Anglo-Saxon Unit (449AD-1066AD):

           Historical Background:
           I. Part of Continental Europe (Pangea)-->inhabited by paleolithic man
             Island-inhabited by neolithic man
           II. 500BC-400BC: Celts (farmers/hunters,clans w/loyalty to chieftan) split in two
                     A. Gaels-settled in north and west, language, ethnic customs altered by contact with
                               aboriginal inhabitants, remnants in Ireland and western Scotland
                     B. Britons-settled in southwest, less modified by aboriginal ideas, spoke language similar
                               to central Europe (modern languages of Manx, Irish, dialect of Scottish Highlands)
                               remnants in Wales & Cornwall (peninsula in SW in Atlantic Ocean/English Channel)
                     C. Religion of Celts- Druidism
                               1. Druid Priests-leader of clan, settled problems between clans
                               2. believed in hierarchy of Gods, human sacrifice, transmigration of souls (passing of
                                         soul to another body after death), sactified oak tree, revered mistle toe from oak
                     D. Retained ideas despite Roman occupation (1st invasions 55BC, fully occupied under
                               Emperor Claudius (65BC), assimilation for 400 year (bring Latin), 400AD Rome leaving)

           Anglo-Saxon Poetry:
           I. Six main characteristics
                     A. unrhymed lines-any rhymes are coincidental, not intended
                     B. four beats to a line-beat in an accented syllable in a line
                     C. no regual metrical pattern-length of lines vary
                     D. Caesura- pause after second beat, divide line into 2, internal puctuation or natural
           pause
                     E. Alliteraion- repetition of initial consonant sounds
                     F. Kennings- Scandinavian name for 2 nouns placed side by side or adjective before noun
                               when both words mean another noun (soul house-body), elaborate and indirect poetic
                               technique used for naming persons, places, things, events
           II. Five Anglo-Saxon Ideals for A-S hero:
                     A. champion of freedom and justice
                     B. courageous in sight of danger
                     C. superhuman strength
                     D. shows unfailing loyalty
                     E. demonstrates devotion and duty
           III. Pagan and Christian Blending
                     A. pagan tales from oral tradition altered by Christian monks for chistian perspective

           Beowulf:
           A. General Notes
                     1. deals with tribal values(vengence), history of ideal posibilities
                     2. stranger comes to help
                     3. 1st English epic (historical)
                     4. fate personifies in word Wyrd (feared)
                     5. boast- prove self to Danes
                     6. element of violence
                     7. in order to leave, Beowulf asks permission from king--hierarchy of command, cooperates
                               with Danes (leaves weapons before speaking to king)
                     8. Unferth's jealousy makes him degrade Beowulf(has to respond)-verbal battle