Anglo-Saxon Poetry

Introduction to Beowulf

Beowulf is widely recognized as the greatest masterpiece of Anglo-Saxon literature. It is an epic, or long narrative poem, that offers insight into the values of the Anglo-Saxon people. Before reading excerpts from Beowulf, take a moment to explore some key background information about the story of Beowulf. In this interactivity, click each of the tabs to learn more about this epic. Click the player button to begin.

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Characteristics of Epics

You have already encountered heroes and villains in stories such as The Odyssey, Superman, and Star Wars. In Anglo-Saxon times, the stories of heroes were told in the form of epics, or long narrative poems that recount in formal, lofty language the adventures of larger-than-life heroes. There are many variations of the form in today's modern epics, which are often no longer restricted to poetic verses. In order to observe and appreciate modern epics in the world around you, you should first familiarize yourself with traditional epics. Take a moment to explore four characteristics of epics in this interactivity. Click the player button to begin.

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Character Archetypes

Throughout human history, innumerable stories have been told and retold to the point that certain story elements show a pattern of repetition, even across different cultures and time periods. These repeated patterns are called archetypes, and they can take such forms as settings, plots, imagery, themes, and other story elements. You have already considered archetypes involving characters in the Warm-Up. Now take a moment to explore other types of common character archetypes. In this interactivity, click each of the tabs to examine several character archetypes. Click the player button to begin.

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Literary Devices in Beowulf

Anglo-Saxon scops relied on certain poetic devices to aid their memory and give their poems structure and impact. Take a moment to explore three types of literary devices found in Beowulf. In this interactivity, click each note on the bulletin board to learn more about alliteration, caesuras, and kennings. Click the player button to begin.

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Key Vocabulary From the Epic of Beowulf

Before you read excerpts from the epic poem of Beowulf, familiarize yourself with a few vocabulary terms that you will encounter in the text. You may find these vocabulary terms useful in your day-to-day tasks as well. In this drag-and-drop interactivity, you will view the definitions of seven key vocabulary terms. Click the player button to begin.

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Analyzing Beowulf

Now you will read excerpts from Beowulf that cover the three major battles and Beowulf's farewell. Remember that the first two battles will take place while Beowulf is a young warrior whereas the last battle occurs during the end of his life when he is King of the Geats.

As a scholar of Beowulf, you should ensure that you can interpret the important elements of Beowulf's three battles. While you read the excerpts provided below, complete the Beowulf Battle Chart to summarize the three battles fought by Beowulf. You will submit a copy of your notes as part of the Application assignment later in this topic.

The Battle With Grendel

Before reading the first battle, take a moment to familiarize yourself with the backstory that precedes this excerpt. According to the scop, Grendel is an evil monster who is disturbed by the music and sounds of celebration made by the Danish men of Herot Hall. He raids the hall and kills thirty Danes on his first night. He continues to torment King Hrothgar's kingdom for twelve winters. Beowulf, a warrior from Geatland, hears of the suffering kingdom and volunteers to kill the monster. Beowulf arrives in Denmark with fourteen men and requests permission to kill Grendel. Beowulf convinces King Hrothgar of his ability by telling him about his prior victories in war.

The Battle With Grendel's Mother

Grendel's mother is a monster who lives at the bottom of a cold, dark lake. The night after Grendel's defeat, the mother of Grendel goes to Herot to avenge her son. During her raid, Grendel's mother kills King Hrothgar's closest friend, retrieves Grendel's arm from the rafters where Beowulf had hung it, and returns to her lake. When Beowulf hears of her attack, he decides to pursue her and put an end to the violent raids once and for all.

The Battle With the Dragon

After defeating Grendel's mother, Beowulf presents King Hrothgar with the jeweled hilt of the magic sword along with the head of Grendel. In recognition of Beowulf's heroic services to Denmark, King Hrothgar proclaims the Danes and the Geats to be allies. The following morning, Beowulf sets sail for Geatland. After he arrives in his homeland, he meets with his uncle, King Higlac, to recount the slayings of the monsters and to convey King Hrothgar's pledge of friendship. When his uncle and cousin later pass away, Beowulf inherits the crown and rules Geatland in relative peace for fifty years. One day, a Geat steals treasure that is guarded by a dragon, spurring the dragon to attack Beowulf's kingdom mercilessly.

Farewell to a Hero

During the battle with the dragon, Beowulf is mortally wounded. After the dragon is conquered, a dying Beowulf beseeches his loyal friend Wiglaf to retrieve the treasure that the dragon had been guarding. Wiglaf makes sure to admonish his fellow warriors for their cowardice in abandoning their gracious leader in his hour of need. Beowulf's story ends with a magnificent funeral during which scops sing his praises and honor his memory.

 

Poetry From the Exeter Book

Has there ever been a time in your life when you felt completely separated or isolated from others? Were you sad, angry, or depressed? How did you handle the sense of loneliness? The three Old English poems you are about to read and analyze represent the uncertainty of Anglo-Saxon life as well as the normal feelings associated with loneliness. The connection among the three poems is how each person deals with the effects of separation.

Life in Anglo-Saxon times were filled with loneliness and hardship. Animal attacks, natural disasters, disease, and the hardships of survival often separated loved ones for long periods of time or permanently. Frequent warfare divided not only families but entire communities.

Also facing hardships were those men who left behind their families to travel the seas. They endured months of travel in rough conditions without the knowledge of when or if they would return home. In the same way, the women and children they left behind were uncertain of when or if their family members would return to them.

In the three poems from the Exeter Book that you will read, the main characters all face tests of courage. You will see them struggle with extreme loneliness in an effort to keep their spirits up in the midst of heart-wrenching uncertainty.

Comparing "The Seafarer" and "The Wanderer"

Although the protagonists of "The Seafarer" and "The Wanderer" share much in common, in what do they also differ? In this non-graded interactivity, you will be shown descriptions of the protagonists from "The Seafarer" and "The Wanderer." Drag and drop the descriptions of the protagonists in the correct place on the Venn diagram. When your Venn diagram is complete, you will need to take a screenshot or print a copy of it for submission to the dropbox. If you need instructions on how to take a screenshot, please visit the Developmental Module. Click the player button to begin.

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Anglo-Saxon Poetry Review

Now that you have explored characteristics and examples of Anglo-Saxon poetry, it is time to review your knowledge and practice what you have learned. In this non-graded activity, read the questions and select the appropriate answers. Click the player button to get started.