beowulf the poem intro
TRANSCRIPT
BEOWULF
PROYECTO INTEGRADO
ENGLISH LITERATURE
BILINGUAL ESO4
ISABEL QUESADA GÓMEZ
INTRODUCING Beowulf: THE POEM AND THE WARRIOR
SOCIETY Superman vs Batman: who is the hero and
who is the superhero? Batman has no super powers but he
chooses to help his community, just like Beowulf does! Let’s analyse the warrior society to understand Beowulf’s, the hero of the poem, behaviour and acts.
The origin of the poem Beowulf is mysterious. We do not know the identity of the author, and we are unsure of its precise date of composition. However, most scholars believe it was composed by a single Christian author for a Christian audience in Anglo-Saxon England anywhere from the eighth to eleventh century. Beowulf was composed in the oral poetic tradition. Whether it was originally written or oral is not known. The poem, filled with biblical allusions to the Old Testament, is also influenced by Germanic oral tradition and Old Norse myth and legend.
It is be interesting to know about the Germanic code of loyalty (Comitatus). 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 also 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 was very important
It is an epic poem: 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.
Beowulf
Written c. 700 C.E. Author unknown Often called the beginning of
English literature Written in Old English Only one complete original copy
remains
Beowulf: an epic poem
An EPIC is a long narrative poem which follows a hero’s struggle against universal issues.
The epic will contain 3 elements: A larger-than life hero The Supernatural Elevated language style
Other Epic Poems
The Iliad and Odyssey (Greek, Homer) The Aeneid (Roman, Virgil) Gilgamesh (Babylonian, unknown) Cantar de mio Cid (Spanish, unknown) Chanson de Roland (French, unknown)
Themes in Beowulf
Identity Ancestral heritage Individual reputation
Heroic glory Characteristics of good warrior
Strength Loyalty Courage
Characteristics of good king Hospitality Generosity Diplomacy Distribution of treasure: gold, horses, armour
Beowulf’s Literary elements
Kennings (epithets) (two-word phrase for a common word)ex: world-candle for sun or whale-road for ocean
Metaphores and symbolism Hyperboles Highly descriptive passages Alliteration
Beowulf’s Alliteration
Use of alliteration Beginning 3 or 4 words in a line with the
same letter OE: “waes se grimma gaest Grendel haten” TRANS: “a horror from hell, hideous
Grendel.” “Then out of the night came the shadow-
stalker, stealthy and swift“ (702-703)
Beowulf: Oral Tradition Oral poetry was sung by many; was
performed when warriors gathered in meadhalls during celebrations. Scop (pronounced shop) in Anglo-Saxon lands Troubadours in France Trovadores in Spain Minnesingers in Germany
Beowulf: Writing it Down
Mistakes in translations
Misunderstanding out-of-date slang
Political correctness
Intentional changes in the text
It all depended on who did the writing and their feelings about the texts.
Beowulf shows both Norse pagan belief and Christianity
Beowulf: The Legend
Seems to have been entirely fictional Why has this story lasted through the ages?
Good against Evil Strength of heart and spirit Truth and light vs. dark powers Constant Challenge Death always awaits, even for the hero.
Isabel Mª Quesada Gómez
THE END