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Slide 2 Introduction to Beowulf Story isnt about the Englishits about the Danes and the Geats. So whats it doing in England? Romans controlled England (up to Hadrians Wall) until the 5 th century Waves of post-Roman invasions by Angles, Saxons, Jutes, Danes, and Irish Native Britons couldnt hold them off Slide 3 Anglo-Saxon Kingdoms Map from C. Warren Hollister, The Making of England, p. 64 Slide 4 I. Historical background 400-600 A.D. -- Angles, Saxons, and Jutes invade (Beowulf set) 410 A.D. Rome renounces control of Britain 521 A.D. Hygelac invades the Netherlands 597 A.D. St. Augustine 625 A.D. Sutton Hoo 700-950 A.D. -- Christian poet composed the poem Slide 5 The Danelaw Viking raids in late 8 th century along East coast of England, Ireland, northern France In 850, Danish Vikings began to settle in Kent In 865, a large Danish army invaded and took control of nearly all of England except Wessex In 870, Danes attacked Wessex Slide 6 The Danelaw 871: Alfred the Great becomes king of Wessex Warrior, diplomat, administrator, scholar, Christian; Greatest Anglo- Saxon king 872: Alfred had to bribe the Danes to stop the fighting Built a navy of 60-oared ships, bigger and faster than the Danes ships Slide 7 The Danelaw After almost losing his kingdom in 872, Alfreds military reforms allowed him to begin retaking land By 886, Alfred had retaken London and made a treaty with the Danes establishing their area of authority in Englandthe Danelaw By Alfreds death in 899, the Danish threat was over, and subsequent kings reconquered the Danelaw Slide 8 Sutton Hoo Ship burial of a 7 th -century Anglo- Saxon king, possibly Raedwald (d. 624/625) Found in 1939 at Sutton Hoo in eastern England, formerly the Danelaw Ship was nearly 80 feet long, laden with treasures and everyday equipment (even if it is everyday equipment made of gold) Window into the early Anglo-Saxon world Slide 9 Sutton Hoo Photos from British Museum Slide 10 Sutton Hoo Slide 11 Slide 12 Introduction to Beowulf Oral vs. written text Many ancient works were memorized and recitedand were not written down until centuries later (Odyssey, Iliad, Beowulf) Only surviving Beowulf manuscript dates from late 10 th century Probably composed mid-8 th century Slide 13 Introduction to Beowulf The scop: Anglo-Saxon equivalent of a singing poet Oral techniques: alliteration, repetition, variation, kennings, half- lines, metonymy (one thing substituted for another), synecdoche (part for the whole) Slide 14 Beowulf Manuscript (Note the burn marks on the top and sidesthe ms. was severely damaged in a fire) Slide 15 Poetics Hwaet! W Gr-Denain gerdagum odcyningarym gefrnon, h elingasellen fremedon. Oft Scyld Scfingsceaena ratum monegum mgummeodosetla oftah, egsode eorlassyan rest wear fasceaft funden.H s frfre gebd, wox under wolcnum,weormundum h o t him ghwylcra ymbsittendra ofer hronrdehyran scolde, gomban gyldan.t ws gd cyning! Slide 16 Kennings A metaphorical expression used in place of a noun Sea = whale-road or swans way Joints, ligaments = bone-locks Sun = sky-candle Icicles = water-ropes Slide 17 Metonymy and Synecdoche Metonymy: Name of one thing is substituted for the name of something else that most people would associate with the first thing Iron for Sword Crown for king or monarchy Synecdoche: Substitute a part for the whole keel for ship All hands on deck Heads of cattle Slide 18 Anglo-Saxon Society Tribal society with kinship bonds and a heroic code of behavior bravery loyalty to one's lord, one's warband (comitatus), and one's kin willingness to avenge one's warband or lord at all costs death preferable to exile. generosity of lord to thanes and of hero to warband and lord--gift-giving heroism (i.e., great deeds) brings honor, eternal fame, and political power Slide 19 Anglo-Saxon values Loyalty Fighting for ones king Avenging ones kinsmen Keeping ones word Generosity -- gifts symbolize bonds Brotherly love -- not romantic love Heroism Physical strength Skill and resourcefulness in battle Courage Public reputation, not private conscience Slide 20 What about the women? Women make peace, bearing children who create blood ties Women pass the cup at the mead-hall, cementing social bonds Women lament loss, dont avenge Slide 21 Religion in Anglo Saxon Times Mix of pagan and Christian values-- often in conflict. Pagan (secular (non-religious) lineage vs. Christian lineage; Eternal earthly fame through deeds vs afterlife in hell or heaven; honor & gift-giving vs. sin of pride (hubris); revenge vs pacifist view (forgiveness); Wyrd (Anglo-Saxon "Fate") vs God's will, etc. Slide 22 Epic hero traits Is significant and glorified Is on a quest Has superior or superhuman strength, intelligence, and/or courage Is ethical. Risks death for glory or for the greater good of society Is a strong and responsible leader Performs brave deeds Reflects ideals of a particular society