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Beowulf
Hard facts
Hard facts
An epic poem about 3,200 lines long composed in England by an anonymous Anglo-Saxon poet, probably a Christian monk, at the beginning of the 8th century.
It celebrates the great actions of its protagonist, Beowulf, whose etymology (Bee-Wolf = Bear) underlines his strength.
The poem aims at exalting a glorious past belonging to the cultural heritage of the poet’s nation. This takes place under the influence of a foreign culture, i.e. Christian Rome
The manuscript
The manuscript
There is only one manuscript of the poem – the Cotton Vitellius from the 10th century – written in the Wessex dialect.
It was forgotten for many centuries and almost destroyed in a fire in the 18th century
A recent discovery
Scholars took an interest in the poem only in the 19th century. At first the interest was mainly historical.
A recent discovery
In 1936 the Oxford scholar J.R.R. Tolkien published a paper entitled «Beowulf: the monsters and the critics», after which the manuscript began to be treated like a literary work.
The story
Based on a Scandinavian saga dating back to the period before the migration and invasion of Britain (around 500 A.D.). It belongs to pre-Anglo-Saxon culture
Oral source
The material of the poem already existed long before it was written down by the poet: it was handed down through the centuries in an oral form.
Different folk tales and chronichles were put together to form a poem
The setting
Setting
Scandinavia: Denmark and southern Sweden, a land called Gautland
Pagan & Christian elements
Pagan & Christian elements
A pagan story is told by a Christian narrator, something rather unusual: a mixture of pagan and Christian values, sometimes clashing with each other.
Values
A Christian conception of life, based on moral virtues and generosity, as opposed to cowardice and cruelty. Moderation, unselfishness and consideration for others are some values which the poem encourages.
Legend & history
Legend & history
The poem is the result of a mixture between legend and history
Legend
Mythical elements: monsters, dragons and other imaginary creatures have a symbolic or allegorical meaning, standing for the forces of evil or the hardships of life. They represent an alien presence in society that must be defeated for the society’s safety.
Monster
In Christian medieval culture "monster" was the word used for birth defects or freaks of nature, a sign of trangression or of bad things to come
The role of climate
Inspired by the typical northern climate which, with its fogs and mists, often caused distorted impressions of objects
History
Precise references to real historical events and characters (e.g. tribal struggles, Swedish and Danish royal family members)
Two sections
The plot
The plot is split into two separate, different sections unified by the presence of the same hero
The warrior
First section
Beowulf is a young pagan warrior who decides to go and help Hrothgar, king of the Danes: his palace, Heorot, has been attacked for 12 years by a monster (Grendel), who lives in swamplands
Heorot
Heorot
Heorot is the mead-hall, where warriors gather to drink, receive gifts from their Lord and listen to stories told by the scops. It represents prosperity of the king’s reign
Beowulf vs. Grendel
Beowulf vs. Grendel
Beowulf faces Grendel, fights against him and finally kills it by tearing one of his arms off
Beowulf vs. Grendel's mother
Beowulf vs. Grendel's mother
Grendel’s mother wants to avenge her son’s death and manages to murder one of the king’s most trusted advisors. Beowulf fights her too and eventually kills her in a cave at the bottom of a swamp, with the help of a sword forged for a giant
The outcome
Beowulf becomes like a son for Hrothgar. He returns to Gautland and hands over his treasure to king Hygelac
A mature king
Second section
The second part of the poem is about Beowulf in his old age. After king Hygelac is killed in war and his son dies, Beowulf ascends to the throne of the Geats. He rules wisely for 50 years, bringing prosperity to Gautland
The fight against a dragon
Beowulf vs. a dragon
Beowulf confronts a dragon which wants to destroy the Geats because the treasure he was guarding in a mound is stolen by a thief. Beowulf fights the dragon and with the help of Wiglaf, a young servant, he succeeds in killing him
Beowulf's death
Beowulf's death
Beowulf is mortally wounded in the fight and dies. Before dying, he gives Wiglaf directions for his burial: his body is burnt on a funeral pyre and he is buried with a massive treasure in a mould overlooking the sea
1. Different value systems: Germanic heroic code vs. medieval Christianity
2. Identity
Themes
3. A good warrior vs. a good king
4. A possible Christian interpretation
The Germanic heroic code
Germanic heroic code
It highlights strength, courage and loyalty in warriors; hospitality, generosity and political skill in kings; ceremoniousness in women; good reputation in all people
Internal contradictions
Internal contradictions
Cases of divided loyalties or situations for which no practical guidance is provided about how to act
Germanic heroic code vs. medieval Christianity
The clash with medieval Christianity
In the Germanic code honour is gained during life through one’s actions, whereas in Christian values glory can be reached only in the hereafter. The Germanic code has it that it is better to retaliate than to mourn, whereas Christian doctrine encourages a peaceful and forgiving attitude towards one’s enemies
Throughout the poem, the poet tries to accommodate these two sets of values
Identity
Ancestral heritage or family lineage and individual reputation: characters take pride in ancestors who acted bravely and they strive to live up to their standards. A good reputation is necessary to enhance one’s identity, based on kinship bonds
Fame: a way of perpetuating one’s memory after death, in a world in which death was always impending. The oral tradition was a means to perpetuate a character’s reputation
A heroic warrior vs. a wise king
A good warrior vs. a good king
Dichotomy between the duties of a heroic warrior (the young Beowulf) and those of a wise king (Hrothgar)
While the former longs for personal glory, the latter seeks protection for his people
A wise king
He must reward the loyal service of his warriors with gifts and praise; he must provide his people with protection; he must assure stability in a chaotic world; he must be good at diplomacy, both with his warriors and with the other tribes
A Christian interpretation
A Christian interpretation
Some critics have identified the young Beowulf with the figure of Christ: to save Heorot (= the world) and the Danes (= mankind), he struggles in the lake (= hell) against Grendel’s mother (= the Devil) with the help of a sword (= the cross)
At the end of the poem, Beowulf sacrifices himself for the sake of his people, just like Christ