Beowulf: fighting to be remembered

Was Beowulf pagan or Christian? Was he a viking? What was his motivation?
This lecture introduces the historical and cultural context of the Old English poem Beowulf. Key themes are the syncretism of Anglo-Saxon Christianity and Old Norse paganism, the role of medieval women as "peace-weavers," poetic techniques such as kennings and understatement, the king-thane relationship in chiefdoms, "ubi sunt" laments for the impermanence of life, and the double-meaning of "dom" or "judgement" (both worldly and divine).

[@JamieMcHale]

Just a note to say thank you for posting these videos. I'm currently reading Beowulf, so useful to learn some background and analysis. I'll be watching the rest of your course soon.

[@Starkodder1963]

Great. Thank you.