It is also widely known as the earliest surviving piece of literatures in vernacular european literature. The setting of the epic is the sixth century in what is now known as denmark and southwestern sweden. A masterpiece of old english literature, the alliterative epic poem beowulf was written between the 8th and 11th century and narrates the eponymous heros battles against the monster grendel, grendels avenging mother and finally a terrifying dragon that threatens beowulf s homeland. The first manuscript was written in the language of the saxons, old english, also known as anglosaxon. Read an overview of the entire poem or a line by line summary and analysis. When you visit any website, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Studying beowulf is important and beneficial for many reasons. The date of composition is a matter of contention among scholars. Beowulf is probably the most famous of all old english literature, and is a staple of university english programs. It comes in english and then old english if youre inclined to read an older language. While it is set in scandinavia in the early sixth century, the poem was composed in england somewhere between the seventh and the end of the tenth century. Beowulf, old english, and anglosaxon culture creative.
Old english poetry is marked by a strong rhythm that is easy to chant or sing. Beowulf is the oldest surviving epic poem in the english language and the earliest piece of vernacular european literature. After coming to the aid of the king of the danes, whose mead hall is under constant attack by the monster grendel, beowulf slays grendels mother and goes on to become the king of the geats. That means it has the stuff that makes epic such a rollicking good time heroes and monsters.
Beowulf literary analysis essay 869 words bartleby. Beowulf has always been regarded as a classic, and has inspired many writers over the ages including w. Beowulf is an old english epic poem consisting of 3182 alliterative long lines. Francis barton gummere translates this beautiful poem. Beowulf, old english, and anglosaxon culture the anglosaxon time period in britain was one of excitement and innovationa time that gave birth to the english language.
Introduction to the old english poem called beowulf. Beowulf, the epic poem in regards to a heroic geat had gone untold and unappreciated for centuries until it was finally regarded in the first 1800s. Beowulf is a long narrative poem composed in old english some time in between the 8th and 11th century ad. Beowulf cliffsnotes study guides book summaries, test. Anonymous books, since authors names are not known, are alphabetized on the works cited page under the first word of the book title, so beowulf would be alphabetized under b. It is considered to be the oldest surviving work of poetry. The poem opens with a brief genealogy of the scylding dane royal dynasty, named after a mythic hero, scyld scefing, who reached the tribes shores as a castaway babe on a ship loaded with. Beowulf is an old english epic poem written anonymously around 975 ad. It deals with events of the early 6th century and is believed to have been composed between 700 and 750. Poem summary beowulf is the longest and greatest surviving anglosaxon poem. Beowulf, the anglosaxon poem that is commonly taught in high school, achieves old english epic greatness. Beowulf is the conventional title of an old english epic poem consisting of 3182 alliterative long lines, set in scandinavia, the oldest surviving epic poem of old english and thus commonly cited as one of the most important works of anglosaxon literature, and also arguably the earliest vernacular english literature.
The language of this poem is old english, spoken by saxon people. Although beowulf is a masterpiece of early english literature, written approximately between 975 and 1025, the unfamiliar dialect makes this epic poem difficult to understand. Written in unrhymed, fourbeat alliterative metre of old english poetry, it tells of. Referred to as one of the greatest and most important anglosaxon literatures and written by an unfamiliar anglosaxon poet, beowulf proceeds to bring about many allusions and themes or templates. Beowulf is an old english epic poem consisting of 3182 alliterative lines. It is an epitomized history of the life of the teutonic races. While the date of the poem s composition is still debated, the only certainty is that the physical manuscript was produced some time between 975 and 1025 ad.
Beowulf and millions of other books are available for instant access. Set in scandinavia during the late 5th century, this epic poem follows greats hero beowulf as he does battle with several characters including grendel and a dragon. The student of english literature he aims to interest by giving him, in modern garb, the most ancient epic of our race. Though its authorship is unknown, the poem was written between 925 and 1025. Beowulf is the longest epic poem in old english, the language spoken in anglosaxon england before the norman conquest. It is usually read in translation, as it is not only written in a very old form of english, it makes heavy use of a poetic register that is quite different from prose. Poems of this kind would often have been recited from memory by a court minstrel, or scop, to the accompaniment of a harp. An anglosaxon epic poem is considered the oldest surviving old english poem, over three thousand alliterative verses celebrating the greatdane who protected king hrothgar, conquered grendel and was ultimately defeated by a dragon. Although originally untitled, it was later named after the scandinavian hero beowulf. On definitive ground, we can describe beowulf as the longest surviving poem in old english and one of the earliest european epics written in the vernacular rather than in latin.
This version translated by francis barton gummere 18551919. Beowulf is an old english epic poem consisting of 3,182 alliterative lines. The earliest manuscript copy of the poem is stored in the british library, and is dated around 1010. Beowulf is an epic poem that is both one of the most important works in english literature, and a great adventure story. One difference between the poem and the movie was that the poem explained the actual story of beowulf and his journey in much more detail. The first folio of the heroic epic poem beowulf, written primarily in the west saxon dialect of old english. It is a verse translation that retains the form of the original old english poem. One thing that supports beowulf as a literary work is the fact that the author uses fictitious characters such as grendel, grendels mother, and the dragon. Surprisingly many modern poets have tried to recreate the old alliterative poetry in modern english, auden being only the most prominent of them, and while it is quite easy to write alliterative verse, it is. This video is a brief presentation on beowulf, the epic poem in old english. It may be the oldest surviving long poem in old english and is commonly cited as one of the most important works of old english literature.
Beowulf is a piece of literature, not a historical document. Beowulf modern english translation by anonymous poetry. Of all english translations of beowulf, that of professor garnett alone gives any adequate idea of the chief characteristics of this great. Beowulf, heroic poem, the highest achievement of old english literature and the earliest european vernacular epic. See a complete list of the characters in beowulf and indepth analyses of beowulf, grendel, hrothgar, unferth, wiglaf, grendels mother, and the dragon. Commonly cited as one of the most important works of anglosaxon literature, beowulf is an epic poem that traces the exploits of the titular hero. Introduction to british literature 12 heorot he named it whose message had might in many a land. If the definition of a superhero is someone who uses his special powers to fight evil, then beowulf is our first english superhero story, and arguably our best. It brings vividly before us our forefathers of prealfredian eras, in their love of war, of sea, and of adventure. Introduction to british literature prereading exercise book ii. The poem closes with a glowing tribute to his bravery, his gentleness, his goodness of heart, and his generosity.
Introduction to british literature 10 beowulf and epic poetry beowulf is the hero of an epic poem bearing his name. Perhaps the oldest surviving long poem in old english, beowulf is commonly seen as one of the most important works of old english literature. This book is a literally classic thats definitely not for all readers. Complete beowulf old english text, translations and dual. Beowulf is an epic poem written sometime around 900 a. The only surviving manuscript that contains the poem is preserved in the british library and it too was badly damaged by fire in 1731. Perhaps the most common question readers have is what language beowulf was written in originally. Beowulf was composed by an anonymous anglosaxon poet. It follows the tale of beowulf the geat for comes to aid of king hrothgar because the kingdom is plagued by a monster named grendel. It is also a deeply pious poem, so bold in its reverence for a virtuous pagan past that it. Beowulf poem pdf free download is one of the most important works of old english literature. This teaching guide is organized in three sections presenting suggestions to be used before beowulf is read, while it is being read, and after the reading is completed.
The main character, beowulf, proves himself a hero as he. It is possibly the oldest surviving long poem in old english and is commonly cited as one of the most important works of old english literature. This is the second video in the series of videos under anglosaxon literature. Translated from the heynesocin text by lesslie hall language. Beowulf the literary epic poem english literature essay. Beowulf is the greatest surviving work of literature in old english. Read the original text of beowulf along with a sidebyside translation in plain english.
It tells the breathtaking story of a struggle between the hero, beowulf, and a bloodthirsty monster called grendel. An anglosaxon epic poem is the oldest surviving english poem consisting over over three thousand verses. It is one of the most important works of old english literature. Through the ages, there have been many translations, notably one by alfred lord tennyson. Beowulf and other old english poems craig williamson. An old english heroic poem, said to have been written between the 8th and 11th centuries. Craig williamsons beowulf is superior, both in truth to the original and in readability, to any other version of the poem now available. Cliffsnotes on beowulf covers the longest and oldest surviving anglosaxon poem, an epic tale of warriors and battles, monsters and magic, treasures, feasts, and heroic action.
Beowulf english 12 literature book passion for the arts. This essay offers literary analysis of beowulf, the oldest epic poem that has survived in english literature. It is the devout desire of this translator to hasten the day when the story of beowulf shall be as familiar to englishspeaking peoples as that of the iliad. Part of the cotton ms vitellius a xv manuscript currently. After suffering mistreatment and several neardisasters, the beowulf manuscript is now safely housed in the british library in london. Why is beowulf so important when studying english literature. It has influenced many contemporary fictional works it was originally created by an anonymous anglo and saxon poet in the seventh century. The heroic poem beowulf is the highest achievement of old english literature and the earliest european vernacular epic. Thanks to this translation, placed right near the original text, readers can now appreciate the battle of good and evil that unfolds between the wise and heroic beowulf. In the citation directly above, the title beowulf would be placed in italics since it is a long poem usually published as a book by itself.
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