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BEOWULF AND OLD ENGLISH

EPIC POETRY

• An EPIC POEM is a long narrative poem that celebrates a hero’s accomplishments.• Usually shared orally, however, Beowulf is the earliest written

epic poem.

• Characteristics of an epic poem: • Theme of good vs. evil• The hero (usually male) is of noble birth or highly favored• Motifs including courage, bravery, and heroic deeds

• In old Anglo-Saxon society, people would gather together to listen to poet-singers recite epic poems.

HISTORY OF BEOWULF

• Likely written between 800-1000 AD, however, Beowulf likely takes place in the sixth century in what is now Denmark and Sweden.

• There is no proof that Beowulf existed, but we do know that his uncle, Hygelac, was a prominent military figure.

• Around the time Beowulf was written the Roman Empire fell and the Anglo-Saxons were converted to Christianity. Beowulf himself would not have been a Christian, but the Beowulf-poet was, hence the heavy Christian influence within Beowulf.

OLD ENGLISH

COMPARING OLD VS. MIDDLE VS. MODERN

THE THREE TYPES OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE

• Old English (449-1100 AD): A Germanic language; the earliest known version of the English language. • Example: Beowulf

• Middle English (1100-1500 AD): A more developed form of English, with roots in Latin and French.• Example: The Canterbury Tales

• Modern English (1500-present): The language of Shakespeare’s day is actually considered Modern English, however, we speak a very different version today!• Example: Romeo and Juliet, Twitter?

OLD ENGLISH MANUSCRIPTS

• Anglo-Saxon manuscripts were usually written on specially treated animal skins or membranes. Scribes would copy the story onto the pages with special inks and decorate the pages with designs.