Grendel: nobody knows where these reavers from hell roam on their errands.

An illustration of Grendel
by J.R. Skelton from Stories of Beowulf. 

As we conclude our study of the history of England, we learn that the the history itself of this mysterious island is a history of the success of the monastery, especially in Anglo-Saxon culture. Within that culture, we also find that certain things are very important: family, food, feasting, battle, war-deeds, and poetry. With Modern and misguided assumptions, we might be tempted to think that poetry doesn't belong there, but that's only because the fault lies with us. We are the lame ones, who only think poetry belongs to the limp-wrist, effeminate, "sensitive" types. It does not and it did not. Let Beowulf and the strong beauty of the Anglo-Saxon convince you of this. We first see this in Caedmon, the author of the first recorded English poem. But we see it continue and flourish--largely, I think, due to the influence of the Church, which is salt and light to the preservation of that distant twilit world of heroes and monsters. Of such monsters, the poet tells us that Grendel is from the "kin of Cain" and is " which is why he "harasses the halls of Heorot."

Agenda:

1. Faeder ure.
2. Reading Check Quiz: Lines 1-257
3. Read and discuss Beowulf (Sessions I and II in Omnibus)
1. Reading Journal (10/18): Lines 1-490
1. How does he describe the 12-year reign of Grendel over Heorot? Why doesn't attack the throne?
2. To whom do the Danes turn for help in this bitter time of Grendel's harassing?
3. Who comes to their aid? What do we learn of him? From whence does he come? What heroic deeds are attributed to him?
2. Review HW:
1. Read Beowulf, lines 258-490
2. Study & review Anglo Saxon England Notes.
3. Be wise.    

Introduction to Anglo-Saxon, Poetry, and Beowulf - Part II

Danish Seafarers.  
Miscellany on the life of St. Edmund.
12th century.

The poem ultimately tells the story of, according to Professor Ben Merkle, "a famous Geat warrior named Beowulf. The G in “Geat” is actually pronounced more like a Y, and so the name 'Geat' is actually pronounced more like how we would say the word 'yacht.' The Geats lived in the south of modern Sweden. From there Beowulf visits the famous mead-hall Heorot, the pride of the Danes, found in northern Denmark. Both the Danes and the Geats are forefathers of what would become the Vikings, who would later raid England, and it is difficult to think of why an Anglo-Saxon poet would want to write a poem glorifying the heroes of these tribes. In order to understand this, we need to know a little something about the history of early England." We have studied that history in our careful reading of Bede's Ecclesiastical History. "Only a generation before," writes Professor Merkle, "the Anglo-Saxons had been Germanic Vikings themselves. They still remembered their previous pagan ways, listened to tales of the great warriors of previous generations and even traded with their Norse pagan neighbors.This sets the stage for a very curious sort of poem: a poem full of Christian allusions, written by a Christian about a pagan culture and a pagan hero, which sometimes pretends that they are worshipers of God and sometimes admits that they are all pagans."

Agenda:

1. Faeder ure.
2. Read Intro in the Omnibus together
3. Read Seamus Heaney's Introduction
4. Continue Lecture on Anglo-Saxon, England, and Beowulf:
1. Notes (10/16): Anglo-Saxon England
5. Read and discuss Beowulf:
1. Reading Journal (10/17): Beowulf, lines 1-257
1.  
6. Review HW:
1. Read Beowulf, lines 1-257.
2. Study your Notes on Anglo-Saxon England
3. Be wise; be perfect.

Endings and beginnings: From Bede to Beowulf

"Halig" (holy) Bede, transmitting culture.

Today we are writing on the theme of the preservation and transmission of culture, of real culture, not merely those things which mask as culture--mass entertainment, mass education, mass politics. I am speaking of the cultus that belief or set of beliefs that binds a people together and animates their society. Feasting and fasting, farming and fighting, blessing and cursing--what gives shape to these things? What mythology? Such things are the questions we shall at last consider today in our essays on the mission to Britain as noted in Bede. 
 
Agenda:

1. Pray
2. Bede Exam - Part II
1. Essay on the wisdom of Pope Gregory
3. Begin reading Beowulf together.
4. Review HW:
1. Study your Notes on Anglo-Saxon England
2. Be wise; be perfect.

Introduction to Anglo-Saxon, Poetry, and Beowulf - Part I

First page of Beowulf. 10th century.

Today we conclude our study of Bede and move further on in history of England. Bede has provided us with the solid foundations of the Church as it spreads, and now we look to the manner in which the Church continues to preserve culture. Today we pleased to have a guest lecturer.

Agenda:

1. Pray
2. Latin Proverb: Festina Lente
1.  "Make haste slowly" = this paradox expresses the need for both urgency and vigilance. Rather than speed, which is careless and reckless, urgency is the key here. Rather than delay or slowness, which is tardy and is also not careful because it is not punctual, carefulness is the key, or punctiliousness. Keep this in mind as we continue on in the year, and let these words come to you at moments when you under the limits of time, when you are taking exams, for instance.
3. Review and discuss answers to Bede Exams:
1. Short-Short Answers
2. Short Answers
4. Lecture on Beowulf with guest lecturer, Mr. Cain
1. Notes (10/16): Anglo-Saxon England
5. Review HW: 
1. Study, review, become friends with your notes.