Provenance Setting
Why Beowulf?
BEOWULF
Rachmat Nurcahyo MA
Rachmat_nurcahyo@uny.ac.id
Poetic devices Terms
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
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
Beowulf’s
Provenance
What we don’t know:
who wrote it
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),
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
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.
Beowulf’s
Provenance
So what’s happened to the
manuscript since the 11th century?
Eventually, it ended up in the library of this guy.
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
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.
Setting:
Beowulf’s
time and place
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
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
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;
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
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
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
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
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
comitatus
Literally, this means “escort” or “comrade” This term identifies the concept of warriors and lords mutually pledging
their loyalty to one another
thane
A warrior
mead-hall
The large hall where the
lord and his warriors slept, ate, held ceremonies, etc.
wyrd
Fate. This idea crops up a lot in the poem, while at the same time there are Christian references to God’s will.
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.
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.
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
