Beowulf Part I

Literary Terms Epic- a long narrative poem that relates the great deeds of a larger-than-life hero who embodies the values of a particular society

Epic Hero- a mythical character who is strong, courageous, morally upright, and driven by the desire for glory. He faces enormous obstacles in these pursuits, usually some force or character that represents evil

Archetype- A pattern that appears in literature across cultures and is repeated through the ages. An archetype can be a character, a plot, an image, or a setting.

Alliteration- the repetition of the same initial sound (usually a consonant) to create a unifying sound effect or enhance a description. Peter Piper picked a peck of pickles.

Kenning- a special kind of metaphor that uses compound words, prepositional phrases, or possessives to modify or indirectly name a character or thing.

Background First masterpiece in English literature Describes the adventure of a hero from southern Sweden who comes to the aid of the people in Denmark (Germanic People) The Anglo-Saxons brought the story with them to England

The poet had absolute knowledge of Anglo-Saxon culture and tradition Around 725 AD, someone wrote the poem in Anglish (Old English), until then it had been told by scops. The poet had absolute knowledge of Anglo-Saxon culture and tradition Poem provides a good picture of Anglo-Saxon life

When the poem was first written (NOT FIRST TOLD), the writer inserted Hebrew scripture in the text (Christianity) Art represents life -> the pagan and Christian world colliding can be seen in the poem

Section 1 Two opposing images: Herot and Grendel Herot: mead hall Earls gathered and celebrated Place where scops told their tales

Grendel was born of Cain Example of Christianity being added

Symbol: using a word or an object to represent an abstract idea Grendel symbolizes: Herot symbolizes:

Symbolism of Herot Grendel Light Happiness Life Good Heaven Darkness Sadness/Pain Death Evil Hell

Section 2 What does Grendel do? Is this heroic? Why won’t Hrothgar’s men challenge Grendel? Why can’t Grendel enter Hrothgar’s throne room?

How long does Grendel attack the Danes? How do we see the idea that “Art Reflects Life” in this passage?

Section 3 Why does Beowulf (a Geat) decide to help the Danes (Hrothgar’s people)? Heroic?

Section 4 At the beginning of this section, how is the poet setting up Beowulf as the epic hero? What is the purpose Beowulf’s speech? How will Beowulf fight Grendel?

According to Beowulf, what will decide the outcome of his fight with Grendel? God & Fate

Seciton 5 Read Lines 190-206 Why does Hrothgar mention this? Beowulf owes Hrothgar because Hrothgar helped his dad

Section 6-7 Why have the Feast? Unity Happiness Remember (memory)

Unferth’s Challenge What does Unferth accuse Beowulf of? Why does he insult Beowulf like this? Unferth-> jealous of Beowulf Attention Afraid

Foil Character Characters who contrast with each other in order to highlight each characters differences

How does Beowulf respond? Stayed near Brecca Fighting Sea monsters Insults Unferth

Lines 340-343 Ring Giver Kenning Kings gave treasures Loyalty Gives soldiers something to take to the afterlife

Welthow Queen  Hrothgar’s Wife Anglo-Saxon view of women Female role model Serve husband Serve men Praise men

Section 8 Beowulf watches Grendel kill one of his men. Heroic Gambit Anglo-Saxon’s believed in strategy Know your enemy

Battle is Symbolic Beowulf Grendel Good Heaven God (originally an A-S god) Evil Hell Satan (originally an A-S demon)

More symbolism What would Herot and the Danes symbolize? Earth

Beowulf Wins! Why hang Grendel’s arm? Proof Be remembered

Section 10 Danes are happy for a day HAPPINESS 12 YEARS TIME

Art reflecting life

Section 11 Imagery  Using words to evoke the five senses Negative imagery Pain/disspair Hell

Section 12 Line 573 Beowulf underwater for hours Supernatural Powers  rewards for being the “ideal” person Many epic heroes had special abilities Odysseus & Luke Skywalker

Lines 578-632 Beowulf having trouble Looks like he will be beat Why do this? Build suspense

Section 13 Beowulf uses a sword no other human could lift Supernatural Strength Defeats Grendel’s mom Cuts off Grendel’s head? Why?

Final Battle Beowulf is fifty years older King of the Geats About 70 years old (guess) Long life  another reward for being the ideal Anglo-Saxon Archetype Ten commandments

Why does Beowulf fight the dragon? Dragon attacks Why does Beowulf fight the dragon? Duty Protect kingdom

Takes 11 warriors with him 10 men run away Wiglaf remains Beowulf and Wiglaf defeat the dragon

Beowulf is mortally wounded Gives treasurer to people Why? Be remembered

Why the Shrine? People will see it and tell Beowulf’s story Guarantees Beowulf will have a long afterlife

Final lesson Wiglaf is rewarded for doing right Becomes king