Edwin Joan Pérez Benítez

English Literature
Group: 1M

1.​ That time period was characterized by the arriving of the Germanic tribes to the British
Islands taking advantage of the Roman withdrawal. Quite similar to the Spanish conquerors
in the Americas, Angles, Jutes, and Saxons, took over of most of Britain, and the original
Celtic tribes were slained with violence, their well-established traditions, cultures, languages,
and religions were repressed.

After the initial invasion of the British Islands, the Germanic tribes founded their own
kingdoms: the Saxons in Essex, Wessex, and Sussex; the Angles in East Anglia, Mercia and
Northumbria; and the Jutes in Kent. Over time, Saxons become into the most important
group, and their language (nowadays known as Old English) turned into the dominant one.

In 597 AD, Rome brought Christianity to England, although it is important to highlight that at
the north were some Romano-Celts who already were Christians. The Latin language that
the missionaries brought only were used by ruling classes and Church functionaries. At that
time, Celts and Anglo-Saxons used a runes alphabet, but the Anglo-Saxons realized that the
new Roman alphabet was easy to read and to write.

Even though Latin was spoken by a minority, it had a big influence in English language. For
example, English adopted from Latin some words like spade, chest, spider, school, tower,
plant, rose, lily, circle, paper.

English literature flowered in the north-eastern kingdom of Northumbria, but that was like
that until the arriving of Vikings. Vikings conquered most of the Anglo-Saxons territory and
there were a point in which only Wessex raised up as the only independent kingdom.

Of course, the Viking invasion also caused a change in the English language. The Vikings
spoke Old Norse, a language quite similar to modern Icelandic, and many of its terms were
introduced to English, words like skull, skin, leg, neck, sister, husband, wing, score, seat,
root, bag, knife.

There are some importants text from this time period that still exist, like de “Cædmon's
Hymn” and the “Anglo-Saxon Chronicle” better known as the epic poem “Beowulf”.

2.​ The three influences that shaped the Old English language were the Anglo-Saxons
invasion, the new faith brought by Christian missionaries, and the Scandinavian invasions.

3.​ The Old English literature consist of Anglo-Saxon chronicles and narrative histories, legal
works, works on grammar and poetry, and biblical translations.

4.​ Mead hall was an important building because it was the place in which important feasts
took place, as well as the king residence. Mead hall turned in such relevant symbol, that
even it was included in Norse mythology with the name of Valhalla, the place in which Odin
receives brave warriors who were killed in battle.
5.​ The epic poem “Beowulf” is a history about a young warrior who comes in aid of the king
Hrothgar and the Danes in their time of necessity. Hrothgar’s mead hall and his people were
under attack by a monster named Grendel. Beowulf made use of his skills to kill Grendel,
and then he kills Grendel’s mother in her underwater lair. Then, Beowulf becomes the
Danes’ king and rule his kingdom for fifty years. Finally, he murdered a dragon who was
destroying the kingdom, but he died in the process.

Although Beowulf is an epic poem full of action and a really entertained history perfect for
movies, we need to focus on the principles that he embodies. When we look carefully at
Beowulf, we realize that he is the personification of values that even nowadays are difficult to
find. Beowulf is brave and skilled, and he used his gifts in favor of people who were facing a
danger. But he does not only had physical skills, he also showed to be a complete leader
when he got the throne of the Danes, he was wise and his reign was peaceful.

6.​ The woman role is embodied by Grendel's mother. It is true that she is one of the main
antagonistic characters, but at the same time, she shows what a mother is capable to do
when their loved ones are in danger.

7.

Beowulf: ​He is the main character and the personification of the Anglo-Saxon hero: a
fearless and loyal man who backs up his words and a great leader. Beowulf’s achievements
are remarkable, he defeated the great dragon, he even mauled Grendel and Grendel’s
mother. All of these experiences helped him to be wiser and to be the best king for his
people.

King Hrothgar: ​He was the king of the Danes. His mead hall was constantly under attack by
Grendel. Hrothgar was wise enough to recognize that he and his people were not able to
deal with Grendel, that is why allowed Beowulf to fight Grendel. Hrothgar is the example of
the wise king that Beowulf had to be like.

Grendel: ​He is cursed because he is a descendant of Cain. Grendel gots angry because of
all the noise from Hrothgar’s mead hall. That is why Grendel decided to attack the mead hall
and kill Danes every night for years. Grendel represents the concept of vengeance.

8.

Waldere: ​Waldere is the title given to two Old English fragments discovered in 1860. The
first fragment is about a speech given by Hildegyth to motivate Waldere for his next fight. In
the second portion, Waldere calls out and taunt Guthhere. In the end, Guthhere puts the
outcome of the fight in God’s hand.

Junius manuscript: ​A Biblical related codice written in the 10th century, and it is made of
four poems, which titles are Genesis, Exodus, Daniel, and Christ and Satan.
9. Gandalf and Saruman

For centuries Saruman was the strongest of those two. Saruman was the head of the White
Council and the most powerful of the five Maia (Istari) sent by the Valar Manwë to the Middle
Earth in order to help the human and elves in their fight against Sauron. Of course, Gandalf
also was a skilled wizard, but he always was out-powered by Saruman.

But then, Saruman was corrupted, and Gandalf died after his battle against the Balrog in
Moria, but he was sent back stronger than before. Gandalf became the strongest as he
prove when he defeated Saruman.