Beowulf:
The Beginnings of English
Literature
Origins
Oldest surviving
English poem
Written in Old English
(or Anglo-Saxon); basis
for the language we
speak today.
Unknown author;
possibly a Christian
author in Anglo-Saxon
England
Origins
The only copy of the manuscript was
written sometime around the 11th
century A.D. (1000’s), however…
The actual poem probably dates from
the 8th century (700’s) or so, and…
The story may be set even earlier,
around 400 or 500 A.D.
Origins
So what’s happened to the manuscript since the 11th century?
Eventually, it ended up in the
library of this guy.
Robert Cotton (1571-1631)
Origins
Unfortunately, Cotton’s library burned
in 1731. Many manuscripts were
entirely destroyed. Beowulf was
partially damaged.
The manuscript is now preserved and
carefully cared for in the British
Museum.
Conflict in Beowulf:
Christian Values vs. Anglo-Saxon (Pagan) Values
This tension is at
the heart of the
poem
Pagan history and
myth are made to
point to a Christian
moral
Beowulf is poised
between two value
systems
The Beowulf Poet
 The poet is Christian
(probably a monk or priest since
they were the only ones who could
read or write)
 The poem reflects
established Christian
tradition
 Allusions to the Old
Testament
 Beowulf is symbolic of a
Redeemer who is sent by
God to save man from sin
 The price of salvation is life
itself
 Similarities between
Beowulf’s death and the
death of Christ (sacrifices
himself for his people)
Sutton Hoo
 Burial site discovered
in 1939
 Important links to
Anglo-Saxon world and
Beowulf
 Remains of a boat were
discovered and large
burial chamber
containing numerous
artifacts
 Artifacts suggest a
distinctly Christian
element intermingled
with pagan ritual.
 Episodes in Beowulf
now have tangible
archaeological evidence
to add creditability to
the blend of customs
in the text.
Sutton Hoo Artifacts
(note the Christian elements mixed with pagan elements)
Old English
 Beowulf was written in Old English, an early
form of English
 Old English was spoken in the Middle Ages from
about 500 to 1100.
 In 1066, William the Conqueror invaded
England, bringing the French language with
him; gradually Old English evolved into Middle
English (1100-1500)
 Modern English has been spoken since the
Renaissance – Shakespeare is NOT Old English;
he is Early Modern English
Beowulf: Background
The action of the poem takes place around
500 AD
Poet is reviving the heroic language, style
and pagan values of ancient Germanic oral
poetry (ancestors of Anglo-Saxons)
The poem deals with ancient Germanic
forebears, the Danes and the Geats
It was not until 1936 when the Oxford
scholar J.R.R Tolkien (Lord of the Rings)
published a paper on the poem that it
became popular.
Setting: Beowulf’s Time and Place
Europe today
Time of Beowulf
Geats and Danes
Beowulf was a war
leader of the Geats,
a group of people in
what is now
southern Sweden
Hrothgar was king
of the Danes who
lived in Denmark
The Character of Beowulf
 He fights for personal
honor, but is
committed to service
to humanity and his
own people.
 A superhuman who
remains recognizable
 Contrasts old and
young Beowulf
 Beowulf as savior
Beowulf’s Name
 Beowulf’s father– Edgetho
 In most cases, the son is named after the father
 Don
 Donald (son of Don)
 McDonald (son of son of Don)
 McDonaldson (son of son of son of Don)
 Proves Beowulf is own individual with own powers
and abilities (and more important than his father)
 Beo– Bear
 Bears are known as Great Protectors in Norse mythology
 Strong
 Wulf– Wolf
 Wolves are also great protectors, but are also cunning and
speedy
Themes and Important Subjects
Good vs. Evil
Religion: Christian and Pagan influences
The importance of wealth and treasure
The importance of the sea and sailing
The sacredness of the home
Fate
Loyalty
Heroism
So, why is Beowulf an important work of
literature?
It is an expression of Anglo-Saxon values
and attitudes:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Warfare
Belief in fate
Courage, loyalty and honor
The battle of Good versus Evil
Boasting
Storytelling (scops held key to immortality)
It is an archetypal example of an epic:
• Long
• Narrative
• Adventures of a central hero with supernatural
powers
• Worldwide or cosmic setting
• Participation by God (or Gods) in action
It is an example of Old English poetry:
• Beat rhythm
• No rhyme
• Alliteration
• Kennings
• Caesuras
Some terms you’ll want to know:
scop
A bard or story-teller.
The scop was
responsible for
praising deeds of past
heroes, for recording
history, and for
providing
entertainment
Some terms you’ll want to know:
comitatus
Literally, this means
“escort” or “comrade”
This term identifies the
concept of warriors and
lords mutually pledging
their loyalty to one
another
Some terms you’ll want to know:
thane
A warrior
mead-hall
The large hall where the
lord and his warriors
slept, ate, held
ceremonies, etc.
Some terms you’ll want to know:
wyrd
Fate. This idea crops up a
lot in the poem, while at
the same time there are
Christian references to
God’s will.
Some terms you’ll want to know:
Wergild
“man-payment”
a fee paid to the
family of a slain
man to atone for his
murder and to
prevent the family
from seeking
revenge
Warrior Code
Kings: generous
and hospitable;
protected thanes
Reputation: thanes
were expected to be
loyal, brave,
courageous