· Author:
o Unknown Christian poet, written around 700 AD
o Unique because it was written by just one poet. Oral tradition of story telling allowed many poets to contribute to a poem, but Beowulf is credited to a single poet.
o Purposefully tries to attribute Christian thoughts and motives to his characters, who often behave in ways that seem un-Christian-like. (Fighting, killing, bragging etc.)
· Setting:
o 500 AD in Scandinavia
o Historical facts are mentioned and are mixed with the fiction
§ Many of the characters correspond with actual figures in history from royal Swedish and Danish families.
o Mead halls - much action takes place, warriors gatther in the presence of their lord to drink, boast, tell stories, and receive gifts.
·
Often unsafe
places due to invasions from other warring tribes.
· Style
o Epic poem that serves to tell a story
o Alliterative meter
o Elegiac epic: heroic life of a warrior and the lament of the passing of things over time.
o Record of the heroic deeds of Beowulf as he establishes his identity.
o Focus of poem: the emotion and perspective of the battle, rather than the outcome.
o Beowulf is more than human; he is a hero.
§ Determined warrior - says he’ll either finish his deed or die trying.
· Themes:
o Identity: Beowulf’s identity has two key parts
§ His ancestral heritage
· Family lineage: an essential part of a character’s identity because they take pride in ancestors who have been brave and valiant.
§
His reputation as
an individual is important to his identity because a good reputation will ensure
that he will be remembered even after he dies.
o Conflict between the Heroic Code and Christian Value systems
§ Germanic heroic code: values strength, courage, and loyalty in warriors; values hospitality, generosity, and political skill in kings, and good reputation in all people.
· Provides warrior societies with guidelines for understanding their relationship to the world. An individual’s actions can be seen only as either conforming to or violating the code.
·
Honor is gained
during life through valiant deeds
§ Christian Value system: asserts that glory lies in the afterlife.
· Advocates peace and forgiveness towards one’s enemies
· Honor is gained during life through virtuous deeds.
·
Important to
remember that Beowulf uses violence to achieve his means, while Grendel uses
violence and evil because it is simply part of his nature.