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Beowulf. Earliest extant heroic epic in any MODERN language. Anglo-Saxon/Old English Poetry . Only about 30,000 lines survive. About 10% of this is contained in Beowulf . Scops “singan and secgan” (sang and spoke) the poetry – probably intoned or chanted to a lyre or harp. Beowulf.
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Beowulf Earliest extant heroic epic in any MODERN language
Anglo-Saxon/Old English Poetry • Only about 30,000 lines survive. • About 10% of this is contained in Beowulf. • Scops “singan and secgan” (sang and spoke) the poetry – probably intoned or chanted to a lyre or harp.
Beowulf • About events in the 6th century A.D. • Composed in the 8th century A.D. • Written down in the 10th century A.D. • Content is a fusion of Norse and Danish events passed on through oral tradition. • Written down by monks. Therefore has a veneer of Christian belief system superimposed upon it.
Setting • Denmark – The Danes • Geatland – part of Sweden • Digressions – involving other parts of Northern Europe. These help the poet develop certain themes in the poem. Be ready to discuss the directions.
Where was it composed? • Some say in Northern Europe • Most say in some part of colonized England to remind AS of their ancestry.
Only extant copy dates A.D. 1000
Historical Basis for Beowulf • Many characters show up in histories and other works of literature. • We can place the battle with Grendel at the end of 2nd decade of the 6th century. • We can place Beowulf’s fight with the dragon in the last ¼ of the sixth century.
How do we know? • The historical digressions can be dated. Interestingly, the supposed time of Beowulf’s death concurs with many royal ships burials that archeologists have uncovered.
Beowulf as a reflection of AS culture: • Strong emphasis on courage in battle. • Importance of fidelity to one’s word. • Loyalty to kinsmen and comrades—comitatus. • Reflects a violent, but highly principled, society. • Life is always a struggle; life is transient. • Honor is everything. • Strict code of revenge. • Acceptance of fate.
Religion in Beowulf • Veneer of Christianity is very “Old Testament” in tone. • Some references remain to Odin and pagan beliefs in monsters and fate.
Structure: Battles with three monsters • Grendel: representation of physical evil • Grendel’s mother: representation of moral or intellectual evil. • Dragon: representative of metaphysical/cosmic evil that is woven into the fabric of the universe.
Universal Theme of Beowulf Physical and moral evil can be challenged and overcome, but, ultimately, evil cannot be avoided.