Beowulf

Introduction and Background

The oldest-known English story in

existence - nearly 1000 years old!
Movie Trailer
Release Date: November
2007

Box Office: $196.4 million

 Epic: a long narrative poem
that traces the adventures of a
What is an Epic? great hero, an epic hero

E Embodies and protects values of the time

P Possesses supernatural traits

I Identifies a need to go on a supernatural quest

C Carries himself with pride and pomosity

 How does Beowulf fit the rules of the Epic?
In your readings so far, what have you observed about Beowulf? Why is it classified as an epic?

In literary terms… How is Beowulf an epic hero?

- -
 7 Main Traits
Qualities of an Epic
- Noble lineage and upbringing: commoners
are not usually found in their lineage Protagonist
- Superhuman capabilities: able to overcome
challenges of incredible strength and courage
- Vast traveler: connection to Joseph Campbell’s
hero’s journey; journey to the unknown
- Unmatched warrior: have a reputation as a
warrior, even before their story begins
- Cultural legend: will earn the status of legend
when challenge is complete
- Humility: doesn’t boast or brag about feats,
won’t ask for applause
- Example: Oedipus after solving the Sphinx’s
riddle
- Battles Superhuman Foes: Most epic heroes
receive aid from a god or goddess when they are
on a quest or are battling against some
superhuman forces; in a battle that mere mortals
cannot fight
 Discussion:
What are some of the values of our
time and who protects and fights
for those values?

Thinking back to the EPIC acronym…

E: Embodies and protects the values of the time
 Discussion:
Looking at this list of characteristics, do
you think these traits translate to
protagonists or heroes of today’s society?

7 Main Traits

- Noble lineage and upbringing

- Superhuman capabilities
- Vast traveler
- Unmatched warrior
- Cultural legend
- Humility
- Battles Superhuman Foes
 Anglo-Saxon History
and Values

Because of their need to fight for land during the

Anglo-Saxon invasions of Britain in the 5th
century (around the year 450 AD), Anglo-Saxons
valued strength and courage. Once they
settled in their new land, they then valued those
who were able to help them protect their
settlement and community. As a result of their
tight-knit community, kinsmanship was
valued above all things other than the king.
Their kingdom was only as strong as its
war-leader king.
 Common Anglo-Saxon Poetic Devices
Before written documentation, stories were passed down through memorization and oral tradition.
This is true of Beowulf as well. The Anglo-Saxons loved using poetic devices to give their stories
rhythm and interesting sound quality.

Alliteration: The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words

Example: Then profoundly setting the sun and the moon…

Caesura: A pause dividing words in a line of poetry, giving a hard, chant-like rhythm

Read these lines: Now read it with caesura:

By one death was my errand and fate By one death was my errand-- and fate
and I’ve come grant me then and I’ve come. Grant me then…

Kenning: A metaphorical compound word or phrase substituted for a thing or a name.

Example: Grendel is called “Mankind’s Enemy”
Example: Hrothgar is called “Shelterer of Warriors”
The Original Epic Poem

This is the oldest written work of the English language.

The original poem was told in an oral tradition format for
many years, but was finally written down by an unknown
source. Only one manuscript survives today, pictured to
the right.
Beowulf opening Lines in Old English
Just to give you an idea of what
Beowulf might have originally
sounded like when passed down
through oral tradition.

These are the opening lines of

Beowulf, recited by Jefferson
Reardon. Believe it or not, what
he is speaking in is actually
English! Well, Old English, I
should say.

Language, much like our values

and perceptions of what’s truly
important, is constantly evolving.
 The Problem with
Translations

The act of translating (from an oral

tradition to an Old English written
epic to a modern-day translation) has
greatly changed the original content
of the poem. Anglo-Saxons were However, around the year 597, a Roman missionary of the
known as Heathens and worshipped name Saint Augustine began converting the Anglo-Saxons
gods and goddesses for thousands of to Christianity. This is an interesting concept because you
years before the coming of will find lots of Christian references in Beowulf as if the
Christianity. Norse mythology story has been translated into a form of propaganda to help
spread Christianity. Note the mixture of the religious
depicts types of gods and goddesses
allusions as well as pagan elements as you read.
that Pagans worshipped.