Please Do Now In no less than 5-7 sentences (topic sentence, examples, plenty of explanation), respond to the following questions in Open Ended Response format: Is reputation important to Beowulf, or did he have only the most honorable intentions with each of his battles?  How do you know? Provide specific examples from the text to support your idea.

Beowulf Review 12th Grade Honors

Titles to Know Beowulf Hrothgar Grendel Grendel's mother Edgetho Wiglaf Hrunting Dragon Herot

Titles to Know Beowulf Wiglaf Hrothgar Hrunting Grendel Beowulf’s soldier who stayed with him until the end (becomes next king) The name of Beowulf’s sword Guarding treasure in Geatland – Beowulf’s last enemy Meadhall - Denmark Beowulf Hrothgar Grendel Grendel's mother Edgetho Hero of the story King of the Danes(Kingdom being attacked) Monster attacking Herot Self explanatory- wants to avenge Grendel’s death Beowulf’s father Wiglaf Hrunting Dragon Herot

Literary Terms to Know Alliteration Caesura Epic Kenning

Literary Terms to Know Alliteration Caesura Epic Kenning Repetition of the same beginning consonant sound Break in the middle of a line of poetry (creates suspenseful effect) Long poem of serious tone (see 10 criteria) Two words used to rename one word (for example, whale-road and she-wolf)

Literary Terms “But Higlac’s follower . . . /fastened those claws/In his fists till they cracked, clutched Grendel/Closer.”

Alliteration (Think – what does this emphasize?) “But Higlac’s follower . . . /fastened those claws/In his fists till they cracked, clutched Grendel/Closer.”

Literary Terms “Strong-hearted wakeful sleeper,” “sheppard of evil,” and “she-wolf”

Caesura “Strong-hearted wakeful sleeper,” “sheppard of evil,” and “she-wolf”

Literary Terms “Then he said farewell to his followers,/ Each in his turn, for the last time”

Alliteration, (second line) Caesura “Then he said farewell to his followers,/ Each in his turn, for the last time”

Literary Terms “…My heart is firm, My hands calm: I need no hot Words…”

Caesura “…My heart is firm, My hands calm: I need no hot Words…”

Literary Terms “It was a weird And wonderful sight, and the warriors stared.”

Alliteration “It was a weird And wonderful sight, and the warriors stared.”

Plot What is the only thing that survives death? What do Beowulf’s men do as he is taking on the dragon? Beowulf reflects the belief that the battle between good and evil is…

Plot What is the only thing that survives death? - Fame, reputation What do Beowulf’s men do as he is taking on the dragon? - run, hide Beowulf reflects the belief that the battle between good and evil is… Won by good

Plot What does Beowulf take with him as souvenirs of his victory over Grendel’s mother? How was Beowulf honored after his demise?

Plot What does Beowulf take with him as souvenirs of his victory over Grendel’s mother? Grendel’s severed skull and the jewled handle of the sword used to kill Grendel's mother How was Beowulf honored after his demise? A tower was built in his honor to symbolize hope

Plot What transpired in the mead hall to evoke the anger of Grendel? Beowulf believes that the outcome of all of his efforts is ultimately determined by what?

Plot What transpired in the mead hall to evoke the anger of Grendel? Singing, Poetry, Drinking, Dancing (happiness) Beowulf believes that the outcome of all of his efforts is ultimately determined by what? Fate – the WYRD

Characteristics of an Epic “My lord, the great king of the Danes, commands me/ To tell you that he knows of your noble birth…”

Hero must come from NOBLE BIRTH “My lord, the great king of the Danes, commands me/ To tell you that he knows of your noble birth…”

Characteristics of an Epic “He leaped into the lake, would not wait for anyone’s/Answer; the heaving water covered him/over. For hours he sank through the waves; at last he saw the mud of the bottom.”

Heroes and Villains may have supernatural powers “He leaped into the lake, would not wait for anyone’s/Answer; the heaving water covered him/over. For hours he sank through the waves; at last he saw the mud of the bottom.”

Characteristics of an Epic “…I’ve worn this crown/ For fifty winters: no neighboring people/ Have tried to threaten the Geats, sent soldiers/ Against us or talked of terror…”

Glorified Hero “…I’ve worn this crown/ For fifty winters: no neighboring people/ Have tried to threaten the Geats, sent soldiers/ Against us or talked of terror…”

Characteristics of an Epic “In his far-off home Beowulf Higlac’s/Follower and the strongest of the Geats – greater/And stronger than anyone anywhere in this world –/Heard how Grendel filled nights with horror/And quickly commanded a boat be fitted out,/Proclaiming that he’d go to that famous king,/Would sail across the sea to Hrothgar…”

Setting is vast in scope – often more than one country “In his far-off home Beowulf Higlac’s/Follower and the strongest of the Geats – greater/And stronger than anyone anywhere in this world –/Heard how Grendel filled nights with horror/And quickly commanded a boat be fitted out,/Proclaiming that he’d go to that famous king,/Would sail across the sea to Hrothgar…”

Characteristics of an Epic “Now he discovered – once the afflictor/ Of men, tormentor of their days – what it meant/To feud with Almighty God: Grendel/ Saw that his strength was deserting him…”

Universal Themes (Good vs. Evil) “Now he discovered – once the afflictor/ Of men, tormentor of their days – what it meant/To feud with Almighty God: Grendel/ Saw that his strength was deserting him…”

What do you think is the significance of each quote?

Quotes “And sometimes they sacrificed to the old stone gods,/Made heathen vows, hoping for Hell’s/Support…”

Quotes “But fate, that night, intended Grendel/To gnaw the broken bones/Of his last human supper.”

Quotes “Each of us will come to the end of this life/On Earth; he who can earn it should fight/For the glory of his name; fame after death/Is the noblest of goals.”