Anglo-Saxon Period Study Guide

Used for gathering and storytelling

Mead Halls

Repetition of consonant sounds

Alliteration

Professional poets

The Scop

Season often mentioned in Anglo Saxon literature

Winter (bleak environment)

Anglo-Saxon word for fate

Wyrd

Invaders of England from Denmark, Norway, after Roman occupation

German groups ( Jutes, Saxons, Angles, aka Anglo Saxons)

Dominant topics/subjects of Anglo Saxon literature

• Heroic struggles 

• Usually serious, and reflect the bleak environment they live in

• Only the strong survive

• Stories often combined Christianity with Pagan beliefs, God is present as well as magic and monsters

• Common themes in Beowulf specifically:

  • Frequent warfare

  • Strong tribal and feudal loyalties

  • Celebrates strong warrior culture

  • Good vs evil

Pausing in a line of poetry

Caesura

Phrase that works like a riddle

Kenning

Original inhabitants of England

Celts (Britons) *lived in Wales

Author’s attitude toward his/her subject

Tone

Beowulf is an example of this type of hero

• An epic hero 

  • He had a noble birth, he was brave, and he was strong

Who are the Danes/Geats?

• Danes come from what is now Denmark

  • Hrothgar’s tribe

• Geats are from modern day (southern) Sweden

  • Beowulf’s tribe

How long does Grendel terrorize Herot?

Twelve years

How was Beowulf told/delivered to an audience?

Storytelling in hall

Style of Anglo Saxon poetry/epic poetry

• Epic

• Formal 

• Serious tone

Setting of Beowulf

Marshy swamp area, Herot

Conventions of epic heroes

Noble birth, brave, strong, male, determine fate of nation, fight the supernatural

When did the epic originate?

Around the early 6th century

What are the conventions of an epic?

• Setting-vast or universal 

• Plot: involving supernatural and a quest

• Universal Theme- good vs evil in beowulf

• Style: serious and formal 

Know major characters and what they do

• Hrothgar

  • King of the Danes

  • Blessed throne

  • His mead hall keeps getting attacked and his people keep dying 

• Beowulf

  • Aids Hrothgar in his fight against Grendel by killing Grendel and his mother… he becomes king of the Geats and fights a dragon before dying 

• Wiglaf

  • The only Geat who stayed true to the warrior values of loyalty, selflessness, and courage

• Grendel

  • Monster who terrorized the Danes and was eventually killed by Beowulf

• Grendel’s mother

  • Monster who attacks Herot to take revenge for her son’s death, eventually killed by Beowulf 

What accomplishment does Beowulf boast about to Hrothgar?

Chaining 5 giants, killing sea monsters, and rising from battle

What effect does alliteration have?

Inject mood or emotion into a piece of writing. It can also be used to add rhythm and emphasis

Recognize kenning/characteristics suggested

.

What’s the belief system?

• Christian? Pagan?

• A mix

• It's mostly Christian with aspects of Paganism

What epic conventions are found in “Grendel's Mother?”

• In notes

• Setting: the world of the dames and the geats

• Supernatural: 1. Grendel’s mother   2. the sea monsters and beasts beowulf fights in the lake    3. Magical underwater hall

• Quest: Geowulf’s journey to aid Hrothgar

• Theme: Good vs. evil

Know the examples of alliteration and the effects

• H= sighing, despair, sadness

• L= happy

• D= heavy, dark

• F= heavy, dark

What are some of the cultural values?

• Friendship

• Loyalty

• Peace

• Courage 

• Hospitality

• Respect

What do the Geats do to honor Beowulf after his death?

• Build a tall tower in his memory

• Tell his story

Know what Beowulf remembers about his rule and their suggestions about living

• Kept Geats safe- care for others 

• Kept his word- live and honest/loyal life

• Avoided wars- be peaceful 

• Left a legacy - living a meaningful life

Know that Beowulf celebrates warrior culture

• Kept Geats safe- care

• Kept his word- honest/loyal

• Avoided wars- peaceful 

• Left a legacy - living a meaningful life 

• Courageous

• Loyal

How long did Beowulf rule as king?

50 years

Who is Hygelac?

King of the Geats, Beowulf’s uncle

All heroes will face their mortality one day (die)

.

Wiglaf

The only Geat who stays, shows importance of loyalty

Struggle of good and evil (dragon)

• A Geat angers the dragon by stealing its treasure, evil doesn't always come from the outside or other groups

• Being loyal and selfless is hard. It is easy to worry only about yourself

In the end it is human weakness (greed here) that causes Beowulf's death and brings evil into the world

.