Beowulf- Introduction

 

Source: Google Images

BACKGROUND 

JRR Tolkien revitalised the importance Oxford English tradition and postulated that it had its own tradition epic 

• Time period believed to be written in  700 to 1100 AD
• 1000 AD manuscript was found by four monks who chose to copy, but no evidence if it is the best classic of its days
• Surviving manuscript burnt at edges in library British discovered in 19th century 
• Language- Anglo Saxon period language, ie 1066 before the Norman conquest they brought the French language and changed the English languages  (late of Germanic language ), and it became literary by verse. Anglo Saxon is a necessity to understand the language 
• Epic tradition: Earliest vernacular epic other than Latin or Greek
• Representation of pagan reality
• Germanic culture- prized ancestry and genealogy, reluctant to give up
• In 'Pre- lierate cultures'- poetry or spoken word (through oral tradition) served as means to preserve culture and source of entertainment, poets fit the words, essential part 
• Little Germanic antiquity and paganism in Anglo Saxon poetry (religion none, heroic legend) which is evident in Beowulf also 
• Events happen in the 6th century 
• Author details is unknown but is believed to be a Christian, and the setting is pagan Northern Europe 
• Norse literary culture is pessimistic- cosmic war, inevitable doom, Old Islandic, but, Beowulf has Christian characteristics - Beowulf is considered as comforter to nations & a Noble pagan hero

SIGNIFICANT ASPECTS OF BEOWULF 

• Structure & Setting: Two Parts- Anglo Saxon poetry idea of symmetry, two sides,  tried alliteration -(3 words alliterate in every line) there is a pause in the middle of the line- Rhyming is on the first word and not last. Scandinavian setting, pre Christian Germanic world, Begins in Denmark- North- Sweden cultural influence and interaction is also visible, Supernatural creatures underworld & earth- mythological character
• Heroic vein: Heroism of Ordinary men fighting evil- resonates with Christian ideal- Saints fights against evil and win

• Mead hall ( fermented honey) Heorot Hall- civilization achievement, quasi knights, singing  (like Odyssey, story is sung and celebration) - violence of men (treason), nature, monsters 

• Terror of Monster:  ravaged by Grendel for 12 years, kills and eats knights
• Curse & Exile: Cain's offspring- Grendel angry civilization/demonic world hate light and laughter. Solitary gathering, don't recognise hospitality or rules of law, theme of Exile- Grendels, Cain's evil
• Kinship: Beowulf from Sweden allied to King- kinship and fidelity  he comes to the rescue, legendary slayer, super human excellence, histories it, honest loyal, keeper of promises 
• Physical transformation of Beowulf:  Young while killing the Grendel's and dragon a king he has ruled for a decade, Test of strength, Beowulf death  leads to historical feuding
• Doom yet Optimistic: Doom is there but Beowulf is optimistic, God had sent him as comfort to people- providential ordering