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Reference:
Wuren G.
Nomination of heroes in the Anglo-Saxon epic "Beowulf"
// Litera.
2023. № 9.
P. 86-92.
DOI: 10.25136/2409-8698.2023.9.44005 EDN: YDSOHV URL: https://en.nbpublish.com/library_read_article.php?id=44005
Nomination of heroes in the Anglo-Saxon epic "Beowulf"
Uzhen' Gaova
Postgraduate student, Department of Theory and Practice of Translation and Communication, Moscow Pedagogical State University; Senior Lecturer, Department of Russian Language, Xinjiang Pedagogical University
119571, Russia, Moscow, Prospekt Vernadskogo str., 88, sq. 3
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2747981051@qq.com
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DOI: 10.25136/2409-8698.2023.9.44005
EDN: YDSOHV
Received:
12-09-2023
Published:
29-09-2023
Abstract:
The subject of the study are the peculiarities of the nominations of heroes in the archaic Anglo-Saxon epic "Beowulf". The language nomination, which is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon, is closely related to a person's understanding of the surrounding world and plays an important role in language. However, despite its importance, the study of this issue remains insufficiently studied. The purpose of this study is to examine the uniqueness of the hero nominations in Beowulf, analyzing the hero nominations not only etymologically, but also considering their potential meanings in context. To achieve the purpose of the study, various methods were used, including interpretive, word-formation, descriptive and etymological approaches. The results of the study can be used in teaching lecture courses on the Old English history and lexicology of English and, in reading special courses on linguocultural studies. The scientific novelty of the study lies in the fact that it conducted a comprehensive review of the system of hero nominations in the epic poem "Beowulf". It is concluded that the nominations of heroes in Beowulf are characterized by the use of proper names, which can be classified into monothematic, dithematic and suffix-monothematic names. On the other hand, there are various nominations based on common names, enriched with rich stylistic techniques, such as kenning, metaphor, etc. The nomination of heroes can change in different situations, reflecting the language, culture and values of the ancient Anglo-Saxon society.
Keywords:
Nomination, Hero, An Anglo – Saxon poem, Beowulf, Old English, Anthroponym, Common noun, Compound Word, Metaphor, Kenning
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Introduction The nomination has attracted the attention of many scientists since ancient times, and remains one of the most active areas of research in linguistics today. Creating images of heroes whose lives, actions, thoughts and feelings are the basis of epic narratives, in which the nomination of these heroes is an expressive stylistic device that greatly influences the reader's interpretation of the image of heroes [1, p. 4, 6]. The term "nomination" can be "used both in the dynamic aspect to denote the naming process, and in the static aspect to denote the result, i.e. the name itself" [2, p. 232]. Nomination is usually expressed in the forms of words, phrases, phrases and sentences used to name and isolate fragments of reality and form appropriate concepts about them [3, p. 336]. Traditionally, the nomination is divided into primary and secondary. V. N. Telia understands the term primary nomination as a primitive name for native speakers whose derivation can be revealed only with the help of etymological or historical analysis [4, p.132]. The secondary nomination is "the use of nominative means already available in the language in a new naming function for them" [4, p. 129]. In this case, secondary names are formed from the meaning of the word on the basis of which the original name was created, used in a new naming function for it, that is, the phonetic form of the original language unit is used to denote a new meaning. One of the most notable literary works that deserve special attention from the point of view of the nomination of heroes is the Old English epic poem "Beowulf", which tells about the heroic deeds of the Scandinavian hero Beowulf. "Beowulf" was transmitted orally already in the VI or VII century on the coasts of Northern Europe, where Germanic peoples lived [5, p. 2]. This manuscript of the late 10th century was part of the collection of Sir R. B. Cotton, and was transferred to the British Museum in London [6, p. 19]. "Beowulf" consists of 3182 lines and is the longest narrative poem written in Old English. The poem "Beowulf" has an abundance of materials for linguistic research, it contains a unique look at the life and culture of the Anglo-Saxon era. The material for this study was the names of the heroes mentioned in the Anglo-Saxon heroic epic "Beowulf" [7]. To understand the meaning of the Old English units found in "Beowulf", we turned to the book "Beowulf" [8], and to the electronic resource: Bosworth Toller's Anglo-Saxon Dictionary online [9], Old English Origin Names [10]. The main part The hero nomination system in Beowulf, proper names (anthroponyms) and common names are fixed. During the study, 937 names of heroes were considered. The Old English system of personal names was inherited from the Proto-Germanic system of names [11, p. 2]. Early Germanic personal names related to the male sex are usually formed from elements of the same root with common words. Nominal structures can be monothematic, dithematic and suffixal-monothematic [12, p. 2]. The etymology of the meaning of these proper names in the poem is directly related to the content of the monument [13, p. 28]. For example, in "Beowulf" there are such monothematic names as Scyld, derived from the Old Norse skj?ldr, meaning "shield" [10], conveys the protective nature of the character; Wulf means wolf [10]. Ditematic names: Hrg ?r was formed from the Old English hro? "glory, fame" and gar "spear", reflects the reputation of the hero as a great warrior and leader; the names of Hrg?r's sons – H r e ric and H r mund – contain the first elements of their father's name in combination, respectively, with ric "kingdom, empire", and mund "hand, protection" [14, p. xxxi]; Hygelac is an old Norse name formed from hugr - "mind, thought, mood" and leikr – "game" (battle); as for the name B?owulf, most modern researchers believe that it is most likely it comes from the Old English b?o "bee" and wulf "wolf" and is a kenning (the native Germanic form of the metaphorical periphrase) meaning "bee wolf", where the wolf or the enemy of the bee is a bear looking for honey, but R. D. Fulk and J. Harris rejected this statement and believe that the first element of this name is not b?o "bee", but b? ow – a pre-Christian god [15, p. 98]. Alternatively, the first element can still be beadu "battle" [10]. There are suffix-monothematic names, such as N?gling and Swerting, which are formed by adding the suffix "-ing" to the root words "N?gl" and "Swert", respectively. The suffix "-ing" has a patronymic meaning, denoting a pedigree, and the number of such names is small [16, p. 60]. The personal names of the characters in Beowulf are also characterized by the fact that they alliterate with the names worn by other family members. Any vowel can alliterate with any other, while only identical consonants are alliterated [12, p. 107]. For example, all the names of members of the family of King Halfdan of Denmark begin with the letter H: Healfdene, Hereg?r, Hro?gar, H ? lga, Heorowearde, Hre?ric, Hro?mund, Hro?Ulf (Fig. 1); as well as the names of the family members of the founder of the Gaut dynasty Hredel begin with the letter H: Hrel, Herebeald, Hcyn, Hygel ? c, Heardr?d (Fig. 2); and the names of the family members of the Swedish king Ongenteu begin with the letter O and E: Ongenow, Onela, ?there, Eanmund, Eadgils (Fig. 3) (see the genealogical links of these names in the diagrams below). 
When analyzing the nomination of heroes in Beowulf, it was noticed that there are numerous cases of synonymous substitutions of words that convey the same essential concept. For example, the concept of "warrior" throughout the poem is referred to by various synonyms, such as beorn, cempa, dryhtguma, dugu?, eorl, freca, garwiga, gbeorn, gu, rinc, h?le?, hea, orinc, hildefrecan, lindwiga, magurinc, ?retta, r?dend, rinc, scealc, sc?otend, scieldfreca, scieldwiga, secg, wiga, w i gfreca, w?gend, etc. There are such synonyms implying the concept of "prince": ? ? e ling, baldor, brego, ealdor, fengel, landfruma, l ? od, r?swa, ?engel, oden, etc. These synonyms testify to the richness and diversity of the Old English language. In the epic poem Beowulf, hero nominations often contain a metaphor that carries significant symbolic and cultural weight. For example, Hrg?r, the legendary king of the Danes, was known far beyond the borders of the country as "helm Scyldinga". The word "helm" (helmet) is used to denote the protective function of the helmet. This title was given to him as a symbol of his role as the protector and patron of Skilding, his people. To refer to Grendel's mother, the poem uses the metaphorical word "brimwylf", i.e. sea wolf, which is used to denote her ferocious and predatory nature. Like a she–wolf, she is a cunning and dangerous creature living at the bottom of the lake, seeking to avenge the death of her son. It is also necessary to note such a poetic technique used in the nomination of heroes in "Beowulf" as kenning, inherent in Old English poetry. Kenning (literally "designation") is the replacement of a noun in ordinary speech with two nouns, of which the second determines the first [16, p. 173], and they must be deciphered as clues in a puzzle or crossword [6, p. 183]. In "Beowulf", the characters Scyld, Hro?gar, B?owulf are repeatedly called "b? aga bryttan", i.e. ring bearer. The ring, in this context, is a symbol of good and power [13, p. 34]. The word "warrior" could be described as "beadorinc", which means a combat hero, "garwiga" – a fighter with a spear, "helmberend" – a helmet wearer, or "hildemecg" – a man of battle. Kenning "frumg ? r", which literally translates as "the first spear", but is used to denote a leader in battle. In the course of the plot of the work, in different communication situations, the same hero can be called differently [1, p. 27]. Beowulf – "g ?d mid G?atum" (a good man from the Gaut people) – is "bearn Ecg?owes" (son of Eggteow) and "m?g Hygel?ces" (relative of Higelak). Hrg?r was the "Deniga fr?an" (lord of Denmark), he built the great hall of Heorot. Once upon a time "atol ? gl?ca" (terrible monster) Grendel – "ms ancynnes f?ond" (the enemy of humanity) – entered the hall of Heorot at night, and captured 30 people from Hrothgar's squad and wandered around the hall for twelve years, committing many murders. Upon learning of the trouble, Beowulf – moncynnes m?genes strongest (the mightiest man on earth) goes with 14 "snell?c sa?rinc" (brave sailors) across the sea to help. While Beowulf and his men were sleeping in the hall, a "cwealmcuman" (a deadly visitor) burst in and grabbed Beowulf. "Hilded?or" (brave in battle) Beowulf, unarmed, fought with "eoten" (troll) Grendel and pulled his hand away. "Grendles m?dor" (Grendel's mother) avenged her child by killing "Hr?g?re h?le?a l?ofost" (for Hrothgar the most beloved warrior) ?schere – "Y rmenl?fes yldra bror" (Irmenlaf's older brother). Beowulf found this "?gl ? cw?f" (female monster) in a cave and cut off her head, as well as the head of the "helleg?st" (hellish spirit) Grendel, who lies in the same cave. "S igor?adig secg" (the victorious man) was returning to Heorot, and Hrothgar – "helm Scyldinga" (protection of the Scyldings), praised him. Beowulf returned to his homeland with honor, and then became the "dryhten G?ata" (lord of the Geats) and wisely ruled the country for fifty years, until one of the slaves stole a precious cup from the lair of the "fr?cne f?rdraca" (terrible fire dragon), and woke up and enraged the "sleeper". The enraged dragon mercilessly burns the houses and lands of the Geats, and the "godcyning" (people's king) Beowulf decides to deal with the dragon "N?gling" himself. "Gomela" (old) Beowulf manages to defeat this "m?nscea?a" (evil destroyer), "f?ftiges f?tgemearces lang on legere" (whose length was fifty feet when he was lying down), but at the cost of his own life. Conclusion From the above it can be concluded that in the epic poem "Beowulf" contains numerous nominations of heroes from different strata of Anglo-Saxon society. Proper names (anthroponyms) are mainly divided into three categories: monothematic, dithematic and suffix-monothematic names. The analysis of the origin and thematic elements in the nominations of heroes allows us to reveal the etymological meaning behind the proper names presented in this monument. In "Beowulf" there are many cases when synonymous nominations are used to convey the same hero. Metaphors and kennings play a significant role in the nomination of heroes, creating vivid images of heroes. Throughout the development of the plot, the hero can be called by different names or titles, depending on the situation or the context of communication with him. All these techniques of nominations testify to the artistic expressiveness of the poetic text of "Beowulf". In general, the system of hero nominations in Beowulf is a reflection of the language, culture and values of the ancient Anglo-Saxon society.
References
1. Isakova, I. N. (2011). The literary character as a system of nominations. Moscow: MAX Press.
2. Gak, V. G. (1977). On the typology of linguistic nominations. In: B. A. Serebrennikov & A. A. Ufimtseva (Eds). Language nomination (general issues), 230-293. Moscow: Nauka.
3. Yartseva, V. N. (Ed.). (2002). Linguistic Encyclopedic Dictionary, 336-337. Moscow: Great Russian Encyclopedia.
4. Telia, V. N. (1977). Secondary nomination and its types. In: B. A. Serebrennikov & A. A. Ufimtseva (Eds). Language nomination: types of names, 129-221. Moscow: Nauka.
5. Chen Caiyu. (Trans). (2018). Beowulf. Nanjing: Yilin Press. 132 p.
6. Manerko, L. A. (1998). English etymology through the history of the British people. Ryazan State Pedagogical University named after S.A. Yesenin. Ryazan.
7. Seamus H. (Trans). (2001). Beowulf: A New Verse Translation (Bilingual Edition). New York, London: W.W. Norton & Co.
8. Sedgefield, W. J. (Ed). (1910). Beowulf: edited, with introduction, bibliography, notes, glossary, and appendices. Manchester University Press.
9. Bosworth Toller's Anglo-Saxon Dictionary online. Retrieved from https://bosworthtoller.com
10. Old English Origin Names. Retrieved from https://www.behindthename.com/
11. Shaw, P. A. (2020). Names and Naming in Beowulf: Studies in Heroic Narrative Tradition. London, New York: Bloomsbury Academic.
12. Colman, F. (2014). The Grammar of Names in Anglo-Saxon England: The Linguistics and Culture of the Old English Onomasticon. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
13. Rakov, A. V. (2006). The name in Beowulf. Moscow; Ivanovo: Publishing house MIK.
14. David, A. A. (2001). Note on Names. In: Seamus H. (Trans.). Beowulf: A new verse Translation (Bilingual Edition). New York, London: W.W. Norton & Co.
15. Fulk, R. D., & Harris, J. (2002). Beowulf’s name. In: Daniel D.(Ed). Seamus H. (Trans.). Beowulf: A Verse Translation, 98-100. NY & London: W. W. Norton.
16. Zherdeva M. O. (2003). Suffix -ing/-ung in the history of the English language. Forestry bulletin, 4, P. 60-62.
17. Steblin-Kamensky, M. I. (1979). The poetry of the skalds. Leningrad: Nauka.183 p.
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The article submitted for consideration "Nomination of heroes in the Anglo-Saxon epic "Beowulf", proposed for publication in the magazine "Litera", is undoubtedly relevant, due to the author's reference to the specifics of the nomination based on the material of the English-language epic. It should be noted that the nomination issues are relevant in English studies in our time. In addition, the work makes a definite contribution to the development of both the general theory of linguistics and the private one. The article is groundbreaking, one of the first in Russian linguistics devoted to the study of such topics in the 21st century. The article presents a research methodology, the choice of which is quite adequate to the goals and objectives of the work. The author turns, among other things, to various methods to confirm the hypothesis put forward. The article uses general linguistic methods of observation and description, as well as methods of discursive and cognitive analysis, and methods of modeling language. The practical material of the study was the nominations of heroes mentioned in the Anglo-Saxon heroic epic "Beowulf", the original text of which was quoted from the publication: Beowulf: A New Verse Translation (Bilingual Edition). Tr. Seamus Heaney. New York, London: W.W. Norton & Co., 2001. The study examined 937 hero nominations. This work was done professionally, in compliance with the basic canons of scientific research. The research was carried out in line with modern scientific approaches, the work consists of an introduction containing the formulation of the problem, the main part, traditionally beginning with a review of theoretical sources and scientific directions, a research and final one, which presents the conclusions obtained by the author. It should be noted that the introductory part provides too scant an overview of the development of problems in science. It should be noted that the conclusion requires strengthening, it does not fully reflect the tasks set by the author and does not contain prospects for further research in line with the stated issues. Unfortunately, the work lacks convincing data obtained during the research, a description of the methodology of working with the corpus, tables and diagrams containing the results of the work that are convenient for the reader to perceive information. The bibliography of the article contains 16 sources, among which theoretical works are presented in both Russian and foreign languages. Unfortunately, the article does not contain references to the fundamental works of Russian researchers, such as monographs, PhD and doctoral dissertations. Technically, when making a bibliographic list, the generally accepted requirements of GOST are violated, namely, non-compliance with the alphabetical principle of registration of sources. In general, it should be noted that the article is written in a simple, understandable language for the reader. There are a number of technical typos in the article, for example, "... the original text of which was ...", "... the books were addressed ...". The comments made are not significant and do not affect the overall positive impression of the reviewed work. The work is innovative, representing the author's vision of solving the issue under consideration and may have a logical continuation in further research. The practical significance is determined by the possibility of using the presented developments in further case studies. The results of the work can be used in the course of teaching at specialized faculties. The article will undoubtedly be useful to a wide range of people, philologists, undergraduates and graduate students of specialized universities. The article "Nomination of heroes in the Anglo-Saxon epic "Beowulf" can be recommended for publication in a scientific journal.
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