What have we been learning?

•Where did English come from?

•What have been the major influences on our language?

•What was Anglo-Saxon life like?

•What’s a hero?

Today’s Questions

•What is an epic?

•Who wrote Beowulf?

•Can you define syntax

Beowulf

•What is a kenning?–Book definition: Metaphorical compound words or phrases substituted for simple nouns.

–(2 or more words that take the place of 1 noun)

•Where would I find one?–Beowulf

•Give me an example.-“Shepherd of evil” for Grendel

–“Folk-king” for Beowulf

–“Battle-flasher” for sword

–“Candle of heaven” for the sun.

•What is a lyric poem?–A short poem in which a single speaker expresses

personal thoughts and feelings. In ancient Greece, they were meant to be sung. In modern times, are characterized by strong, melodic rhythms.

•Where would I find one?–Shakespeare’s sonnets–Keats’s odes–Can you think of anywhere else?–“Seafarer” “Wanderer” “Wife’s Lament”

He said I right what I seeWrite to make it

rightDon’t like where I

beI like to make it likeThe sights on TVQuite the great lifeSo nice and easySee now you can

still die from that

But it’s better than not being alive from straps

AgreedA Mead notebook and a

Bic that clickWhen it’s pushed and a

wack beatThat’s a track that’s

weakThat he got last week‘Cause everybody in the

storeWas like that’s that heat.

•What is a caesura?–Book definition: a pause dividing a line

into two parts.

•Where can I find one?–Beowulf– Iliad–Aeneid

•Give me an example.–An excerpt from Virgil’s Aeneid

Of arms and the man, I sing. Who first from the shores of Troy

Or…

Sing, goddess, the rage of Achilles the son of Peleus.

caesura

•What is an epic poem?

–Book definition: A long narrative poem on a serious subject, presented in an elevated or formal style. It traces the adventures of a hero and share some or all of the following characteristics:

•Hero is a figure of high social status and often of great historical or legendary importance.

•The actions of the hero often determine the fate of a nation or group of people.

•The hero performs exceedingly courageous, sometimes superhuman, deeds that reflect the ideas and values of the era.

•The plot is complicated by supernatural beings or events.•The setting is large in scale, involving more than one

nation and often a long and dangerous journey through foreign lands.

•Long formal speeches are often given by the main character.

•The poem discusses universal ideas, such as good and evil, life and death.

•Give me an example.–Beowulf– Iliad–Odyssey–Aeneid–Paradise Lost

•What is alliteration?–Book definition: The repetition of consonant

sounds at the beginning of words used to emphasize certain words, to heighten moods, to establish a musical effect, to unify a passage, and to create meaning.

•Where can I find it?–Poems, speeches, short stories, novels…–Beowulf

•Give me an example.–An excerpt from Beowulf

Out from the marsh, from the foot of mistyHills and bogs, bearing God’s hatred,Grendel came,

The Anglo-Saxon and The Anglo-Saxon and Medieval PeriodsMedieval Periods

p. 12-15 discussp. 12-15 discuss• Bayeux TapestryBayeux Tapestry

• How do you define great literature?How do you define great literature?

• How would you paraphrase C.S. Lewis’ How would you paraphrase C.S. Lewis’ quotationquotation

• Based on the art, quotation, and unit title, Based on the art, quotation, and unit title, what do you think the selections in this what do you think the selections in this unit might be about?unit might be about?

P. 16-17 TimelineP. 16-17 Timeline

Select the 3 events you Select the 3 events you think are most think are most

significant and explain significant and explain why. List these on why. List these on

poster or overhead & poster or overhead & discuss.discuss.

Most important Timeline Most important Timeline Events:Events:•

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Historical BackgroundHistorical Background

•Read p. 18-21 and complete The Anglo-Saxon Period Handout.

Around 600 B.C. . .Around 600 B.C. . .

Celts occupied British IsleCelts occupied British Isle PicsPics WelshWelsh IrishIrish

A.K.A Britons & GaelsA.K.A Britons & Gaels

Where did they live?Where did they live?

•Britons lived on the larger Britons lived on the larger island, now known as Britainisland, now known as Britain

•Gaels lived on the smaller Gaels lived on the smaller island, now known as Ireland island, now known as Ireland

•see p. 13 in textbooksee p. 13 in textbook

Britons & Gaels (Celts)Britons & Gaels (Celts)

•Spoke different languagesSpoke different languages•Mainly farmersMainly farmers•Used iron toolsUsed iron tools•Lived in hut villagesLived in hut villages•Many tribal warsMany tribal wars

Celtic ReligionCeltic Religion

• ““Pagan” religionPagan” religion

• Worship of trees & natureWorship of trees & nature

• Druids were priests in charge ofDruids were priests in charge of– RitualsRituals– PrayersPrayers– sacrificessacrifices

Julius Caesar “Conquers” Julius Caesar “Conquers” BritonsBritons• 55 B.C.55 B.C.• Julius Caesar claimed victoryJulius Caesar claimed victory• Named it BritanniaNamed it Britannia• Went back to RomeWent back to Rome• No real Roman presence for next 100 No real Roman presence for next 100

years. years. • Caesar’s battle records 1Caesar’s battle records 1stst historic historic

record of Englandrecord of England

Roman Emperor ClaudiusRoman Emperor Claudius

•Invaded “Britannia” in 43 A.D.Invaded “Britannia” in 43 A.D.

•Set up camps across the Set up camps across the entire areaentire area

•Roman rule lasted 300 yearsRoman rule lasted 300 years

•Prosperous time for the islandProsperous time for the island

Roman Contributions to Roman Contributions to BritainBritain

•RoadsRoads–Well-pavedWell-paved–Highway system Highway system connecting much of the connecting much of the islandisland

More Roman Contributions:More Roman Contributions:

•ArchitectureArchitecture–Meeting hallsMeeting halls–Law courtsLaw courts–TemplesTemples–AmphitheatersAmphitheaters–Public bathsPublic baths

Romans Leave in 407 A.D.Romans Leave in 407 A.D.

•Roman troops recalled to Roman troops recalled to RomeRome

•Rome was under attack Rome was under attack from other European tribesfrom other European tribes

•Left Britannia vulnerable for Left Britannia vulnerable for attackattack

Anglo-Saxon InvasionAnglo-Saxon Invasion

•Comprised of 3 groups Comprised of 3 groups –AnglesAngles–SaxonsSaxons–JutesJutes

•Conquered Brittany Ca. 441 Conquered Brittany Ca. 441 A.D.A.D.

Anglo-Saxon LifeAnglo-Saxon Life

•By 600 A.D. Britannia became By 600 A.D. Britannia became “Angleland” and later England“Angleland” and later England

•Anglo-Saxons were excellent Anglo-Saxons were excellent seafarers and agricultural peopleseafarers and agricultural people

•Women had very defined Women had very defined domestic rolesdomestic roles

Anglo-Saxon LifeAnglo-Saxon Life

•Old English is the common Old English is the common languagelanguage

•Tribal wars commonTribal wars common

•Pagan religionPagan religion

•Organized tribal hierarchyOrganized tribal hierarchy

Anglo-Saxon Pagan BeliefsAnglo-Saxon Pagan Beliefs

•Wyrd (fate) determined their Wyrd (fate) determined their destinydestiny

•To attain immortality you must be To attain immortality you must be Remembered after death for what Remembered after death for what you did on Earthyou did on Earth–Scop can help you attain Scop can help you attain immortalityimmortality

Christian vs. Pagan BeliefsChristian vs. Pagan Beliefs

• God Determines God Determines DestinyDestiny

• Immortality Immortality through through salvationsalvation

• Worship 1 GodWorship 1 God

• Wyrd (fate) Wyrd (fate) determines determines destinydestiny

• Immortality= Immortality= remembranceremembrance

• Worship many Worship many godsgods

Christian vs. Pagan BeliefsChristian vs. Pagan Beliefs

• BeowulfBeowulf was originally told by a was originally told by a Pagan scop, but first written down by Pagan scop, but first written down by a Christain scribe, probably a priest.a Christain scribe, probably a priest.

• It ends up being a blending of both It ends up being a blending of both Pagan and Christian beliefs.Pagan and Christian beliefs.

Anglo-Saxon GodsAnglo-Saxon Gods

•3 Days of our week are 3 Days of our week are named for Anglo-Saxon named for Anglo-Saxon Pagan godsPagan gods–Tuesday Tuesday = Tiu= Tiu–Wednesday Wednesday = Woden= Woden–FridayFriday = Fria= Fria

Conversion to ChristianityConversion to Christianity

• 597 A.D. St. Augustine of Canterbury 597 A.D. St. Augustine of Canterbury arrives in Kentarrives in Kent

• Converted King EthelbertConverted King Ethelbert

• Strategy: convert Anglo-Saxon kings Strategy: convert Anglo-Saxon kings who would then convert peoplewho would then convert people

• By 650 A.D. most of England is By 650 A.D. most of England is ChristianChristian

Christianity’s ImportanceChristianity’s Importance

•Advanced literacy—Advanced literacy—how? why?how? why?

•Influenced literatureInfluenced literature—how? why?—how? why?

Anglo-Saxon Tribal Anglo-Saxon Tribal HierarchyHierarchy

• KingKing

• Lord a.k.a. “loaf ward” (guardian of Lord a.k.a. “loaf ward” (guardian of the bread)the bread)

• Earl--ruling warlords w/sworn Earl--ruling warlords w/sworn allegiance to kingallegiance to king

• Freeman—Earl gave churl freedom & Freeman—Earl gave churl freedom & enough land for churl’s familyenough land for churl’s family

Anglo-Saxon Tribal Hierarchy Anglo-Saxon Tribal Hierarchy (cont.)(cont.)

•Churl (serf)- servants who Churl (serf)- servants who work the land in exchange for work the land in exchange for military protection, food, military protection, food, shelter. Cannot be a warrior.shelter. Cannot be a warrior.

•Thrall (slaves)—military Thrall (slaves)—military prisoners or undesirableprisoners or undesirable

See See Princess Bride Clip

You killed my father; prepare to die!You killed my father; prepare to die!

WergildWergild Was the Way of Life Was the Way of Life

• Word means “man price”Word means “man price”

• Heroic code to avenge wrong you or Heroic code to avenge wrong you or your kin suffered at the hands of your kin suffered at the hands of enemy.enemy.

• Avenge in 2 waysAvenge in 2 ways– Enemy pays you gold or landEnemy pays you gold or land– You kill enemy or whatever You kill enemy or whatever

vengeance you deem necessaryvengeance you deem necessary

Comitatus: the Warrior’s Comitatus: the Warrior’s CodeCode

• Comitatus—Latin term for the mutual Comitatus—Latin term for the mutual loyalty between a king and his loyalty between a king and his knightsknights

• Warriors pledged to protect and Warriors pledged to protect and defend their lord at any cost, even defend their lord at any cost, even their very lives.their very lives.

• The chief fought for victory, the The chief fought for victory, the followers fought for the chief.followers fought for the chief.

Comitatus: the Warrior’s Comitatus: the Warrior’s CodeCode

• On battlefield, disgrace for chief to On battlefield, disgrace for chief to be surpassed by his followersbe surpassed by his followers

• Disgraceful for warrior if king dies Disgraceful for warrior if king dies and warrior doesn’t—meant a life of and warrior doesn’t—meant a life of infamy and shameinfamy and shame

Is Comitatus still Is Comitatus still alive today?alive today?

The PatriotThe Patriot clip clipScene # 25Scene # 25

The Mead HallThe Mead Hall

•Drink MeadDrink Mead

•EatEat

•SleepSleep

•Planned WarPlanned War

•EntertainEntertain

Check out Check out 1313thth Warrior Warrior

Anglo-Saxon ScopAnglo-Saxon Scop

• Poet performersPoet performers

• Sing/chant for Sing/chant for hourshours

• Accompanied by Accompanied by harpharp

• Oral literature, Oral literature, not writtennot written

Why was the Scop Why was the Scop such an important such an important member of Anglo-member of Anglo-Saxon society?Saxon society?

Characteristics of Anglo-Characteristics of Anglo-Saxon PoetrySaxon Poetry•Alliteration—repetition of initial Alliteration—repetition of initial

consonant soundconsonant sound

•Caesura—mid-line pauseCaesura—mid-line pause

•Rhyme or syllables not importantRhyme or syllables not important

•Formal pattern of word stressesFormal pattern of word stresses

•Kennings—poetic use of 2 nouns Kennings—poetic use of 2 nouns to name somethingto name something

Characteristics of Anglo-Characteristics of Anglo-Saxon PoetrySaxon Poetry

Alliteration—repetition of initial Alliteration—repetition of initial consonant soundconsonant sound

Sally sells seashells by the Sally sells seashells by the seashoreseashore

Round the rugged rock the ragged Round the rugged rock the ragged rascal ranrascal ran

Characteristics of Anglo-Characteristics of Anglo-Saxon PoetrySaxon Poetry

Caesura—mid-line pauseCaesura—mid-line pause

all the graybeards whispered all the graybeards whispered togethertogether

all the gray beards, whispered all the gray beards, whispered togethertogether

Characteristics of Anglo-Characteristics of Anglo-Saxon PoetrySaxon PoetryKennings—poetic use of 2 nouns Kennings—poetic use of 2 nouns

to name somethingto name something

gray beardsgray beards

she-wolfshe-wolf

heaven’s candleheaven’s candle

End of Anglo-Saxon EraEnd of Anglo-Saxon Era

•Anglo-Saxon society peeks in 8Anglo-Saxon society peeks in 8thth CenturyCentury

•c.a. 793 A.D. Danish/Viking c.a. 793 A.D. Danish/Viking InvasionsInvasions

•1066 Battle of Hastings ended 1066 Battle of Hastings ended Anglo-Saxon England and Anglo-Anglo-Saxon England and Anglo-Norman England beginsNorman England begins