Beowulf Author unknown

What is an heroic epic? Sometimes called an heroic poem, it is a long narrative about the adventures of larger-than-life characters. Sometimes called an heroic poem, it is a long narrative about the adventures of larger-than-life characters.

Examples of heroic epics Beowulf Beowulf The Illiad The Illiad The Odyssey The Odyssey

Motifs found in this heroic epic Hero is a great leader strongly identified with a particular people or society Hero is a great leader strongly identified with a particular people or society

Setting is broad and often includes the upper and lower worlds. Setting is broad and often includes the upper and lower worlds.

Hero does great deeds in battle or undertakes an extraordinary journey. Hero does great deeds in battle or undertakes an extraordinary journey.

Sometimes gods or other supernatural or fantastic beings take part in the action. Sometimes gods or other supernatural or fantastic beings take part in the action.

The story is told in heightened language. The story is told in heightened language.

About Beowulf First great work of English national literature First great work of English national literature

Is an oral epic- it was handed down from one minstrel to another. Is an oral epic- it was handed down from one minstrel to another. Is relatively short, only 3200 lines Is relatively short, only 3200 lines

Composed in Old English, probably in Northumbria, England Composed in Old English, probably in Northumbria, England Composed between 700 and 750 A.D. Composed between 700 and 750 A.D.

Material based on early folk legends– some Celtic, some Scandinavian Material based on early folk legends– some Celtic, some Scandinavian Poet may also have been a monk, given the Christian elements Poet may also have been a monk, given the Christian elements

Only manuscript we have of the epic dates from the year 1000 A.D. and is housed in the British Museum in London Only manuscript we have of the epic dates from the year 1000 A.D. and is housed in the British Museum in London

Know the list of people, monsters and places on page 19

Epic Hero The central figure in a long narrative that reflects the values and heroic ideals of a particular society The central figure in a long narrative that reflects the values and heroic ideals of a particular society

Characteristics of an Epic Hero Superior physical strength Superior physical strength Supremely ethical Supremely ethical Glorified by the people he has saved Glorified by the people he has saved

Beowulf the man Great warrior Great warrior Geat from Sweden who crosses the sea to Denmark in a quest to rescue King Hrothgar from a demonic monster named Grendel Geat from Sweden who crosses the sea to Denmark in a quest to rescue King Hrothgar from a demonic monster named Grendel

Weregild An Anglo-Saxon custom that said that any man who killed someone had to pay a price for his deed or accept the fact that the victim’s family would seek revenge. An Anglo-Saxon custom that said that any man who killed someone had to pay a price for his deed or accept the fact that the victim’s family would seek revenge.

FOIL A character who contrasts with another character, usually the hero A character who contrasts with another character, usually the hero

KENNING Metaphorical compound words or phrases that indicate a person or thing by a characteristic or quality. Metaphorical compound words or phrases that indicate a person or thing by a characteristic or quality.

Examples of kennings Ring-giver Ring-giver Bracelet-wearing queen Bracelet-wearing queen Gold-ringed queen Gold-ringed queen

ALLITERATION The repetition of initial consonant sounds in words. The repetition of initial consonant sounds in words. Examples: Examples: ”...sworn to stay after dark and stem that horror with a sweep of their swords.”

ELEGY Poem mourning the death of someone or laments something lost. Poem mourning the death of someone or laments something lost.

Setting The poem begins with two contrasting settings The poem begins with two contrasting settings The dark, desolate lair of Grendel The dark, desolate lair of Grendel The noisy, joyous golden hall at Herot. The noisy, joyous golden hall at Herot.

CHARACTER CONTRAST The loyal and happy men of Hrothgar The loyal and happy men of Hrothgar The exiled and murderous Grendel The exiled and murderous Grendel

GOOD VS. EVIL The conflict between the two symbols begins with the attack of Grendel on Herot at night, where he kills 30 men. He attacked because they woke him with their music and laughter. The conflict between the two symbols begins with the attack of Grendel on Herot at night, where he kills 30 men. He attacked because they woke him with their music and laughter.

GRENDEL He was spawned in that slime… (line 19) He was spawned in that slime… (line 19) Born to Cain (one of the Biblical sons of Adam and Eve who murdered his own brother, Abel) Born to Cain (one of the Biblical sons of Adam and Eve who murdered his own brother, Abel)

HOW LONG DID HEROT STAND EMPTY? Twelve winters Twelve winters

WHY DOES GRENDEL NOT TOUCH HROTHGAR’S THRONE? It was protected by God It was protected by God

PAGAN ELEMENTS (PG.23) They sacrificed to old stone gods & made heathen vows They sacrificed to old stone gods & made heathen vows

(pg 24) Beowulf begins to be glorified. How? King has heard of Beowulf and knows of his noble birth. King has heard of Beowulf and knows of his noble birth. King recognizes the peril of Beowulf’s journey King recognizes the peril of Beowulf’s journey

(PG 25) What proof does Beowulf offer that he can slay Grendel? What proof does Beowulf offer that he can slay Grendel?

He has killed many enemies He has killed many enemies He has chained 5 giants and chased them from the earth He has chained 5 giants and chased them from the earth He has hunted monsters out of the ocean. He has hunted monsters out of the ocean.

Why do you think Beowulf intends to fight Grendel without a sword? He does not wish to have an unfair advantage He does not wish to have an unfair advantage

“Fate will unwind as it must.” This quote by Beowulf introduces the concept of wyrd, or fate, and his belief in its role. This quote by Beowulf introduces the concept of wyrd, or fate, and his belief in its role.

(pg 27) UNFERTH’S CHALLENGE He accuses Beowulf of boasting He accuses Beowulf of boasting He claims Beowulf was defeated in a swimming match with his friend, Brecca He claims Beowulf was defeated in a swimming match with his friend, Brecca

What is his motive for this challenge? Jealous because he cannot defeat Grendel himself Jealous because he cannot defeat Grendel himself This challenge to the hero by an inferior character is common in the epic poems. This challenge to the hero by an inferior character is common in the epic poems.

HOW DOES BEOWULF RESPOND? Tells a tale-within-a-tale about defeating nine sea monsters then swimming to safety. Tells a tale-within-a-tale about defeating nine sea monsters then swimming to safety. This serves to unveil other heroic characteristics such as honesty and self-restraint. This serves to unveil other heroic characteristics such as honesty and self-restraint.

Sea monsters defeat vs. a feast He treated them politely, offering them the edge of his razor sharp sword. He treated them politely, offering them the edge of his razor sharp sword. Filled their evil bellies with no banquet-rich food Filled their evil bellies with no banquet-rich food They slept on the shore, lying on their backs, their blood spilled. They slept on the shore, lying on their backs, their blood spilled.

“Fate saves the living when they drive away death by themselves.” People can drive away death by themselves if they take steps of protection such as wearing a seat belt or not smoking, etc. People can drive away death by themselves if they take steps of protection such as wearing a seat belt or not smoking, etc.

Beowulf accuses Unferth of what crime? Of murdering his kinsmen by not acting on the code of weregild. Of murdering his kinsmen by not acting on the code of weregild. Unferth as good as murdered his own brothers by not avenging their deaths. Unferth as good as murdered his own brothers by not avenging their deaths.

Unferth as a foil to Beowulf? Unferth is spiteful, boastful, committed the unpardonable sin of murder. Unferth is spiteful, boastful, committed the unpardonable sin of murder. Beowulf on the other hand, has earned glory by defending the helpless and restrains from attacking Unferth as Unferth has challenged Beowulf. Beowulf on the other hand, has earned glory by defending the helpless and restrains from attacking Unferth as Unferth has challenged Beowulf.

ANGLO-SAXON WOMEN Described as possessing the 4 qualities: beloved, cheerful, generous, gracious

What does Hrothgar promise Beowulf for his defeat of Grendel? “Your ship will sail home with its treasure-holds full.”

Who is the, “shepherd of evil, guardian of crime”? Grendel Grendel

How did Beowulf’s men uphold the A-S code of ethics? They stand prepared to defend their lord’s life with their own. They stand prepared to defend their lord’s life with their own.

Why do you think Beowulf allowed Grendel to eat the first Geat? Could be Grendel was too fast for him to react. Could be Grendel was too fast for him to react. Could be he was giving Grendel a sense of false security. Could be he was giving Grendel a sense of false security. Could be he was taking his time to formulate a plan of action. Could be he was taking his time to formulate a plan of action.

Christian Elements Grendel is “a sin-stained demon” Grendel is “a sin-stained demon” Grendel is “doomed to hell” Grendel is “doomed to hell” Hrothgar’s throne protected by God Hrothgar’s throne protected by God Welthow thanked God for answering her prayers Welthow thanked God for answering her prayers

Why didn’t their swords work on Grendel? Swords were bewitched by Grendel, laid spells that blunted all men’s blades. Swords were bewitched by Grendel, laid spells that blunted all men’s blades.

Why does Beowulf hang Grendel’s arm from the rafters? To serve as a means of warning others not to defile Herot To serve as a means of warning others not to defile Herot As a trophy of his victory As a trophy of his victory To show how he “disarmed” his enemy. To show how he “disarmed” his enemy.

How does Grendel’s lair compare to hell? Water is steaming and boiling Water is steaming and boiling Water was bloody Water was bloody Swirling surf (like fire) Swirling surf (like fire)

Comitatus Anglo-Saxon code that says a warrior must defend his lord to the death (if necessary). Anglo-Saxon code that says a warrior must defend his lord to the death (if necessary). The failure of Beowulf’s men to come to his aid in battle foreshadows the demise of the Geat people. The failure of Beowulf’s men to come to his aid in battle foreshadows the demise of the Geat people.