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The Anglo-Saxon Period

The Anglo-Saxon Period. Beowulf. A Brief History of the Old English Period. 800-600 BC: Celts and Britons 55 BC - 407 AD: Romans 449 AD: Anglo-Saxon invasion (Germanic tribes ) *Based on p. 4 in Literature , 407 AD is also acceptable.

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The Anglo-Saxon Period

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  1. The Anglo-Saxon Period Beowulf

  2. A Brief History of the Old English Period • 800-600 BC: Celts and Britons • 55 BC - 407 AD: Romans • 449 AD: Anglo-Saxon invasion (Germanic tribes) *Based on p. 4 in Literature, 407 AD is also acceptable. • 597: Saint Augustine starts to spread Christianity in British Isles • 7th - 9th centuries: Vikings of Scandinavia invade • 1066: Norman Conquest • Basically - over a thousand years of invasions and conflicts

  3. Invasion Paths

  4. Impact of Invasions • Changes in the language - Old English was heavily Germanic and remained so until the Normans brought the French language • Conflicts between Christian groups and invading pagan tribes • Culture built on warfare and heroism

  5. Anglo-Saxon Literature • Started as an oral literature - stories passed down verbally by scops (traveling poets) • Heroic poetry - recounts the achievements of warriors • Epic - a long narrative poem that celebrates the deeds of a heroic figure • Hero battles against forces that threaten the order of his world • Language is serious and exaggerates the deeds of the hero • The hero is a larger-than-life character

  6. Beowulf • Considered to be the first important piece of “English” literature - written in Old English (we read the modern translation) • A perfect example of an Anglo-Saxon epic poem • Composed by an unknown Christian Anglo-Saxon poet around 700 AD, but started as a pagan oral tale in Scandinavia • Story takes place in Scandinavia around 500 AD

  7. Setting

  8. Features in the Text • Frequent use of alliteration • Depiction of heroic code of honor • Conflict between pagan origins of the story and author’s Christian values – look for Biblical allusions • Battles between good and evil • Elevated language

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