TRAITS OF AN ANGLO-SAXON HERO - mtnbrook.k12.al.us
Beowulf Reading AidsCharacteristics of epic poem: Long narrative poem on a serious subject told in an elevated style about a superhuman/part divine hero whose actions affect the fate of a nation.Begins with an invocation to the muse (in Beowulf it is the listener who is invoked)Begins in medias res (in the middle of things)FOUR ASPECTS OF ANGLO-SAXON CULTURE ILLUSTRATED IN BEOWULF:LEADERSHIP—COMITATUSComitatus – description of the relationship between the leader and his thanes; a circular relationship in which the leader and thanes give each other protection and material goods. The chief/king provides for his men, keeps them safe, and redistributes the spoils of war. The thanes lay down their lives for the the king and give him the spoils of war.TRAITS OF AN ANGLO-SAXON HERO:1. Significant and glorified (and makes sure everyone knows it—boasting about oneself is part of the ritual)2. Superior /superhuman3. Ethical4. Brave5. Willing to go on a quest and risk death for the greater good6. Strong and responsible leader7. Reflects the ideals of his societyETHICS/RELIGIONRELIGION of the Anglo Saxons grounded in THIS WORLD and is about ethics more than mysticism. In Beowulf we see a newly Christian poet writing about a pagan Germanic culture. Religion is a blend of Celtic animism-belief in magic, in good and evil forces (ex. Hrothgar’s throne is magic and Grendel can’t touch it)Norse mythology giants and mythic warfare (remnants found in Grimm’s fairy tales)Judeo-Christian beliefs with the emphasis more on the Old Testament than the newROLE/PLACE OF WOMENRitualistic Roles: Peace weaver, Cup bearersCould and sometimes did fightInfluence over husbandBetter off than women would be in the high middle ages…for example, they could own land and leave it to family members in a willROLE/SKILL OF POET/SCOPScop– the Anglo-Saxon term for bard. Pronounced schōp. He is a warrior, but he also composes stories to be shared in the meadhall. He is important to because he preserves history and he grants immortality to those he tells stories about. There are two poets to pay attention to--the Beowulf poet who wrote the poem and the scop within the poem who sings in the meadhall to celebrate victories.Tools of the scop: Alliteration: two or more words in a line of poetry with the same beginning sound. In Anglo-Saxon poetry, used as a memory aid and to stress particular words in a line.Caesura: obvious pause within a line of poetry. In Anglo-Saxon poetry, the pause divides the line, with at least one alliterative beat in each half, and was originally a place when an instrument might have been playedKenning: compound word metaphor, used to expand vocabulary and aid memory for reciting poetry. Examples: sky candle, whale road, sea stallion, battle dew, rim walkerCharacters in BeowulfShieldings (aka Danes, Spear-Danes):Hrothgar-KingWealtheow-Hrothgar’s wifeHrethric-son of HrothgarHrothmund-son of HrothgarFreawaru-daughter of Hrothgar; wife of Ingeld the HeathobardHrothulf-nephew of HrothgarAeschere-thane of Hrothgar; killed by Grendel’s motherUnferth-thane of HrothgarGeats:Beowulf-Geat warrior; eventually King of the geatsBrecca-Beowulf’s friendEcgtheow-father of BeowulfHygelac-King of the GeatsHygd-wife of HyglacHeardred-son of Hyglac (Beowulf was his advisor after Hyglac’s death)Wiglaf-Beowulf’s loyal thaneCharacters in the Digressions:Finn-a Frisian, husband of Hildeburh; killed by Danes who break the truceHildeburh-Danish princess, married to Finn , lost her son and brother in the battleHnaef-Hildeburh’s brother; killed by FinnHengest-Dane who attacked the Frisians to avenge Hn?fModreth-a wicked queen who becomes a good queen after her marriage to OffaSigemund-dragon slayer, a legendary heroHeremond-an early Danish KingNARRATIVE SECTIONS OF BEOWULFLineage of HrothgarEstablishment of Heorot Lineage and attacks of Grendel (descendant of Cain)Arrival of Beowulf—“Diplomatic” request of BeowulfFirst feast—Unferth’s challenge; the story of BreccaAttack of Grendel—Beowulf uses no weapons (why?)Men gather at the mere and return to Heorot—Scop sings the story of Sigemund/Heremod/BeowulfCelebration Feast—scop sings about Finn and Hildeburh; Wealhtheow’s entrance and speechGrendel’s Mom attacks (Aeschere)Description of mere—place of evilHeroic Code (p. 97)Beowulf prepares for battle—Arming of Beowulf;bestowing of Hrunting; Beowulf honors comitatus in request to HrothgarBattle under the mere—Hrunting fails; Giant sword; beheading of both monsters; Danes above leave (B’s men stay)Beowulf brings head and hilt to HrothgarHrothgar’s speech on leadership and the dangers of pride; Beowulf reconciles with UnferthBeowulf prepares to go back to Geatland and promises continued friendship and loyalty to DanesBeowulf and Hygelac—good Queen Hygd contrasted with Modryth; Story of Freawaru; Presentation of giftsHygelac dies and Beowulf becomes king (We learn in later flashback he did not become king right away—despite Hygd’s request—Heardred becomes kingfirst.)Dragon is awakened (how?)Beowulf prepares to fight—takes 11 comrades (later 1 added)—Christian overtones?Last battle with Dragon—Men desert Beowulf; Wiglaf’s speech on comitatus; Dragon killedAftermath and funeral—Wiglaf “criticizes” Beowulf?;End of their society “Predicted” by messenger; Beowulf’s Barrow ................
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