Beowulf and Anglo-Saxon Poetry

Trimester 2 Overview

Concepts

• Community Values
  • Embodies and protects community values.
• Supernatural Traits
  • Possesses supernatural traits.
• Quest Motivation
  • Identifies a need to go on a quest.
• Confidence and Demeanor
  • Carries themselves with confidence.

Translation Troubles

Origin of the Epic

• The original storyteller is unknown, as well as the first person to transcribe the epic.
• Scholars suspect it was likely recorded and embellished by a monk.

Evidence Supporting the Monk Theory

• The surviving manuscript contains Christian teachings and references.

Cultural Background of the Anglo-Saxons

• The Anglo-Saxons were pagans who worshipped multiple gods.
• The first recitations of the epic took place in a contextual atmosphere of pagan traditions and beliefs.
• Christian elements were added later, thus creating a unique blend in the narrative.
• Encouragement to observe the mixture of pagan examples and Christian additions while reading "Beowulf."

Common Anglo-Saxon Poetic Devices

Alliteration

• Definition:
  • The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words.
• Example:
  • “But one night after continued his slaughter.”
• Additional Example:
  • “Shameless and shocking, shrinking but little from malice and murder; they mastered him fully.”

Caesura

• Definition:
  • A pause dividing words in a line of poetry, giving it a hard, chant-like rhythm.
• Example of rhythmic construction:
  • “By one death was my errand and fate and I've come….”
• Example contrasting sound without caesura:
  • “By one, death was my errand and fate. And I've come.”

Kenning

• Definition:
  • A metaphorical compound word or phrase substituted for a thing or name.
• Examples of Kennings:
  • “Battle-sweat” = blood
  • “Man-ruler” = King
  • “Sky-candle” = sun
  • “Man-eater” = monster