Download
1 / 19
190 likes | 357 Views
Beowulf : The Beginnings of English Literature. Origins. Unknown author; possibly one Christian author in Anglo-Saxon England Unknown date of composition (roughly 8 th -11 th Century CE). Literary Devices.
E N D
Origins Unknown author; possibly one Christian author in Anglo-Saxon England Unknown date of composition (roughly 8th-11th Century CE)
Literary Devices • Allusion: Biblical, Germanic oral tradition, Norse myth and legend, historical Anglo-Saxon kings (eg. King Offa of Mercia) • Alliteration (eg. Scyld’s strong son) • Epic poetry: a long narrative poem written in elevated style which celebrates the deeds of a legendary hero or god. • Kenning: two-word metaphorical name for something (eg. whale-road=sea) • Scop: Anglo-Saxon composers and storytellers (like minstrels or bards)
Warrior Code • Comitatus: Germanic code of loyalty • Thane: warrior – swears loyalty to the king for whom they fought and whom they protected • Kings: generous, protected thanes • Reputation: thanes were expected to be loyal, brave, courageous; kings were expected to be generous and hospitable • Wergild: “man-payment”; a fee paid to the family of a slain man to atone for his murder and to prevent the family from seeking revenge.
Geats and Danes • Beowulf was a war leader of the Geats, a group of people in what is now southern Sweden • Hrothgar was king of the Danes
Old English • Beowulf was written in Old English, an early form of English • Old English was spoken in the Middle Ages from about 6th century to 11th century CE • In 1066, William the Conqueror successfully invaded England, bringing his Norman French language with him; the nobility began to speak French, and gradually Old English evolved into Middle English (1100-1500): “Whan that Aprill, with his shoures soote/The droghte of March hath perced to the roote” • Modern English has been spoken since the Renaissance – Shakespeare is NOT Old English; he is Early Modern English
A Short Summary • This epic poem describes the hero Beowulf marching with his fourteen warriors and arrive at the place of Heorot where he finds that he king of Heorot, Hrothgar, terrified by a monster called Grendel. Beowulf manages to kill Grendel and his monster-mother at his abode beneath a lake. After that he returns to his country and becomes the king there and rules his kingdom for fifty years. He dies of the wounds he got once during the combat fought with a dragon.
Elements of an Epic • Epic hero– an character with a trait or characteristic that is valued by his society. • (E.g.– Superman’s bravery or valor) • Quest– A journey through which the character or the reader learns something • Valorous Deeds(Strong) – Doing something bravely. • Divine Intervention (Glorified) – The hand of God (or gods) help the hero, proving his value. • Great events– The hero has a hand in something important in the history or mythology of a culture.
2 Types of Epics • Folk • Told out loud first (usually by scops) • Unknown author • Unknown dates • (E.g.—Beowulf is a folk epic because we don’t know who wrote it) • Literary • Known author • (E.g.– Paradise Lost, by John Milton is a literary epic because we know who wrote it.)
3 Epic Conventions • Invoke a muse • Muse– inspiration provided by the gods • Plot begins in medias res • In medias red– “In the middle of” the action • Serious tone • Not necessary to have all on these, but need most at least
Modern Epic Stories Evaluate a story you’ve read or seen as an epic story….
Modern Epic Stories • O! Brother, Where Art Thou? • Epic hero– Ulysses Everett McGill • Quest– To seek the treasure • Valorous deeds– Singing the song, escaping the sheriff, saving Tommy from the KKK, et al. • Divine intervention– the flood • Great events– Helping elect Pappy O’Daniel as governor of Mississippi instead of the KKK’s head dragon • Literary epic– Cohen brothers wrote it in 2001(based on The Odyssey) • Invokes a muse at the beginning • Begins in the middle of the story as they escape jail • Serious tone? Notsomuch.
Modern Epic Stories, Cont’d. • Here’s another one… • Sons of Anarchy • Epic hero– Jackson Teller • Quest– To seek the chair of the MC that was stolen from he and his father by his stepfather • Valorous deeds– helping widows of MC members, giving money to the needy, vigilante justice for those weaker than he. • Divine intervention– His father’s journal • Great events– Helping elect mayor of Charming, traveling across the world to get his kidnapped son, aiding the sheriff in finding his wife and son’s killers. • Literary epic– Loosely based on William Shakespeare’s Hamlet • Begins in the middle of the story as the father has already been killed and the stepfather has taken the head seat of the MC • Serious tone? Very much…
Beowulf’s Name • Beowulf’s father– Edgetho • In most cases, the son is named after the father • Don • Donald (son of Don) • McDonald (son of son of Don) • McDonaldson (son of son of son of Don) • Proves Beowulf is own individual with own powers and abilities (and more important than his father) • Beo– Bear • Bears are known as Great Protectors in Norse mythology • Strong • Wulf– Wolf • Wolves are also great protectors, but are also cunning and speedy
BeowulfLiterary Focus: The Epic Hero Beowulf is one of ancient England’s heroes. Other times and other cultures have had other heroes…. King Arthur Joan of Arc
BeowulfLiterary Focus: The Epic Hero In modern America, the hero may be a real person or a fictional character….
FITB Notes Fury of the Northmen Beowulf notes Beowulf plot Literary Terms MC FITB Short Answer Completed Project Test on Friday!!! 12/7/12
Now Time for Your Assignment… • I will be placing you in groups of four… • Your group will have a two-part assignment to complete…take about 15-20 minutes in order to provide thoughtful insight for your responses. • Please sit quietly until everyone finishes…
