anglo saxan notes on beowulf
Beowulf epic poem written in 700-750
Beowulf is a short epic when compared to others , it has only 3200 lines.
Based on celtic and Scandinavian folk legends and historical matter
Contains both pagan and Christian values, the legend is traditionally pagan,
Poet who wrote down the oral tradition of Beowulf was most likely a monk who added Christian elements
Beowulf – epic hero who battles evil, but he also lieks the glory and fame , he is a Geat.
Unferth- hrothgars warrior who is jealous of Beowulf
Wiglaf- beowulf’s loyal warrior.
Hrunting- unferths sword thused by Beowulf in battle agains grendel’s mama.
NEED TO BE RESCUED Hrothgar- his kingdom is being invaded by an evil moster , calls on Beowulf for help.
Welthow –hrothgars wife.
Herot- hrothgar’s mead-head. Means stag hall .
EVIL FORCES Grendal- evil monster who lives in cane under a lake. The mother Dragon-
Beowolf’s plot
The epic tells the story of Beowulf as he comes across the north sea to Denmark to rescue hrothgar’s kingdom from Grendel
In th course of the epic , Beowulf must battle grendal, his mother , and a dragon
Beowulf has fighting and betrayal among his own warriors
Animism- pagan belief that spirits and gods control all aspects and had to be satisfied constantly.
Bards/scops- skilled storytellers who sang of gods and heroes,
Meed halls- banquet hall where people would gather and celebrated
Wyrd- human destiny was believed to be ruled by fate.
Wergild – belief that killing someone’s relatives was the worst thing, unspeakable. So people paid the family of whom they killed. Pay compensation . killing your own kin was un forgivable.
Heroic Paradox- the only way of living eternally was to die gloriously.
Heroic ideal – king is perfect and they were willing to die for their king. In return the king was generous to those who were loyal and defended him.
LITERATY TERMS
Antagonist – character who opposed the main charater
Protagonist – main
Beowulf is a short epic when compared to others , it has only 3200 lines.
Based on celtic and Scandinavian folk legends and historical matter
Contains both pagan and Christian values, the legend is traditionally pagan,
Poet who wrote down the oral tradition of Beowulf was most likely a monk who added Christian elements
Beowulf – epic hero who battles evil, but he also lieks the glory and fame , he is a Geat.
Unferth- hrothgars warrior who is jealous of Beowulf
Wiglaf- beowulf’s loyal warrior.
Hrunting- unferths sword thused by Beowulf in battle agains grendel’s mama.
NEED TO BE RESCUED Hrothgar- his kingdom is being invaded by an evil moster , calls on Beowulf for help.
Welthow –hrothgars wife.
Herot- hrothgar’s mead-head. Means stag hall .
EVIL FORCES Grendal- evil monster who lives in cane under a lake. The mother Dragon-
Beowolf’s plot
The epic tells the story of Beowulf as he comes across the north sea to Denmark to rescue hrothgar’s kingdom from Grendel
In th course of the epic , Beowulf must battle grendal, his mother , and a dragon
Beowulf has fighting and betrayal among his own warriors
Animism- pagan belief that spirits and gods control all aspects and had to be satisfied constantly.
Bards/scops- skilled storytellers who sang of gods and heroes,
Meed halls- banquet hall where people would gather and celebrated
Wyrd- human destiny was believed to be ruled by fate.
Wergild – belief that killing someone’s relatives was the worst thing, unspeakable. So people paid the family of whom they killed. Pay compensation . killing your own kin was un forgivable.
Heroic Paradox- the only way of living eternally was to die gloriously.
Heroic ideal – king is perfect and they were willing to die for their king. In return the king was generous to those who were loyal and defended him.
LITERATY TERMS
Antagonist – character who opposed the main charater
Protagonist – main