Literary Foundations: Beowulf, Poe, and Critical Terminology

Beowulf: An Epic Poem

Beowulf is a foundational work of English literature, an epic poem with a rich history and profound themes.

Key Characteristics of Beowulf

• Genre: Epic Poem
• Publication: Circa 11th century in England (manuscript)
• Composition: Believed to have been composed between 700 and 750 CE
• Original Language: Old English
• Oral Tradition: First told orally and passed on from poet to poet before being written down.
• Author: Anonymous
• Setting: Scandinavia
• Literary Device: Extensive use of alliteration
• Preservation: The original manuscript is preserved in the British Museum.

Core Values in Beowulf

• Courage
• Pride
• Loyalty

Significance of Beowulf

1. It is the longest poem written in Old English.
2. It is considered the first example of poetry in a European language that is not Latin.
3. It is the only complete example of Germanic heroic poetry that exists.

Edgar Allan Poe: Life and Literary Impact

Edgar Allan Poe was a pivotal figure in American literature, known for his dark tales, innovative poetry, and tragic life.

Biographical Highlights

• Born: 1809 in Boston
• Lived: Baltimore
• Died: In Philadelphia
• Parents: Actors; his father abandoned the family, and his mother died of tuberculosis when he was three.
• Foster Family: After his parents' deaths, he and his siblings were sent to different foster homes. Edgar lived with the Allens, wealthy tobacco merchants.
• Early Life: A sensitive and athletic child. His first love died of brain cancer at age 15. His foster mother also died of tuberculosis.
• Education: Briefly attended West Point.
• University Talents: Writing and art.
• Financial Struggles: Tried to make money by gambling, leading to extreme debt.
• First Book: Published at age 20.
• Later Life: After leaving the Allens, he lived with his aunt and cousin, Virginia, whom he later married.
• Career: Worked as an editor for a literature magazine.
• Personal Struggles: His first drink was reportedly caused by separation from Virginia.
• Children: He had no children.

Poe's Literary Contributions

• Genres Created: Detective stories and murder mysteries.
• Prominent Emotion Exhibited: Guilt.
• Most Famous Poem: The Raven.

Tragedies and Obstacles

• Deaths from Tuberculosis: His mother, stepmother, brother, and his wife (who was also his cousin) Virginia.
• Major Obstacles: The death of those he loved, poverty, and struggles with drinking.

Essential Literary Terms and Definitions

Understanding these literary terms is crucial for analyzing and appreciating various forms of literature.

Allusion

A reference in one story to a well-known character or event from another story.

Ambiguity

When a single event or expression can mean two different things to two different people.

Analogy

Comparing one thing to another very different thing in order to explain it better.

Aphorism

A brief statement expressing some truth.

Foreshadowing

Clues used to alert the reader about events that will occur later in the story.

Paradox

A statement that reveals a kind of truth, although at first it seems to be self-contradictory.

Plot

What happens in a story, told in sequential order.

Pun

A humorous use of a word that has more than one meaning (e.g., bear-bare).

Theme

The central meaning or message of a story.

Tone

The author's attitude toward the subject or audience.

Trait

A word which describes a character's personality.