The Anglo-Saxon Age and Beowulf
Download as PPTX, PDF6 likes1,278 views
Here are some key points about Old English vocabulary: - Many words are recognizable to modern English speakers due to shared Germanic roots between Old English and modern English. Words like "man," "woman," "water," "good," "land" would have been familiar. - Spellings often differ from modern English. For example, "cyning" rather than "king." Consonant combinations like "sc" were more common where we now use "sh." - Grammar was also more complex. For example, nouns had distinct masculine, feminine, and neuter forms and declined based on case, number and other factors. Verbs had to be conjugated. - Vocabulary incorporated Latin and French
![ Takes the form of a long narrative poem about a
quest, told in formal, elevated language
Narrates the exploits of a larger-than-life hero who
embodies the values of a particular culture
Begins with a statement of subject and theme and,
sometimes, a prayer to a deity
Deals with events on a large scale
Uses many of the conventions of oral storytelling,
such as repetition, sound effects, figures of speech,
and stock epithets
Often includes gods and goddesses as characters
Mixes myth, legend, and history [Holt 55]](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/theanglo-saxonageandbeowulf-161116231741/85/The-Anglo-Saxon-Age-and-Beowulf-16-320.jpg)
The Anglo-Saxon Age and Beowulf
- 2. One of the most important remains of Anglo-Saxon literature is the epic poem Beowulf. Its age is unknown; but it comes from a very distant and hoar antiquity…It is like a piece of ancient armor; rusty and battered, and yet strong.
- 3. Ancient civilizations, some of which were quite advanced, had arisen in other parts of the world well before the Anglo-Saxon period. For example, the great pyramids had already been built along the Nile. City states had risen and fallen in Mesopotamia. Persia had already united many lands. China was a unified, powerful empire. The beginnings of democracy had already come and gone in Greece. By contrast, Britain was a green, dark, isolated, sleepy island where civilization and empire had yet to bloom.
- 4. Anglo-Saxon Era: Timeline Anglo-Saxon society Pagan vs. Christianity Anglo-Saxon Literature Beowulf Resources
- 5. 43 CE Romans invade Britain. Encountered the Celts. Romans build roads, villas, huge buildings, and forts. Introduced Christianity. 420 CE Romans leave.
- 6. 450 CE Jutes from Denmark, and the Angles and Saxons from Northern Germany invade England. Germanic tribes. Anglo-Saxons push out Celts 597 CE Anglo-Saxons become Christian
- 7. 787 CE Viking raids begin 871-899 CE King Alfred the Great becomes King of England. Established education systems, rebuilt monasteries. Fought Danes and forced them from Wessex. Unified Anglo-Saxons under one king to resist the Viking invasions. Danes ruled in the North, Anglo-Saxons in the South. 1066 CE Norman Conquest by William the Conqueror. From Norman French. Defeated Danes and Anglo-Saxons. Officially ended Anglo-Saxon era and brought about the beginning of the Medieval Period.
- 8. Anglo-Saxon society. Lived in tribal groups with a high class of warriors. Kings emerged as society developed. Spoke Old English. This was the language that Beowulf was written in. Became Christian but still valued heroic ideals and traditional heroes. Their culture valued human contact, family, virtue, and a good story. They feared humiliation and loneliness in their lives. In addition, the Anglo-Saxons desired richness, power, and appreciated heroic actions of warriors.
- 9. Pagan Strong nature presence Strength of the warrior God is mentioned by two of the main characters in the poem: Beowulf and Hrothgar. Grendel as Lucifer Both are outcasts Perform a task for God Grendel is described as a son or descendant of Cain, a clear Biblical reference. Christianity The Anglo-Saxons mixed both pagan and Christian traditions. Beowulf contains traces of both beliefs.
- 10. Anglo-Saxon literature began as an oral tradition. Stories, poems, and songs were all told aloud and passed from generation to generation orally through minstrels (also called scops). Poems traditionally had a strong beat, alliteration, and no rhyme. Caesura: “a cutting.” A break in a line of poetry, used in Old English to depict a half line. We use a comma for a modern effect. i.e. Da com of more under mistheleopum “Out from the marsh, from the foot of the hills.” Kenning: derived from the Norse word “kenna” which means “to know, to recognize.” It is a compact metaphor that functions as a name. i.e. helmberend: “Helm bearer” or “warrior”
- 11. It is the sole survivor of a great epic tradition. It is great poetry. It is an archaeological relic which is most interesting. As a linguistic document, it’s full of revelations. It gives us information about Old English social life and politics.
- 12. English is divided into three periods: Old English (ca.449- 1100), Middle English (ca. 1100-1500), and Modern English (ca. 1500-). Old English is sometimes known as Anglo-Saxon. The English language changed from Old English to Middle English in 1100 and from Middle English to Modern English in 1500. These shifts took place over hundreds of years. It is important to realize that the wide-spread notion of a standard language or even of standardized spelling are modern notions made possible by the printing press.
- 13. Beowulf is the most well-known Anglo-Saxon poem, and is a form of poetry called Epic. Such other examples are Homer’s The Iliad and The Odissey. Long narrative that celebrates a hero’s long journeys and heroic deeds. J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Ring series and George Lucas’ Stars Wars could be called modern epics. Characteristics include a noble hero whose character traits reflect their society’s ideals. The hero performs brave acts and appears superhuman.
- 14. The epic poem Beowulf strengthens the Heroic Code. This code was derived from the Anglo-Saxons’ Germanic roots, and called for strength, courage, and loyalty in warriors. It also required kings to be hospitable, generous, and have great political skills. This code was a basis for Anglo-Saxon honor.
- 15. Universal themes of epic poetry Good vs. Evil Beowulf vs. Grendel Isolation Courage and honor Beowulf is fearless and brave while fighting the monsters. Gods or semi-divine creatures Grendel, Grendel’s mother, the dragon Tale involves the fate of an entire race Beowulf saves Hrothgar’s village from Grendel.
- 16. Takes the form of a long narrative poem about a quest, told in formal, elevated language Narrates the exploits of a larger-than-life hero who embodies the values of a particular culture Begins with a statement of subject and theme and, sometimes, a prayer to a deity Deals with events on a large scale Uses many of the conventions of oral storytelling, such as repetition, sound effects, figures of speech, and stock epithets Often includes gods and goddesses as characters Mixes myth, legend, and history [Holt 55]
- 17. Most famous of early Germanic poems Written anywhere between 400- 1000, but most likely after the 500s. The author is unknown, but likely to be Christian. It is likely that a few different authors elaborated on the tale. Takes place in Sweden, Denmark, and Frisia. The Norse were at this time attacking Britain, thus allowing knowledge of places, people, and ancestors to be available.
- 18. Beowulf: main character, a hero featuring all the qualities of an epic hero. He has superhuman strength and is fearless and brave in battle. Hrothgar: the king of the village that Beowulf saves from Grendel. Grendel: a monster terrorizing Hrothgar’s village. Grendel’s mother: a monster set out to avenge her son’s death.
- 20. Beowulf travels to Hrothgar’s village to save them from Grendel, a terrifying monster eating their warriors. An epic battle ensues with Beowulf is the winner. Grendel’s mother comes seeking vengeance for her son’s death. Again, Beowulf is called upon to save them all, and he fights heroically and defeats the evil monster. After being vastly rewarded and refusing an offer from Hrothgar to be his heir, Beowulf makes the long trek back to his homeland where he becomes a mighty and generous king for many years. He fights a massive dragon who is threatening his people. He and the dragon both die in the struggle, but he is heroic until the end.
- 21. Stern, barbarous life Religious feeling, fatalism of Anglo-Saxon Mixtures of savagery, sentiment, and nobility Love of nature and especially being influenced by the sea Common sense, power of endurance, seriousness of thought Emotional, imaginative, sensitive.
- 22. Love of glory Allegiance to lord or king Reverence for women Love of personal freedom Open-handed hospitality of lord to thane Honoring truth Repression of too much sentiment
- 23. Old English circa 500CE-1100CE “Cyning” means “king,” so “Cyningas” must mean “kings.” What other words look familiar to today’s language?