Literature In Old English Period
The Old English Period (Also known as Anglo-Saxon Period) describes the years 449 AD through 1066 AD in English history. It begins with the Germanic tribe Jutes invading the island.
Before the Germanic invasions, the island was inhabited by Romans, who took it from the Celts in 43 AD. But after ruling the island for almost 400 years, all roman legions were recalled to Rome in a desperate attempt to defend the crumbling empire. After the sack of Rome in 410 AD, the island was left inhabited.
Jutes was the first tribe to arrive, conquering the Province of Kent in 449. The Saxons and the Angles followed shortly after, destroying much of the Roman civilization and enslaving the inhabiting Britons. The remaining ones were driven into the inaccessible highlands of the north and the west. During this period, a chief is known to achieve a small victory against the tribes. This chief is believed to be King Alfred, who is an important figure in OE History. But unfortunately not much is known about King Alfred. The invasions continued for centuries and by the 6th century, the Anglo-Saxons, as they were now collectively known, had established in many parts of Britain. Their culture became the basis for ‘’Angle-Land’’ Culture and their language became the spoken language of the people, also called ‘’Old English’’.
Literature
OE Literature was influenced by 2 major factors, Germanic traditions of the Anglo-Saxons and the Christian traditions of Roman church. OE Literary works were in genres such as chronicles, epic poetries, sermons, hagiography, bible translations, riddles and others. In total there are about 400 surviving manuscripts from this period.
Some of the great works from OE period includes the poem Beowulf, which is the first epic poem in British Literature. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, which is a collection of early English history. The poem Cædmon's Hymn, which was written in 7th century and it is one of the oldest surviving written texts in English.
Overview
Plenty of manuscripts still remain from the 6-century lasting Anglo-Saxon period, with most of them being written during the last three hundred years of the period (9th-11th Century). Old English literature is known to be one of the oldest vernacular (native language of a specific population living within the country) languages that’s been written down. Old English in written form began as a necessity after the Danish invasions. The officials of the church were concerned about the drop in literacy, particularly in Latin. fearing no one could read their work.
King Alfred noticed that, while very few people could read Latin, comparatively many people could still read Old English. Because of this, he proposed that students education should be in Old English. Students who excelled in Old English would then go on to learn Latin also. Due to these facts, a large majority of the texts that have survived to this day are typical student-oriented texts and teaching texts.
In total, there are 400~ manuscripts that have survived and has Old English text. From that, 189 of them are considered as ‘‘major’’. Since 16th century, these manuscripts are valued greatly by collectors, not only for their value in historical terms, but also for their beauty and aesthetics. The letters that are uniformly spaced and many decorative elements being some of the most recognizable.
Nearly all of Anglo-Saxon authors are anonymous, with some exceptions.
Beowulf
Beowulf is arguably the most important literary work of this period. It’s considered to be the first epic poem. The poem consists of total 3182 lines.
In this epic story, Beowulf is a warrior/king who appears to possess an impressive conqueror's battle-hardened personality. The poem begins with the slaughter of Grendel. Beowulf shows significant skill of strength and bravery in the slaying of the extraordinarily massive creature. Beowulf shows a unique talent and courage that displays an epic hero's beginnings. When he defeated Grendel without a sword or shield, Beowulf proved humiliated him and proved his courage. The reason he fought without shields or swords to destroy Grendel is because he did not want to have an unfair advantages over Grendel. By defeating Grendel without any armor or weapons, Beowulf had proven to the people that he was not only brave but clever as well. Beowulf had great skill and determination as he apparently defeats Grendel's mother, the Troll Wife as well. After executing Thanes in the Mead Hall to taunt Beowulf, Grendel says he's going to be able to kill her with the Hrunting. After he stabs the Troll Wife and wins the fight. Once again Beowulf demonstrates the personality traits of an epic character. In addition, Beowulf's traits show him to be an epic conqueror by taking care of his royal duties. Until taking his own life, the king gave Beowulf his kingdom, and upon the death of the king, Beowulf would take control and be crowned king. Beowulf, in his royal duties, recognizes his duty to govern and protect his kingdom. While he ages over time, as Beowulf battles with the dragon, he knows that he must save his people from a fiery death. It is Beowulf's responsibility to protect and defend his men and the empire from violence. In the next chapter, Beowulf describes why he must fulfill his royal duties. Hygelac offers Beowulf his family sword as a way to repay him from the war, but Beowulf decides to give his land to Hygelac, as his sword has served him well. Beowulf adapts the idea of maintaining a reputation by taking on royal obligations. Beowulf adapts the idea of maintaining a reputation by taking on royal obligations. Beowulf reveals another characteristic of a heroic hero in the notion of a lifelong legacy. Characteristics of enduring fame arose when Beowulf killed Grendel, The Troll Wife, and the Dragon. After the murder of Grendel and The Troll Wife Beowulf, numerous Thanes are seen as heroes. If Beowulf assassinates Grendel, Beowulf. Fate has seen a hold on life when it comes to an end Beowulf is also acquainted with the notion of lasting prestige with the land that Beowulf is granted to govern. Beowulf receives a tribute when he dies at the end of the heroic poem. Beowulf's people are sad and always will be sad, hoping that his country will always remember him as an epic hero.
Character Analysis Of Beowulf
As Beowulf gets close to Danish ground, Beowulf is a young guy who is looking for a quest and fame. While Beowulf was a young man, he fought in many battles and, as a result, displayed his great quality to everyone. Beowulf has several personalities which help him to be successful in fights. As he was young, Beowulf was recognized as the toughest man alive. His force permitted him to rule in fights. During his younger years, Beowulf uses his power for fame and gratitude. As he was grown-up his grand power was taken away, and Beowulf established himself with no one of his supreme skills. Beowulf afterward was king of the Geats, and when a dragon assaults his land, it was Beowulf’s duty to defend his people. Feeling irritated and enthusiastic for killing, his men and himself went to slay the dragon. Beowulf was a mighty warrior during his lifetime. His courage and strength allowed him to succeed, and he ensured everyone recognized him. He showed his pride in doing this. Nevertheless all of his attributes; strength, bravery, personal confidence, and confidence helped him to do well.
The relations of good and evil
Beowulf is one of the agedness accessible pieces poetry in English literature. The poem is an Anglo-Saxon heroic poetry, which represent a legend of a heroic hero intended to conquer a fierce monster in arrange to save an empire from obliteration and casualty. The main subject matter in this classic poem is the theme of good vs. evil. The theme of good against evil was expose throughout the people and stuff that symbolize good and evil, which help reveal the topic all over the story, and explain the general result of this theme in the poem as a part of literature. The theme of good versus evil was widely used throughout the heroic poetry in Beowulf's poem Beowulf has been remembered as a fine hero, and light has been recognized as a good sign. Grendel was identified as the evil monster that brought fear to Herot, and darkness was recognized as a sign of great evil nearby. The concept of good versus bad was usually portrayed throughout the fights between Beowulf and Grendel, and then the mother of Grendel, and ultimately with the dragon, through the heroic poem. The concept of good versus evil generally contains outcomes on the heroic poem, no matter that the kind of bad that falls upon it will be overcome constantly by goodness This was described by Beowulf's slaughter of the dragon, and despite the fact that he was also a murderer, Wiglaf accepted to rule his former friend Beowulf in his good heart. As a result, good defeated the evil forever.
