Unit 1 – The Anglo Saxon Period Beowulf

Beowulf No one knows who wrote Beowulf. Epic poem meant to be spoken aloud Oldest epic poem –told by poets and bards.

Written down around the year 700. Many translations Provides one of the first examples of Old English

Why are we reading this? To learn about the Anglo-Saxon Period (a time we know little about). Historical References

Learn about the role of religion Learn about the role of religion. Narrator is Christian, but the characters are Pagan. Conflict in values. (Search for glory).

Key Characters/Summary Sweeping story of heroes and monsters, good and evil. An ancient piece, steeped in the oral story-telling tradition.

Character Guide Beowulf Title character and hero. First prince of the Geats and becomes their King.

Boastful and arrogant. However, he backs up his boasts. Often referred to as the son Edgetheow.

Hrothgar Old, once great King of the Danes whose hall, Herot, is attacked by Grendel.

Still regarded as a great man. Can’t get rid of Grendel single handedly.

Grendel The monster who attacks Herot because he is insanely lonely and jealous of the friendships and happiness of the Danes

He is an evil giant, a descendent of Cain, the first murderer.

Sometimes disturbingly evil Other times very sympathetic, a sort of Dark Ages Frankenstein.

Grendel’s mother Has no name of her own in the poem. She is a monster

Gives Beowulf just as difficult a fight as her son does Gives Beowulf just as difficult a fight as her son does. She is even more sympathetic, since she is only after revenge, but she comes close to killing Beowulf.

The Dragon Enemy that guards a great treasure hoard, and when that is disturbed, the dragon attacks the Geats.

Unferth One of Hrothgar’s soldiers/servants (called a thane) who challenges Beowulf. He is nearly as arrogant as Beowulf, but he cannot back up his attitude.

Wealhtheow: Hrothgar’s wife, queen of the Danes. Kind to Beowulf and is shrewd enough to try to turn that kindness into an alliance between her sons and the soon to be great Beowulf.

Hygelac Beowulf’s uncle and the King of the Geats. He dies soon after Beowulf’s return from Herot, leaving his kingdom to Beowulf.

Wiglaf The bravest of Beowulf’s warriors and the one that helps him defeat the Dragon. Beowulf leaves him the kingdom of the Geats, since he has no son of his own. Wiglaf is very loyal to Beowulf.