Why study British literature?

Why study British literature?British culture has helped influence

AmericaPersonal rights and freedomGovernmentLiteratureLanguage

Anglo-Saxons

Order of InvadersCeltsRomansAnglesSaxonsJutes

CeltsFirst British settlersTheir mythology has

influenced British writersReligion was a form of

animism – seeing spirits everywhere

Celtic mythology- influenced Arthurian legends/poets

Celtic stories- full of strong women, magical animals, love affairs, adventures

RomansCaesar begins an

invasion that would take 100 years to conquer Britain

Build roads, baths, Hadrian’s Wall

Bring Christianity to Britain- Celtic religion diedAfter 400 years (approximately) Romans leave

This leaves Britain susceptible to other invaders

Three groups that invade Britain after the Romans leaveAngles (Germany)Saxons (Germany)Jutes (Denmark)

Anglo-Saxons Becomes the dominant languageAngle LandEngla LandEnglandCelts settle in WalesChristianity helps to unify the countryCame from Germany and Denmark via the

North SeaBrought their language “Engla Land”

Anglo-Saxon LifeBased on strong loyalty to the leaderFarmers, Craftsmen, and Maintained

GovernmentMonasteries were centers of learningWomen held many rights- could inherit

property from husbands/fathers, some became abbesses-ran convents and were educated.

Not Barbarians

Anglo-Saxon LifeWarfare was necessary for protectionReligion was concerned with ethics over

mysticismValued bravery, loyalty, generosity, and

friendship

The Sutton Hoo Treasure- (found in 1939) Suffolk EnglandWhat was it?- A Viking treasure ship/grave

filled with gold, silver, and bronze artwork and jewelry from the Anglo-Saxons.

Treasures show artistry of the A/S culture.Warlike society/Values included: law and

order,loyalty to a clan leader, success-judged via gifts from a leader, and community discussion/consensus.

Anglo Saxon ReligionDark, fatalisticWarrior gods-

Norse mythology: Odin-death, poetry, and magic- “Woden”

Thor-Thunder, lightning, hammer or swastikam “Thor’s Day”

Dragon-Protector of treasure, guardian of the grave mound.Values: Bravery, loyalty, generosity, and friendship

BardSkilled storytellers that sang about gods

and heroesThey were also known as ScopsCreating poetry was held in high esteemScops were equal to great warriorsThe only way to have life after death in A/S

religion was in poetry

MonasteriesChristian monks preserved the tradition of

the Anglo-SaxonsInterjected Christian beliefs into the A/S

writingsCenters of learning-Scriptorium=writing

room where monks workedMonks wrote in the vernacular, later LatinEX: Beowulf

Beowulf

Literary TermsAlliterationCaesuraEpic (Poem)Epic HeroImageryKenning

EpicHero is usually a great leaderBroad setting (upper and lower worlds)Hero completes great deeds or goes on an

extraordinary journeySupernatural forces or gods are usually

involvedStory is told in heightened language

The Epic Hero CycleA changeA testVarious mythical, human, or animal helpersMain antagonist, usually supernaturalMagical unreal world that the hero can visit but

normal humans cannotAn escape from the questResurrectionRestoration

What modern stories also fit this cycle? There are a few. Hint: ‘Luke, I am your father’

BeowulfAnglo-Saxon Period (450 –1066)Originates as oral traditionNo authorComposed around 8th Century

An Old English Sampleim ða Scyld gewat to gescæphwile

felahror feran on frean wære.Hi hyne þa ætbæron to brimes faroðe,swæse gesiþas, swa he selfa bæd,þenden wordum weold wine Scyldinga;leof landfruma lange ahte.

BeowulfChristian ideals are includedMost Old English literature was copied by

monksEpic hero travels from Scandinavia to help

the Danes

Characters

BeowulfHero of the poemNephew of the King of the Geats (Higlac)

BreccaBeowulf’s friend

HrothgarKing of the DanesFriend of Beowulf’s father

GrendelMan-eating monster

HerotA lavish mead hall built by Hrothgar