Beowulf pp
- 1. BEOWULF Honors English IV Mr. Wardlow
- 2. Background of Beowulf •Although Beowulf is considered English literature, it is not set in England •Germanic tribes invaded present- day England in the fifth-century AD; they brought their stories with them
- 3. Germanic Tribes Angles, Saxons, and Jutes
- 4. Who is Beowulf? Beowulf is a great warrior who comes to the aid of a group of people whose lives are in jeopardy. Later in his life, he becomes king.
- 5. Where is Beowulf from? Beowulf is a Geat warrior who crosses the sea to come to the aid of the Danes. Beowulf later returns to Sweden to succeed his uncle as king of the Geats. The Geats are from present-day Sweden.
- 6. Major Issues of Beowulf Above is a picture of the only surviving manuscript of Beowulf.
- 7. Beowulf: Setting Issues The narrative is set in pre-Christian past. However, England had become Christian by the time it was composed Setting—late 5th to early 6th century (400- 500) AD Composition date—most scholars believe that it was composed sometime between 8th and 10th century (700-900) AD Because of these facts, there are elements of Christianity and paganism in Beowulf
- 8. Beowulf: Major Issues As we read and discuss Beowulf, you should also consider these issues …
- 9. Think about … What is the attitude of the poet to Beowulf? Is this poem a monster tale? Based on your reading of Beowulf, what qualities or values did the Anglo- Saxons admire? Is Beowulf a type of
- 10. Think about … Symbols and their importance. What do the following items symbolize? Herot Grendel (esp. the claw and the head) the lair of Grendel and his mother the dragon’s hoard
- 12. Consider for the following as you read … Epic: a long narrative poem about the adventures of a hero Alliteration: repetition of consonant sounds. Anglo-Saxon poetry consists of two half lines featuring alliteration separated by a caesura Caesura: pause in a line of poetry, usually in the middle of the line
- 13. Critical Terms (cont.) Wyrd: Anglo-Saxon word which refers to a mixture of fate and happening in Beowulf Wergild: literally, ―man-payment,‖ a term referring to the payment made to the family of a slain kinsman intended to prevent them from taking revenge against the slayer Dom: refers to the fame which pagan Germanic heroes sought to gain for themselves on earth
- 14. Critical Terms (cont.) Kenning: a poetic device used by Anglo-Saxon poets. It is a descriptive expression, often metaphoric, employing compound terms; e.g. ―ring- giver‖ for king, ―heaven’s candle‖ for sun, and ―whale-road‖ for sea. Comitatus: a Latin term describing the military bonds for Anglo-Saxon society. The comitatus consisted of a lord and his warriors who show fierce loyalty to him. The lord-warrior bonds were cemented by gift-giving.
- 15. Before Beowulf was written … it was not only spoken, it was sung!
- 16. The Anglo-Saxon tradition of the scop The scops (pronounced ―shopes‖) were both composers and storytellers who traveled from court to court and village to village. People would gather around to hear the stories recited and chanted and sung. Simply put, the scops were entertainers.
- 18. The following are characteristics of most epics: Hero, usually male, is of noble birth; often of legendary importance Hero’s character traits reflect ideals of his society Hero performs courageous and sometimes superhuman deeds Action of the hero often determine the fate of the nation or a group of people
- 19. The following are characteristics of most epics (cont.): The setting is vast in scope, often involving more than one nation The poet uses formal and serious language Major characters often deliver long speeches
- 20. The following are characteristics of most epics (cont.): Plot complicated by supernatural beings and may involve a dangerous journey through foreign lands The poem reflects timeless values such as courage and honor The poem treats universal themes such as good and evil or life and death
- 21. Connect Beowulf to your life … Turn to p. 30 in your text Read the Connect to Your Life paragraph Think of the qualities that make people heroes in your life
- 23. “a powerful monster living in the darkness” Open your book to p. 33
- 24. Grendel Review ll. 1-29 What are the origins of Grendel? What kind of inverse values and ethics does Grendel embody? Anglo-Saxon literary culture, all monstrous beings descended from Cain, perhaps reflecting the strong taboo against kin-slaying so important in Anglo-Saxon law and culture.
- 25. The Danes Review ll. 15 ff Who is the king of the Danes? What is Herot?
- 26. What does Grendel have for breakfast?
- 27. A couple of Danish!
- 28. Grendel attacks! Review ll. 30 ff. How many men does he eat? How long does Herot remain deserted? What is Hrothgar’s reaction?
- 29. Grendel attacks! Describe what Why does Hrothgar’s Review Grendel council not attack did in ll. 89 ff. Hrothgar’ order to s throne? drive away Grendel.
- 32. The strongest of the Geats Review ll. 104 ff. Beowulf and thirteen of his bravest warriors cross the sea to aid the Danes Who is Wulfgar?
- 33. Beowulf arrives in the land of the Danes Review ll. 141-93 Beowulf boasts! How will he fight Grendel? Who ultimately will decide the winner of the fight between Grendel and Beowulf? Who is Edgetho?
- 34. Beowulf arrives in the land of the Danes Review ll. 190 ff. Hrothgar came to Edgetho’s rescue by sending treasures to Edgetho’s enemies, the Wulfings, thus buying peace between the tribes
- 36. Beowulf battles Grendel! See ll. 233-42. How is Grendel described; how is Herot different this time? See ll. 248-57. How is Grendel described? What are his emotions? See ll. 257-59. What will be Grendel’s fate? Review ll. 268 ff. The battle has begun. How are Beowulf and Grendel described?
- 37. The battle rages on! Why are the weapons of Beowulf’s men useless? (see ll. 290-300) How does Beowulf mortally wound Grendel? (see ll. 337-340) Grendel goes to die (l. 352)
- 38. Grendel’s Mother Another monster lives, bent on revenge!
- 39. Grendel’s mother wants revenge! Hrothgar’ s best friend is killed by Grendel’ s mother! (l. 410)
- 40. The lair of Grendel’s mother Ll. 397-409— describe Grendel’s mother L. 410-11—Grendel’s mother kills Hrothgar’s best friend Aeschere Ll. 434-39: How do the forest animals react to the lake? Ll. 444-49: Hrothgar’s request
- 41. The Battle with Grendel’s Mother Beowulf meets his match!
- 42. Battle with Grendel’s Mother L. 455: How long has she ruled the lake where she lives? Ll. 458-69:the struggle b/w Beowulf and Grendel’s mother, inside a battle-hall L. 480: Hrunting Ll. 513-25 Beowulf kills Grendel’s mother Ll. 526-45: Beowulf mutilates Grendel’s body
- 43. The Battle with Grendel’s Mother Ll. 549-55: the old Dane warriors thought Beowulf was dead Ll. 562 ff.: sword used to decapitate Grendel dissolves; Ll. 578 ff.: Beowulf leaves the treasure at the lair; brings back Grendel’s head to Herot as a trophy
- 44. Beowulf’s Last Battle And the death of Beowulf
- 45. Dragon interlude
- 47. Beowulf's Last Battle Ll. 606-11: Beowulf is still boasting! Ll. 613-32: Beowulf describes how he will fight the dragon Ll. 665-70: Beowulf in a fight for his life! Ll. 691-96: Beowulf’s followers flee Ll. 708-35: Wiglaf scolds the fleeing warriors
- 48. The Death of a Hero But the legend lives on!
- 49. The Death of Beowulf Beowulf Ll. 741-42: Does Beowulf have an strikes at heir? the dragon again! L. 745: How long was Beowulf Beowulf king? is mortally wounded Ll. 753: a reference to Anglo- in the Saxon views about kin-slaying neck. Ll. 754-61: What does Beowulf Wiglaf ask of Wiglaf? strikes the dragon Ll. 764-94: Wiglaf enters the and it is finally dragon’s tower where all its killed. treasures were stored
- 50. The Dragon’s Treasure Ll. 764-94 Why is this scene important? The Dragon hoards all the treasure which goes against the idea of comitatus. Now that the dragon is dead, all the treasures can be shared
- 51. Death comes for Beowulf l. 801: Do you think Wiglaf is a Christian? ll. 805-19; 824-27: Beowulf’s dying words l. 811: Wiglaf will be the next king ll. 812-19:
- 52. Christian elements in Beowulf Review the death of Beowulf scene and find elements of Christianity. Share with the class!
- 53. Wiglaf to the Beowulf’s men … L. 849: Wiglaf calls Beowulf’s men who ran Lead ―cowards‖ your life Ll. 851-62: Wiglaf tells the ―brande men who ran that they have dishonored and disgraced d with the entire community disgrace L. 865: Beowulf’s men weep !‖ as they see his body resting on the sand
- 54. Mourning Beowulf • ll. 874-75: Beowulf’s ashes are placed in the tomb • Ll. 880-83: All the treasures that were gained from the dragon’s lair were buried in the sand • Ll. 885 ff.: Twelve of the greatest Geats rode and told of Beowulf’s greatness , said no better king had ever lived, no other man deserved as much praise
- 56. Find these examples in Beowulf Alliteration Kenning Caesura Hyperbole
- 57. Literary devices defined Alliteration – the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of a word. Kenning – metaphorical compound words or phrases substituted for simple nouns. Caesura– a pause or break in a line of poetry. Hyperbole – a figure of speech in which the truth is exaggerated for effect.