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<small>(See also [[Beowulf (Character)]] and [[Beowulf the Dane]])</small>

<small>(See also [[Beowulf (Character)]] and [[Beowulf the Dane]])</small>

Beowulf is an early medieval epic poem, and the oldest surviving literature in the English Language.  The story is set in the 500s AD, and historians speculate that is was written in the 700s AD.

Beowulf is an early medieval epic poem, and the oldest known surviving literature in the English Language.  The story is set in the 500s AD, and historians have traditionally speculated that Beowulf was written in the 700s AD. The oldest copy of the manuscript dates to a time between 1075 and 1125 and there are some who now contend that Beowulf was written during that time period. <ref>http://www.library.unr.edu/subjects/guides/beowulf.html</ref> But the consensus view is that no one really knows who "wrote" Beowulf and that the tale was based upon an oral tradition that predated even the written version of the story. Oral poetry was performed by bards or singers for warriors when they gathered in meadhalls to celebrate their prowess. This is presumed because of certain scenes described in Beowulf, and much of the details we have constructed about Anglo-Saxon life come from the text of Beowulf. <ref>http://www.neh.gov/news/humanities/1999-03/yeager.html</ref>

The story follows the life of a great warrior name Beowulf.  Hrothgar, King of the Danes and his queen Wealhtheow built a great mead hall called Heorot.  The Danes proceed to spend most of their time in the hall drinking and celebrating.  An angry outcast monster called Grendel is jealous of the Dane's happiness, so one night, he devours several of the best warriors while they sleep.  These attacks continue, and soon the Danes abandon Heorot.

 

The story follows the life of a great warrior name Beowulf.  Hrothgar, King of the Danes and his queen Wealhtheow built a great mead hall called Heorot.  The Danes proceed to spend most of their time in the hall drinking and celebrating.  An angry outcast monster called Grendel is jealous of the Dane's happiness, so one night, he devours several of the best warriors while they sleep.  These attacks continue, and soon the Danes abandon Heorot. <ref>http://www.timelessmyths.com/norse/beowulf.html</ref>

Long before writing [[The Lord of the Rings]], [[J. R. R. Tolkien]] was widely known in academic circles as a ''Beowulf'' scholar. His 1936 lectures, “Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics," emphasized the literary aspects of ''Beowulf,'' appreciating it as a story and not just as an historical artifact. His work led to a revival of interest in ''Beowulf.''

Long before writing [[The Lord of the Rings]], [[J. R. R. Tolkien]] was widely known in academic circles as a ''Beowulf'' scholar. His 1936 lectures, “Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics," emphasized the literary aspects of ''Beowulf,'' appreciating it as a story and not just as an historical artifact. His work led to a revival of interest in ''Beowulf.''