Title: Beowulf
1Beowulf
2Introducing the Epic
Beowulf is
- the first great work of
- English national literature.
- the epic story of the hero Beowulf, who fights
the demonic monster Grendel.
3Introducing the Epic
People
Beowulf nephew of Higlac, king of the Geats.
Hrothgar king of the Danes.
Wiglaf a Geat warrior, one of Beowulfs select
band and the only one to help him in his final
fight with the dragon.
4Introducing the Epic
Monsters
Grendel man-eating monster who lives at the
bottom of a foul mere, or mountain lake.
Grendels mother water-witch who seeks revenge.
Dragon giant fire-breathing serpent whom Beowulf
fights in Part Two of the epic.
5Introducing the Epic
Places
Beowulf takes place in Scandinavia.
Scandinavia
Britain
Scholars think Herot might have been built on the
coast of Zealand, in Denmark.
6Introducing the Epic
Places
Herot the golden guest hall built by King
Hrothgar where warriors gathered to celebrate.
7Genealogies
8Genealogies
9Genealogies
10Anglo-Saxon Verse
- Beowulf was written in the tradition of
alliterative verse, the style of poetry which the
ancestors of the Beowulf-poet brought to England
from their homelands in Scandinavia. The heroic
poems were sung by trained singers, called scops,
who sometimes composed them extemporaneously for
the entertainment of the king and his warriors at
celebrations in the mead-hall. The scops were
honored by the Anglo-Saxon kings and people
because they were the keepers of the history and
mythology of their countrymen, since the
Anglo-Saxons, until they became Christians, did
not know how to read or write. A good scop spread
the fame of his king by composing songs about the
exploits in battle of the king and his warriors
and comparing him to the ancient heroes of saga
and song. Many warriors would flock to the
mead-hall of a famous king to share in his glory.
11Anglo-Saxon Verse
- The characteristic style of Anglo-Saxon poetry
consists of a line with four stressed syllables,
a pause or caesura dividing the line into two
half-lines, and no end-rhyme. The stressed
syllables are alliterated, and there is no set
number of unstressed syllables. - The poet also uses a metaphor called a kenning.
Kennings are descriptive comparisons, such as
whale-road or sail-road for the sea,
bone-chamber for the body, or candle of
heaven for the sun.
12Anglo-Saxon Rhythm
- Find four strong beats (stressed syllables) in
each line. Draw a slanted mark (/) over each. In
the middle of the line, between the second and
third strong beats, find a natural pause
(caesura). Mark its position with paired up and
down lines (//). Unstressed syllables are shown
with a mark like an arc on the bottom of a
circle, such as U. Mark the unstressed syllables.
This is the rhythm of Anglo-Saxon poetry. It may
help you to read the lines aloud.
13Anglo-Saxon Rhythm
- Lo! We have listened to many a lay
- Of the Spear-Danes fame, their splendor of old.
- Their mighty princes, and martial deeds!
- Many a mead-hall Scyld, son of Sceaf,
- Snatched from the forces of savage foes.
- From a friendless foundling, feeble and wretched,
- He grew to a terror as time brought change.
- He throve over heaven in power and pride
- Till alien peoples beyond the ocean
- Paid toll and tribute. A good king he!
14Anglo-Saxon Rhythm
- Is there any rhyme, either end rhyme or internal?
- Did you notice that often the stressed syllables
in a line contain alliteration? Provide examples. - What function does the alliteration seem to have?
- In the lines above, is there any particular
number of unstressed syllables per line, or does
the number seem to vary?
15Kennings
- The Anglo-Saxons apparently enjoyed word-play
and were interested in cleverness with words. In
Beowulf, as in other Anglo-Saxon poetry, a type
of riddling metaphor called a kenning is used.
Find the kennings explain what each means and
why it is an apt comparison - Beowulf spoke his byrny glittered,
- His war-net woven by cunning of smith
- They lay on the sea-bench slain with the sword
- The hell-thane shrieking in sore defeat
- But the bold one had found that the
battle-flasher - Would bite no longer,
- The foamy necked plunger plowed through the
billows,
16Literary Focus The Epic Hero
The epic hero is the central figure in a long
narrative that reflects the values and heroic
ideals of a particular society. An epic is a
quest story on a grand scale.
17Elements of an Epic
- Epics are sometimes called heroic poems. They
are long narratives about the adventures of
larger-than-life characters. They tend to have
these characterisics - The hero is a great leader who is identified
strongly with a particular people or society. - The setting is broad and often includes
supernatural realms, especially the land of the
dead. - The hero does great deeds in battle or undertakes
and extraordinary journey or quest. - Sometimes gods or other supernatural or fantastic
beings take part in the action. - The story is told in heightened language.
18Beowulf Background
Beowulf is an oral epic passed from bard to bard.
Harpist-bards told the familiar story for
audiences in the communal halls at night.
Reconstructed Anglo-Saxon village in West Stow,
England, with communal hall on the left.
Written down between 700 and 750.
19Beowulf Background
Who wrote it down?
Theory
The poet who wrote Beowulf down may have been a
Northumbrian monk.
Evidence
- scenery described resembles Northumbria
(northeastern England)
- Christian elements in epic
20Beowulf Vocabulary
Previewing the Vocabulary
resolute adj. determined vehemently adv.
violently infallible adj. unable to fail or be
wrong furled v. rolled up lavish adj.
extravagant assail v. attack extolled v.
praised archetype n. pattern (character, plot,
image, or setting) that appears in literature
across cultures and is repeated through the ages
21Beowulf Vocabulary
Previewing the Vocabulary Activity
resolute furled extolled assail vehemently
lavish infallible
- Which Word
- is often used in reference to a flag?________
- describes someone who is stubborn?________
- describes how someone might argue about a subject
he or she feels strongly about?___________ - is a synonym for praised? __________
- describes someone who cannot fail?_________
- describes someone who gives generous
gifts?________ - is another way of saying attack? ________
furled
resolute
vehemently
extolled
infallible
lavish
assail
22Anglo-Saxon Riddle
- I am by nature solitary, scarred by spear and
wounded by sword, weary of battle. I frequently
see the face of war and fight hateful enemies.
What am I?