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Beowulf

Beowulf. Written: unknown Author: unknown. Beowulf. Beowulf’s origins are very mysterious. It is not known who wrote the epic poem. When it was written is also not known.

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Beowulf

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  1. Beowulf Written: unknown Author: unknown

  2. Beowulf • Beowulf’s origins are very mysterious. It is not known who wrote the epic poem. When it was written is also not known. • Most scholars believe the piece was written by a single Christian author for a Christian audience in Anglo-Saxon England anywhere from the 8th to the 11th century. • Beowulf is composed in the oral poetic tradition. Whether it was originally written or oral is not known. • The poem is filled with biblical allusions to the Old Testament and is influenced by the Germanic oral tradition and Old Norse myth and legend.

  3. Literary Elements in Anglo-Saxon Poetry: Beowulf • Epic Poetry: a long, narrative poem written in an elevated style which celebrates the deeds of a legendary hero or god. • Epic Hero: Superhuman hero or god of an epic. • Alliteration: The repetition of similar sounds, especially the initial consonant sound of a word or of a stressed syllable. “Shild’s strong son” (23, line 19) • Kenning: Usually a two-word metaphorical name for something, such as “sea road” for ocean (30, line 239). When neither element of the compound is a true name of the object, it is called a full kenning. When one element is true and the other is not, it is called a half kenning.

  4. Traditions in Beowulf—The scop • Scops, san Anglo-Saxon tradition, were both composers and storytellers who traveled from court to court—they were the entertainers of Anglo-Saxon times. • Scops were expected to know a broad repertoire of tales and no doubt be able to compose tales in tribute to the patrons who financed them.

  5. Traditions in Beowulf--Comitatus • Comitatus is the German code of loyalty. • Thanes, or warriors, swore loyalty to their king, for whom they fought and whom they protected. In return the king was expected to be generous with gifts of treasure and land. • The king protected his thanes. Kings were highly praised for their generosity and hospitality . • Warriors were expected to be brave, courageous, and loyal. Their reputation for such qualities were very important.

  6. Traditions in Beowulf--Wergild • Wergild is the Germanic custom, meaning “man-payment,” which is the practice of paying a slain man’s family to atone for the deed and to prevent them from taking revenge against the manslayer. • Wergild is mentioned in Beowulf. Before the events of the poem, Hrothgar paid a wergild to Beowulf’s father. Hence, Beowulf feels compelled to help Hrothgar in his time of need.

  7. Beowulf’s List of Characters • Note: We may have trouble keeping up with all the different warrior groups throughout the poems. The most important thing to remember is: • Beowulf represents the Geats. • Hrothgar represents the Danes.

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