Beowulf Part II The Defeat of Grendel’s Mother Part II The Defeat of Grendel’s Mother

Grendel’s Mother Attacks!  Hrothgar’s valued friend Aeschere taken as man-price for her son Grendel  Aeschere’s head disgracefully found as Grendel’s arm was disgracefully displayed  Beowulf takes Grendel’s head -- blood corrodes the prized giant’s sword  No true victory for mortal or monster  Hrothgar’s valued friend Aeschere taken as man-price for her son Grendel  Aeschere’s head disgracefully found as Grendel’s arm was disgracefully displayed  Beowulf takes Grendel’s head -- blood corrodes the prized giant’s sword  No true victory for mortal or monster

 What phase of the hero monomyth cycle does Beowulf’s journey into the tarn represent?

The Lair in the Tarn  Represents the hero’s journey to the underworld  Monsters dwell in the watery swamp of the imagination = id  Beowulf emerges with the boons that will restore the community  Represents the hero’s journey to the underworld  Monsters dwell in the watery swamp of the imagination = id  Beowulf emerges with the boons that will restore the community

The Lair in the Tarn  Ordered, godly nature is repelled by it = the hart  Nature is returned to order by Beowulf’s victory  Ordered, godly nature is repelled by it = the hart  Nature is returned to order by Beowulf’s victory

 According to Papa Joe (aka Joseph Campbell), the hero figure represents more than simply the totality of his physical exploits. What greater ideal does he represent?

The Germanic Warrior Code  Beowulf sees revenge as better than mourning  The hero’s goal is fame after death  The second confrontation is an opportunity for greater glory  Beowulf sees revenge as better than mourning  The hero’s goal is fame after death  The second confrontation is an opportunity for greater glory

Fate and Free Will  Beowulf submits to fate yet relies on the tiny amount of free will at his disposal  Free will = the courageous man  This combination results in lof  Beowulf submits to fate yet relies on the tiny amount of free will at his disposal  Free will = the courageous man  This combination results in lof

Humanization of Beowulf  Honors Unferth’s gift of Hrunting  Returns Hrunting to its owner  Graciously does not mention its uselessness  Honors Unferth’s gift of Hrunting  Returns Hrunting to its owner  Graciously does not mention its uselessness

 But I digress....

Hrothgar’s Sermon on Pride  Warns Beowulf against pride (hubris)  Heremod succumbed to ego and was too proud to share his treasure  The downfall of death comes soon enough -- do not hasten it by turning heart against the thanes  Warns Beowulf against pride (hubris)  Heremod succumbed to ego and was too proud to share his treasure  The downfall of death comes soon enough -- do not hasten it by turning heart against the thanes

Group Work: What’s the connection?  Sigemund and Fitela (59)/Hrothgar and Heremod (117)?  Modthryth and Offa (133)/Frewaru and Ingela (139)  The Finn episode (71)/Unferth, Grendel  Sigemund and Fitela (59)/Hrothgar and Heremod (117)?  Modthryth and Offa (133)/Frewaru and Ingela (139)  The Finn episode (71)/Unferth, Grendel

Parallel Actions and Digressions  Breca digression  Sigemund and Fitela digression (Heremod)  Modthryth and Offa digresson/Finn episode  Breca digression  Sigemund and Fitela digression (Heremod)  Modthryth and Offa digresson/Finn episode  Beowulf swims in the tarn for hours!  Hrothgar’s sermon on pride = Heremod  Freawaru’s marriage to Ingeld

Parallel Actions and Digressions  Queen Modthryth  Beowulf is Hygelac’s nephew  Queen Modthryth  Beowulf is Hygelac’s nephew  Wealhtheow/ Hygd  Hrothulf is Hrothgar’s nephew

The Queen  A mere type  Diplomatic hostess  Role of women in Anglo-Saxon society?  Prototype for the idealized woman of courtly love?  A mere type  Diplomatic hostess  Role of women in Anglo-Saxon society?  Prototype for the idealized woman of courtly love?

 After Beowulf defeats Grentdel’s mother, for what phase of the hero monomyth cycle is Beowulf now prepared?

Beowulf’s Parting  All debts paid = all valor rewarded  Gracious invitation to Hrethric  Brotherhood between the Geats and Danes  All debts paid = all valor rewarded  Gracious invitation to Hrethric  Brotherhood between the Geats and Danes

Beowulf’s Past and Future  Hrothgar predicts that he will become King of the Geats  Beowulf was a weak and unpromising youth  Joins a host of other cultural heroes with unremarkable beginnings  Hrothgar predicts that he will become King of the Geats  Beowulf was a weak and unpromising youth  Joins a host of other cultural heroes with unremarkable beginnings

Anglo-Saxon Conventions  Courtly manners and customs  Engraved swords  Woven chain-mail  Servants pouring mead  Stately, eloquent speeches  Comitatus  King’s generosity  Courtly manners and customs  Engraved swords  Woven chain-mail  Servants pouring mead  Stately, eloquent speeches  Comitatus  King’s generosity

Coming Attractions 3 Weapons  Hrunting  Giant’s sword  Dragon sword Characteristics? Relationship to owner? 3 Weapons  Hrunting  Giant’s sword  Dragon sword Characteristics? Relationship to owner? 3 Monsters  Grendel  Grendel’s mother  Dragon