Staff Site Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta Intro to Beowulf
Provenance Setting
Why Beowulf?
BEOWULF
Rachmat Nurcahyo MA
Poetic devices Terms
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Why Study
Beowulf?
1. Beowulf is the oldest poem in the English language, so everything written since
Beowulf stems from it in some way
2. The story of Beowulf encompasses
common themes that we still see in English literature today
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Why Study
Beowulf?
4. In some ways, it doesn’t matter what you read, but how you read it, so…since Beowulf
came first, you might as well start there. 5. Studying Old English improves your understanding of modern English
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Beowulf’s
Provenance
What we don’t know:
who wrote it
when exactly it was written how much, exactly, is based on historical truth
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Beowulf’s
Provenance
What we do know:
Beowulf is the oldest surviving English poem. It’s written in Old English (or Anglo-Saxon),
which is the basis for the language we speak today.
Some of the characters in the poem actually existed.
The only copy of the manuscript was written sometime around the 11th century A.D. (1000’s),
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The actual poem probably dates from the 8th
century (700’s) or so, and…
The story may be set even earlier, around 500 A.D.
There are a lot of Christian references in the poem, but the characters and setting are
Pagan…this means a monk probably translated it.
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Beowulf’s
Provenance
So why wasn’t it written down in the first place?
This story was probably passed down orally for centuries before it was first written down.
It wasn’t until after the Norman Invasion (1066) that writing stories down became common in this part of the world.
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Beowulf’s
Provenance
So what’s happened to the
manuscript since the 11th century?
Eventually, it ended up in the library of this guy.
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Beowulf’s
Provenance
Unfortunately, Cotton’s library burned in 1731. Many manuscripts were entirely
destroyed. Beowulf was partially damaged. The manuscript is now preserved and
carefully cared for in the British Museum.
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Setting:
Beowulf’s
time and
place
Although Beowulf was written in English, it is set in what is now Sweden, where a tribe called the Geats lived.
The story may take place as early as 400 or 500 A.D.
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Setting:
Beowulf’s
time and place
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How we date
Beowulf
Some Important Dates:
521 A.D. – death of Hygelac, who is mentioned in the poem
680 A.D. – appearance of alliterative verse 835 A.D. – the Danish started raiding other
areas; after this, few poets would consider them heroes
SO: This version was likely composed between 680 and 835, though it may be set earlier
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The Poetry in
Beowulf
A few things to watch out for
1. Alliterative verse
a. Repetition of initial sounds of words (occurs in every line)
b. Generally, four feet/beats per line c. A caesura, or pause, between
beats two and four d. No rhyme
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The Poetry in
Beowulf
A few things to watch out for
Alliterative verse – an example from Beowulf:
Oft Scyld Scefing sceapena praetum,
Monegum maegpum meodo-setla ofteah;
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There was Shield Sheafson, scourge of many tribes,
A wrecker of mead-benches, rampaging among foes.
The terror of the hall-troops had come far.
The Poetry in
Beowulf
A few things to watch out for
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The Poetry in
Beowulf
A few things to watch out for
2. Kennings
a. Compound metaphor (usually two words) b. Most were probably used over and over
For instance: hronade
literally means “whale-road,” but can be
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The Poetry in
Beowulf
A few things to watch out for
Other kennings from Beowulf: banhus = “bone-house” = body
goldwine gumena = “gold-friend of men” = generous prince
beaga brytta = “ring-giver” = lord
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The Poetry in
Beowulf
A few things to watch out for
3. Litotes
A negative expression; usually an understatement
Example:
Hildeburh had no cause to praise the Jutes In this example, Hildeburh’s
brother has just been killed by the Jutes. This is a poetic way of
telling us she hated the Jutes absolutely.
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Some terms you’ll want to
know
scop
A bard or story-teller.
The scop was responsible for praising deeds of past heroes, for recording
history, and for providing entertainment
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comitatus
Literally, this means “escort” or “comrade” This term identifies the concept of warriors and lords mutually pledging
their loyalty to one another
Some terms you’ll want to
know
(21)
thane
A warrior
mead-hall
The large hall where the
lord and his warriors slept, ate, held ceremonies, etc.
Some terms you’ll want to
know
(22)
wyrd
Fate. This idea crops up a lot in the poem, while at the same time there are Christian references to God’s will.
Some terms you’ll want to
know
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epic
Beowulf is an epic poem. This means it has a larger-than life hero and the
conflict is of universal importance. There’s a certain serious that
accompanies most epics.
Some terms you’ll want to
know
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elegy
An elegy is a poem that is sad or mournful. The
adjective is elegiac. homily
A homily is a written
sermon or section of the poem that gives direct advice.
Some terms you’ll want to
know
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Themes and Important
Aspects
Good vs. Evil
Religion: Christian and Pagan influences The importance of wealth and treasure
Loyalty and allegiance
The importance of the sea and sailing The sanctity of the home
Fate
(1)
comitatus
Literally, this means “escort” or “comrade” This term identifies the concept of warriors and lords mutually pledging
their loyalty to one another
Some terms you’ll want to
know
(2)
thane
A warrior
mead-hall
The large hall where the
lord and his warriors slept, ate, held ceremonies, etc.
Some terms you’ll want to
know
(3)
wyrd
Fate. This idea crops up a lot in the poem, while at the same time there are Christian references to God’s will.
Some terms you’ll want to
know
(4)
epic
Beowulf is an epic poem. This means it has a larger-than life hero and the
conflict is of universal importance. There’s a certain serious that
accompanies most epics.
Some terms you’ll want to
know
(5)
elegy
An elegy is a poem that is sad or mournful. The
adjective is elegiac. homily
A homily is a written
sermon or section of the poem that gives direct advice.
Some terms you’ll want to
know
(6)
Themes and Important
Aspects
Good vs. Evil
Religion: Christian and Pagan influences The importance of wealth and treasure
Loyalty and allegiance
The importance of the sea and sailing The sanctity of the home
Fate