Fast facts on Beowulf

1. Fast facts on Beowulf • Oldest surviving epic in the English language (composed as early as c. 700) • Only one copy of it exists • Contains Pagan/Folkloric/Christian elements • In its entirety is more than 3,000 lines long

2. Original… 1-21HWÆT, WE GAR-DEna in geardagum, þeodcyninga þrym gefrunon, hu ðaæþelingasellenfremedon! oft ScyldScefingsceaþenaþreatum, monegummægþummeodosetlaofteah, egsodeeorlas, syððanærestwearðfeasceaftfunden; he þæsfrofregebad,weox under wolcnumweorðmyndumþah,oðþæt him æghwylcymbsittendraoferhronradehyranscolde, gombangyldan; þætwæs god cyning! Ðæmeaferawæsæftercennedgeong in geardum, þone God sendefolce to frofre; fyrenðearfeongeat, þehieærdrugonaldorleaselangehwile; him þæsLiffrea, wuldresWealdendworoldareforgeaf, Beowulf wæsbreme --- blæd wide sprang--- ScyldeseaferaScedelandum in. Swascealgeonggumagodegewyrcean, fromumfeohgiftumonfæderbearme,

3. Old English Eft he axode, huðæreðeodenamawæreþe hi of comon. Him wæsgeandwyrd, þæt hi Angle genemnodewæron. Þacwæð he, "Rihtlice hi sind Angle gehatene, for ðanðe hi englawlitehabbað, and swilcumgedafenaðþæt hi on heofonumenglageferanbeon." Again he [St. Gregory] asked what might be the name of the people from which they came. It was answered to him that they were named Angles. Then he said, "Rightly are they called Angles because they have the beauty of angels, and it is fitting that such as they should be angels' companions in heaven."

4. For you to translate… Hwæt, Hrodulfreadnosahrandeor— (hrandeor-deer used to pull vehicles)Næfdeþætnietenunsciendenæsðyrlas! (næsðyrlas-nostrils)Glitenodeand gladodegodlicenosgrisele. Ðahofberendas mid huscwordumhinegehefigodon; (hofberendas-hoofbeats) NoldenþageneatasHrodulfnæftig (gehefigodon-taunted)To gomenehraniscumgeadorætsomne. (to join in the mirth-making of fellow deer)Þain Cristesmæsseæfnestormigumclommum, (stormigum-stormy)HalgaClaus þætgemunde to him maðelode: (the evening of Christ’s mass)‘Neahfreondnihteagenosubeorhtende! (nosubeorhtende-nose bright one)Min hrodenhrædwængelædðu, Hrodulf!’ (my adorned, rapid wagon you will lead)Ðagelufodonhiraladdeorþalyftflogan -- Wæsglædnes and gliwdream; hornede sum gegieddode(glædnes–gladness)‘Hwæt, Hrodulfreadnosahrandeor, (readnosa-red nosed)Brad springðþinblæd: bremeeartþu!’ (bremeeartþu!-renowned art thou)

5. For you to translate… Hwæt, Hrodulfreadnosahrandeor— (hrandeor-deer used to pull vehicles)Næfdeþætnietenunsciendenæsðyrlas! (næsðyrlas-nostrils)Glitenodeand gladodegodlicenosgrisele. Ðahofberendas mid huscwordumhinegehefigodon; (hofberendas-hoofbeats) NoldenþageneatasHrodulfnæftig (gehefigodon-taunted)To gomenehraniscumgeadorætsomne. (to join in the mirth-making of fellow deer)Þain Cristesmæsseæfnestormigumclommum, (stormigum-stormy)HalgaClaus þætgemunde to him maðelode: (the evening of Christ’s mass)‘Neahfreondnihteagenosubeorhtende! (nosubeorhtende-nose bright one)Min hrodenhrædwængelædðu, Hrodulf!’ (my adorned, rapid wagon you will lead)Ðagelufodonhiraladdeorþalyftflogan -- Wæsglædnes and gliwdream; hornede sum gegieddode(glædnes–gladness)‘Hwæt, Hrodulfreadnosahrandeor, (readnosa-red nosed)Brad springðþinblæd: bremeeartþu!’ (bremeeartþu!-renowned art thou)

6. Translated… Lo, Hrodulf the red-nosed reindeer – That beast didn't have unshiny nostrils! The goodly nose-cartilage glittered and glowed. The hoof-bearers taunted him with proud words; The comrades wouldn't allow wretched Hrodulf To join the reindeer games. Then, on Christmas Eve bound in storms Santa Claus remembered that, spoke formally to him: "Dear night-sighted friend, nose-bright one! You, Hrodulf, shall lead my adorned rapid-wagon!" Then the sky-flyers praised their lead-deer – There was gladness and music; one of the horned ones sang "Lo, Hrodulf the red-nosed reindeer, Your fame spreads broadly, you are renowned!"

7. Primary Characters • Beowulf • The hero for whom the untitled poem was later named, Beowulf is the perfect warrior -- brave, strong, and honorable. While he displays enough bravado to inspire hope in the Scyldings, he is still courteous. He uses both his wits and brutestrength to defeat his foes. Beowulf's only flaw manifests in the latter part of the poem, when he decides to face the dragon alone instead of delegating the task to a younger man, and in so doing leaves his kingdom without an experienced ruler, vulnerable to its enemies.

8. Primary Characters • Hrothgar • The king of the Scyldings is a wise and venerable leader weighed down with sorrow and loss. Placed in the unenviable position of requiring outside help to solve his deadliest problem, Hrothgar nevertheless stands proud as he decides to accept Beowulf's help. Before the hero returns home, Hrothgar has wisdom to share with him about kingship, for which he believes Beowulf is eminently suited.

9. Primary Characters • Unferth • Unferth is one of Hrothgar'sScyldings, and like all the other Scyldings, he has failed to defeat Grendel, and will not face the fiend. When Beowulf arrives and is the focus of his comrade's hopes, Unferth grows jealous, and, having indulged in too much drink, he taunts the hero. Unferth's resentment and inferiority serve to throw Beowulf's greatness into sharper relief. Yet he is the one character who exhibits any growth, humbled by Beowulf's defeat of Grendel and lending his prized sword to the hero when he fights Grendel's mother. However, he understands -- as does the reader -- that he will never be a true hero.

10. Primary Characters • Wealhtheow - walchthayo • Hrothgar's wife and queen is Wealhtheow. Her appearance in Heorot lends a certain grave splendor to the festivities. It is Wealhtheow to whom Beowulf makes his pledge to kill Grendel or die in the attempt, and it is Wealhtheow's confirmation of Hrothgar's adoption of Beowulf that seems to legitimize the act. In a sense, Wealhtheowsymbolizes all that is fine and good in women, especially women of rank and sensibility.

11. Primary Characters • Grendel's Mother • A swamp-fiend like her son, Grendel's mother -- who is never named -- is just as fierce and dangerous as Grendel. Understandably enraged by the death of her offspring, the hag attacks swiftly and flees, killing Hrothgar's advisor Aeschere. But when Beowulf comes after her, she faces him willingly, dragging him into her lair and attacking him viciously. Just as much a monster as Grendel, the mother shares a very human desire for vengeance. She can be contrasted with Wealhtheow, symbolizing evil in womanhood.

12. Primary Characters • Hygelac - heeyuhlahk • Hygelac is the King of the Geats. He is fond of Beowulf, yet surprised that he has triumphed over such a deadly foe. By bestowing gifts and honors on the returning hero, Hygelac reveals how Beowulf's victories have earned him respect among the Geats. When Hygelac dies, Beowulf refuses to take the throne; only when Hygelac's son is killed does Beowulf take on the responsibility of ruling Geatland.

13. Primary Characters • The Dragon • An ancient creature, the Dragon has made his home in an even more ancient barrow, where the treasure of a long-dead pagan chieftain was hidden. When its lair is accidentally discovered, and when only one item is taken from its hoard, the Dragon awakens to bring fiery devastation to Geatland. Beowulf's battle with the Dragon will be his last.

14. Primary Characters • Wiglaf - wee lahf • A kinsman to Beowulf, Wiglaf is one of the warriors that the hero brings with him to seek out the Dragon, and the only one who joins Beowulf in his hour of need instead of fleeing. For his loyalty and courage, Wiglaf is made Beowulf's heir, signifying that the valued qualities of the warrior live on in the next generation of Scandinavian manhood.

15. Heorot

16. Kennings – metaphorical compound word or phrase substituted for a noun or name The sea – whale-road (hron-rade) swan-road (swan-rade) Ligaments – bone-locks (ban-locan) Helm of the Scyldings(helm Scyldinga) Deer – heath-stepper (haeP-stapen) Grendel’s Mother – mere-woman strong (mere-wifmihtig) or water-hag Hrunting – battle-torch (beado-leoma) Waitress – food-bringer Student – knowledge-seeker Judge – justice-maker

17. Caesura A pause dividing each line, which each part having two accented syllables to help maintain the rhythm of the lines. He took what he wanted, all the treasures Alliteration The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words, which helps unify the lines So mankind’s enemy continued his crimes.

18. Please complete this as thoroughly as possible and put in the green basket! Thanks! Name: _______(first & last)_______ 1st Period Teacher: ________ Student Survey: 1. What are your interests / hobbies? 2. In what RHS clubs / activities / organizations are you involved? 3. In what clubs / activities / organizations outside of RHS are you involved? 4. Have you ever been employed? If so, when and where? 5. Have you done volunteer work? If so, what and when? 6. After high school, what are your plans (college, technical school, military, employment). Be as specific as possible. 7. What are your career goals? 8. Who / what is most important in your life?