ENGL 141 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Oral Tradition, Scop, Weregild
Document Summary
The poem was rediscovered during the renaissance and had a modern revival because of books like lord of the rings and the hobbit. Norman conquest (1066 ad) pretty much put beowulf to sleep because they wanted to hear more about charlemagne rather than the conquered scandinavian tribes. We don"t know when it was proposed, but we think it was manuscripted in 1000 ad. Eulogy instruction and entertainment are the functions. The scop is lost to become a scribe. Worst thing that could happen to you is exile. Very dire thing which defeats the bonds of kinship and loyalty. Key values for identity and sense of community. Who you are is based upon your tribal affiliation and ancestry. Your name comes after your claim to your tribe and ancestry. Beowulf"s character gets more complicated throughout the story with the reveal of his. How to become a hero: boast deed scop makes a song about you.
