Unit 1 Beowulf

3 Beowulf Themes

Loyalty, the battle between good and evil, or the importance of community

5 Anglo-Saxon Values (boasting)

Loyalty, honor, bravery, duty, sacrifices

Courtly Love

was a medieval European literary conception of love that emphasized nobility and chivalry.

Define Epic Poem Page 9

celebrate a hero, its themes usually revolve around the hero’s personal qualities, actions, and conflicts.

Define Fate

predetermines a future course of events.

Qualities of a Hero: ‘unusual birth…” etc.

The hero's birth is surrounded by unusual circumstances

S.C.H.H.L.

strength courage humility honor loyalty

Year Beowulf was 1st written

between 975 and 1025 AD.

Alliteration

Repeating the same starting sounds in nearby words (e.g., "wild winds"). 

Rhythm

The beat or flow of a poem, created by patterns of stressed and unstressed syllables. 

Caesura

A pause in the middle of a line of poetry, often marked by punctuation (e.g., "To be, or not to be"). 

Kenning

A two-word metaphor used in Old English poetry (e.g., "whale-road" for the sea).

Collapse

To suddenly fall or fail due to loss of support or strength.

Displace

To move something from its usual position or force people or things to leave.

Military

Related to the armed forces or warfare.

Violate

To break a law, rule, or right, or to desecrate something.

Visual

Related to seeing or the sense of sight.

Aghast

Shocked or filled with terror and amazement.

Affliction

Suffering or pain caused by illness, injury, or hardship.

Plight

A difficult or dangerous situation or condition.

Wail

A prolonged, high-pitched cry of grief or distress.

Loathsome

Extremely unpleasant or repulsive.