Lecture 1 theme: introduction. Literature of middle ages

The literature of the early Middle Ages and the Church taught that the man was an evil being and his life on earth was a sinful life. As man was subordinated to God, he had to prepare himself for the after-life by subduing his passions and disregarding all earthy cares.

• The literature of the early Middle Ages and the Church taught that the man was an evil being and his life on earth was a sinful life. As man was subordinated to God, he had to prepare himself for the after-life by subduing his passions and disregarding all earthy cares.
• The beautiful Anglo-Saxon poem "Beowulf" may be called the foundation - stone of all British poetry. It tells of times long before the Angles and Saxons came to Britain. There is no mention of England in it. The poem was composed by an unknown author. Many parts were added later. The whole poem was written down in the 10th centure by an unknown scribe. The manuscript is in the British Museum, in London now. It is impossible for a non-specialist to read it in the original so parts from "Beowulf" given in this lecture are taken from a twentieth century translation.
• The scene is set among the Geats, or Jutes, who lived on the southern coast of the Scandinavian Peninsula at the time and the Danes, their neighbors across the strait.
• The people were divided into the classes - free peasants and warriors. The peasants tilled the soil and the fighting-men defended them from hostile tribes. The kings were often chosen by the people, for they had to be wise men and skilled warriors. These chieftains were often called "folk-kings".

The safety of the people depended on the warriors: the folk-king was at the head of the community; he was helped by warriors who were his liegemen. If they were given lands for their services, they were called "knights". Their conquered enemies were "laid under tribute" which means they had to pay money, or something in place of it, to the conqueror.

• The safety of the people depended on the warriors: the folk-king was at the head of the community; he was helped by warriors who were his liegemen. If they were given lands for their services, they were called "knights". Their conquered enemies were "laid under tribute" which means they had to pay money, or something in place of it, to the conqueror.
• The Danes and the Jutes were great sailors. Their ships had broad painted sails and tall prows which were often made into the figure of a dragon or wulf or some other fierce (yirtqich) animal. If the wind blew against them, the ship was moved by means of long rows of oars (eshkak) on either side. In these ships the warriors sailed to far-off lands.
• The poem shows us the warriors in battle and at peace; it shows their feasts and amusements, their love for the sea and for adventure.
• Beowulf is a young knight of the Geats. His adventures form the two parts of this heroic epic. Beowulf fights not for his own glory, but for the benefit of his people. He is ready to sacrifice his life for them. His unselfish way in protecting people makes him worthy to be folk-king.
• The literature of the early Middle Ages and the Church taught that the man was an evil being and his life on earth was a sinful life. As man was subordinated to God, he had to prepare himself for the after-life by subduing (bosmoq, mayus) his passions and disregarding all earthy cares.