Introduction to Beowulf
• Beowulf is one of the earliest poems
written in any form of English.
• Actually, this writer should be called
an editor because the poem had a long
oral tradition and finally came to be
what we know as Beowulf.
Introduction to Beowulf
• During this unit, as we study
Beowulf, we will also focus on the
following essential question:
• What is the role of a hero in a
culture?
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More About the Editor
• The “editor” was obviously wellread and conscious of his role as a
poet.
• This is a Christian writer who
balanced his faith with Pagan
themes.
Old English History
• The Celts originally inhabited
Britain.
• In the early 5th century, the
Romans withdrew and left Britain
vulnerable to Germanic invaders
(Vikings).
Old English History
• In 449 AD, Germanic tribes landed in
England.
• The 3 main tribes were the Angles,
the Saxons, and the Jutes. Eventually
to become known as the AngloSaxons.
Pause and Review
• Look back at your notes to answer
the following question:
• Who were the original inhabitants
of Britain and when were they left
on their own?
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Old English History
• The Britons had become Christians in
the 4th century.
• Before Christianity, there were no
books. The only formally educated
people were clerics in the church.
• The Anglo-Saxon invaders brought a
tradition of oral poetry (some of
which was later written down with a
religious spin after the Christian
conversion.
Introduction to Beowulf
• The only surviving Beowulf
manuscript dates from late 10th
century.
• This manuscript was damaged in a
fire in 1731 that destroyed many
other medieval manuscripts.
Introduction to Beowulf
• Beowulf is recognized as a hallmark
of English (or British) literature, yet
its heroes and its setting are not
English.
• The poem is set in two places: the
first half on a Danish island and the
second half in Beowulf’s homeland
(an island off the SE coast of
Sweden).
Pause and Reflect...
• Review your notes in order to
respond to the following:
• Why is it ironic that Beowulf is
recognized as a hallmark of English
(or British) literature?
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Introduction to Beowulf
• Beowulf is written in the epic
tradition, meaning it is larger than
life.
• There is also liberal use of the
supernatural.
• The poem champions bravery,
loyalty, and devotion to community.
Introduction to Beowulf
• The poem portrays a strong sense of
fatalism (acceptance of death)
• The warriors of the era accepted their
mortality in a way that seems casual
to modern readers.
• The concept of wyrd, or fate, was
central to the world view of AngloSaxons.
The Epic Warrior
• Motivated by the desire for
undying fame
• Held a place of great importance
during the Anglo-Saxon period
Pause and Reflect...
• If a hero’s life is controlled by
wyrd, then does it make sense that
he would go seeking “undying
fame”? Why or why not?
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Reading Strategy for
Beowulf
• In texts like this, it is important to
identify the sequence of events:
• Find the logical order of ideas or
events in a text
• Use that logical order to help you
understand the bigger ideas (how
wyrd affects Beowulf’s life, and the
life of those around him)
Finishing Up
• Complete the ‘Summary’ section of
your notes
• Then, on a separate sheet of paper
you will hand in as your exit ticket,
respond to the following:
– Based on your own personal
impressions and the background
information presented to you, what is
the role of a hero in a culture?
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