The Anglo-Saxon poem, Beowulf, is considered the oldest piece of written
English literature and could very well be the first piece of historical
fiction. The relationship between the historical and the mythological in
Beowulf cannot be overlooked. The Beowulf poet incorporates the
traditional Christian beliefs into this tale of chivalry that also involves
the ancient myth of superhuman heroes fighting evil monsters and dragons.
These elements operate on a level that demonstrates that over 1,000 years
ago, audiences were entertained with tales of intrigue that include fiction
combined with a healthy does of history.
Historically, we are aware of the fact that Beowulf is a narrative that
revolves around the noble heroes and kings associated with the Geats and
Denmark. Theirs is a tale that is significant to understanding the
development of those nations that are brought together by the heroic
Beowulf. While the written version of the tale emerges from history around
1,000 AD, the era and history that it concerns itself with is centuries
before. Readers are aware that they are reading a fictional account of
history, yet some critics claim that the Beowulf poet's accuracy is
astounding. Raids were certainly not fictional and the Beowulf poet
mentions Hygelac's raid of the Franks. In addition, tribes and genealogies
include Hrothgar and Ecgtheow. These historical references add realism and
The Prologue begins by recounting circumstances where the Scyld Scefing
"took mead-benches away from enemy bands, from many tribes, terrified their
noble" (Beowulf 31). Regardless if all of the characters and circumstances
mentioned are real, we can certainly find other ways in which the tale
relates to history through the character's chivalric actions. The episode
of the Scylding dynasty coupled with the building of Heorot Hall is an
example of how fact and fiction seem the blur
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