1. Beowulf
Part I

2. Literary Terms
Epic- a long narrative poem that relates the great deeds of a larger-than-life hero who embodies the values of a particular society

3. Epic Hero- a mythical character who is strong, courageous, morally upright, and driven by the desire for glory. He faces enormous obstacles in these pursuits, usually some force or character that represents evil

4. Archetype- A pattern that appears in literature across cultures and is repeated through the ages. An archetype can be a character, a plot, an image, or a setting.

5. Alliteration- the repetition of the same initial sound (usually a consonant) to create a unifying sound effect or enhance a description. Peter Piper picked a peck of pickles.

6. Kenning- a special kind of metaphor that uses compound words, prepositional phrases, or possessives to modify or indirectly name a character or thing.

7. Background First masterpiece in English literature
Describes the adventure of a hero from southern Sweden who comes to the aid of the people in Denmark (Germanic People)
The Anglo-Saxons brought the story with them to England

8. The poet had absolute knowledge of Anglo-Saxon culture and tradition
Around 725 AD, someone wrote the poem in Anglish (Old English), until then it had been told by scops.
The poet had absolute knowledge of Anglo-Saxon culture and tradition
Poem provides a good picture of Anglo-Saxon life

9. When the poem was first written (NOT FIRST TOLD), the writer inserted Hebrew scripture in the text (Christianity)
Art represents life -> the pagan and Christian world colliding can be seen in the poem

10. Section 1 Two opposing images: Herot and Grendel Herot: mead hall
Earls gathered and celebrated
Place where scops told their tales

11. Grendel was born of Cain
Example of Christianity being added

12. Symbol: using a word or an object to represent an abstract idea
Grendel symbolizes:
Herot symbolizes:

13. Symbolism of Herot Grendel Light Happiness Life Good Heaven Darkness
Sadness/Pain
Death
Evil
Hell

14. Section 2 What does Grendel do? Is this heroic?
Why won’t Hrothgar’s men challenge Grendel?
Why can’t Grendel enter Hrothgar’s throne room?

15. How long does Grendel attack the Danes?
How do we see the idea that “Art Reflects Life” in this passage?

16. Section 3
Why does Beowulf (a Geat) decide to help the Danes (Hrothgar’s people)?
Heroic?

17. Section 4
At the beginning of this section, how is the poet setting up Beowulf as the epic hero?
What is the purpose Beowulf’s speech?
How will Beowulf fight Grendel?

18. According to Beowulf, what will decide the outcome of his fight with Grendel?
God & Fate

19. Seciton 5 Read Lines 190-206 Why does Hrothgar mention this?
Beowulf owes Hrothgar because Hrothgar helped his dad

20. Section 6-7
Why have the Feast?
Unity
Happiness
Remember (memory)

21. Unferth’s Challenge What does Unferth accuse Beowulf of?
Why does he insult Beowulf like this?
Unferth-> jealous of Beowulf
Attention
Afraid

22. Foil Character
Characters who contrast with each other in order to highlight each characters differences

23. How does Beowulf respond?
Stayed near Brecca
Fighting Sea monsters
Insults Unferth

24. Lines 340-343 Ring Giver Kenning Kings gave treasures Loyalty
Gives soldiers something to take to the afterlife

25. Welthow Queen  Hrothgar’s Wife Anglo-Saxon view of women
Female role model
Serve husband
Serve men
Praise men

26. Section 8 Beowulf watches Grendel kill one of his men. Heroic Gambit
Anglo-Saxon’s believed in strategy
Know your enemy

27. Battle is Symbolic Beowulf Grendel Good Heaven
God (originally an A-S god)
Evil
Hell
Satan (originally an A-S demon)

28. More symbolism
What would Herot and the Danes symbolize?
Earth

29. Beowulf Wins!
Why hang Grendel’s arm?
Proof
Be remembered

30. Section 10
Danes are happy for a day
HAPPINESS
12 YEARS
TIME

31. Art reflecting life

32. Section 11 Imagery  Using words to evoke the five senses
Negative imagery
Pain/disspair
Hell

33. Section 12 Line 573 Beowulf underwater for hours
Supernatural Powers  rewards for being the “ideal” person
Many epic heroes had special abilities
Odysseus & Luke Skywalker

34. Lines 578-632 Beowulf having trouble Looks like he will be beat
Why do this?
Build suspense

35. Section 13 Beowulf uses a sword no other human could lift
Supernatural Strength
Defeats Grendel’s mom
Cuts off Grendel’s head?
Why?

36. Final Battle Beowulf is fifty years older King of the Geats
About 70 years old (guess)
Long life  another reward for being the ideal Anglo-Saxon
Archetype
Ten commandments

37. Why does Beowulf fight the dragon?
Dragon attacks
Why does Beowulf fight the dragon?
Duty
Protect kingdom

38. Takes 11 warriors with him
10 men run away
Wiglaf remains
Beowulf and Wiglaf defeat the dragon

39. Beowulf is mortally wounded
Gives treasurer to people
Why?
Be remembered

40. Why the Shrine? People will see it and tell Beowulf’s story
Guarantees Beowulf will have a long afterlife

41. Final lesson
Wiglaf is rewarded for doing right
Becomes king