Beowulf

Beowulf History

• Written c. 700 C.E.(A.D)

• Author unknown

• Often called the beginning of English literature. The first great work of the

English national literature.

• Written in what is now called Old English

• Only one complete original copy remains

Epic Poem

An EPIC is a long narrative poem which follows a hero’s struggle against

universal issues.

• A larger-than life hero

• The Supernatural

• Elevated language style

Literary Devices

• Kennings – descriptive compound words

• Alliteration – the repetition of consonant and vowel sounds at the

beginnings of words

• Caesura – a rhythmical pause

Key Characters and Places

• Hrothgar – King of the Danes, builder of Herot. He had once befriended

Beowulf ’s father.

• Grendel – a man-eating monster who lives at the bottom of a foul mere, or

mountain lake. A descendent of Cain.

• Herot – The Danish king’s meeting hall. It is a golden guest-hall built by

King Hrothgar. A place for the knights to meet, eat, and drink.

• Beowulf – a Geat, son of Edgetho and nephew of King Higlac’s, king of

the Geats. He is the strongest of the Geats. Higlac is Beowulf ’s feudal lord

as well as his uncle.

Key Characters and Places • Unferth – one of Hrothgar’s courtiers, who is reputed to be a skilled warrior. His

sword, called Hrunting, is used by Beowulf in a later battle. Unferth - He is a

Danish warrior who is jealous of Beowulf. He is unable or unwilling to fight

Grendel, thus proving himself inferior to Beowulf. He is considered to be

Beowulf ’s foil. A foil is a character whose traits contrast with and thereby accentuate

those of another character.

• Welthow – Hrothgar’s wife, queen of the Danes.

• Wiglaf – a Geat warrior, one of Beowulf ’s select band, and the only one to help

him in his final fight with the dragon. Wiglaf might be related to Beowulf.

• Hrothgar’s lieutenant – a Danish watchman who patrols the coastline.

• Aeschere - Hrothgar’s trusted adviser

The Three Monsters

• Grendel - man-like monster. Gives Beowulf the struggle of Man VS Man

and Man VS Supernatural

• Grendel's Mother - less human than her son. An older more animal-like evil.

• The Dragon - the oldest form of evil. It is also referred to as the worm.

Overview

• What is the main theme of Beowulf?

• What are 3 qualities the Anglo-Saxons demanded that their hero?

• How does Beowulf prove to be an epic hero?

• Identify both Pagan and Christian elements as you read.

Let the Journey Begin!

Beowulf

Part One – Grendel Attacks the Danes &

The Coming of Beowulf

Key Vocabulary and Terms

• Moors – large areas of open land, often poorly drained

• Banished – forced to leave; exiled

• Truce – a temporary halt to fighting

• Omens – signs

• Moored – secured; made fast

• Sentinels - watchmen

Reading Guide – Lines 1 - 268

• What is Grendel? Where does he live?

• What does Grendel do when he finds the warriors asleep in Herot?

• Hrothgars’ remaining warriors leave Herot and scatter throughout the country. For how long is Herot deserted?

• Grendel lives in a state of war with the Danes. What actions does he take against Hrothgar’s remaining warriors?

• Though Grendel lives at Herot after the slaughter, what does he leave undisturbed? Why?

• In the far-off land of Geat, Beowulf hears of the troubles with Grendel. What does Beowulf do?

• Beowulf and his men arrive. The guard takes the soldiers to Herot. After offering his services to Hrothgar, what favor does Beowulf ask?

Beowulf

Part Two – The Battle with Grendel &

The Battle with Grendel’s Mother

Key Vocabulary and Terms

• Relished – took pleasure in

• Retreat – withdrawal

• Grating – scratching

• Cowering – shrinking away

• Taut – tightly drawn

• Afflictor – ones who causes suffering

• Heaving – rising or swelling

• Mail – flexible armor of metal rings

• Avenge – to seek vengeance

• Fetters - chain

Reading Guide – Lines 269 - 579 • Where does Grendel tear open the door and force his way in ? What does he find there?

• What does Grendel do to the first warrior?

• Who is the second warrior Grendel attacks? What happens?

• The Geats try to help Beowulf fight Grendel, but Grendel has put a spell on their swords, making the swords useless. How does the battle end?

• Grendel’s mother avenges her son’s death by killing Hrothgar’s closest friend. Beowulf jumps into the lake to pursue Grendel’s mother. He fights her, but his sword and his helmet fail to protect him. What does protect Beowulf ?

• After Beowulf kills Grendel’s mother, he searches for another “dead monster.” What does Beowulf find?

• The other soldiers wait beside the lake while Beowulf fights below. What do the soldiers think has happened?

• The proud Geats walk with Beowulf back to Herot. What does Beowulf do when he reaches the hall?

Beowulf

Part Three – The Battle with the Dragon and

The Funeral Fire

Key Characters

• Dragon – a guard of a great ancient treasure

• Thief – an escaped slave who steals from the dragon’s treasure and enrages

the dragon

• Wiglaf – a courageous warrior of Beowulf

Key Vocabulary and Terms

• Boast – vain or exaggerated statement

• Livid – grayish-blue coloration from an injury

• Bolted – broke away from a group; abandoned

Reading Guide – Lines 580 - 1136

• After several kings succeed to the throne, Beowulf becomes king of the Geatland. How many years has he served as king?

• A dragon guards an ancient treasure. What causes the dragon to become angry?

• What does the dragon do after he discovers the robbery?

• Beowulf decides to fight the dragon to defend his people. Who fights with Beowulf, and who deserts him?

• What happens in the battle of the dragon against Beowulf and Wiglaf ?

• What happens to Beowulf ? For whom is the funeral fire?