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Beowulf

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Based on historic or legendary events. Tells the ... First written about 1000 by monks. Monks may have changed the original pagan references to Christian ones ... – PowerPoint PPT presentation

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Title: Beowulf


1
Beowulf
an epic poem
2
What is an epic or a saga?
  • A long story, often in the form of a poem
  • Based on historic or legendary events
  • Tells the exploits of a hero
  • Characters events are exaggerated and glorified

3
Beowulf as Literature
  • Earliest example of English poetry
  • 3200 lines long
  • Sounds include rhythm alliteration
  • Does not rhyme
  • Language is Anglo-Saxon -- an early form of
    English

4
History of the Poem
  • Setting Denmark and Sweden in the 500-600s
  • Composed orally between 700-900
  • Author (or authors) unknown
  • Performed by bards (storytelling singers/poets)
  • First written about 1000 by monks
  • Monks may have changed the original pagan
    references to Christian ones

5
Beowulf in Danger!
  • England in 1600--King Henry VIII orders all
    monasteries destroyed
  • manuscript eventually ended up with Sir Robert
    Cotton (collector of manuscripts, books, coins)
  • kept in one of the largest private libraries in
    England
  • one century after his death, Cottons house
    caught fire

6
  • manuscript badly scorched, some parts were
    totally destroyed
  • moved to the British Museum in 1753
  • 1786--Danish scholar, G.J. Thorkelin made two
    copies of Beowulf and took them back to Denmark
  • Thorkelins library and papers destroyed in 1807

7
. . . except Beowulf!
  • Thorkelin started over, published his version in
    1815
  • conservation of the manuscript began in 1845
  • now in the British Library in London

8
The Story of Beowulf . . .
and why its cool
  • a poem in three parts, each with a monster

9
The Setting of Beowulf . . .
Norway
Sweden
Denmark
Modern Germany
10
The Story of Beowulf . . .
and why its cool
  • Part 1 - Beowulf sails from Sweden to Denmark
    with fourteen warriors to help King Hrothgar get
    rid of Grendel

11
The Story of Beowulf . . .
and why its cool
  • Part 2 - A relative of Grendels gets involved in
    revenge

12
The Story of Beowulf . . .
and why its cool
  • Part 3 - Fire-breathing dragon is rudely awakened

13
Characters (the humans)
  • Beowulf, a Geat (from southern Sweden)
  • Hrothgar, King of the Danes (from Denmark)
  • Unferth, a Dane
  • Higlac, King of the Geats, Beowulfs uncle
  • Queen Welthow, Hrothgars wife
  • Queen Higd, Higlacs wife
  • Wiglaf, a Geat, Beowulfs cousin

14
Life During the Time of Beowulf
  • AD 500-600
  • Viking culture in Scandinavia
  • Farmers, fishermen, seafarers
  • Warrior culture loyalty, courage, revenge
  • Raided coastal Europe

15
Entertainment
  • People gathered and listened to heroic stories
  • Poems were sung and accompanied by harp

16
page of the Beowulf manuscript
17
Feasting in a great hall
18
Sir Robert Cotton
19
Thorkelins manuscript of Beowulf
20
Viking ship
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