Anglo-Saxon Epic: Beowulf

"Hwaet wé Gár-Dena in geár-dagum

þéod-cyninga þrym gefrúnon"

Written in Old English, the language spoken in Britain preceding the Norman Conquest of 1066, Beowulf is the oldest written epic in the English language. Originating in Scandinavia, it was transcribed after the Christianization of Britain sometime between the eighth and the eleventh centuries. 

The Danish and Swedish tribes that invaded Britain beginning in the 5th century AD were the forebears of the Angles and Saxons, early British tribes who populated Great Britain, and the epic tells not only the exploits and adventures of its hero, Beowulf, but, like most foundational epics, reflects the values, fears, traditions, and social structure of the culture that produced it. 

Form and Structure of Beowulf:

The poem is written in Alliterative Verse, in which the poet strung together words beginning with the same consonant sounds: 

"The folk-king's former fame we have heard of/how princes displayed then their prowess-in-battle" (1)

Further, lines are arranged into sections, divided by Caesuras, or breaks, that are preceded and followed by strong accents--usually two strong accents before the caesura and two strong accents after the caesura. 

Themes:

Allegory: Traditionally, an allegory is a narrative that conveys a spiritual or literary message in a separate, or different venue. Here, Beowulf can be thought of as a Christian allegory that situates "Good" in the form of Beowulf, against "Evil," represented in the monster, Grendel. Another interpretation suggests that Grendel represents a social outcast, or 'other' who kills for the sake of killing--a deed that runs counter to the Geats way of life. Further, he cannot be made to pay the Death Price which makes the creature all the more despicable in the eyes of the authoring culture. 

Fate--or, here, "Wyrd." The Anglo Saxons regarded fate with much the same attitude as did the Greeks before them: Fate was unchanging. Yet, unlike the Greeks who could, conceivably meddle in fate at their own risk, the Anglo Saxon tribes could not alter fate even if they tried. One source describes their treatment of fate as much like that of a god (2)

Death Price: The Anglo Saxons of the Middle Ages were warrior tribes much like their predecessors, and violence was very much a part of daily existence. However, they weren't likely to kill without prejudice: if a warrior killed another, he would expect to pay for his deed with his life. The Death Price has been described as a means of keeping justice and order in an otherwise chaotic and violent world.

Bravery: As in most narratives involving warriors and feats of derring-do, bravery was an essential part of the warrior's (or hero's) dossier. 

Honor: For the Anglo Saxons, honor was intrinsically tied to keeping an oath, repaying one's debts, and fealty to one's lord.

Magical/Fearsome Beasts: Beowulf is one of the earliest narratives that features the hero set against a fearsome, terrifying beast. Here, Beowulf faces the terrible Grendel and his mother. 

Christianity vs. Paganism: Although the epic originated in Scandinavia and handed down to the Anglos and Saxons while they were still practicing Pagans, it was transcribed by newly-converted Christian scribes. Therefore there are elements of both faith systems represented throughout the epic. 

Characters: 

Beowulf: A Geatish warrior of the Middle Ages whose initial fealty is to the King Hygelac. He is member of a tribe called the Weather-Geats, one of two Swedish-descended tribes who reside in what is now Sweden. 

Hrothgar: King of the Spear-Danes. Years before the narrative begins, King Hrothgar settled a blood feud involving Beowulf's father, and thus settled a blood-feud. For this kind deed, Beowulf feels indebted. At the time the narrative begins, however, Hrothgar has withered into an old man, incapable of protecting his kingdom from the terrible creature called Grendel. 

Grendel: The "Monster" who is menacing the kingdom of Hrothgar by killing and eating his victims. Arch-nemesis of Beowulf. Believed to be a "demonic descendent of Cain," therefore representing the greatest of all evils, killing one's brother (fratricide).

Grendel's Mother: Also descended from Cain, also a horrible creature. 

Unferth: Warrior of the Spear-Danes who challenges Beowulf out of jealousy. 

Wiglaf: A young Geatish warrior who remains loyal to Beowulf and helps him to defeat the dragon.