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Anglo-Saxon Period 450-1066 A.D.

Anglo-Saxon Period 450-1066 A.D. Historical and Literary Background Notes. Source: Pfordresher, John, Gladys V. Veidemanis, and Helen McDonnell eds. “The Anglo-Saxons 450-1066.” & “Beowulf.” England in Literature. Scott, Foresman and Co. Glenview, IL: 1989. 3-7, 10-35. Shaped by Invaders.

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Anglo-Saxon Period 450-1066 A.D.

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  1. Anglo-Saxon Period450-1066 A.D. Historical and Literary Background Notes Source: Pfordresher, John, Gladys V. Veidemanis, and Helen McDonnell eds. “The Anglo-Saxons 450-1066.” & “Beowulf.” England in Literature. Scott, Foresman and Co. Glenview, IL: 1989. 3-7, 10-35.

  2. Shaped by Invaders • The Anglo-Saxon culture was shaped by the different peoples who invaded the island of Britain • 2000 B.C.E. - Invaders from Iberian Peninsula • 600 B.C.E. - Celts • 43 A.D. -Romans

  3. Anglo-Saxon England450-1066 A.D. • 440 A.D. - Tribes from north west Germany invaded • Angles • Saxons • Jutes

  4. Anglo-Saxon Society • Tribal society, ruled by warrior kings • Warred with each other • Thanes pledged to defend warrior kings and were rewarded with treasure

  5. What qualities make someone a hero?

  6. Epic Hero • Usually protected by or even descended from gods • Performs superhuman exploits, often founding or saving a nation

  7. Epic Hero • Hero must be able to perform outstanding deeds and have super-human courage • Warriors frequently boast before fighting

  8. What qualities make someone a villain?

  9. Draugr • A monster in Old Norse Literature who is an animated corpse • People who had grievances after death could become draugar • Wander at night, wreaking aimless vengeance

  10. Draugr • Supernaturally strong – can’t be killed • A draugr often has a mother called a ketta (“she-cat”) more monstrous than he

  11. Epic A long narrative poem celebrating the great deeds of one or more legendary heroes, in a grand, ceremonious style

  12. Epic Characteristics • Setting is typically vast, usually encompassing stories about great nations or even the universe • Use of elevated language (i.e., epithet, metaphor) • Supernatural forces are typically evident

  13. Scop (or bard) Chanted traditional poems & composed new ones for feasts and ceremonial occasions

  14. List characteristics of stories that are primarily recited from memory instead of read from a book. What are some examples of these kinds of stories?

  15. Alliteration Repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words

  16. Alliteration Example: “Grendel . . . made his home in a hell Not hell but earth. He was spawned in that slime . . .”

  17. Epithet An adjective or adjectival phrase used to define a characteristic, quality, or attribute of some person or thing

  18. Epithet Examples: • Shild described as: “Lord of all life, Ruler of glory” • Grendel described as: “Shepherd of evil, guardian of crime” • Beowulf described as: “mighty protector of men”

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