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Beowulf

Explore the background and introduction of the invasion and culture of the Anglo-Saxons in the British Isles, and the characteristics of the epic hero in Beowulf. Learn about the Anglo-Saxon attitude toward family, women, art, literature, ethics, and work.

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Beowulf

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  1. Beowulf Background and Introduction

  2. Invasion of the British Isles • 800-600 B.C. Celtic invasion Brythons (Britons) in Britain and Gaels in Ireland (clan culture) • 55 B.C.- Roman invasion (establishment of towns, introduction to Christianity) • 407 A.D. – Romans leave British Isles • 5th Century (449 A.D.) Anglo-Saxon invasion (Germanic tribes). Celts flee but leave Christian customs

  3. Viking Invasion • 9th Century • Norse invade Scotland, Wales, Ireland • Danes invade southern England • Anglo-Saxon’s maintain power and Christian values against pagan Vikings • 871 A.D. Alfred the Great establishes Saxon rule, promotes rebirth of learning and culture • 1066 A.D. Anglo-Saxon rule falls to Normans (North men, Vikings) with death of King Edward

  4. Anglo-Saxon Period “Anglo-Saxon England was born of warfare, remained forever a military society, and came to its end in battle.” - J. R. Lander In a society dominated by aggression, what would you expect to be the Anglo-Saxon attitude toward family life, the role of women, art, literature, ethics and work?

  5. Anglo-Saxon Civilization • Persons of rank received with grave courtesy • Ruler generous to those who remain loyal • Everyone aware of shortness of life & passing of all things in the world • Impersonal, irresistible fate determined most of life (Wyrd or Fate) • Heroic human will & courage allowed individuals to control their own response to fate

  6. Characteristics of an Epic Hero • Is significant and glorified • Is on a quest • Has superior or supernhuman strength, intelligence, and/or courage • Is ethical • Risks death for glory or for the greater good of society • Performs brave deeds • Is a strong and responsible leader • Reflects the ideals of a particular society

  7. Anglo-Saxon Poetics • Alliteration – repetition of consonant and vowel sounds at the beginning of words • Assonance- repetition of vowel sounds inside the words • Caesura – a natural pause or break in the middle of the line of poetry and joined by the use of a repeated vowel or consonant sound Out of the marsh // from the foot of misty Hills and bogs // bearing God’s hatred Grendel came // hoping to kill Anyone he could trap // on this trip to high Herot

  8. Anglo-Saxon Poetics • Kennings – a metaphorical phrase used to replace a concrete noun. Ready made descriptive compound words that evoke vivid images • Kennings are formed by prepositional phrases possessive phrases compound words Prepositional phrase – Giver of knowledge Possessive phrase – mankind’s enemy Compound word – sea path

  9. Beowulf • Composed by single Christian author for a Christian audience (probably a Northumbrian monk) • Sometime in the 8th -11th centuries (700-750) • Only manuscript available dates from the year 1000; discovered in the 18th century • Epic poem handed down through oral tradition • Depicts a world from early 6th century • Comitatus – Germanic code of loyalty • Thanes – warriors swearing loyalty to kings in return for land, treasures

  10. Old English • Old English is also known as Anglo-Saxon • 449-1100 • Runic alphabet • http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/interactive/timelines/language_timeline/index_embed.shtml • http://faculty.virginia.edu/OldEnglish/Beowulf.Readings/Beowulf.Readings.html

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