Beowulf

1. Beowulf

2. Literary Terms • Epic (heroic poem) • Hero is a great leader who is identified strongly with a particular people or society • Setting is broad and often includes supernatural realms, especially the land of the dead • Hero does great deeds in battle or undertakes an extraordinary journey or quest • Sometimes gods or other supernatural or fantastic beings take part in the action • Story is told in heightened language

3. Literary Terms • Epic Hero • Central figure in a long narrative poem • Represents the best values and heroic ideals of a society or culture • Exploits, whether in victory or defeat, are held up as models for others to emulate • Beowulf represents the ideals of two societies, the Germanic warrior bound to his lord and people and also a Christian warrior, which was relatively new • Motifs – a word a character, an object, an image, a metaphor, or an idea that recurs in a work or in several works

4. Literary Terms • Understatement – a figure of speech that consists of saying less that what is really meant or saying something with less force than is appropriate • Is the opposite of hyperbole (overstatement) • Is a form of irony *Anglo-Saxon poetry is famous for its frequent use of understatement to describe dire situations • Understated threats, claims, and descriptions

5. Story Summary – Part One King Hrothgar has ruled the Danes for many years. While his subjects enjoy life in Herot, Hrothgar’s mead-hall, the monster Grendel lurks in the swamps nearby, seething with hatred for humans. Eventually, Grendel attacks Herot and kills thirty men. This marks the beginning of Grendel’s twelve-year reign of terror.

6. Rescue finally comes when Beowulf, a great warrior from the land of the Geats (southern Sweden), hears of Hrothgar’s troubles and decides to journey to Denmark with some of his strongest men to do battle with Grendel. He meets with Hrothgar and boasts of his numerous past achievements. A grateful Hrothgar accepts Beowulf’s offer of help, and a celebratory feast ensues. Unferth, one of Hrothgar’s men, accuses Beowulf of boasting and claims that Beowulf was defeated in a swimming match in his youth. Beowulf counters that in fact he slew nine sea monsters before swimming to safety. Beowulf then announces that he will fight the monster without weapons.

7. That night, Grendel arrives at Herot. He breaks down the door, devours on Geat, and then grabs Beowulf. Beowulf’s men find their weapons useless against Grendel’s magic; all they can do is look on as their leader and the monster grapple in a symbolic battle between good and evil. With God’s help, Beowulf finally rips off Grendel’s arm. Mortally wounded, Grendel retreats to his marsh. Beowulf hangs the monster’s arm from the rafters of Hrothgar’s hall. Everyone rejoices at Beowulf’s bravery and their deliverance from Grendel’s raids.

8. Story Summary – Part Two 50 years into his reign as king of the Geats, Beowulf resolves to fight a fire-breathing dragon that threatens his people. Fate will not give Beowulf glory in this battle, however. His sword angers but does not kill the dragon, which advances upon Beowulf and lays him low with its fiery breath. A true Anglo-Saxon hero, Beowulf accepts his fate without complaint while all but one of his companions run off in fear. Wiglaf alone remembers the duties due to his kinsman and berates those who run.

9. After Wiglaf and Beowulf kill the dragon, Wiglaf brings the dragon’s treasure hoard to the dying king, who thanks God that he can leave such wealth to his people. The Beowulf commissions Wiglaf to look after them and to build a memorial to him. After giving Wiglaf his armor, Beowulf dies. His ashes are placed in a tower by the sea, and twelve loyal followers mourn his loss and praise him for his great character and deeds.

10. The story, Beowulf, as it fits into the epic genre • Epic: a quest story on a grand scale • Beowulf must defeat monsters that embody dark, destructive powers • Beowulf is strongly identified with the Geats • His battle is more than a battle against monsters; he is battling evil • He and his men travel to a foreign land • Setting is broad and often includes supernatural realms, especially the land of the dead • Description of the their lair under the lake is associated with a magical, bewitched, and enchanted setting • Sometimes gods or other supernatural or fantastic beings take part in the action • References that Grendel and his mother are descendents of Cain suggests they are pure evil

11. The story, Beowulf, as it fits into the epic genre • Hero does great deeds in battle or undertakes an extraordinary journey or quest • Beowulf exploits of his strength and warrior ability are shown • Defeats Grendel and his mother • Story is told in heightened language • The language displays strong emotion and feeling • At the end, he is glorified by the people he has saved

12. Beowulf as an Anglo-Saxon Epic Hero • Possesses superior physical strength and supremely ethical standards • Embodies the highest ideals of the Anglo-Saxon culture • Bravery • loyalty • Generosity • friendship

13. Mixture of Pagan and Christian Elements • Scholars believe the piece was written by a Christian monk • “Song of Creation” at the beginning is a Christian element • Grendel is pagan in every sense of the word • Part Two: Beowulf express the Anglo-Saxon idea that a hero is both strong and virtuous • Beowulf’s final hymn is one of praise to a God who is greater than any king and who has helped Beowulf

14. Anglo-Saxon Values and Universal Themes • Values: • Courage • Loyalty • Fighting prowess • Fatalism • Themes: • Loyalty • Self-sacrifice • Triumph of good over evil • Achievement of fame through good deeds

15. What Else to Study • Read through “Grendel” by John Gardner on page 39 • Read through “Life in 999: A Grim Struggle” by Howard G. Chua-Eoan on pages 40-41 • Read through “Literary Focus: Alliteration and Kennings” pages 51-52