1. Beowulf
Themes
Motifs
Symbols

2. Themes 1. The Importance of Establishing Identity
Record of heroic heritage and individual reputation
Every male figure is known as his father’s son
Characters cannot talk about themselves or introduce themselves without referring to family lineage
Concern with family history is prominent because of emphasis on kinship bonds

3. Themes continued
Characters take pride in ancestor who have acted valiantly
They attempt to live up to the same standards as those ancestors
Heritage provides models for behavior and helps establish identity
A good reputation is the key to solidifying and augmenting one’s identity
Shield Sheafson: legendary originator of Danish Royal line was orphaned and fatherless

4. Themes continued
Valiant deeds were the only means by which he could construct an identity
Beowulf’s pagan warrior culture does not have a concept of afterlife
It sees fame as a way of ensuring that an individual’s memory will continue on after death
Has an understandable preoccupation in a world where death seems to always be knocking at the door

5. Themes continued
2. Tensions between the Heroic Code and other Value Systems
Beowulf is devoted to articulating and illustrating the Germanic heroic code which values:
Strength
Courage
Loyalty in Warriors
Hospitality
Generosity
Political Skill in Kings
Ceremoniousness in Women
Good Reputation in All People

6. Themes continued
This Code is vital to warrior societies as a means of their understanding their world and menaces lurking beyond their boundaries
Their moral judgments stem from the code’s mandates
Individual actions are seen as either conforming to the code or violating the code
Beowulf highlights points of tension exposing the internal contradictions in values
Beowulf contains stories of divided loyalties and situations for which the code offers no practical guidance about how to act

7. Themes continued
Ex. There are tensions within the values of medieval Christianity:
The Code maintains that honor is gained during life through deeds
Christianity asserts that glory lies in the afterlife
Warrior culture dictates that it is always better to retaliate than to mourn
Christian doctrine advocates a peaceful, forgiving attitude toward one’s enemies
The poet struggles to accommodate these two sets of values: Though he is Christian; he cannot deny the fundamental pagan values of the story

8. Themes continued
3. The Difference between a Good Warrior and a Good King
Characters act as society dictates he should given his particular role in society:
Young Beowulf seeks personal glory
Old King Hrothgar seeks protection for his people
The heroic code:
Requires that a king reward the loyal service of his warriors with gifts and praise
Requires that a king provide them with protection and the sanctuary of a lavish mead-hall

9. Motifs Monsters: -In Christian medieval culture, “Monster”
means one born with birth defects.
-Birth defects is an ominous sign from God
of transgressions or bad things to come.
-The “Monsters” in Beowulf seem to
represent an inhuman or alien presence
in society that must be exorcised for the
society’s safety.

10. Motifs continued
The Beowulf monsters are outsiders, existing beyond the realm of human boundaries.
Grendel and his mother wreak havoc in Herot
Beowulf is forced to kill the two beasts so that order can be restored.
The three monsters that Beowulf slays all seem to have a symbolic or allegorical meaning:
Grendel is descended from the biblical figure Cain-who slew his own brother
Grendel represents evil in Scandinavian society of marauding and killing others
The dragon (traditional figure of medieval folklore and symbol of Christian sin) represents an external malice that must be conquered to prove a hero’s goodness

11. Motifs continued
3. Oral Tradition -Connected to the theme of establishing one’s identity -Preserves lessons and lineages of the past -Helps spread reputations -Culture has little interaction with writing which makes the spoken word a major means of learning about others -Beowulf was passed orally for many generations before being written

12. Motifs continued
3. The Mead Hall -Poem contains two mead halls: Hrothgar’s great hall of Heorot in Denmark Hyglac’s hall in Geatland -Both function as important cultural institutions that provide light and warmth, food and drink, and singing and revelry -Historically it represented a safe haven for warriors retruning from battle, a small zone of refuge within a dangerous world of threats

13. Mead Hall continued
-A place of community, preserving traditions, rewarding loyalty, and story telling and spreading reputations

14. Symbols
1. The Golden Torque -White collar or necklace that Wealhtheow gives Beowulf—symbolizes the bond of loyalty between her people and Beowulf and to the Geats -Symbolic renewal when Hygelac dies in battle while wearing the Golden Torque—furthers the idea of kinship and continuity

15. Symbols continued
2. The Banquet -After defeat of Grendel—represents restoration of order and harmony to the Danish perople -Preparation involves rebuilding the damaged mead hall and preparing for the banquet itself -Symbolizes rebirth of the community -Wholeness appears to be renewed through speeches and gift giving