BEOWULF
• Beowulf’s origins are mysterious. While we do
not know the identity of the author, and we
are unsure of its precise date of composition,
most scholars believe it was composed by a
single Christian author for a Christian
audience in Anglo-Saxon England anywhere
from the eighth to the eleventh century.
• This poem is filled with biblical allusions to the
Old Testament.
• It is also influenced by Germanic oral tradition
and Old Norse myth and legend.
Norse Mythology
• Beowulf was composed in the oral poetic
tradition.
• Poems in this tradition were not originally
written down but transmitted orally from
generation to generation.
• Many of the Old English
poems contain lengthy
passages that
repeatedly recount past
heroic deeds or
challenges faced by
certain characters or
tribes.
• This repetitive
recounting of past
events helps to keep
the history of the
events and heroes of
the past alive for the
listening audience.
• In a pre-literate society,
this oral tradition
comprised both the
literature and history of
the people.
The Epic
• Most Old English
poems have
characteristics of the
Epic.
• Epic poetry generally
deals with a serious
subject and
incorporates the
adventures of a resilient
hero who fights to
defend the values of his
culture.
• It often includes a battle
between good and evil
forces, cataloguing of
weaponry, and
supernatural
intervention.
Epic- Beowulf
• Beowulf, the hero, volunteers to fight the
terrible monster Grendel.
• He not only wants to gain honor in battle, but
he sets out to defend the way of life the
Scandinavian tribes.
Beowulf
No Weapons
• During some of his
legendary encounters, he
does not use any weapons,
fighting instead with his
bare hands and without the
protection of armor.
Weapons
• During other fights, he uses
legendary or supernatural
weapons such as the sword,
Hrunting,.
The Theme of Christianity vs. Paganism
• This story presents a fascinating mix of Christian
values and pagan traditions.
• It is generally assumed that the Beowulf poet was
a Christian, since the Christian conversion of
England was virtually complete by the time the
poem is believed to have been created.
• Still, many of the poem’s characters embrace
pagan heroic ideals.
– Ex. The Danes are described as ignorant to the
existence of a Christian God.
Christian Perspective
• Grendel is said to be a
descendant of Cain.
• God is presented as a
protector of the good, a
“shepherd of our land.”
Beowulf is noted especially for two literary devices
• Alliteration: repetition of the initial consonant
sound
– “Shild’s strong son” (23, line 19)
*Alliteration is a literary device that was used
frequently by Anglo Saxons
• Kenning: a two-word metaphorical name for
something
– “sea-road” for ocean (30, line 239)
*When neither element of the compound is a true
name of the object it is a true kenning.
*When one element is not a true name it is a half
kenning.
Scop
• Both composers and storytellers who traveled
from court to court- the entertainers of the
Anglo-Saxon times
• Expected to know a broad repertoire of tales
and no doubt be able to compose tales in
tribute to the patrons who financed them
The Heroic Code
• Dictates that the
relationships between
kinsmen of the same
tribe must be founded
on loyalty and respect.
• It is a warrior’s – or a
thane’s – most
important task to
remain loyal to his lord
and serve him without
reservation
Comitatus
• German code of loyalty
• Thanes, or warriors, swore loyalty to their
king, for whom they thought and protected
• In return the king was expected to be
generous with gifts of treasure or land
• Warriors were expected to be brave,
courageous, and loyal.
• Their reputation for such qualities was very
important.
Wergild
• “man-payment”
• Germanic custom
• The practice of paying a slain man’s family to
atone for the deed and to prevent them from
taking revenge against the manslayer