Medieval Literature & Beowulf

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 4

Literature

Can be fun, really!

Literature

1. Entertain: it is to be enjoyed, so approach with an open mind!

2. Learn about historical periods, looking through the eyes of the people who actually experienced that part of history rather than through the eyes of scholars writing about that same part of history a couple of centuries later.

3. Learn new words

Expectations

- Listen carefully and take notes

- Step away from the conviction that literature can only be horrible.

- Courage!

Medieval Literature: Old English

Your favourite hero?

Why do people need heroes?

Historical background Information

Roman Britain

- 50 BCE- 410 CE

- Romans bring Latin

- 410: Romans leave to defend homeland

Anglo-Saxon Britain

- Different small kingdoms

- Wars between the kingdoms 

- Viking invasions and Danelaw --> Migration of the Peoples

- development of Old English also known as Anglo-Saxon English

What modern language is closest to Old English (450-1066 CE)?

1. Modern English
2. Danish
3. Frisian
4. Dutch

Frisian is one of Europe’s least changed languages. 

English is one of Europe’s most changed languages. 

  

 Hoi, Aelfred is myn namme. Myn marse is fol fan Eels, buten Langh festjen is nin brae sperjen.

   Hwaet! Aelfred is min nama. Min bearwe is æla ful, ac an longe fæsten biergeþ nan hlaf.

   Hello, Alfred is my name. My basket is full of eels, but a long fast saves no bread.

The end (of the Early Middle Ages)

Answer the following questions about the old-English period.

What is the English term for the historic period of 500-1066 ?

Who tried to invade the British isles during the Anglo-Saxon period?

The Middle English Period: 1066-1500

Middle Ages

The Middle English Period

• 1066-1485: (later) Medieval England
• The Norman Conquest
• Social change: the feudal system
• A long war in France: the Hundred Years' War (1337-1453)
• A bloody war at home: the Wars of the Roses (1455-1485)
• 1485: beginning of the Tudor Period
• Linguistic change: a new language

Norman Conquest

Middle English (1) - History

• 1066 - c. 1300: two languages side by side
• Norman French: language of court, government, the law and trade
• Old English: language of the common people (peasants, townspeople)
• the two slowly merge into one language
• c. 1300: Middle English
• c. 1480: towards (Early) Modern English
• Started with the battle of Hastings

feudal system

divine right

Beowulf

- Written around 850 CE

- Original in Old English

- First piece of literature (that we know of) written in Great Britain

- Epic hero story

- Over a thousands years old but still relevant today

Why can't we call Beowulf the first English text ever written?

What are your first thoughts on this 'story'

Epic poem

- Viking influences  because story takes place in Sweden

- Epic hero, great heroism and bravery

- The setting of the poem is vast and could include land, seas, oceans, the world, or even the whole universe.

- Supernatural or other worldly forces or beings such as Gods, angels, or demons

- written in a formal manner and they often use exaggeration.

7 characteristics of an epic hero

- Noble birth

-  Super human capabilities

- Vast traveler

- Unmatched warrior

- Cultural legend

- Humility

- Battles superhuman foes 

Epic Hero

Why is Beowulf an example of a classic epic poem?