Beowulf, A Historical Background
Beowulf is the title of the earliest existing Anglo-Saxon epic poem. Scholars estimate the
date of its composition to be between 700 and 750 A.D. but do not know the identity of the poet
who composed it. As most people during the Anglo-Saxon Era were illiterate, the poem was not
written down. Rather, it was memorized and recited for audiences by tale singers known as
scops. Due to this origin, Beowulf is considered a part of the oral tradition.
Only one manuscript of the poem exists today. That manuscript was written around 1000
A.D. by either a monk or a court poet from central or northern England. Most scholars favor the
theory that the transcriber of the poem was a monk. In either case, certain references in the text
suggest that the transcriber was a Christian. Since the epic takes place during the Anglo-Saxon
period, prior to the arrival of Christianity in England, it would be impossible for the original poet
to have made references to Christian figures. This has led some scholars to believe that the
transcriber changed the original poem for some reason. This leaves the modern audience with a
poem combining elements of Anglo-Saxon culture with Christian morals.
The poem is an epic, a long narrative poem celebrating the deeds of a legendary or heroic
figure. In this, it is similar to the Odyssey, by Homer. An epic is presented in a serious manner,
often through the use of elevated language. The epic hero battles the forces of evil and represents
the national, cultural, or religious values of the society that created the epic.
You will be reading only a small excerpt of the entire epic. The epic consists of three
major episodes. It opens with a monster named Grendel attacking and eating Danish warriors in a
place called Herot Hall. Grendel’s attacks continue for twelve years. During that time, King
Hrothgar of the Danes and his warriors are unable to stop Grendel’s attacks. You will read the
part about the Geat warrior Beowulf coming to Hrothgar’s kingdom and fighting the monster
Grendel. The next part of epic, which we will not read, tells the tale of Beowulf fighting
Grendel’s mother. The third part of the epic takes place fifty years after the battles with Grendel
and Grendel’s mother. Beowulf has become the king of the Danes and fights a dragon who is
menacing his kingdom.