Beowulf Presentation

Study Guide for Beowulf and Anglo-Saxon Period

AD 449 Germanic tribes invade England. Angles, Saxons, and Jutes  settle England.  Romans  Withdraw. Celts Flee to Wales and Northern France (Brittany). The first recorded Anglo-Saxon settler in England: Hengest came to England with Horsa at the invitation of King Vortigern to fight the Picts. The same Hengest then attacked Vortigern and the Britons, won many battles, and instigated the Kingdom of Kent. Danes and Geats struggle with other tribes in Zealand and  Sweden.

Essential Questions 1. Beowulf is an epic poem. Define epic poem. 2. Which parts of the heroic cycle does Beowulf represent? 3. What are the three stories in the plot of Beowulf? 4. What language was Beowulf sung in? Composed in? 5. Who composed Beowulf? When? Why? 6. How does the poet show alliteration?

AD 510 to 521

Hygelac, king of the Geats, won the battle at Ravenswood in about 510AD. Hygelac was killed when he was attacking the Frisians in about AD521. Beowulf, nephew of Hygelac, is a young man.

AD 550 TO 580

Estimate of Beowulf’s death varies from 550 to 580. Rich Ship Burials of Vendel and Valsgarde in Sweden. The poem Beowulf could not have been composed before  Beowulf’s death. Thus the 6th century marks the events of Beowulf’s epic story.

AD 597

St. Augustin arrives in Kent to bring Christianity to England. First Anglo-Saxon conversions to Christianity occur. King Ethelbert converts to Christianity. In Ireland, missionaries convert northern tribes. Within 75 years most of England is Christian.

AD 625 Sutton Hoo ship is buried near Suffolk. . The burial may have been tied to the palace of Rendelsham. Some scholars believe that Beowulf was composed in Redelsham  near Suffolk. Not only was the ship burial uncannily like the burials of Scyld  and Beowulf, but the grave goods revealed the East Anglian court  of the Wuffingas to be unexpectedly sophisticated and closely  linked to the Swedish royal house at Uppsala.  Perhaps the poem was composed to show East Anglicans their Scandanavian heritage.

680 to 731

Age of Bede 680 to 730 in Northumbria. Monks transcribe religious and historical texts. Some scholars think Beowulf was composed during this time in  Northumbria by a poet­monk working from a story song passed  down orally.

757-796

Reign of King Offa in Mercia. References to Offa appear in digressions within the larger text  of Beowulf. The digression about Offa could be a way to praise Offa’s  patronage.

871 to 899

Reign of King Alfred the Great. Under Alfred the Great’s patronage, the manuscript is written  in West Saxon dialect. Alfred unites all kingdoms in Southern England and causes the  Vikings to retreat north of a line determined by a treaty called  the Danelaw.

18th century

The only manuscript of Beowulf  was discovered burnt and  stained from fire. The manuscript had survived Henry VIII’s destruction of the  monasteries in the sixteenth century.

The Geography of Beowulf

The Heroic Cycle Returns home victorious.

Departure

Temptation The Return Sacrifice Fights Monsters. Resists Fear. Three Temptations.

Followers Everybody Cheers!

Fulfillment Kills monsters for a living.  Slays Dragons Physical and  Psychological.

Definition of a Hero: Someone who has achieved beyond  the normal range of experiences.

• Motherhood • Entering the world  as a child • Responsibility to  humanity Accidental Hero:  Luke Skywalker Chosen Hero:  Firefighter

Types of Heroes The Types:

The Examples:

Physical:  Deed Hero, faces  physical trials

•George Washington •Stonewall Jackson

Psychological:  Emotional,  Mental

•Martin Luther King •Gandhi •Oprah •Einstein •Abraham Lincoln

Spiritual 

•Jesus •Moses •Jesse Jackson •Mother Teresa

Anti Hero

•Adolph Hitler •Devil Concept

Beowulf  Grendel Attacks Herot

Discussion Notes 

• Reference:  pp. 18­37 • Write line numbers • Add discussion notes to post­its in your test

A Summary of Section I: Hrothgar, king of the Danes, has built the greatest of Viking mead halls. Heorot, as the hall is known, is the greatest gathering place so grand that the tales of its splendor have spread far and wide. Then, Grendel strikes. A blood-thirsty monster, Grendel stalks the hall at night, killing the sleeping soldiers and bolting down their bodies— hand and foot. No one can match Grendel’s strength. The Danes become so afraid that they leave the mead hall for twelve years, which hurts Hrothgar’s pride.

Lines 5 to 13 What is the poet alluding to in these lines? Call and the poet’s clear songs, sung  Of the ancient beginnings of us all, recalling The Almighty making the earth, shaping These beautiful plains marked off by oceans, Then proudly setting the sun and moon To glow across the land and light it.

Lines 31 Herot Means “hart” or “stag.”  the hart  was a symbol of kingship to the  Anglo­Saxons.

Lines 37 to 48 Why do none of Hrothgar's men challenge "Grendel?

…Knowing by its tracks that some demon had torn  His followers apart.

Lines 52 to 58 Grendel symbolizes evil. The conflict is not only between men but also between good and evil.

No savage assault quench his lust For evil…. Distance was safety; the only survivors  Were those who fled him.  Hate had triumphed.

Lines 81 to 85 God prevents Grendel from touching Hrothgar's throne.

…he never Dared to touch king Hrothgar’s glorious Throne, protected by God ­­ God Whose love Grendel could not knows….

Lines 86 to 89 The helplessness of Hrothgar and his men lasts for twelve years.

…The best and most noble  Of his council debated remedies, sat In secret sessions, talking of terror  And wondering what the bravest of warriors could do.

Lines 90 to 94 Pagan elements intermixed with Christian elements.

A pagan scop may have composed and sung the story.   A Christian monk may have transcribe it. And sometimes they sacrificed to the old stone gods, Made heathen vows, hoping for Hell’s Support, the Devil’s guidance in driving…

Lines 109 to 110 The Geats

The Geats lived in what is today south­western Sweden.   Higlac, king of the Geats and Beowulf’s kinsman, was killed  in a raid on the Franks in 521.  In the complete poem, the  end of the poem forecasts the Geats’ defeat by another tribe,  the Swedes.

Line 139 The Mail Shirt of Armor

Composed of as many as  twenty thousand small iron  rings riveted or welded shut,  creating a mesh­net effect.

Lines 142 to 143 Was Beowulf offensively arrogant or just providing his credentials?

Higlac is my cousin and my king; the days of my youth have been filled with glory.

Lines 163 to 174 Why does Beowulf intend to fight Grendel without a sword? …I have heard, Too, that the monster’s scorn of men Is so great that he needs no weapons and fears none. Nor will I.  My lord Higlac Might think less of me if I let my sword Go where my feet were afraid to, if I hid Behind some broad linden shield.  My hands Alone shall fight for me…

Lines 184 to 189 Introducing the character of Beowulf and the Anglo-Saxon concept of fate..

And if death does take me, send the hammered Mail of my armor to Higlac, return The inheritance I had from Hrethel, and he From Wayland.  Fate will unwind as it must!

Lines 190 to 205 Hrothgar reminds Beowulf of the time he helped Beowulf's father. Hrothgar was once, like Beowulf now, in a position to  restore peace to a troubled land.   Beowulf now comes to repay his father’s debit,  to honor the man who enabled his father to return to his  country.

Lines 207 to 212 What does Horthgar's speech tell us about him?

A strong king. Loyal to his allies. But broken by Grendel’s reign of terror. A compassionate ruler mourning the  death of his thanes.

Summary of Section II: News of Hrothgar’s plight reaches the land of the Geats, where young Beowulf lives. His father and Hrothgar have been friends in their youth, and Beowulf feels it is his duty to go to Denmark to lend his air to his father’s old friend. Beowulf arrives in Hrothgar’s kingdom and is met by the tragic sight of the ruined Heorot. The remaining Danes are frightened and bitter, and the old king is broken in despair. When they hear that Beowulf intends to face Grendel, they are astonished to his claim. One of the men, Unferth bristles at Beowulf’s boasting. Unferth says he has heard tales of a swimming contest between Beowulf and Breca—a contest Beowulf lost.

Summary Continued: Beowulf sets the score straight by telling the real story of the contest, in which he had to take time out from the swimming to battle sea monsters. Unferth is agitated by Beowulf’s confidence, but Beowulf is firm in his resolve. The Danes leave Heorot as night falls. Beowulf waits for Grendel. Grendel rises from his lair and makes his way to Heorot to feed once more on the flesh of men. But as he approaches, Beowulf grabs the monster’s arm and refuses to let go. They battle long and hard, but Beowulf’s determination wins out. In a final, wrenching tug, Beowulf pulls off Grendel’s arm. The monster, mortally wounded, slinks off to his den.

Lines 233 to 238 What is Unferth's motive for challenging Beowulf?

…angry that anyone  In Denmark or anywhere on earth had ever Acquired glory and fame greater Than his own:

Lines 239 to 245 A hero's challenge by a character of inferior status.

A regular motif of heroic poetry. Allows the hero to show self assertiveness and restraint and courtesy. You’re Beowulf, are you­­the same Boastful fool who fought a swimming Match with Brecca, both of you daring And young and proud…Older and wise heads warned you Not to, but no one could check such pride.

Lines 266 to 267 Beowulf's great courage and his compassion.

…But the truth Is simple:  No man swims in the sea As I can, no strength is a match for mine.

Lines 272 to 290 Examples of Alliteration

Look for consonant and internal vowel sound repetition.

Lines 293 to 297 In what ways does Beowulf compare his defeat of the sea monsters to a feast?

Offering the edge of my razor­sharp sword But the feast, I think, did not please them, filled Their evil bellies with no banquet­rich food, Thrashing there at the bottom of the sea.

Lines 305 to 306 What does Beowulf believe about fate?

…Fate saves The living when they drive away death  by themselves!

Lines 315 to 321 Unferth serves as a foil to Beowulf. A foil in literature is a character who contrasts with another. No tales of you, Unferth, telling Of such clashing terror, such contests in the night! Brecca’s battles were never so bold; Neither he nor you can match me ­­ …You murdered your bothers, Your own close kin.

Lines 320 to 321  Wergild or "Man- Payment" Killing one’s kindred was a  heinous act among Anglo­ Saxon nobility. Wergild could not be made  to one’s own relatives. One could not make amends  for the murder of kin.

Lines 340 to 343  Batman and Beowulf What works are based on the basic theme of good vs. evil? Movies? Science Fiction Heroes? What are some similarities between heroes like Batman and  Beowulf? …he believed In Beowulf’s bold strength and the firmness of his spirit.

Lines 345 to 563  Welthow, Hrothgar's Wife …she raised a flowing cup To Hrothgar first…wishing him joy … She saluted the Geats’ Great prince, thanked God for answering her  prayers, For allowing her hands the happy duty…

Lines 364 to 369  Life without Greatness or Courage Let me live in greatness And courage, or here in this hall welcome My death!

Lines 379 to 381  Personification How is the coming of night personified as the sun sets? When night had covered the earth with its net And the shapes of darkness moved black and silent Through the world…

Lines 388 to 391  What is the purpose of Hrothgar's promise to Beowulf? The Contract: “Make this best of all mead­halls yours, and then keep it free of evil, fight With glory in your heart!  Purge Herot And your ship will sail home with its treasure­holds full.” 

Lines 421 to 429  Why does Beowulf allow Grendel to slaughter one of the Geats before taking action himself? Grendel snatched at the first Geat He came to, ripped him apart, cut His body to bits with powerful jaws, Drank the blood from his veins, and bolted Him down, hands and feet;

Lines 432  Kennings Shepherd of evil Guardian of crime See pages 48 and 49 for  more about kennings.

Lines 451 to 463  The Magnificent Treasures Described in Beowulf Walls shaped and fastened with iron. Gold­covered boards. Ivory and iron and wood. A roof of gold. The burial mound at Sutton Hoo in East Anglia yielded many  treasures proving the artisans were capable of magnificent  treasures.

Lines 475 to 479  Anglo-Saxon Code of Honor

All of Beowulf’s  Band had jumped from their beds, ancestral Swords raised and ready, determined  to protect their prince if they could.

Lines 487 to 493  

What additional evidence is there that the fight between Grendel and Beowulf is symbolic of the war between good and evil? …what it meant To feud with Almighty God;

Lines 515 to 517  

Why does Beowulf hang Grendel's arm from the rafters of Herot?

The victory, for the proof, hanging high From the rafters where Beowulf had hung it…

Lines 528 to 534   The Vision of Hell Similar to Sermon 17 of 10th c. Bickling Homilies in which  St. Paul visits hell under the protection of St. Michael. The water bloody, steaming and boiling In horrible pounding waves, heat Sucked from his magic veins; but the swirling Surf had covered his death, hidden Deep in murky darkness his miserable End., as hell opened to receive him.

Lines 546 to 558   Images of Death and Darkness

Find the images of death and  darkness in the description  of Grendel’s lair.  List them.

Summary of Section III: King Hrothgar and his men return to Heorot to toast Beowulf’s victory. The rowdy celebration features a contest of strength. Unferth challenges Beowulf once again. In the midst of all the revelry, there is a scream of mortal agony. Grendel’s mother has struck in revenge. Beowulf sets out to find her and bring an end to the reign of evil. Beowulf travels to the lake where the monster hides. Armed with only his inner determination and nobility of purpose, Beowulf dives deep to the bottom, where the she-monster awaits him. Again, Beowulf is victorious. Content that he has restored peace to King Hrothgar’s land, Beowulf sets sail for his home country.

Summary Continued: Fifty years pass. Beowulf becomes king in his own country. He rules wisely and his people love him for his generosity. The fame of his deeds has brought honor and renown to his name throughout the Viking world. Then, a dragon awakes and brings terror to the land. Beowulf announces that he will put his monster to sleep as he did the monsters in his youth. A young warrior, Wiglaf, approaches the old king and swears to stay by his side in the heat of combat. Beowulf welcomes him and the two go into the fiery battle.

Summary Continued: Although he is old now, Beowulf is still driven by his noble courage. He succeeds in wounding the dragon seriously, but the dragon lashes Beowulf with his poisonous flames. Wiglaf delivers the death blow, and then discovers his dying king. With his final breath, Beowulf passes his mantle of leadership on to young Wiglaf. A great mound is erected near the edge of the sea, and Beowulf is laid to rest. All the people pay tribute to the great King Beowulf: a man of true kindness, great deeds and noble name.

Making Meanings   Answer questions 1 through 8 on p. 38. Create a chart that describes the three battles: •  Beowulf with Grendel. •  Beowulf with Grendel’s mother. •  Beowulf with the dragon. Use these questions to ask questions and prepare  for projects and test.  Submit On Oct. 2nd, the  day of the Beowulf and Old English test.

Lines 595 to 612 Characteristics of an Epic Hero Exhibits superhuman strength; nothing can stop him! …Angry; the steel-edged blade lay where He’d dropped it. If weapons were useless he’d use His hands, the strength in his fingers. So fame Come to the men who mean to win it And care about nothing else!

Lines 633 to 637 Christian Parallels Critics who trace Christian parallels throughout the epic have commented that Beowulf’s immersion into the lair is a kind of baptism by which he is washed clean of sins.

Then he saw, hanging on the wall, a heavy Sword, hammered by giants, strong And blessed with their magic, the best of all weapons But so massive that no ordinary man could lift Its carved and decorated length.

Lines 667 to 701 Beowulf Remains the Epic Hero Read the selection and answer the following question: To what extent has Beowulf remained an epic hero?

Lines 746 to 749 Comitatus Some critics see the failure of Beowulf’s men to come to his aid as an ominous forecast of the demise of the Anglo-Saxons, whose society was built around the code of the comitatus, in which a leader who rewarded his loyal followers with riches expected loyalty in return. None of his comrades Came to him, helped him, his brave and noble Followers; they ran for their lives, fled Deep in a wood.

Lines 789 to 790 Alliteration …Butchered by his savage beast: We swore That these swords and armor were each for us all!”

What examples of alliteration can you find in the passage?

Lines 829 to 834 Hero Until The End …And then twelve of the bravest Geats Rode their horses around the tower, Telling their sorrow, telling stories Of their dead king and his greatness, his glory; Praising him for heroic deeds, for a life As noble as his name….