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Beowulf

Beowulf. Earliest extant heroic epic in any MODERN language. Anglo-Saxon/Old English Poetry . Only about 30,000 lines survive. About 10% of this is contained in Beowulf . Scops “singan and secgan” (sang and spoke) the poetry – probably intoned or chanted to a lyre or harp. Beowulf.

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Beowulf

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  1. Beowulf Earliest extant heroic epic in any MODERN language

  2. Anglo-Saxon/Old English Poetry • Only about 30,000 lines survive. • About 10% of this is contained in Beowulf. • Scops “singan and secgan” (sang and spoke) the poetry – probably intoned or chanted to a lyre or harp.

  3. Beowulf • About events in the 6th century A.D. • Composed in the 8th century A.D. • Written down in the 10th century A.D. • Content is a fusion of Norse and Danish events passed on through oral tradition. • Written down by monks. Therefore has a veneer of Christian belief system superimposed upon it.

  4. Setting • Denmark – The Danes • Geatland – part of Sweden • Digressions – involving other parts of Northern Europe. These help the poet develop certain themes in the poem. Be ready to discuss the directions.

  5. Where was it composed? • Some say in Northern Europe • Most say in some part of colonized England to remind AS of their ancestry.

  6. Only extant copy dates A.D. 1000

  7. Historical Basis for Beowulf • Many characters show up in histories and other works of literature. • We can place the battle with Grendel at the end of 2nd decade of the 6th century. • We can place Beowulf’s fight with the dragon in the last ¼ of the sixth century.

  8. How do we know? • The historical digressions can be dated. Interestingly, the supposed time of Beowulf’s death concurs with many royal ships burials that archeologists have uncovered.

  9. Beowulf as a reflection of AS culture: • Strong emphasis on courage in battle. • Importance of fidelity to one’s word. • Loyalty to kinsmen and comrades—comitatus. • Reflects a violent, but highly principled, society. • Life is always a struggle; life is transient. • Honor is everything. • Strict code of revenge. • Acceptance of fate.

  10. Religion in Beowulf • Veneer of Christianity is very “Old Testament” in tone. • Some references remain to Odin and pagan beliefs in monsters and fate.

  11. Structure: Battles with three monsters • Grendel: representation of physical evil • Grendel’s mother: representation of moral or intellectual evil. • Dragon: representative of metaphysical/cosmic evil that is woven into the fabric of the universe.

  12. Universal Theme of Beowulf Physical and moral evil can be challenged and overcome, but, ultimately, evil cannot be avoided.

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