1. Background/General information
Beowulf
Background/General information
Literary Terms
Setting
Characterization
Themes
General Plot Line
Vocabulary Words

2. General Information: How was Beowulf originally told? Oral tradition
What century does the action of Beowulf take place in?
6th century
What century was Beowulf first written down? What did this mark the beginning of?
11th century; Old English

3. General Information: Genre -Epic: Long narrative poem
Five Characteristics of an Epic:
Appeals to the supernatural
A beginning “in medias res” (in the middle of)
Long list/catalog of people
Accounts past events
Descriptive words/phrases (kennings)

4. General Information: Who is the translator of Beowulf? Burton Raffel
What is a canto? What is its function in poetry?
A division in poetry (like chapters) to separate the main parts of the story line; made it easier for the scops to remember the plot.
Definition of Extrinsic Rewards:
-motivated by outside forces
Examples from the poem
Definition of Intrinsic Rewards:
-self-motivated/ self-gratification

5. Literary Terms: Definition of Imagery: Examples from the poem
Definition of Kenning:
Definition of an Epic Boast and its two components
A speech delivered by an epic hero prior to entering into battle; humility and bragging

6. Literary Terms: Epic Hero: Four characteristics of an epic hero:
Boastful
Arrogant
Greedy
Over-confident
Definition of Character Flaw

7. Literary Terms: Three elements of a pagan society: 1. fate
2. belief in multiple gods
3. belief in monsters/creatures

8. Literary Terms: What year was Christianity introduced into England?
597
Three elements of a Christian society:
1. freewill
2. belief in a single deity/one God
3. belief in good conquering over evil
Definition of Divine Intervention

9. Literary Terms: Themes
Definition of Theme
Definition of Motif
Identify FOUR primary themes found in Beowulf and explain how they relate to the poem.
1. appearance vs. reality
2. good vs. evil
3. greed
4. loyalty

10. Setting: Time: 6th century Place: First Battle:
Denmark in Hrothgar’s castle/mead hall, Herot
Second Battle:
Denmark in the monster’s underwater lair.
Third Battle:
Sweden in the Dragon’s cave

11. Characters/Terms: Grendel Grendel’s mother Hrothgar Danes Geats Thanes
Wiglaf
Higlac
Edgetho
Herot
Beowulf

12. Characters/Terms: Scyld Scefing The Dragon Hrunting Wergild Mail Shirt
Healfdane
Unferth
Lof
Alliteration

13. General Questions about Plot Line
Identify supernatural elements in Beowulf.
Identify Christian elements in Beowulf.

14. General Questions about Plot Line
What is the definition of character flaw?
What is an example of a character flaw in Beowulf?

15. General Questions about Plot Line
Analyze the transformation in Beowulf’s character as the epic progresses. Consider his motivation and how that affected the help he received, as well as the outcome of each battle.
First battle: solely intrinsic; divine intervention; easy success.
Second battle: combination of intrinsic and extrinsic; less divine intervention; more difficult for good to conquer evil.
Third battle: solely extrinsic; no divine intervention until Wiglaf (intrinsic reasons enters into the battle) and conquers evil.

16. Vocabulary Words Reparation Solace Purge Writhing Massive Loathsome
Scops