Provenance

Setting

Why Beowulf?

Beowulf

Poetic devices

Terms

Themes

Why Study Beowulf?1. Beowulf is the oldest poem in the English

language, so everything written since Beowulf

stems from it in some way

2. The story of Beowulf encompasses common

themes that we still see in English literature today

4. It’s a great story

3. Studying Old English improves your

understanding of modern English

Beowulf’s Provenance

What we don’t know:

who wrote it

when exactly it was written

how much, exactly, is

based on historical truth

Setting: Beowulf’s time and place

Although Beowulf was written in English,

it is set in what is now Sweden, where a

tribe called the Geats lived.

The story may take place as early as 400

or 500 A.D.

Anglo-Saxons, 449-1066 B. C.

How we date BeowulfSome Important Dates:

521 A.D. – death of Hygelac, who is

mentioned in the poem

680 A.D. – appearance of alliterative verse

835 A.D. – the Danish started raiding other

areas; after this, few poets would

consider them heroes

SO: This version was likely composed between

680 and 835, though it may be set earlier

Setting: Beowulf’s time and place

Europe today Insert: Time of Beowulf

Beowulf was orally passed down

scop

A bard or story-teller.

The scop was responsible

for praising deeds of past

heroes, for recording

history, and for providing

entertainment

The Poetry in BeowulfA few things to watch out for

1. Alliterative verse

a. Repetition of initial sounds of words

(occurs in every line)

b. Generally, four feet/beats per line

c. A caesura, or pause, between

beats two and four

d. No rhyme

The Poetry in BeowulfA few things to watch out for

Alliterative verse – an example from Beowulf:

Oft Scyld Scefing sceapena praetum,

Monegum maegpum meodo-setla ofteah;

Egsode Eorle, syddan aerest weard.

There was Shield Sheafson, scourge of many

tribes,

A wrecker of mead-benches, rampaging

among foes.

The terror of the hall-troops had come far.

The Poetry in BeowulfA few things to watch out for

The Poetry in BeowulfA few things to watch out for

2. Kennings

a. Compound metaphor (usually two words)

b. Most were probably used over and over

For instance: hronade

literally means “whale-

road,” but can be

translated as “sea”

The Poetry in BeowulfA few things to watch out for

Other kennings from Beowulf:

banhus = “bone-house” = body

goldwine gumena = “gold-friend of men” =

generous prince

beaga brytta = “ring-giver” = lord

beadoleoma = “flashing light” = sword

thane

A warrior

mead-hall

The large hall where the

lord and his warriors slept,

ate, held ceremonies, etc.

Some terms you’ll want to know

comitatus

Literally, this means

“escort” or “comrade”

This term identifies the

concept of warriors and

lords mutually pledging

their loyalty to one another

Some terms you’ll want to know

Weregild

Literally, this means "man

price"

If property was stolen, or someone was injured or

killed, the guilty person would have to pay

weregild as restitution to the victim's family or to

the owner of the property

Some terms you’ll want to know

wyrd

Fate. This idea crops up a

lot in the poem, while at

the same time there are

Christian references to

God’s will.

Some terms you’ll want to know

epic

Beowulf is an epic poem.

This means it has a

larger-than life hero and

the conflict is of

universal importance.

Some terms you’ll want to know

Themes and Important Aspects

Good vs. Evil

Religion: Christian and Pagan influences

The importance of wealth and treasure

Loyalty and allegiance

The importance of the sea and sailing

The sanctity of the home

Fate

Heroism and heroic deeds