“The Wrath of Grendel”

Text / Key Details/Unknown Words / Paraphrase
Lines 1-14 / The contrast between Herot (companionship, light, singing) and the dwelling of the monster Grendel (alone, dark, growling in pain) / The Danes celebrate the completion of Herotwith a feast, at which Hrothgar'sscop or bard sings about the creation of the Earth by “the Almighty.” These joyful sounds of community and merriment fill him with anger.
Lines 15-29 / Allusion to Cain=shows his lineage of evilness;
Evil is anything opposing the will of God / But the monster Grendel, a descendent of Cain and therefore an outcast from society, hears the singing from his home in the swamp.
Lines 30-40 / Diction: “delighted with his night’s slaughter” shows he enjoys killing / That night, Grendel visits Herotas the Danes are sleeping. Grendel seizes thirty warriors and carries them to his den.
Lines 41-58 / Timing of his attacks show him as cowardly; FOIL characteristic up against Beowulf's bravery / The next morning the men woke up to see the destruction Grendel left behind. They mourned the dead, and Hrothgar pondered the fate of his men. The next night Grendel repeats his raid. After that, the Danes abandon Herot to Grendel after nightfall.
59-78 / No wergild=shows how removed Grendel is from society and how evil;
Personification: “His misery leaped the seas”; important to plot and structure of epic (this is how Beowulf hears of the problem and decides to go on the quest to help). / This situation continues for twelve years. The narrator notes that unlike men, Grendel has no desire to end the feud, or to pay compensationfor those he kills and thus make peace with their families. Hrothgar can neither make peace with Grendel, nor destroy him
79-85a / “man-kind’s enemy”=kenning; makes this battle not just about Grendel and the Danes, but good vs. evil in general; the symbolism in Grendel not being able to touch the throne furthers the theme good vs. evil / At night, Grendel continues his crimes at Herot, but he never touches King Hrothgar’s throne because it is protected by God (symbol).
85b-103 / “no solace” no peace when praying to the wrong god / In despair, Hrothgar and the Danes prayed to their heathen gods. The narrator pities them, since they did not know of the true "Lord God" and were therefore praying to demons to save them from a monster

“The Coming of Beowulf”

Text / Key Details/Unknown Words/Analysis / Paraphrase
Lines 109-124 / Epic Hero: upholds values of his culture; Based on description of Beowulf, one can tell that the Anglo-Saxon's valued strength, leadership, willingness to help others, and bravery
Pagan beliefs-“the omens were good”; however, he “thanks God for safe travel” =mix of pagan and Christian beliefs
Elevated language-“shining ship” “gleaming armor”
“sorrow simmered, bitter…” alliteration with the personification and assonance emphasizes the intensity of the suffering / Hrothgar’s sorrow continues with no relief. Beowulf hears of Grendel’s reign of terror and vows to help; so, with the blessing of his people and the aid of 14 of the strongest Geats, Beowulf sets sail for Denmark.
Lines 125-143 / -Alliteration- “sailed, set their ship…”
-Imagery/Simile-“The ship foamed through the sea like a bird…”
-he thanks God for safe travel =mix of pagan and Christian beliefs / The Geats loaded their armor into a strong boat. They felt ready for whatever might happen. Following their hearts, they set sail, traveling safely past cliffs and through ocean currents.
Lines 144-171 / Kenning-“sea-road”
Alliteration: “…prince, no permission from my people…” / Hrothgar’slieutenant/watchman patrolling the coastline sees the Geats unloading on his shore. He asks them why they are here and demands them to identify themselves, while holding out his spear.
Lines 172-198 a / Diction: loaded- “hellish” strange, cused, night slaughtered terror to the darkness (kenning), devil, evil, burning, suffering
Alliteration: high on your hills
Contrast between light and dark and good and evil; good-Geats and evil-Grendel / Beowulf responds that they are the Geats and come in friendship. He explains that they have heard of a vicious creature that has been causing suffering to Hrothgar’s people.
Lines 198b-227 / Watchman trusting Beowulf
Elevated style:
“shining decorations, glittering at the top of their golden helmets, like guards, like sentinels (simile) ready to fight, towering majestic, glittering roofs… / The lieutenant/ watchman accepts Beowulf’s words and says he will guide him in to Denmark. He assures Beowulf that his ship will be safe on their shores. The Geats march gloriously into Denmark to Herot to meet with Hrothgar.
Lines229-264 / Characteristics of Epic Hero
-“purge all evil from this hall”
(willing to help; self-confidence; etc)
-boasting (dipping with enemies’ blood…hunting monsters) / Beowulf and his men arrive at Herot; Beowulf instructs his men to wait outside. He greets Hrothgar and identifies himself and his family. Tells him he has heard of Grendel’s attacks and feels his duty to help rid them of Grendel.
Lines 264b-284 / Characteristics of Epic Hero
-Beowulf relates the type of larger-than-life accomplishments one would expect from a legendary hero, including the defeat of giants, and also establishes that he is famous for his deeds (his people have seen him in battle, and that is why they sent him). Also, his confidence in his ability to defeat Grendel is typical of a legendary hero. / Beowulf continues speaking to Hrothgar. He says he will only use his hands to fight Grendel. If Grendel is to defeat him, then send his armor to Higlac. Beowulf and his men spend the night inside Herot while his men sleep, Beowulf stays awake waiting for Grendel.

“Unferth’s Challenge”

Text / Key Details/Unknown Words/Analysis / Paraphrase
Lines 223-

“The Battle with Grendel”

Text / Key Details/Unknown Words/Analysis / Paraphrase
Lines 223- / See Summary Sheet
“shepherd of evil”
“guardian of crime”

“The Monster’s Lair”

Text / Key Details/Unknown Words/Analysis / Paraphrase
Lines 223-

“The Battle with Grendel’s Mother”

Text / Key Details/Unknown Words/Analysis / Paraphrase
Lines 449-465a / “Edgetho’s brave son”=kenning for Beowulf
“when…warm words we uttered”=alliteration and assonance
Epic Hero characteristics: “father and protector of…all I leave behind…my beloved comrades”=shows him taking responsibility for and care/and concern for his men in case something happens to him in battle
“Giver of rings”=kenning for Hrothgar

“The Last Battle”

Text / Key Details/Unknown Words/Analysis / Paraphrase
Lines 623-649 / Anglo-Saxon Values- courage expressed is typical of Anglo-Saxon hero
Note he uses a sword- different than other battles
Characteristic of Epic Hero- boastful self-confidence:
“no man but me could hope to defeat this monster…”
Pagan beliefs: “…stand till fate decides…” / See summary page
Lines 650-713 / Characteristic of the Epic:
“Beowulf rose, still brave, still strong…”-elevated language
“…strode calmly,confidently toward the tower…” alliteration and assonance
Lines 714-739 / Anglo-Saxon culture – Wiglaf identified by his father “The Wexton’s son”; and the passing down of sword and armor is highly valued
Lines 740-760a / Break in comitatus when the men fled and deserted their king=betrayed their king and their whole value system of the warrior culture
Lines 760b-774 / Symbolism
Dragon-evil
Beowulf-good
Wiglaf- loyalty; “passing of the torch”

“The Spoils” and “The Farewell”

Text / Key Details/Unknown Words/Analysis / Paraphrase
Lines 775-795 / Imagery in the description of the treasure; light imagery / See summary page
Lines 796-815 / “the gray-bearded lord of the Geats” =kenning for Beowulf
Lines 816-830 / Anglo-Saxon culture=the importance of being remembered
Lines 831-842 / Symbolism =passing of the necklace signifies passing of kingship
Last of a “far-flung family” = he and Wiglaf last of the true, noble warrior
Lines 843-869 / Allusion-“mild prince” bible refers to Jesus as mild prince in New Testament