The Anglo-Saxon Period 449-1066

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The Anglo-Saxon Period 449-1066
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• Beowulf exists in only one manuscript. This copy
  survived both the wholesale destruction of
  religious artifacts during the dissolution of the
  monasteries by Henry VIII and a disastrous fire
  which destroyed the library of Sir Robert Bruce
  Cotton (1571-1631).
• The poem still bears the scars of the fire,
  visible at the upper left corner of the
  photograph. The Beowulf manuscript is now housed
  in the British Library, London.

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• Weapons were ornate. They were elaborate symbols
  of a warriors strength.
• The Mead Hall (Herot) was a safe haven for
  warriors returning from battle.
• It was also a place of community where traditions
  were preserved, loyalty was rewarded, and stories
  were told.
• This epic poem is a part of the oral tradition.
  Bards, or scops, would have told stories like
  Beowulf, instead of writing them down.

• Characteristics of the Anglo-Saxons
• They were a warring society, and their country
  was prone to invasions by neighboring kings.
• Kings and warriors were expected to be generous,
  courageous, and loyal.
• People lived close together in clans for
  protection. This created a strong sense of
  community.
• The honor of warriors and kings rested in their
  reputation. They boasted about their triumphs.

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• Pagan Religion (Celtic)
• Belie in many gods with a focus on the power of
  Nature
• Believe in Fate
• Belief in the
• supernatural

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• Christianity
• Belief in one God
• Control over destiny
• Came with the spread of literacy
• (Though widespread literacy will not be a
  reality until the 15th century.)

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• The Poem Beowulf
• Epic
• Based on myth, legend, facts, folktale
• Hero vs. Monsters
• Poem is an allegory for the battle between good
  and evil.
• It also contains many biblical allusions, because
  our version was most likely written by a monk.

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• Characteristics of the Style
  Story______
• Violence
• Bloodshed
• Fear
• Family name
• Reputation
• Songlike
• Alliteration
• Imagery
• Kennings

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The Universal Story of Good vs Evil
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Tone Somber Elegiac