Textuality » 3A Interacting
1) Beowulf was probably composed sometime during the 7th century.
2) The Anglo-Saxon poet composed his song before an audience without much preparation because they made up lays about a recent event.
3) A typical Anglo-Saxon line was divided into two parts that were bought together by alliteration. This division is referred to as caesura. The number of syllables per line was not important and rhytym was based on the number of stressed syllables (two in each half-line).
5) The basic features of an epic poem are: the protagonist is a brave and wise hero who can do what other people can't do (he has supernatural forces and wants to be a divinity). The setting is vast, the action involves noble, the style is elevated and it is usully very long. The poem tells about the deeds of a national hero.
6) The poet had an important role in Anglo-Saxon society and was considered the voice and memory of a tribe.