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How is Beowulf Anglo-Saxon?

How is Beowulf Anglo-Saxon?. Randon Green. Formal Boasting.

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How is Beowulf Anglo-Saxon?

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  1. How is Beowulf Anglo-Saxon? Randon Green

  2. Formal Boasting • “I had a fixed purpose when I put to sea. As I sat in the boat with my band of men, I meant to perform to the uttermost what your people wanted to perish in the attempt, in the fiend’s clutches. And I shall fulfil that purpose, prove myself with a proud deed or meet my death here in the mead-hall.” Pg. 43 • Other Examples – Pgs 29 & 41

  3. Fascinated with… • Feasting – Pg 123 • Always eating and drinking in the Mead-hall. • Gold – From Hrothgar – Pg. 147 • Weapons – Sword – Pg 115 • Trophies – Grendel’s Arm (65) and Head (113)

  4. Language • Old English language • Poetics – Entire poems in the middle of the book. • Names – Beowulf, Hrothgar, Grendel, Wiglaf, Hygelac.

  5. Pagan/Christian • First mention of God • “First and foremost, let the Almighty Father be thanked for this sight.” Pg 63 • Other examples – Pg 15 • “The Lord God, Head of the Heavens, and High King of the World.” • “Past and present, God’s will prevails.” Pg 71

  6. Setting • The main action of the story is set around 500 A.D.; the narrative also recounts historical events that happened much earlier. It also takes place before the period of the migration, which indicates that it was somewhere in England

  7. Symbols • Hrothgar’s mead-hall • Grendel’s cave • Grendel’s arm and head • the dragon’s treasure-trove.

  8. Poetic • Beowulf has a lot of poetic structure, the content is written in the prose form. It also shows a lot of poetic elements. • Example: Alliteration, Compounding, Kennings and other elements. • “… a balm in bed to the battle-scarred Swede.” pg 7 (example of Alliteration)

  9. Burial • Beowulf was wounded in the final battle against the dragon, and after he died he was buried in a barrow by his retainers. • The Funeral: “The Geat people built a pyre for Beowulf, stacked and decked it until it stood four square, hung with helmets, heavy war-sheilds, and shinning armor, just as he had ordered.” page 211

  10. Heroic • Beowulf is and heroic poem because it follow the heroic structure. • Beowulf is also known for his heroic skill in three different battles.

  11. Victory Celebrations • “Then the due time arrived for Halfdane’s son to proceed to the hall, the King himself would sit down to feast. No group ever gathered in greater numbers or better order around their ring-giver.” page 67 • “Then Halfdane’s son presented Beowulf with a standard of gold as a victory gift, an embroidered banner; also breast-mail and a helmet; and a sword carried high,…” page 69

  12. Gifting • Beowulf received many different gifts as a reward for his bravery, and heroic skills in battle. • Things he received: Gold, a sword, and a helmet, also he got breast-mail.

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