Anglo-Saxon Poetry

Consider the last piece of fiction you read for fun. In what year was it written? How does the story reflect the time period and values of the author? More than likely, you came away understanding not only the story's theme but also the society in which the author lived. In the same way, much of what is known about the Anglo-Saxon period is based on the writings created during that time. Stories were passed down orally to succeeding generations, who inherited the values and attitudes of their ancestors. Beowulf and other poems reveal people's beliefs about hospitality, good, and evil during the Anglo-Saxon period.

Essential Questions

• What is an epic?
• What are the important characteristics of Anglo-Saxon poetry?