The Anglo Saxon Period Essays - Beowulf, Geats, Anglo-Saxon Paganism

The Anglo Saxon Period I.The Anglo Saxon Period 449-1066 1.The A-S people were highly organized into tribal units. 2.They were pagan people who placed their belief in fate. 3.The Christian belief came to Britain when the roman people came. 4.Christianity brought with it the beginning of education and written literature. 5.When the Vikings invaded Britain they burned many religious manuscripts and other religious literature. 6.The A-S cronicle is our principal source of info on early english life. 7.A-S literature began with spoken verse and incantations rather than written books. 8.Beowulf is our first work of poetry to be composed in the english language. 9.A history of the english church and people is the first pros to be written in the english language. 10. Three techniques used by the H-S people to help them remember their oral literature. Regular Rhythm, Alliteration, Kenning. II.The Seafarer By: Burton Raffel 1.The Seafarer is a lyric poem. 2.The speaker expresses feelings of sorrow, loneliness, fear and anticipation. 3.The speaker expresses a deep feeling that people over come their problems of this life by believing in the power of both faith and god. III.Beowulf 1.This is a epic poem that celebrates the deeds of a legendary or a heroic figure. 2.Characteristics of Beowulf: Loyalty, valor, unselfishness and a sense of justice. 3.Beowulf is the hero and grindal is the monster. 4.Grendal's Characteristics: Man kinds enemy, opposed gods will, embodiment of hate. 5.Example of Kenning: ?That shepard of evil, guardian of crime? 6.Herot- the name of hall 7.Hrothgor - king of the dames. 8.Beowulf came from the land of the geeks. 9.In battling Grindal, Beowulf isn't only a brave pagen warrior but also a Christian hero.