Beowulf Origins

HistoryThe events described in the poem take place in the late 5th century, after the Anglo-Saxons had begun their migration to England, and before the beginning of the 7th century, a time when the Anglo-Saxon people were either newly arrived or still in close contact with their Germanic kinsmen in Scandinavia and Northern Germany. 

HistoryThe poem deals with legends, was composed for entertainment, and does not separate between fictional elements and real historic events, such as the raid by King Hygelac into Frisia. 

This does not only concern people e.g., Hrothgar, Hrothulf, and Ohthere), but also clans (e.g., Scyldings, Scylfings ) and some of the events (e.g., the  Battle on the Ice of Lake Vänern). The dating of the events in the poem has been confirmed by archaeological excavations of the Barrows indicated by Snorri Sturluson and by Swedish tradition as the graves of Othere and his son Eadgils in Uppland, Sweden.

HistoryBeowulf : Geats

Hrothgar: Danes

Who is related to who, who owes who what favors?

Is his journey just for fame and glory?

Literary DevicesBeowulf is obviously written differently than we would today, and it contains several types of literary devices that you should take note of.

Alliteration AssonanceCaesuraKenning

AlliterationHelps emphasize what is being described

The use of the same consonant or vowel/vowel sound at the beginning of each word or stressed syllable in a line of verse

Around the rock the ragged rascal ran

AssonanceHelps draw a connection to the words

It is unlike ryhme, in which initial consonants differ, but both vowel and end consonant sounds are identical.Ryhme: Quite RightAssonance: Quite LikeMany common phrases, such as “Mad as a Hatter” “Free as a Breeze” and “High as a Kite” owe their appeal to assonance. It is usually combined with alliteration to enrich the texture of the poetic line. 

KenningAids in descriptions

A poetic phrase used for, or in addition to the usual name of a person or thing, especially used in Anglo-Saxon verse, such as

“Wave-Traveler” used instead of “Boat”

Caesura

A pause to emphasize something

A break in the middle of a line, introduces the cadence of natural speech patterns and habits into the metrical scheme of poetry.Almost all of the lines in Beowulf have a caesura.

Then a powerful demon, a prowler through the dark,Nursed a hard grievance. It harrowed him

Denoted in modern poetry by a vertical equals sign ||

Poem

Write a four to six line poem in the style of Beowulf Try to make each line have a caesura, and include one kenning in the poem or use alliteration.

Example:

To Battle they rode || bringers of fireTheir fate rode their swords || singing of bloodWhat was this cause || killing their kin?A lord’s simple folly || felling their bretheryn.