Republic of the Philippines

Pangasinan State University

Bayambang Campus
College of Teacher Education
Languages Department
Bayambang, Pangasinan

EL 113
SURVEY OF
ANGLO-AMERICAN
LITERATURE

OLD ENGLISH
PERIOD

➢ Beowulf - Unknown author

(Pages 1-3)

➢ A Banished Wife’s Complaint

- Unknown author
(Pages 4-5)
Chapter 5 – American Literature: From its Beginnings to the Revolutionary Period

OLD ENGLISH PERIOD

Beowulf
by an anonymous author
LESSON PROPER/CONTENTS
BACKGROUND OF THE LITERATURE

STORY OVERVIEW
Beowulf is the oldest surviving work of English
literature. It is an epic poem composed between the 8th to
11th centuries. The real identity of the author remains
unknown; however, some scholars speculate that a monk
potentially wrote it. Additionally, the poem was originally
passed down through the oral tradition, with bards
reciting the tale to entertain and educate audiences. The
story takes place in Scandinavia and follows the heroic
journey of the epic hero named Beowulf. Thus, the
literature provides valuable insights into the culture and
society during its time.

STORY OVERVIEW Beowulf

In the far away land of the Danes, there was a hideous monster named Grendel,
born of Cain, that lived in a dark swampy lake. Grendel hated the merry-making noises
that came from Herot, the mead hall that King Hrothgar built. During the night, when the
drinking and merry-making of the Danes are done, Grendel would go down from his lair
to break the silence in the hall, and ruthlessly tear the sleeping people’s bodies until he
satisfies his bloodthirst lust for evil. The hideous attacks of the monster continued for
twelve terrifying years until a nobleman from the land of the Geats named Beowulf—
Edgetho’s son—heard about Grendel’s terror.

Beowulf sailed to Denmark with the fourteen bravest and best of the Geats—
willing to slay Grendel and bring glory to the people. After Beowulf and his men touched
down in Denmark, King Hrothgar welcomed them with a warm celebration, except for
one—the king’s thane, Unferth. The brave thane mocked Beowulf by bringing up the
story of how Beowulf lost the swimming competition against Brecca, but Beowulf turned
the tables quickly as he boastfully told the story behind his loss and his past
accomplishments. The Danes feasted until the darkness fell and covered the people with
fear, but Beowulf and his men stood by in the mead hall and waited for the monster to
come.

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In a strike of lightning, Grendel arrived slamming the gates of the mead hall,
Beowulf fought him back unarmed, and the monster struggled to escape until Beowulf
finally tore the monster’s arm off, but the monster escaped back into its lair only to catch
his last breath. Grendel’s arm was hung high in the mead hall as a trophy of victory, and
King Hrothgar rewarded Beowulf with gifts and treasure for his bravery. Not a long time
has passed, and Grendel’s mother—a hideous swamp-hag—came to avenge the death of
his son, by killing the most trusted advisor of King Hrothgar, Aeschre. Revenge equates
to justice, so, after the Danes find out what happened, Beowulf immediately came into
action; convinced King Hrothgar to go along with him and they eventually went to
Grendel’s mother’s home. When they got there, Beowulf dived into the lake, wrestled
with the filthy monster, and slayed her; not only that, as soon as he got up from the lake,
he saw Grendel’s lifeless body and decapitated it with the sword that Unferth gave him—
the sword that melted from Grendel’s blood and left nothing but the hilt.

The reverend hero along with his men, were welcomed by King Hyglac and Queen
Hygd when they returned to Geatland. After some time, King Hyglac and his son died in
the war against Shyflings, so Beowulf was next to the throne and became a king. He ruled
over Geatland wisely and prosperously for fifty years until a thief —one of his men—stole
the golden goblet from a mound where a dangerous dragon resides that guards a heap
of treasure. This time, Beowulf was older and weaker, but he was still willing to die for
glory not for gold, so he went to the dragon’s lair with his men, sensing his own death.
When they finally face the dragon, Beowulf’s men flee out of fear except for one—Wiglaf.
Beowulf stabbed the dragon’s heart, but it fought back and bit Beowulf on the neck—the
fiery venom slowly killed Beowulf. Wiglaf returned to their kingdom and burned their
king’s departed body on a huge funeral pyre, and then they buried him with a copious
amount of treasure, in a barrow overlooking the sea.

REFLECTIVE QUESTIONS

STORY OVERVIEW
1. What do you think about Beowulf's heroic qualities and his battles against
monsters?
The heroic qualities of Beowulf and his battles against monsters are truly awe-
inspiring. He possesses heroic qualities such as god-like physical strength, great
confidence, loyalty to his people, good oratorical skills, and pursuit of glory. His
overall fearlessness and resolute resolve make him a legendary figure. It is quite
interesting to watch how he braves the formidable creatures and protects his people.

2. What do you think the role of fate and destiny is in Beowulf's journey?
The role of fate in Beowulf’s journey is quite significant. It seems like his destiny lies
in the fights he encounters as well as overcoming challenges. His course has an air of
inevitability as if he were meant to fulfill all that a hero does and leave an indelible
mark.

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Chapter 5 – American Literature: From its Beginnings to the Revolutionary Period

3. In what ways does the portrayal of monsters and villains in Beowulf reflect the
values and fears of the society at that time?
In Beowulf, monsters and villains represent what is valued or feared at that period
in history. These monsters signify disorder, sins, and darkness that threaten the
stability and orderliness of their world. To defeat the monsters means good over
evil triumphs, which sustains their societal values of bravery and physical power.

4. How does the use of symbolism, such as the mead hall or the dragon's treasure,
contribute to the overall meaning of the story?
Symbols such as the mead hall or the dragon's treasure give more essence to the
story. It gives significance to the religious values and beliefs. For example, the mead
hall can be portrayed as a church, while King Hrothgar is a man of God. The monster
terrorizes King Hrothgar’s kingdom as how the Bible says, “Your enemy the devil
prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8). On
the other hand, the dragon’s treasure symbolizes the desire for power and the
consequences that come with it. Generally, these symbols highlight unity, greed,
and the cyclical nature of life.

5. What parallels can you draw between the events and themes in Beowulf and other
epic tales or myths?
Other epic tales or myths can be seen as having a lot of events and themes similar
to Beowulf. Many epic stories often include heroic journeys, good vs evil struggles,
and exploration of human nature as they are found in Beowulf. Other legendary
figures are echoed by the quest for glory by Beowulf, together with his battles
against supernatural enemies. Examples of them are Siegfried and Aeneas.

6. How does the storytelling style and structure of Beowulf enhance the impact of the
narrative?
The narrative of Beowulf is further enhanced by its storytelling style and structure.
The language’s rhythmic nature, alliteration, kennings, and other elements make it
poetic thus sustaining musicality and rhythm that makes audiences glued to their
seats. Each chapter deals with different battles or challenges so that the reader
awaits eagerly the next exploit.

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Chapter 5 – American Literature: From its Beginnings to the Revolutionary Period

OLD ENGLISH PERIOD

A Banished Wife’s Complaint

by an anonymous author
LESSON PROPER/CONTENTS;
BACKGROUND OF THE LITERATURE

STORY OVERVIEW
Author: Unknown
Genre: Elegiac lyric
Structure: Free Verse

The poem is written in first-person point of view, and it is believed to be a banished wife's complaint,
making it the first literature to be in the point of view of a woman. It is also said to be part of a
narrative poem and is presented as a monologue.

STORY OVERVIEW A Banished Wife’s Complaint

In solitude I sing this lonely song Dark are the valleys dim and high the hills;
About my fate, and truly can I say Bleak are my cavern-walls o'ergrown with moss
That of the ills encountered in my youth Abode unblessed! Alas, that e'er befell
Ills new and old, most grievous far is this My lord's far faring; the worlds holds many
Sorrow of endless exile I endure friends
Erstwhile my lord departed from the people Living in love, keeping the marriage bed,
Over the billow's strife! Dawn after dawn While, at day dawning, all alone I go
I tossed in anguish, asking in myself, In the earth cavern underneath the oak;
“where lies the land to which my lord has I sit there through the lingering summer day.
gone?"
Deeper grew my distress until at length, There I beweep my wretch banishment
A friendless fugitive, I took my way The many miseries, sorrow of mind,
Troubled beyond relief to seek for him. The yearning vain in this life has yielded me,
Haunting desires, from which I may not rest.
The kindred of that man through cunning By my lord's mandate here I make my home.
thought Few loving ones I have in this land,
Baseless dissension built betwixt us two, Few gracious friends. Wherefore is my great
That hatefully divided we should dwell grief
Within the world. Woe untold was mine! That him, most fitting of all men for me,
Must I, wrongly condemned, forevermore False hearted I have found and treacherous;
Endure the hate of him I wholly love? With loving smile devising deadly sin;
He ordered me within the forest grove Often, we promised faithfully that love
To dwell in the earth-cave underneath the oak, Should last with life. That separation naught
Ancient this earth-hall is, and, exiled here, But death alone should bring. How different
A longing unfulfilled consumes my life. now!
Our friendship is as it had never been.

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REFLECTIVE QUESTIONS

STORY
1. WhyOVERVIEW
did the wife become a friendless fugitive in her quest to seek her husband?
The wife became a friendless fugitive out of desperation to find her husband, who
left her without saying where he is going which led to great sorrow of the wife.

I tossed in anguish, asking in myself,

“where lies the land to which my lord has gone?"

2. What led to the disagreement between the wife and her lord, resulting in her exile to
the earth-cave?
The disagreement stemmed from the cunning thought created by the kindred of the
husband, causing a rift between the wife and her lord, leading to her unjust exile to
the earth-cave underneath the oak tree.

The kindred of that man through cunning thought

Baseless dissension built betwixt us two,

3. What fate befell the wife after their fugue, and how did it shape her existence?
After their estrangement, the wife was condemned to exile in the earth-cave, where
she endured a life of longing and despair, haunted by the betrayal of her once
beloved lord.

4. In what ways does the imagery of the earth-cave and the surrounding natural
landscape deepen the reader's understanding of the wife's emotional state?
The earth-cave symbolizes the wife's isolation and despair, while the bleakness of the
valleys and hills reflects the grim reality of her banishment, intensifying her sense of
loneliness and longing.

5. What realizations did the wife come to during her banishment in the earth-cave?
In her exile, the wife realized the depth of her sorrow and the emptiness of her
surroundings, grappling with haunting desires and yearning for the love and
companionship she once shared with her husband, now lost to betrayal and
treachery.

That him, most fitting of all men for me,

False hearted I have found and treacherous;

6. How does the wife's reflection on the promises of eternal love contrast with the harsh
reality of her current situation?
The wife remembers the promises of eternal love, which now feel especially painful
because of the betrayal she is experiencing. It shows how different her current
situation is from what she once believed in.

Often, we promised faithfully that love

Should last with life. That separation naught
But death alone should bring. How different now!
Our friendship is as it had never been.

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