Beowulf

1
Beowulf

• Introduction

2
The Heroic Age

• Anglo-Saxon primitivism
• The epic-warrior hero dominates
• Establishment of a culture and people

3
Greeks vs. Geats

• Clever intellect
• Polish
• Attempt to avoid imprudent conflict
• Praise of the individual
• Glorification of mental prowess

• Brute strength
• Determination
• Acceptance of violence
• Praise of the clan
• Glorification of strength and courage

4
The Barbarian Spirit

• Rugged individualism
• Passion for warfare
• Loyalty and fellowship of warriors
• Superstitious fear and reverence of beasts
• Pride in arms and armor
• Love of splendor and rich design

5
Wergild

• From the Germanic Wert (value) Geld (money)
  man-price
• Payment of material goods as recompense for the
  destruction of human life
• Reflects dependence on the tangible to resolve
  human problems

6
Background

• Text is from 700-1000 AD, but the action predates
  it
• Christianity later imposed on the text
• Evolved out of the oral tradition
• Possibly compiled from several smaller narratives

7
Background

• One of the earliest works of Old English
  literature
• The action does NOT take place in England
• Reflects history and tradition of Anglo-Saxon and
  German ancestors

8
Background

• Beowulf --gt Geats --gt Southern Sweden
• Hrothgar --gt Danes --gt Denmark

9
Structure

• Digressions
• Lacks narrative variety
• Humorless

10
Structure

• Nature is stern and fearsome
• Characters are types hero, king, queen --
  simple outlines
• Opening Shields funeral ship
• Closing Beowulfs pyre and tower

11
Terms and Concepts

• lof praise and esteem of countrymen, reputation
• wyrd fate, destiny
• comitatus loyalty of thanes and kingsmen to
  their lord
• kenning metaphorical compound
• sea-farer ship
• swan-road sea

12
Beowulf

• Acts from the highest motives
• Never uncertain
• Does not give way to anger
• Sacrifices the self without regard for reward
• Too ideal to be life-like
• Not rounded like Odysseus

13
Themes

• The passing of noble souls from the earth
• Materialistic success
• True friendship
• Futility of material gain
• The value found in life and in death

14
Watch for. . .

• Man vs. the Preternatural
• Judeo-Christian vs. Pagan
• Youthful Beowulf vs. Old Beowulf
• Courtly manners
• Digressions