Beowulf Introduction. Manuscript in the British Museum.
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Beowulf Introduction
Transcript of Beowulf Introduction. Manuscript in the British Museum.
BeowulfBeowulf
IntroductionIntroduction
Manuscript in the British Museum
Manuscript in the British Museum
Anglo-Saxon or “Old English”
Anglo-Saxon or “Old English”
And now with sound. . . .And now with sound. . . .
http://www.openculture.com/2014/10/hear-beowulf-read-in-the-original-old-english.html
http://www.openculture.com/2014/10/hear-beowulf-read-in-the-original-old-english.html
The History of Anglo-Saxon
The History of Anglo-Saxon
The Heroic AgeThe Heroic Age
Anglo-Saxon primitivism The epic-warrior hero dominates Establishment of a culture and
people
Anglo-Saxon primitivism The epic-warrior hero dominates Establishment of a culture and
people
Greeks vs. GeatsGreeks vs. Geats
Clever intellect Polish Attempt to avoid
imprudent conflict Praise of the
individual Glorification of
mental prowess
Clever intellect Polish Attempt to avoid
imprudent conflict Praise of the
individual Glorification of
mental prowess
Brute strength Determination Acceptance of
violence Praise of the clan Glorification of
strength and courage
Brute strength Determination Acceptance of
violence Praise of the clan Glorification of
strength and courage
The Barbarian SpiritThe Barbarian Spirit
Rugged individualism Passion for warfare Loyalty and fellowship of warriors Superstitious fear and reverence of
beasts Pride in arms and armor Love of splendor and rich design
Rugged individualism Passion for warfare Loyalty and fellowship of warriors Superstitious fear and reverence of
beasts Pride in arms and armor Love of splendor and rich design
WergildWergild
From the Germanic “Wert” (value) + “Geld” (money) = “man-price”
Payment of material goods as recompense for the destruction of human life
Reflects dependence on the tangible to resolve human problems
From the Germanic “Wert” (value) + “Geld” (money) = “man-price”
Payment of material goods as recompense for the destruction of human life
Reflects dependence on the tangible to resolve human problems
BackgroundBackground
Text is from 700-1000 AD, but the action predates it
Christianity later imposed on the text
Evolved out of the oral tradition Possibly compiled from several
smaller narratives
Text is from 700-1000 AD, but the action predates it
Christianity later imposed on the text
Evolved out of the oral tradition Possibly compiled from several
smaller narratives
BackgroundBackground
One of the earliest works of Old English literature
The action does NOT take place in England
Reflects history and tradition of Anglo-Saxon and German ancestors
One of the earliest works of Old English literature
The action does NOT take place in England
Reflects history and tradition of Anglo-Saxon and German ancestors
BackgroundBackground
Beowulf --> Geats --> Southern Sweden
Hrothgar --> Danes --> Denmark
Beowulf --> Geats --> Southern Sweden
Hrothgar --> Danes --> Denmark
StructureStructure
Digressions Lacks narrative variety Humorless
Digressions Lacks narrative variety Humorless
StructureStructure
Nature is stern and fearsome Characters are types: hero, king,
queen -- simple outlines Opening = Shield’s funeral ship Closing = Beowulf’s pyre and
tower
Nature is stern and fearsome Characters are types: hero, king,
queen -- simple outlines Opening = Shield’s funeral ship Closing = Beowulf’s pyre and
tower
Terms and ConceptsTerms and Concepts
lof = praise and esteem of countrymen, reputation
wyrd = fate, destiny comitatus = loyalty of thanes and
kinsmen to their lord kenning = metaphorical compound
“sea-farer” = ship“swan-road” = sea
lof = praise and esteem of countrymen, reputation
wyrd = fate, destiny comitatus = loyalty of thanes and
kinsmen to their lord kenning = metaphorical compound
“sea-farer” = ship“swan-road” = sea
BeowulfBeowulf
Acts from the highest motives Never uncertain Does not give way to anger Sacrifices the self without regard
for reward Too ideal to be life-like Not rounded like Odysseus
Acts from the highest motives Never uncertain Does not give way to anger Sacrifices the self without regard
for reward Too ideal to be life-like Not rounded like Odysseus
ThemesThemes
The passing of noble souls from the earth
Materialistic success True friendship Futility of material gain The value found in life and in death
The passing of noble souls from the earth
Materialistic success True friendship Futility of material gain The value found in life and in death
Watch for. . . Watch for. . .
Man vs. the Preternatural Judeo-Christian vs. Pagan Youthful Beowulf vs. Old Beowulf Courtly manners Digressions
Man vs. the Preternatural Judeo-Christian vs. Pagan Youthful Beowulf vs. Old Beowulf Courtly manners Digressions
