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Why Beowulf?
Provenance
Setting
Poetic devices
Terms
Themes
2. The story of Beowulf encompasses common themes that we still see in English literature today
3. Beowulf is simply good writing
5. Studying Old English improves your understanding of modern English 6. Its a great story
Beowulfs Provenance
What we dont know:
who wrote it when exactly it was written how much, exactly, is based on historical truth
Beowulfs Provenance
What we do know: Beowulf is the oldest surviving English poem. Its 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. (1000s), however
The actual poem probably dates from the 8th century (700s) 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 Paganthis means a monk probably translated it.
Beowulfs Provenance
So why wasnt it written down in the first place? This story was probably passed down orally for centuries before it was first written down. It wasnt until after the Norman Invasion (1066) that writing stories down became common in this part of the world.
Beowulfs Provenance
So whats happened to the manuscript since the 11th century? Eventually, it ended up in the library of this guy.
Beowulfs Provenance
Unfortunately, Cottons 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.
Europe today
b. Generally, four feet/beats per line c. A caesura, or pause, between beats two and four
d. No rhyme
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.
2. Kennings a. Compound metaphor (usually two words) b. Most were probably used over and over For instance: hronade literally means whaleroad, but can be translated as sea
Other kennings from Beowulf: banhus = bone-house = body goldwine gumena = gold-friend of men = generous prince beaga brytta = ring-giver = lord beadoleoma = flashing light = sword