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eowulf and Old English Literature

eowulf and Old English Literature. Beowulf is the Oldest Surviving Northern European Epic . Gloomy. Fierce. Stalwart. “Nothing stirred the poet’s imagination more than a sword or a ship.”. Mostly anonymous Exceptions: Caedmon & Cynewulf. Old English Poetry. Oral Tradition.

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eowulf and Old English Literature

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  1. eowulf and Old English Literature Beowulf is the Oldest Surviving Northern European Epic

  2. Gloomy Fierce Stalwart “Nothing stirred the poet’s imagination more than a sword or a ship.”

  3. Mostly anonymous • Exceptions: Caedmon & Cynewulf Old English Poetry • Oral Tradition • Scops and Gleemen: traveling poets/ minstrels Two types of Poetry: 1. Heroic Epics Definition: a long, narrative poem about the exploits of a hero who embodies the values of the culture Example:Beowulf 2. Elegiac lyrics Definition: a poem that reflects the poet’s thoughts & feelings, and that laments the loss of something Example: “The Seafarer”

  4. Characteristics of Anglo-Saxon Poetry Alliterative Unrhymed Strong Beat Unique Devices

  5. Unique Devices Caesura A pause in the middle of a line of poetry Kenning A compound noun that is colorful & descriptive “whale road” = the sea COLE WAS THE KING; HE WAS KEEN AND MERRY; MIRTHFUL HE WAS; WITH MINSTRELS IN MEAD HALL. HE CALLED FOR HIS CUP; HE CALLED FOR HIS PIPE. HIS FIDDLERS WERE THREE, AND FINE WAS THEIR TRILLING.

  6. The Mystery, Puzzles, & Contradictions of Beowulf Only one manuscript survives: the Cotton Manuscript The Mystery Almost destroyed by fire Discovered in the 16th century but not published until 1815

  7. A Puzzle: Beowulf is the definitive English epic and the beginning of English literature, BUT The hero is a Geat (Yea-ot) or Swede, and none of the action takes place in England. Why?

  8. In 449 AD Germanic tribes (Angles, Saxons & Jutes) invaded the British Isles; they brought this story with them. AND Beowulf embodies Anglo-Saxon values and celebrates the essence of a warrior society. • Bravery • Loyalty • Devotion • to the • community The challenges of Existence Weapons used Festive Celebrations

  9. It is difficult to convey just howchallenging the lives of the earliest Anglo-Saxons were. Every day was abattle to survive. The Anglo-Saxonslived in hutsanddressed in animal skinsto protect themselves against themiserable, bone-chilling dampnessof the weather. They eked out an existence by farming the land, hunting, and venturing forth ondangerous, turbulent seas to fish. When they weren't scraping together a skimpy existence, they werefightingneighboring tribes and clans. Thesetough conditionscreated strong ties within tribes and encouraged intense loyalty to clan leaders. The environment also contributed to the high esteem in which the inhabitants held individualbravery, a quality they honored above all others.

  10. A Contradiction: Beowulf also shows the influence of Christian culture. Beowulf represents a violent warrior culture; Belief in a higher power who rewards virtue, forgiveness, honesty Old Testament Elements (Ex.: Cain) Trolls, monsters, & elves from Norse mythology Belief in Wyrd

  11. The reason for this contradiction lies in the transmission history of the poem. . .

  12. 700 AD 597 AD Christian Conversion 800 AD 449 AD 900 AD 300 AD 1000 AD Viking Invasions • Christian monks write down the spoken epic. • editor not` author • well-read • conscious role of poet Oral Tradition: Beowulf-type stories are told. “The BearStory” Beowulf sung by scops Anglo-Saxon Invasion

  13. Monks in the Scriptorium: preservers and editors of Anglo-Saxon literature

  14. The Story of

  15. A King and Country in Trouble Beowulf’s Home Hrothgar, King of the Danes

  16. The Monster: A Descendant of Cain Versus The Young Hero from Geatland

  17. FATE brings them to HEROT, the Mead Hall

  18. The epic continues until Beowulf is an old king. . . . . .and he dies in his last battle with a dragon

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