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Beowulf & The Anglo Saxons 449-1066. Anglo Saxon Period. Anglo-Saxons Drove the natives away from Britain Pagans Paganism= polytheistic religion Fate vs. Personal Freedom Christians believe that all individuals have the freedom to make their own choice
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Beowulf & The Anglo Saxons 449-1066
Anglo Saxon Period • Anglo-Saxons • Drove the natives away from Britain • Pagans • Paganism= polytheistic religion • Fate vs. Personal Freedom • Christians believe that all individuals have the freedom to make their own choice • Pagans believe things that happened to you were destined to happen
Anglo Saxons & Mead Hall • The mead hall was a gift from the king to his warriors • The warriors ate, got wasted, and lived together at the Mead Hall • Mead: Fermented beverages made from honey (Think of beer made from honey)
Anglo Saxon Warrior • Athletic • Strong • Seafaring • Adventurous • Loyal to fellow brethren • Courageous • Strong belief in fair play
Beowulf • Originally written in Old English before 10th century AD • Describes a Scandinavian warrior of the 6th century • Long free-verse, action-packed, poem
Beowulf’s Key Players • Beowulf (Bae-o-wolf) • Scandinavian Warrior • King Hrothgar (Roth-gar) • King of Denmark • Grendel • Evil Monster/Descendant of Cain; loves being miserable, evil, and full of rage!!!! • Grendel’s mother • Grendel’s mother; vengeance seeker • Wiglaf (wi-glaf) • Beowulf’s ace boon coon; a warrior almost as good as Beowulf • The Dragon • Evil force that attempts to kill all of Switzerland
Beowulf in the Beginning… King Hrothgar was very pleased by the success of his kingdom. He decided to build a mead hall, Herot, to honor all of warriors. This mead hall was the place all the men went to celebrate victories.
There lived a monster by the name of Grendel. Grendel hated all happiness and all humans. He felt the world would be a better place without humans. After a while he decides to attack Hrothgar’s men! After several attacks, Hrothgar called on Beowulf. Beowulf goes to help Hrothgar. Beowulf didn’t mind coming because of a huge favor Hrothgar did for Beowulf’s father. He was expressing his gratitude by helping Hrothgar’s men fight Grendel.
How does this relate to 21st century??? • Themes in Beowulf are relevant to ideas people deal with today in the 21st century • Loyalty • Respect • Courage • Honor • Violence • The Fall of the Hero • Traditions & Customs