literature: Exeter & Beowulf

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• Middelbare school
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• Leerjaar 5

Literature 
English Language

Literature

Today you will learn about:

- The Exeter book of Riddles

- Beowulf

the Old English Period 

450-1100 AD 

Pre-Historic- England before the Old-English

period:

- The Celts; 5th Century BC - Tartan, iron weaponory

- The Romans: 55 BC - Hadrian's Wall 

Start Old-English Period:

Angles, Saxons, Jutes invaded England 

in the 5th century. 

EXETER BOOK OF RIDDLES

* One of the major poetic codices of the Anglo- Saxons

EXETER BOOK OF RIDDLES

* 90 riddles

* No names

* Often 1st person

* Not all of them have 

been solved, no solutions 

given, discussions

* Often religious, 

but also common objects

RIDDLE 55

Have you ever heard of the story 'Beowulf'?

Tekst

Yes, I do.

No, I don't.

BEOWULF

BEOWULF

- Epic poem consisting of 3,182 lines.with a lot of alliteration

- -The date of composition is a matter of contention. The only certain dating is for the manuscript, which was produced between 975 and 1025 by an the anonymous author often called  the "Beowulf poet" Before that time Beowulf was told by 'Scops'. Poems were told and retold, thet changed and grew. Beowulf was told for hundreds of years before gfinally written down in the 11th century. 

-  It is one of the most important and most often translated works of Old English literature. 

- Only 1  original manuscript . It is more than a museum piece. Songs, movies are still inspired by the poem. 

-The story is set in Scandinavia in the 6th century. Beowulf, a hero of the Geats, comes to the aid of Hrothgar, the king of the Danes, whose mead hall in Heorot has been under attack by the monster Grendel.  Beowulf, who is extremely strong (strength of 30 men), wants to help the King.

genres poems

• epic poems: narrative poems on great subjects like kings and heroes, fighting, glory and honour
• didactic poems: meant to teach the reader about religious matters or about the way to behave
• historical chronicles: about wars and battles, and kings

kenning

a figurative name for a thing, usually expressed in a compound noun.

First lady = wife of the president

Four-eyes = someone who wears

glasses

Beowulf  Old English Kennings

Sea = whale-path

Sun = sky-candle

Death= Sleep of the sword

corpes = Raven-harvest

Honour = mind's-worth

. . . . . = Battle-sweat

. . . . = bone-house

Caesura

(in Greek and Latin verse) a break between words within a metrical foot.

(in modern verse) a pause near the middle of a line.

Then proudly setting the sun and moon

To glow across the land and light it;

BEOWULF

The story is set in Scandinavia in the 6th century. Beowulf, a hero of the Geats, comes to the aid of Hrothgar, the king of the Danes, whose mead hall in Heorot has been under attack by the monster Grendel. The beast kills his men evrey night, for 12 years.  Beowulf, who is extremely strong (strength of 30 men), wants to help the King.

Aanschouw de lof van de dapperheid van mensen-koningen

van de met een speer gewapende Denen, in lang vervlogen dagen, we hebben gehoord, en welke eer de Athelings wonnen!

Vaak won Shield Sheafson van vijanden in squadrons, van menig stam, scheurde de eetzaal en maakte de graven bang. 

Sinds hij vroeger vriendloos, een vondeling was, betaalde het lot hem terug:

Want hij groeide in welvaart en rijkdom.., tot voor hem het volk, zowel ver als dichtbij,die bij de zee woonden, zijn mandaat hoorden, gaven hem geschenken: een goede koning!

What biblical figure is Grendel related to? In what way?

Grendel is related to Cain, the biblical figure who killed his brother Abel. Grendel is described as being descended from Cain, marking him as cursed and an outcast due to Cain's fratricide.

Give an example of alliteration from lines 30-34.

An example of alliteration might be: "Grendel went up to Herot, wondering what the warriors would do." (Note: Exact wording may vary depending on the version of the text you're using.)

Why does Herot remain empty for twelve years?

Herot remains empty because Grendel terrorizes and kills anyone who stays there, making it too dangerous for people to gather or live in the hall.

Why do none of Hrothgar’s men challenge Grendel?

None of Hrothgar's men challenge Grendel because they are terrified of his immense strength and the invincibility granted by the dark magic protecting him.

Why does Grendel not touch Hrothgar’s throne?

Grendel does not touch Hrothgar's throne because it is protected by God, and as a creature of evil, Grendel cannot defy divine protection.

What biblical figure is Grendel related to? In what way?

Grendel is related to Cain, the biblical figure who killed his brother Abel. Grendel is described as being descended from Cain, marking him as cursed and an outcast due to Cain's fratricide. (line 21)

Give an example of alliteration from lines 30-34.

An example of alliteration might be: "Grendel went up to Herot, wondering what the warriors would do." 

Sprawled in sleep, suspecting nothing

Why does Herot remain empty for twelve years?

Herot remains empty because Grendel terrorizes and kills anyone who stays there, making it too dangerous for people to gather or live in the hall. (line 60)

What biblical figure is Grendel related to? In what way?

Grendel is related to Cain, the biblical figure who killed his brother Abel. Grendel is described as being descended from Cain, marking him as cursed and an outcast due to Cain's fratricide.

Give an example of alliteration from lines 30-34.

An example of alliteration might be: "Grendel went up to Herot, wondering what the warriors would do." (Note: Exact wording may vary depending on the version of the text you're using.)

Why does Herot remain empty for twelve years?

Herot remains empty because Grendel terrorizes and kills anyone who stays there, making it too dangerous for people to gather or live in the hall.

Why do none of Hrothgar’s men challenge Grendel?

None of Hrothgar's men challenge Grendel because they are terrified of his immense strength and the invincibility granted by the dark magic protecting him.

Why does Grendel not touch Hrothgar’s throne?

Grendel does not touch Hrothgar's throne because it is protected by God, and as a creature of evil, Grendel cannot defy divine protection.

Why do none of Hrothgar’s men challenge Grendel?

None of Hrothgar's men challenge Grendel because they are terrified of his immense strength and the invincibility granted by the dark magic protecting him.

Why does Grendel not touch Hrothgar’s throne?

Grendel does not touch Hrothgar's throne because it is protected by God, and as a creature of evil, Grendel cannot defy divine protection. (line 80)

Why does Beowulf allow Grendel to kill one of the Geats before taking action himself?

Beowulf allows Grendel to kill one of the Geats to observe his method of attack and ensure that he can surprise Grendel and strike effectively when the moment is right.

How do the ‘renamings’ of Grendel in line 325 emphasize the weighty significance of the battle that is about to begin?

The ‘renamings’ of Grendel, such as “sheperd of evil" ,” guardian of crime" emphasize his monstrous and otherworldly nature, heightening the gravity and epic scale of the battle. 

What advantage does Beowulf have in his fight with Grendel?

Beowulf's main advantage is his extraordinary strength and confidence in fighting Grendel bare-handed, which neutralizes Grendel's reliance on magical protections that guard him against weapons.

In this passage, what additional evidence do you find of the Christian-pagan tension in this epic?

The Christian-pagan tension is evident in the references to divine protection and fate. Beowulf’s reliance on God contrasts with the pagan concepts of fate (“wyrd”) and Grendel’s lineage, cursed by Cain.

Which details from this description of the battle between Beowulf and Grendel add realism? Which details add epic grandness?

Realism: The brutal physical struggle and Grendel’s attempts to escape add a sense of raw, physical combat.

Epic grandness: Beowulf tearing off Grendel’s arm with sheer strength and the hall shaking under their battle elevate the fight to an extraordinary, almost mythical level.

Why does Beowulf hang Grendel’s arm from the rafters of Herot?

Beowulf hangs Grendel’s arm from the rafters as a trophy of victory and a symbol of triumph over evil. It serves as proof of Grendel’s defeat and as a morale booster for Hrothgar and his people.

Middle

English

MIDDLE

ENGLISH

When was the Battle of Hastings?

1. 1166
2. 1066
3. 1100
4. 1096

Who invaded Britain in 1066?

1. Danes
2. Romans
3. Normans
4. Anglo-Saxons

Who was the leader of the Normans?

1. Harold Godwinson
2. King Harthacut
3. Bayeaux Tapestry
4. Duke William

What happened after the Battle of Hastings to the English language?

The Middle English period 1066-1500

1042 - King Harthacut died, Danish rule ends

- Edward the Confessor king

- 1066 Battle of Hastings 

-  William the Conqueror new king (real heir to the throne)

- French influence, 14th Century new language

- Women in literature / chivalry

Geoffrey Chaucer (c. 1343-1400)

• Dominant literary figure in the 14th century​
  
• “Father of English Poetry”
• Wrote the Canterbury Tales around 1385 A.D.​
  
• Planned many more tales, but did not complete the proposed 120 tales before his death​
• Wrote about all classes in The Canterbury Tales to give us a glimpse of English society at the time
• Went against tradition when he wrote in Middle English rather than French

Here are the answers to the questions based on the provided text:

1. What season is described in the opening passage of the General Prologue? 

The season described is **spring**, as indicated by the reference to April and its showers.

2. What do people want to do when this season comes, according to the narrator?

   People feel inspired to go on **pilgrimages** during this season. In the text, the narrator explains that when spring arrives, with its sweet showers and rejuvenating warmth, people feel a natural longing to go on pilgrimages. This is partly due to the changing season itself—spring represents renewal and vitality, awakening a desire for spiritual journeys and exploration

3. Where especially do people want to go? Why do they want to go there?*

   People want to go to **Canterbury** to visit the shrine of **Saint Thomas Becket**, who they believe has helped them when they were sick or in trouble. 

THE CANTERBURY TALES

• Takes representatives of English society on a pilgrimage to Canterbury Cathedral (Shrine of Archbishop Thomas Becket)​
  
• Pilgrims—each has speech and tale that matches a real person during his (Chaucer’s) time
• 30 characters representing all social classes ​ - Although fictional, does have realistic settings and occupations​

  *Tabard Inn​

  *Canterbury & Canterbury Cathedral​

  *Shrine of Thomas Beckett