The first mention of Beowulf in the poem ("...sent by god") was not the Beowulf, the subject of the poem. I.E. geong in geardum, || þone god sende Beowulf wæs breme || blæd wide sprang, Scyldes eafera || Scedelandum in. That is talking about Beow (who is also sometimes called Beowulf), he was the son of the previously referred to Scyld Scefing (the 'good king" ==> þæt wæs god cyning!). It's a common misinterpretation. P.S. That's Shield Sheafson, the ancestor of Hrothgar, as is Beow. The verse is indeed alliterative, but the break in the verse line is something we put in; the Nowell codex doesn't have them (you can see this on wikipedia, if you don't have it already. The ceasura I put in in the above is also a similar device to mark where the alliteration occurs. It should also be mentioned that verse has some weird rules, where sound-wise it may not exactly alliterate, but it's still considered correct, because visually it is alliterative (you won't realize it often unless you know how to pronounce old english).
For Tolkien studies, Vox Day's site Unauthorised TV has a channel by Rachel Fulton Brown (Professor of Medieval Lit at the University of Chicago), just about Tolkien. I haven't subbed because I'm poor but I've seen some of her free stuff and it's very good.
For me, one of the best entry points to Beowulf is actually the 1987 film Predator, it's a very similar atmosphere (also Sir Gawain and the Green Knight) - the greatest of men encounters that which lies beyond his might, just about.
The first mention of Beowulf in the poem ("...sent by god") was not the Beowulf, the subject of the poem. I.E.
geong in geardum, || þone god sende Beowulf wæs breme || blæd wide sprang,
Scyldes eafera || Scedelandum in.
That is talking about Beow (who is also sometimes called Beowulf), he was the son of the previously referred to Scyld Scefing (the 'good king" ==> þæt wæs god cyning!).
It's a common misinterpretation. P.S. That's Shield Sheafson, the ancestor of Hrothgar, as is Beow.
The verse is indeed alliterative, but the break in the verse line is something we put in; the Nowell codex doesn't have them (you can see this on wikipedia, if you don't have it already. The ceasura I put in in the above is also a similar device to mark where the alliteration occurs.
It should also be mentioned that verse has some weird rules, where sound-wise it may not exactly alliterate, but it's still considered correct, because visually it is alliterative (you won't realize it often unless you know how to pronounce old english).
Thank you for posting these. Great way to learn new things
My pleasure!
Thank you for your Lectures!!! Really amusing and educational to watch!!!
Bless you!
Man Doc, you know a whole lot…thank you again for posting.
A very informative and analytical lecture on Beowulf
For Tolkien studies, Vox Day's site Unauthorised TV has a channel by Rachel Fulton Brown (Professor of Medieval Lit at the University of Chicago), just about Tolkien. I haven't subbed because I'm poor but I've seen some of her free stuff and it's very good.
Yes, Rachel Fulton Brown is excellent.
For me, one of the best entry points to Beowulf is actually the 1987 film Predator, it's a very similar atmosphere (also Sir Gawain and the Green Knight) - the greatest of men encounters that which lies beyond his might, just about.
Interesting comment. Or Area 51.
@@LitProf hah! Yes, both the arcade game (a great test of manliness) and the literal Air Force base, or the popular idea of it.
It's in the Nowell codex, which has other some what strange, non-saxon tales
Correct
This is very helpful! Thank you
Theoden of Rohan.
The first mention of Beowulf is NOT the same Beowulf the story is about. Also, side note the Normands did not bring Latin to Britain.
True.
It's Theoden