Beowulf
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English IV BEOWULF
description
Beowulf. English IV. Who were the anglo-saxons ?. Invaded and settled in the south and east of Britain in the 5 th Century Anglo-Saxon Era: the years 550-1066 Language: Old English, spoken and later written; eventually became Middle English in the 11 th Century - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Transcript of Beowulf
Beowulf
English IV
BeowulfInvaded and settled in the south and east of Britain in the 5th CenturyAnglo-Saxon Era: the years 550-1066Language: Old English, spoken and later written; eventually became Middle English in the 11th CenturyDescended from three tribes: Angles (modern day Germany), Saxons (Germany and surrounding countries), and Jutes (modern day Denmark)Who were the anglo-saxons?
Built small towns near centers of agricultureEach town had a main hall at its center, containing a central hearth (containing fire for warmth/cooking)Wanted to remain peaceful but had harsh laws for committing crimesLiterature: about 400 works survive, including BeowulfReligion: originally pagan (believing in multiple gods), but later converted to Christianity
Anglo-Saxon society
Old English heroic epic poemOne of the most important works of Anglo-Saxon literatureComposed by an anonymous poet between the 8th and 11th centuryFocuses on the adventures of a hero named Beowulf
Beowulf
Long narrative poemFocuses on heroic deeds or events significant to a cultureWere originally told aloud, but eventually became written works (may not have survived otherwise).Gilgamesh, The Odyssey, The Aeneid, Paradise Lost, The Divine Comedy, etc.First epics are considered primary or folk epicsThis includes BeowulfOften begins in medias resWhat is epic poetry?
Larger-than-life figureUsually of noble birth or part godFights against evil forcesGoes on an epic questDoes good deeds that show virtue and bravery
Traits of an epic heroAlliteration: repeating of consonant sounds (Example: He is hasped and hooped and hirtling with pain, limping and looped in it.)Kennings: replaces simple nouns with more descriptive and complex images (Examples: wound dew = blood) TONS of these in BeowulfCommon themes: war/warriors, seas, storms, animals (wolves, ravens), death, fate, destiny
Anglo-Saxon Poetry
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