World Literature essay exam

Beowulf OLD ENGLISH POEM – ANALYZING THE LITERATURE, PART 2

The Epic Poem

• Anglo-Saxon word Beo means

• “bright” or “noble”

• Anglo-Saxon word wulf means

• “wolf”

• Beowulf means bright or noble wolf

• Derives from folk-tales

• Blend of legend and history

• Contains precise references to real historical events and tribal struggles

The Literature

• Setting: Denmark and Sweden

• Author: Unknown, probably a monk

• Composed during the Dark Ages, 500 AD and 700 AD

• 1st Danish kingdom ruled by Hrothgar on the island of Zealand (present day Denmark)

• The mead hall, Herot

• Lake

• 50 years later in the land of the Geats in Sweden

From the Pagan World

• Fantastic world

• Monsters

• Trolls and Dragons

• Imaginary creatures

• Underwater Fights in a Supernatural Place

• Magic Swords

• Death and Glory

• Funeral Pyre

• Faithless or Faithful Companions

• Blood and Gore

• Blood Feuds and Revenge; Killing of Kin

From the Judeo-Christian World

• Grendel as a descendent of Cain

• Hrothgar Worships Pagan gods

• One Pure and Virtuous Man Saves the Souls of Others

• Humility of Beowulf

• Trust in the Divine Providence and Divine Intervention

• Rule with Wisdom and Humility, Honor, Courage, Faith, Loyalty, and Hope

Plot Summary

• Long ago, at the beginning of creation, two brothers, Cain and Abel lived peacefully, until Cain killed Abel, starting a blood-feud of kin-murder. • This legacy of kin-murder was passed down through time, for the murder split the

bloodline into two groups: Abel's, whose descendants were human, and Cain's, whose descendants were monstrous and sub-human.

• The poem Beowulf begins with this legacy of kin-murder and revenge.

• In Denmark, an evil monster, Grendel, who is ritually ravaging his kingdom, torments King Hrothgar.

• Beowulf, a noted and respected warrior from Geatland, arrives with a ship of his warriors to assist King Hrothgar in stopping Grendel.

• King Hrothgar accepts Beowulf's pledge to kill Grendel.

Literary Elements of Anglo-Saxon Poetry • Epic – long narrative poem

• Epic Hero

• Alliteration: repetition of initial consonant sounds - “Then the grim man in green gathers his strength” – “He rippled down the rock, writhing with anger”

• Assonance – repetition of vowel sounds

• Archetype – old imaginative pattern passed through the ages; can be a character type or plot or image

• Allusion – reference to something that came before (Biblical)

• Symbol – something that stands for something larger than self

More Literary Elements of Anglo-Saxon Poetry • Figurative Language – simile, metaphor, personification

• Caesura: a pause or break in a line of poetry – “Oft to the wanderer / weary of exile”

• Theme

• Kenning: compound metaphor used as a name - “battle-blade” and “ring-giver” “hoard-guardian”

• Hyperbole: exaggeration

• Imagery – language that appeals to the senses

• Foil – contrasting characteristics

The Epic Hero

• Predestined

• Mysterious origin

• Vulnerability

• Embodies cultural ideals

• Responds to catastrophic situations

• Supernatural intervenes to help him

• Moral compass leads him to defend his society

• Mortal but god-like

About The Epic of Beowulf

• Beowulf is the self-portrait of a culture.

• The poem describes the values of the culture, not necessarily the facts.

• It describes the ideal man, a sword-wielding warrior who defends right,

slays monsters and displays honor and bravery.

• Beowulf came from earlier folktales describing monsters and dragons and brave warriors that were loyal to their heroic chiefs.

• They also described descents into hell-like places.

About Beowulf, the Warrior

• Epic hero

• Beowulf is a Geat – a country that is now southern Sweden.

• The beginning of the story takes place in Denmark in Hrothgar’s kingdom.

• Grendel is a monster that has been terrorizing the Danish people in the mead hall called Heorot.

• Beowulf comes to kill Grendel to pay a debt to Hrothgar that he owes because of his father, Edgetho.

Key Characters

• Beowulf – the title character and hero. He is the prince of the Geats and becomes their king. Son of Edgetho. • Most sons named after the father; however, Beowulf isn’t which proves he is his own

individual with his own powers and abilities, more important than his father.

• Hrothgar--the old, once great King of the Danes. His hall (Heorot) is attacked by Grendel. He is the son of Healfdane.

• Grendel--the monster who attacks Herot. He is an evil giant, descendent of Cain.

• Grendel’s Mother—not as powerful as her son, but more fierce and ferocious. Beowulf also fights her when she seeks revenge for her son.

• The Dragon--guards a great treasure. Attacks the Geats. Fights Beowulf in the end of the poem.

More Key Characters

• Wiglaf--the bravest and most loyal of Beowulf ’s warriors.

• Danes--originate in Denmark. Hrothgar’s people are Danes, and they are the people Grendel is terrorizing.

• Geats--originate in South Sweden. Beowulf is a Geat.

Character Chart

Beowulf

• Anglo-Saxon hero "had to be strong, brave, intelligent, and humble, but he must at all times keep his sorrows and fears to himself."

• As a warrior the hero must appear stoic and fearless at all times, no matter what.

• Beowulf is the perfect example of an Anglo-Saxon hero.

Hrothgar

• Danish king

• Builds Herot (hall)

• Tormented by Grendel for 12 years

• Loses many men

• Joyless before Beowulf ’s arrival

Herot – Mead Hall

• The vast building of Herot is used as a diplomatic headquarters, a place to administer justice, plan battle, and hold entertainments.

Grendel

• Referred to as demon and fiend

• Haunts the moors (swampy land)

• Descendant of Cain

(kills his brother Abel in Bible)

• Feasts on 30 men the night of 1st

attack

Grendel’s Mother

• Referred to as a

*she-wolf

• Lives under a lake

• Challenges Hrothgar when she kills one of his best men

Fire Dragon

Lives in Beowulf ’s kingdom

Wakes up when thief steals cup

Guards countless treasures

Funeral Pyre for Beowulf

Epic Poem Ends in Elegy (Song of Praise)

What’s Next

• Watch the next video lecture: Beowulf Lecture – Analyzing the Literature Pt 3