Beowulf: Background About 3 rd and 4 th century Geats and Danes About 3 rd and 4 th century Geats and Danes Written down between 700-800 (725 is the date.

Beowulf: BackgroundBeowulf: Background

•About 3About 3rdrd and 4 and 4thth century Geats century Geats and Danesand Danes

•Written down between 700-800 Written down between 700-800 (725 is the date we have)(725 is the date we have)

•Epic poem Epic poem

•Written in Old English Written in Old English

Beowulf:Epic poemBeowulf:Epic poem• An epic is a specific genre of An epic is a specific genre of

classical poetry; it is a narrative classical poetry; it is a narrative poem poem

• there are various elements present there are various elements present in a traditional epicin a traditional epic

1.1. Epic HeroEpic Hero

2.2. QuestQuest

3.3. Valorous DeedsValorous Deeds

4.4. Divine intervention (not always Divine intervention (not always present)present)

– Great events (that shape history) Great events (that shape history)

• Usually starts “in media res” in the Usually starts “in media res” in the middlemiddle

What are the attributes of an What are the attributes of an Anglo-Saxon hero?Anglo-Saxon hero?

• Courage, strengthCourage, strength

• Skill with weaponsSkill with weapons

• Does not retreatDoes not retreat

• Wins or dies in attemptWins or dies in attempt

• Follows a codeFollows a code

• Motivated by: fame, revenge, helping Motivated by: fame, revenge, helping others others

• Gold, generosity and rewardsGold, generosity and rewards

Beowulf: ThemesBeowulf: Themes• Inevitability of deathInevitability of death

• Presence of evil in society Presence of evil in society

• The need for good to conquer over The need for good to conquer over evilevil

• Destruction of a proud hero Destruction of a proud hero

• Defining one’s identityDefining one’s identity

• Tension between cultural values Tension between cultural values – Which values should one follow? Which values should one follow?

IMAGES FROM BEOWULF

Beowulf: Beowulf: Paganism and ChristianityPaganism and Christianity

• Anglo-Saxons may have believe in Fate- Anglo-Saxons may have believe in Fate- they called this “wyrd” they called this “wyrd”

• Used to be a polytheistic culture Used to be a polytheistic culture • The last Pagan king in Britain died in late The last Pagan king in Britain died in late

600’s *ruled in one section-Wessex*600’s *ruled in one section-Wessex*• Paganism became a part of folklorePaganism became a part of folklore• Christianity came to Anglo-Saxons in Christianity came to Anglo-Saxons in

597 when St. Augustine set up the first 597 when St. Augustine set up the first monastery monastery

Loaded language in BeowulfLoaded language in Beowulf

• Denotation- the explicit or direct Denotation- the explicit or direct meaning or set of meanings of a meaning or set of meanings of a word or expression word or expression

• Connotation- the associated or Connotation- the associated or secondary meaning of a word or secondary meaning of a word or expression in addition to its explicit expression in addition to its explicit or primary meaning or primary meaning

9/16/109/16/10

• Copy Agenda and HWCopy Agenda and HW

• Pass Up Vocab. Slogans PUT YOUR Pass Up Vocab. Slogans PUT YOUR NAME ON THEM!NAME ON THEM!

• Answer the following Type I in your Answer the following Type I in your Notes section: Notes section:

What do you consider the What do you consider the characteristics of a hero? (4 Lines)characteristics of a hero? (4 Lines)

Turn to Page 21Turn to Page 21• We will read Part 1 together and I will model what We will read Part 1 together and I will model what

you should do after each part. you should do after each part.

Part 1: Hrothgar (Danish king) and his men Part 1: Hrothgar (Danish king) and his men vs. Grendel (a monster spawned from vs. Grendel (a monster spawned from descendents of Cain)descendents of Cain)

Part 2: Grendel goes to Herot (town where Part 2: Grendel goes to Herot (town where Hrothgar is) at night after the men are Hrothgar is) at night after the men are drunk and sleeping.drunk and sleeping.

Grendel kills and eats at least thirty men Grendel kills and eats at least thirty men and leaves. and leaves.

Beowulf:Beowulf:Discussion- The Monster Discussion- The Monster

GrendelGrendel1.1. What kind of state is Herot in for the What kind of state is Herot in for the

twelve years leading up to the arrival of twelve years leading up to the arrival of Beowulf?Beowulf?

Deserted, empty, lamenting losses. They constantly debated how to get rid of Grendel.

Beowulf: Beowulf: Discussion- Coming of Grendel Discussion- Coming of Grendel

2.2. Why didn’t Grendel touch Hrothgar’s Why didn’t Grendel touch Hrothgar’s throne?throne?

It is protected by God.

Beowulf: Beowulf: Discussion- Coming of GrendelDiscussion- Coming of Grendel

• 3. What words show a bias against 3. What words show a bias against Grendel and make him appear to be Grendel and make him appear to be “evil”? (Find words with a negative “evil”? (Find words with a negative connotation and make line references.) connotation and make line references.)

Grendel has “hatred” ; he “relishes in savage war”; he does not seek peace or offer a truce; he has “plundering claws”; he is “mankind’s enemy”; he is “bloodthirsty and horrible”;

Beowulf: Beowulf: Discussion- Coming of GrendelDiscussion- Coming of Grendel

• 4. What is the first image that the reader 4. What is the first image that the reader has of Beowulf? How would you has of Beowulf? How would you characterize Beowulf after reading this characterize Beowulf after reading this description? What images are present? description? What images are present? Be specific. Be specific.

“he is the strongest of the Geats”; greater and stronger than anyone in this world

Beowulf:Beowulf:The Arrival of the HeroThe Arrival of the Hero

•Let’s continue reading aloud parts Let’s continue reading aloud parts 4 and 5. Keep notes on your own. 4 and 5. Keep notes on your own.

How is Beowulf described? Why does Beowulf go to help the Danes?How does Beowulf feel about himself?

What lines tell you this?

Beowulf:Beowulf:The Arrival of BeowulfThe Arrival of Beowulf

• Summary:Summary:– Beowulf is welcomed by Wulfgar, a lordBeowulf is welcomed by Wulfgar, a lord– He is welcomed by the DanesHe is welcomed by the Danes– Beowulf describes why he is a fit Beowulf describes why he is a fit

opponent for Grendel- discusses his opponent for Grendel- discusses his previous conquests and previous conquests and

– He says he will purge the Danes of the He says he will purge the Danes of the Monster Monster

– Discusses fate- seems to have no fearDiscusses fate- seems to have no fear

Unferth’s Challenge Unferth’s Challenge 1.1. What role does the character of Unferth What role does the character of Unferth

seem to play in relationship to Beowulf? seem to play in relationship to Beowulf? Why would this be necessary? Why would this be necessary?

- Unferth is the first person to challenge Unferth is the first person to challenge Beowulf. He calls him a “boastful fool” (240) Beowulf. He calls him a “boastful fool” (240) and blames Beowulf’s pride for his silly and blames Beowulf’s pride for his silly swimming match. The author may have felt swimming match. The author may have felt that it was necessary to oppose Beowulf for that it was necessary to oppose Beowulf for many reasons. many reasons.

- Gives Beowulf the opportunity to tell his story Gives Beowulf the opportunity to tell his story - It also hints to a possible flaw in the hero- It also hints to a possible flaw in the hero-

excessive pride excessive pride

Unferth’s Challenge Unferth’s Challenge

2. How does Unferth view Beowulf? 2. How does Unferth view Beowulf? What phrase (include line number) What phrase (include line number) tells you? tells you?

• Unferth does not think highly of Unferth does not think highly of Beowulf and does not have faith Beowulf and does not have faith that he will conquer Grendel.that he will conquer Grendel.

• ““boastful fool” (240) boastful fool” (240)

Unferth’s Challenge Unferth’s Challenge

3. How does Beowulf’s reply to Unferth 3. How does Beowulf’s reply to Unferth defend himself? defend himself?

- Beowulf begins by admitting the he was - Beowulf begins by admitting the he was “too young to know better” but explains “too young to know better” but explains how courageous he was during this how courageous he was during this adventure. Beowulf explains that no adventure. Beowulf explains that no strength was a match for his. He shows strength was a match for his. He shows his strength in conquering sea monsters. his strength in conquering sea monsters.

Beowulf: Unferth’s Beowulf: Unferth’s ChallengeChallenge4. What is Beowulf’s explanation for not 4. What is Beowulf’s explanation for not

leaving Brecca far behind? What does leaving Brecca far behind? What does this tell you about Beowulf’s opinion of this tell you about Beowulf’s opinion of himself? himself?

• He says “He could never leave me He says “He could never leave me behind, swim faster across the waves behind, swim faster across the waves than I could, and I had chosen to remain than I could, and I had chosen to remain close to his side. I remained near his for close to his side. I remained near his for five long nights”. five long nights”.

Unferth’s Challenge Unferth’s Challenge

5. When Beowulf was seized by the 5. When Beowulf was seized by the monster, what does he credit with monster, what does he credit with saving him? Copy down the line that saving him? Copy down the line that tells you the answer. tells you the answer.

FATE! “A monster seized me, drew me FATE! “A monster seized me, drew me swiftly toward the bottom, swimming swiftly toward the bottom, swimming with its claws tight in my flesh. But fate with its claws tight in my flesh. But fate let me find its heart with my sword”let me find its heart with my sword”

Unferth’s Challenge Unferth’s Challenge

7. After he defends himself, how does 7. After he defends himself, how does Beowulf insult Unferth? Beowulf insult Unferth?

Cite 2 examples from the text. Cite 2 examples from the text. Beowulf says to Unferth that he Beowulf says to Unferth that he

“murdered his brothers” “murdered his brothers” “ “he will suffer in hell” he will suffer in hell” And Unferth is not brave enough to And Unferth is not brave enough to

fight Grendel fight Grendel

Beowulf: Unferth’s Beowulf: Unferth’s ChallengeChallenge8. What does Beowulf promise to the 8. What does Beowulf promise to the

Geats? Geats? To rid them of Grendel. To rid them of Grendel.

9. What do you predict will happen in 9. What do you predict will happen in the Battle with Grendel? the Battle with Grendel?

Unferth’s Challenge Unferth’s Challenge SummarySummary• They have a feast to prepareThey have a feast to prepare• Unferth’s Taunt Unferth’s Taunt

– Unferth challenges BeowulfUnferth challenges Beowulf– ““speaks harshly”speaks harshly”– Calls Beowulf “boastful”Calls Beowulf “boastful”– ““young and proud”young and proud”

• Is Unferth on point or he is critical Is Unferth on point or he is critical because he himself cannot be a hero because he himself cannot be a hero like Beowulf? like Beowulf?

Unferth’s Challenge Unferth’s Challenge SummarySummary• Beowulf responds with little angerBeowulf responds with little anger• He continues to reaffirm his strength He continues to reaffirm his strength

and bravery and bravery • He tells of a time when he swam He tells of a time when he swam

through the ocean for 5 nights and through the ocean for 5 nights and killed seacreatures with a sword in killed seacreatures with a sword in handhand

• He is a survivor He is a survivor • Challenges UnferthChallenges Unferth

Unferth’s Challenge Unferth’s Challenge SummarySummary• Beowulf becomes more accusatory as time Beowulf becomes more accusatory as time

goes on…goes on…• Beowulf Says that Unferth killed his own Beowulf Says that Unferth killed his own

brothersbrothers• Hrothgar is very happy to hear all of these Hrothgar is very happy to hear all of these

promises- ignores any slights that Beowulf promises- ignores any slights that Beowulf makes against the Danes makes against the Danes

• ““Let me live in greatness and courage, or Let me live in greatness and courage, or here in this hall welcome my death.”here in this hall welcome my death.”

The Battle with Grendel’s The Battle with Grendel’s MotherMother

• Grendel’s mother comes to avenge Grendel’s mother comes to avenge her son her son

• Beowulf pursues the monster in her Beowulf pursues the monster in her lair lair

• Beowulf takes a famous sword, lent Beowulf takes a famous sword, lent to him by Unferth named “Hrunting” to him by Unferth named “Hrunting”

• Cuts off her head Cuts off her head

The Fight with the Fire The Fight with the Fire DragonDragon• Beowulf becomes king of the Geatland Beowulf becomes king of the Geatland • When he is an old man, his land is When he is an old man, his land is

ravaged by a fire dragon ravaged by a fire dragon • Wiglaf is Beowulf’s beloved kinsman Wiglaf is Beowulf’s beloved kinsman

and friend and assists him and friend and assists him • Together, the two defeat the dragonTogether, the two defeat the dragon• However; Beowulf was fatally injured However; Beowulf was fatally injured • Beowulf regrets that he has no heirs Beowulf regrets that he has no heirs

The Burning of Beowulf’s The Burning of Beowulf’s BodyBody

• He asks for a great tower to be built He asks for a great tower to be built in his honor to guide sailors in his honor to guide sailors

• All the jewels he had are gone All the jewels he had are gone

• his story is sung about his story is sung about

• Everyone agrees that he was a great Everyone agrees that he was a great king and is worthy of praise king and is worthy of praise

BeowulfBeowulf

Final Discussion Final Discussion

&&

Essential ReviewEssential Review

Essential Background Essential Background InformationInformation

•BeowulfBeowulf author is anonymous author is anonymous

•Script dated to A.D. 725 Script dated to A.D. 725

•Elements of Christianity Elements of Christianity (references to one god) and (references to one god) and Paganism (sacrifice and Paganism (sacrifice and resigning to fate) resigning to fate)

•Written in Written in Old English Old English

•Epic poemEpic poem

SettingSetting

•TimeTime–33rdrd and 4 and 4thth century century

•PlacePlace–Denmark and Sweden Denmark and Sweden

•PeoplePeople–Danes and Geats Danes and Geats

ThemesThemes• Inevitability of deathInevitability of death

• Presence of evil in society Presence of evil in society

• The need for good to conquer over The need for good to conquer over evilevil

• Destruction of a proud hero Destruction of a proud hero

• Defining one’s identityDefining one’s identity

• Tension between cultural values Tension between cultural values – Which values should one follow? Which values should one follow?