Introduction
Beowulf is the first Masterpiece in English literature written by unknown author in Old English.[ Old English was spoken in the Middle Ages from about 6th century to 11th century CE]. The date of composition is unknown but it is dated around 8th and 11th Century.
The plot is set in Scandinavia around 5th or 6th century. Beowulf is a protagonist – a war leader of the Geats, {a group of people in what is now southern Sweden}. He seeks glory and fame so he is facing challenges. He comes to the hall of Hrothgar (was king of the Dane) [map on 170] to help him to protect hall from monster called Grendel. Beowulf duels with Grendel and he wins. Then he kills Grendel’s mother who damages hall in order to take her revenge for death of her son. In reward he becomes king. After 50 years of ruling he sets out to fight with dragon, he kills him and he dies in this third encounter.
Beowulf as heroic/epic poem
Heroic poem - hero is always a warrior, who is concerned both with his reputation and fame, and with his political responsibilities. The way in which he "copes with the blows of fate" is extremely important;
Heroic poem has a fixed schema: voyage, welcome, feast, boast, arming, fight, reward.
his death is heroic
Epic poetry has certain elements such as:
Epic hero– (prowess, strength and courage of a single man) an character with a trait or characteristic that is valued by his society.
Quest– A journey during which hero does valorous deeds
Valorous Deeds– Doing something bravely.
Divine Intervention– The hand of God (or gods) help the hero, proving his value.
Great events– The hero has a hand in something important in the history or mythology of a culture – wars between Geats and Sweds
Almost all these elements are to be found in Beowulf.
Germanic world
Relationship between lord and his thanes: social order
Thane: warrior – swears loyalty to the king for whom they fought and whom they protected
Warriors are devoted to the glory and they seek it in the field, heroic deeds, Boasting was hero’s dare to destiny, Fighting was the proper business of man, Only respectable way to die was in battle Beowulf’s motives are a combination of honor, fame and courage; he wants to help others, but he also wants fame, financial rewards, and a solid reputation as a great warrior; Beowulf seeks fame and glory so that his name will survive him
Kings: generous, protected thanes, he’s defending mankind against it’s enemies, so do Beowulf when he sets off to kill dragon which threats his people
In Beowulf this social order and at the same time heroic code is broken. Protagonist must face his antagonist (dragon) single-handed people even though he has 12 warriors by his side.
He has to do it to protect his people. His death is heroic
In the poem we can find two Germanic concepts:
Wergild – it’s a way of settling a feud by a “man payment” so his worth in money / compensation to family of murdered warrior to prevent them from seeking revenge
Wyrd – it’s Anglo Saxon concept of fate of destiny, the inevitable pattern of things. Wyrd also cognates with Dutch worden (become) and German werden.
Although Beowulf is set In pagan Times there are no references to pagan gods. There are some references to Christian Lord. Narrator calls him [p. 56] the Maker, the Almighty, the Prince of Heaven, Father. Futhermore, Grendel is described as a descendent from the first murderer – Cain [p. 54]. He symbolizes evil and hartred. There are also fairy-tale themes such as dragon or Grendel (antagonists - opponents). Tt can indicate that the poet came from a Christianized culture.
Karel ende Elegast
( translated Charlemagne and Elbegast in English or Charles the Great) is Dutch epic poem written probably in 12th or 13th century in Middle Dutch by unknown author. It is set in the region of Charlemagne's castle in Ingleheim in 8th century. We have to do with Christian world of knights. In early Dutch literature Karel (Charles) was an ideal Christian king. He often appears in poems as main character in spite of the fact that he couldn’t be a part of events.
Charles is urged by angel to go outside to steal something although Charles is confused he obeys and goes out. In the woods he mets Elegast – a duke who he had banned from his realm. He doesn’t reveal his identity and he sets out with Elegast. Elegast proves that he is faithful to his king – Charles by not wanting to steal from the castle. Instead he shows Charles that his brother in law plans to kill him. Next day he’s able to protect himself against Eggeric who denies his true intentions. Eggerc has to duel with Elegast in order to prove his innocence. Charles let the God decide who will win. Of course Elegast wins because he’s faithful and loyal to his king. As a reward he gets king’s sister and castle.
What I found interesting is the fact that Elegast (Elbegast) according to folklore and Nothen legends was a dwarf who could steal eggs from under the birds. He was called a king of both dwarves and elves.
Comparison – Why do I want to compare them? Different culture
| Beowulf 8th - warrior | Karel ende Elegast 12th – king and knight |
|---|---|
Plot is set In 5th/6th century Warrior seeks for glory, gold and heroic death The subject matter deals with heroic adventures and some fairy –tale themes (i.e. fire breathing dragons and big scary monsters). Quest: Single-handed fight with Grendel, his mother and dragon Pagan times, References to Christian God (up) |
Plot is set in 8th century when Charles th Great was Franks king Elegast is good for poor people, he steals from rich, he’s loyal; king is wise and just, he lets God to decide and he obeys Gods orders Fairy-tale themes – magical herbs, magical key which opens every door Quest: to the wood in disguise; duel with Eggeric Gods intervention: Chrisitian belief – Charles believes in God’s wisdom and he let God decide about duel between Elegast and Eggeric even though he knows that Eggeric is a traitor |
Useful words
Descendant – someone who is related to a person/group of ppl who lied in the past
Duel – encounter, fight, struggle,
Feud – it’s more than vendetta, [mam nadzieję, że ona to rozwinie, bo to skomplikowane I każda moja definicja była dla niej niewystarczająca)
Kennings- 2 nouns that brought together convey a new meaning [conventional metaphoric name for something, used especially in Old English and Old Norse poetry] (ex. Candle of heaven, or heaven’s jewel = sun; Bowulf is Hrothgar’s monster-warden; whale – road = ocean; peace weaver = woman; light of battle = sword; ring-giver - king) [Metaphor – a figure of speech that makes a comparison between two otherwise unlike things]
Protagonist (antagonist) – main character
Prowess – (noun) distinguished bravery (warrior)
Scop – Old English poet who created poems or songs (bard) celebrating heroes
Thane [Old English – thegn] - an Anglo-Saxon lord; in Beowulf both warrior and lord
Wergild – it’s a way of settling a feud by a “man payment” so his worth in money / compensation to family of murdered warrior to prevent them from seeking revenge
Wyrd – it’s Anglo Saxon concept of fate of destiny, the inevitable pattern of things. Wyrd also cognates with Dutch worden (become) and German werden. (devine intervention)