story may be set even earlier, around 500 A.D.

There are a lot of Christian references in the poem, but the characters and setting are Pagan…this means a monk probably translated it.

Beowulf’s ProvenanceSo why wasn’t it

written down in the first place?This story was probably passed

down orally for centuries before it was first written down. It wasn’t until after the Norman Invasion (1066) that writing stories down became common in this part of the world.

Beowulf’s ProvenanceSo what’s happened to the

manuscript since the 11th century? Eventually, it

ended up in the library of this guy.

Robert Cotton (1571-1631)

Beowulf’s ProvenanceUnfortunately, Cotton’s library

burned in 1731. Many manuscripts were entirely destroyed. Beowulf was partially damaged.The manuscript is now preserved and carefully cared for in the British Museum.

Setting: Beowulf’s time and place

Although Beowulf was written in English, it is set in what is now Sweden, where a tribe called the Geats lived.

The story may take place as early as 400 or 500 A.D.

Setting: Beowulf’s time and place

Europe today Insert: Time of Beowulf

How we date BeowulfSome Important Dates:521 A.D. – death of Hygelac, who is mentioned in the poem680 A.D. – appearance of alliterative verse835 A.D. – the Danish started raiding other areas; after this, few poets would consider them heroesSo: This version was likely composed between 680 and 835,

though it may be set earlier

The Poetry in BeowulfA few things to watch

out for1. Alliterative verse

a.Repetition of initial sounds of words (occurs in every line)b. Generally, four feet/beats per

linec. A caesura, or pause, between beats two and fourd. No rhyme

The Poetry in BeowulfA few things to watch

out forAlliteration: the repetition of consonant sounds in words close together.

Example:And with old woes new wail my dear time’s waste.

The emphasis on the w sound in this line from Shakespeare’s Sonnet 30 creates a melancholy tone.

Find examples of alliteration in Burton Raffel’s translation of lines 1-5:

The Poetry in BeowulfA few things to watch

out for

Out from the marsh, from the foot of misty Hills and bogs, bearing God’s hatred,Grendel came, hoping to killAnyone he could trap on this trip to high Herot.

Out from the marsh, from the foot of mistyHills and bogs, bearing God’s hatred,Grendel came, hoping to killAnyone he could trap on this trip to high Herot.

The Poetry in BeowulfA few things to watch

out for2. Kenningsa. Compound metaphor (usually two words)b. Most were probably used over and over For instance:

hronade literally means “whale-road,” but can be translated as “sea”

The Poetry in BeowulfA few things to watch

out for

Examples of kennings from Beowulf:gold-shining hall= Herotguardian of crime = Grendelstrong-hearted wakeful sleeper = Beowulfcave-guard and sky-borne foe = dragon

Kenning: a metaphorical phrase or compound word used to name a person, place, thing, or event indirectly.

A kenning enhances the literal meaning of the words. A kenning gives the listener an idea of how the words connect to an idea or concept that is richer and more emotionally complex.

Some terms you’ll want to know

scop

A bard or story-teller.

The scop was responsible for praising deeds of past heroes, for recording history, and for providing entertainment

comitatus

Literally, this means “escort” or “comrade”This term identifies the concept of warriors and lords mutually pledging their loyalty to one another

Some terms you’ll want to know

thane

A warrior

mead-hall

The large hall where the lord and his warriors slept, ate, held ceremonies, etc.

Some terms you’ll want to know

wyrd

Fate.

This idea crops up a lot in the poem, while at the same time there are Christian references to God’s will.

Some terms you’ll want to know

epic

Beowulf is an epic poem.

This means it has a larger-than life hero and the conflict is of universal importance. There’s a certain serious that accompanies most epics.

Some terms you’ll want to know

elegyAn elegy is a poem that is sad or mournful. The adjective is elegiac.

homilyA homily is a written sermon or section of the poem that gives direct advice.

Some terms you’ll want to know

Themes and Important Aspects Good vs. Evil

Religion: Christian and Pagan influences The importance of wealth and treasure

Loyalty and allegiance

The importance of the sea and sailing The sanctity of the home

Fate

Heroism and heroic deeds