Transcript British Literature

British Literature
Unit 1
The Anglo-Saxons 450-1100
Celtic Britain
Britain first mentioned by ancient Greeks
 Legendary: remote and mysterious
 Romans found the island occupied by
Celtic Britons
(related to the Celtic of Western
Europe conquered by the Romans)
 During 5th century, Romans left the Celtic
people to find their own means of defense
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Rise of the Anglo-Saxons
Brief military success under leadership of
King Arthur, medieval legend
 Celtic Britain culture collapsed by 600
 Attacked by enemies, German tribes from
across the North Sea
 From 600-850, the Anglo-Saxons, wealthy
independent lords and kings, fought
amongst themselves
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Anglo-Saxon
Fall of Anglo-Saxons
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Viking Danes began to attack and were
defeated
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In 1066, the Normans invaded from
across the English Channel instituted their
own culture, bringing an end to the AngloSaxons
Anglo-Saxon Culture
Well developed society organized around
the family, the clan, the tribe, and the
kingdom
 2 classes: The eorls, ruling class
The ceorls, bondsmen,
ancestors were former slaves
 King relied on witan, wise men
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Anglo-Saxon Social Life
Center of social life was the mead hall
 Professional singers, scops, entertained
served as poets and chroniclers
kept stories alive
 Until end of 6th century, worshipped
pagan gods---associated with Norse
mythology now
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Rise of Christianity
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At first, Christianity had little impact
Until Augustine, a missionary, converted King
Ethelbert of Kent in 597
Within 2 generations, Christianity spread
throughout England
Missionaries brought education and culture
Christianity influenced literature, as monks
recorded poetry that had been oral
Yet Anglo-Saxons still clung to pagan
superstitions and customs
Anglo Saxon Literature
Anglo-Saxons brought literary traditions
from the continent
 Brought oral literature steeped in pagan
beliefs
 Focused on the brave and heroic deeds of
warriors possessing valued attributes
 Only surviving full length epic in Old
English (from this tradition) is Beowulf
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Anglo Saxon Poetry
The lyric and the riddle
 The lyric is personal and emotional
 The riddle describes person or object
 Both reveal
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– love of language
– terror of northern winter
– awareness of death
– reverence & fear of the sea
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Audio Clip