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Beowulf
Posted Date: 16 Mar 2008 Resource Type: Articles/Knowledge Sharing Category: Education
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Posted By: Vladlena Nyzhnik Member Level: Silver
Rating:  Points: 3
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One of the old English words you will meet in English literature is “folk” which means “people”. Folk- dances, folk- songs are the dances, songs and poems that people made up when at work or at war, or at entertainment. Yet there were also professional musicians called “bards”. The songs of these poets were about events they wanted to be remembered. They sang songs of wonderful battles and of the exploits of brave warriors. These songs were handed down to children and grandchildren and subsequently reached the times when certain people, who had learned to write, decided to put them down. Such people were called “scribes”. “Scribes” comes from the Latin word “scribere”=”write”. Professional singers, who were invited on feast days to amuse the people, were called “gleemen”. The word “glee” is the same as “joy”.
The beautiful Saxon poem called “Beowulf” tells us of the times long before the Anglo- Saxons came to Britain. There is no mention of England. The poem was completed in the 10th century by the unknown scribe. The manuscript is in the British Museum, in London. It is impossible for a non- specialist to read it in the original, so the parts from “Beowulf,” printed in several books, are in the English translation. Its social interest lies in the vivid description of the life of that period.
The scene is set among the Jutes, who lived on the Scandinavian Peninsula at the time, and the Danes, their neighbours across the strait.
The people were divided into two classes: free peasants and warriors. The peasants tilled the soil and served the fighting-man who defended them from hostile tribes. Their kings were often chosen by the people for they had to be wise men and skilled warriors. These chieftains were often called “folk-kings”.
The poem shows also the beginning of feudalism. The safety of the people depended on the warriors. There were several ranks of warriors; the folk- king was at the head of the community; he was helped by warriors who were his liegemen. If they were given lands for their service, they were called “earls”. These in turn were served by a lower rank of warriors called “knights”. Their conquered enemies were “laid under tribute” which means they had to pay money to the conqueror.
The Danes and the Jutes were great sailors. Their ships had broad painted sails and tall prows which were often made into the figure of a dragon or wolf or some other fierce animal. If the wind blew against them, the ship was moved by means of long rows of oars on either side. In these ships the warriors sailed round the coast of the peninsula and to far-off lands.
The poem shows us these warriors in battle and at peace, their feasts and amusements, their love for the sea and for adventure.
Beowulf is a young knight of the Jutes, or Geats, as the Jutes who lived on the southern coast of the Scandinavian Peninsula were called. His adventures with a sea- monster abroad, in the country pf the Danes and later, with a fire- dragon at home, form two parts in this heroic epic. His unselfish way in protecting people makes him worthy to be folk- king. He would be slave to no man. Though fierce and cruel in war, he respected men and women. He is ready to sacrifice his life for them. Beowulf fights for the benefit of this people, not for his own glory, and in battle he strives to be fair to the end.
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