Beowulf is an Anglo-Saxon epic poem. This is the first work in English. It is generally accepted that it was created at the end of the seventh or at the beginning of the eighth century. The poem has survived in a single copy.
Despite doubts about the authenticity, the poem is recognized as the only epic European work that has been preserved in full. The text was compiled several centuries before being recorded by an unknown bard. The manuscript dates back to the eighth century, and the events in the poem take place in the fifth century.
Construction Features
The main plot has long been popular. Long before the manuscript appeared, the Celts inhabited the British Isles. The Scandinavians who captured them brought not only their language, but also folklore and traditions. Scientists have proven that there is a similar plot in Scandinavian art. He appeared long before the landing of Germanic tribes on the English coast.
Written in poetic form. However, the song does not correspond to completely traditional poetic canons. Like other creations of the early Middle Ages, Beowulf presents a ballad. We recorded the composition so that it was easier for the performers to memorize a gigantic number of lines. The specificity of sound is lost with translation and in summary.
The song form was couplets. But in the early works they are not found. The proof is Beowulf. The text contains over three thousand lines. They do not interrupt anything, do not separate. Singers used alliteration for greater convenience. Reception involves the use of a phonetic system with repetition of percussion sounds and pauses. Alliteration is present in every line of creation. Reading the original in Old English will allow you to get acquainted with the approach to composing songs. The role of voice modulation and reading tempo for the melody is extremely important.
The song about Beowulf corresponded to the demands of a medieval feast. The average public of that time was interested in tales of valor, battles in which evil was defeated. The basis of the story was the exploits of the Scandinavian warrior Beowulf. The attention of the audience focuses on battles with mythical monsters.
There are three battles in total. The first two follow each other, glorifying the strength of the main character. This technique is unusual for the genre.
The structure of the poem
Much attention is paid to the character of the warrior and his behavior outside the battle. The final battle tells of a heroic death. This end of life is typical of the Scandinavian epic. It contains a lot of mythological creatures and people's victories. There are also a number of themes uncharacteristic of the Middle Ages epic. This is noticeable in the descriptions of the battles and, especially, at the end of the poem. Such a discovery makes a unique and already unique composition.
The chapters are divided into pieces based on the song structure. It, in turn, consists of three parts. The first Anglo-Saxon epic contains details that are not inherent in British culture. So, the plot is completely Scandinavian. This alone puts the composition in a special place in a number of epic poems of Western Europe.
Against the background of the constant struggle of evil and good with the constant victory of good, regardless of the price of victory, typical features of Scandinavian folklore can be traced:
- treasures are important;
- weapons and armor are always in focus;
- necessarily praises the strength of both heroes and antiheroes;
- there is a twofold attitude towards neighbors. They want to help in trouble, but at the same time they are ready for attacks at the most inopportune time.
Like other epics, Beowulf praises the agility of warriors. To simplify the retelling, the work is divided into five parts:
- Exposition.
- The battle with Grendel.
- The battle with his mother.
- Fight with the dragon.
- Conclusion
Given the song form of the composition, the summary is divided into parts due to the large volume of the poem. Introduction About two hundred lines are devoted to the introduction and familiarity with the situation and the characters. In the first stanzas, the author tells of the great rulers of antiquity.
Hrothgar came to replace the Danish kings. Under his leadership, the kingdom flourished even more. The ruler built a gigantic banquet hall, and the warriors celebrated there. The swamp monster Grendel awoke from the noise, angry with concern. The monster began to destroy the squad, coming every night. From now on, the hall was more like a crypt; songs and fun died down in it.
Hrothgar regretted the losses, but did not dare to ask the filed about the battle with the cruel monster, remembering his strength. The news of the disasters that fell on the Danes reached King Higelak, the ruler over the Gautes. His nephew Beowulf volunteered to help Hrodgar. The warrior gathered a squad and set sail.
Arriving on the Danish shores, he headed into the king’s court. People were struck by the strength of the soldiers and they believed in help. Many lines are devoted to the description of the weapons of the squad and Beowulf. These attributes are bestowed by the author throughout the work.
Monster battle
Due to the volume content, the battle with Grendel can be divided into two parts. The Danes, seeing the arrivals, believed in a happy outcome of the battle. Khrodgar heard about the exploits of a mighty warrior. He promised Beowulf everything that the winner himself would ask. Enfert, who envied the arriving Gaut, predicts Beowulf's death in a duel. The young warrior answers with dignity, not believing in the prediction.
The feast ends early. The squad remains in the lobby to wait for Grendel. The monster bursts at night. Beowulf rushes at the monster and grabs his paw. During the long battle, the gout did not loosen his grip. After the awkward movement of a weakened monster, Beowulf robs his paws. Grendel returns to the swamp where he dies. Gauta is praised, brought rich gifts, thank.
The feast begins. However, the celebration was interrupted by the appearance of the beast mother. She grabs Advisor Hrodgar. She drags the victim behind her.
New battle
In deplorable circumstances, the king again asks for help. Beowulf pursues the monster, wearing heavy armor and armed with an ancient sword. All day the warrior sinks to the bottom. He is unharmed near the house of Grendel.
The angry mother of the monster attacks the warrior. Lunges do not harm a hard skin. Beowulf destroys the monster with a single stroke of the sword.
A few days later, a warrior is understood to the surface. Against the background of universal glee, the ruler composes a song about the mighty gaut and promises that they will never forget about the exploits of Beowulf. In Scandinavian legends, glorious heroes rarely live to old age. The main goal of a warrior is death in battle, a guarantee of a place in Valhalla.
After numerous battles, Beowulf occupies the throne of Higelac. The country under his rule is flourishing. The king protects the safety of subjects.
Not far from the royal court, a treasure was found guarded by a sleeping dragon. Unlucky passerby picks up the cup. The watchman feels theft. He wakes up and attacks neighboring villages. Beowulf learns about the winged snake. He orders to prepare the armor and prepares for the last battle.
