ENG 10H- Beowulf What is the secret of this poem that has kept it quintessential to the English literary canon?....The poem never backs away but greets what comes with courage. ---Robert F. Yeager
- What is an EPIC?
- An epic has four KEY parts:
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- About Beowulf:
DO we know who the author is?
What is the time frame of the story?
What language was it written in?
- ImPORTANT DISTINCTION-
OlD ENGLISH-
MIDDLE ENGLISH-
MODERN ENGLISH-
- EXAMPLES OF MODERN Epics-
Can you think of any further examples?......
Historical Context
The polytheistic Anglo-Saxons were largely pagan peoples who occupied England and surrounding territories after the Romans left. The epic poem Beowulf is a reflection of the Anglo-Saxon heroic code also known the comitatus. This code, or system of beliefs, lays out the rules of conduct for a good man, warrior, and king. The rules involve different specific behaviors for the different classes of people who lived at the time. For example, warriors were expected to show absolute strength, courage, loyalty, and little to no outward vulnerability; kings, however, must exhibit political wisdom, along with gracious hospitality and generosity. Epics reflect the values of the culture that produced it, and this certainly holds true in Beowulf.
As we read, you may notice that the actions of the characters in Beowulf either meet this code of comitatusor go against it. What you will learn as you read the poem, however, is that this code is not only contradictory, but also oftentimes useless. Remember that England was slowly changing from a pagan to a Christian culture. This poem, then, reflects both pagan and Christian influences.
Section I: The Wrath of Grendel
1. Where is the action taking place? What time of day is it?
2. What is happening, and how does the “monster” react? What is his name?
3. Who is Hrothgar?
4. Describe the circumstances of the monster’s birth/origins….
5. What happens in lines 34-40?
6. What action is repeated, beginning in line 49?
7. What happens to Herot? What does “twelve winters of grief” refer to?
8. Where/who does Hrothgar rule/over?
9. What does the monster continue to do? Where does he live? What is he scared to do?
10. Whose “heart” is “bent” and why?
11. What lines point to pagan rituals? Why are they mentioned?
SECTION 2: The Coming of Beowulf
1. Who is Healfdane’s son?
2. Who is described as “Higlac’s follower”? Who is Higlac?
3. Who is described as “greater and stronger than anyone anywhere in this world”? What does he decide to do?
4. How does Beowulf meet the definition of “epic hero”? Cite three pieces of evidence specific to this section.
5. What qualities does it seem like Anglo-Saxons admired in their leaders?
6. What is significant about the number 14 in this section?
7. Why is the watchman concerned about Beowulf’s arrival?
8. Who is Edgetho and why does Beowulf mention him?
9. Who is Higlac?
10. “My hands alone shall fight for me.” What does this mean, and why is it significant?
11. What does Beowulf state about “Fate”? What does it have to do with Grendel?
SECTION 3: The Battle With Grendel
1. What words add to the dark imagery of the opening lines?
2. What does Grendel notice about Herot?
3. Who or what is the “shepherd of evil”? What literary device is used here?
4. What does Beowulf do to Grendel?
5. How does this battle seem real? What specific details add to the realism?
7. What is now hanging from the “rafters” of Herot? (YIKES!)
Section 4:The Monsters’ Lair
1. What has Grendel’s mother done and why?
2. Who is the speaker at the beginning of this section?
3. What does he ask of Beowulf? What will be his reward?
Section 5: The Battle with Grendel’s mother
1. Who is speaking, and what does he ask the king to do for him if he does not return from battle alive?
2.Who is Unferth?
3. Who is Hrunting? (why might this object have been given a name?)
4. Who is the “greedy she-wolf”?
5. What has Beowulf “longed” for?
6. What “wins” this battle? How?
7. Whose corpse does Beowulf find? What does he do to it and why?
8.How is Beowulf received by his people? Cite evidence.
Section 6: The last Battle
1. Who honor is bestowed upon Beowulf? For how long?
2. What does he want to do in his old age and why?
3. What makes his use of a weapon interesting? How does this compare to his battle with Grendel?
4. How do we know that this battle is going to be different from others? Cite evidence.
5. Do Beowulf’s followers help him? Why or why not?
6. Who is Wiglaf?
7. Who is Wextan?
8. Is Wiglaf loyal or disloyal? How so?
Section 7: The Spoils
1. What are Beowulf’s last requests of Wiglaf?
2.How does Beowulf feel about death?
3. What happens in the last lines of this section?
Section 8: The Farewell
1. What does Wiglaf do to the disloyal soldiers of Beowulf?
2. How would you describe Beowulf’s legacy? How is he remembered? Why?
Archetypes in Literature
Archetype:
Archetypes produce …..
Carl Jung
Archetypes in Beowulf
Situation as archetype
Character as archetype
Symbol as archetype