A Short History of Beowulf

Beowulf Introduction

By Maria Faran

Importance of Beowulf

​A Brief History

• Beowulf is an oral mythological tale that has been retold from minstrels that added and changed the tale.

• Beowulf's (700-750 year) roots are in Northumbria in northeast England.

• Beowulf is derived from Celtic and Scandinavian folk legends.

​Continue

• Beowulf contains Christian references (allusions) and the author was thought to be a monk.

• The Beowulf manuscript survived the Henry VII burnings of

  monasteries.

Multiple Choice

Beowulf is rooted in ________ and __________ folk legends.

• Chinese /European

• Scandinavian / Celtic

Multiple Choice

True or False: Beowulf is an oral mythological story that had traditionally been retold by minstrels over time.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Multiple Choice

It is probable that Beowulf was told by a monk because of the...

• references to monk life

• references to Christianity

Multiple Choice

Beowulf originates from _________ which is in Northeast England.

• Italy

• Northumbria

Multiple Choice

True or False: The Beowulf manuscript survived the Charles II burnings of monastaries.

• FALSE

• TRUE