Beowulf Cantos 1-43

Grendel's mother

An unnamed swamp-hag. she seems to possess fewer human qualities than Grendel, although her terrorization of Heorot is explained by her desire for vengeance

Geates and Danes

Geates- Beowulf's men and Danes- Hrothgar's men

Beowulf

Geatish hero who fights the monster Grendel, Grendel's mother, and a fire-breathing dragon

What theme is portrayed in this canto?

Glory

Theme of Beowulf

Glory, Honor/loyalty, Fate (possibility)

Who are the two monsters Hrothgar is talking about?

Grendel and his mother

Focus on the sensory details and describe Grendel's death.

Grendel's death felt good to Beowulf and his men who felt no regret of his suffering. He dragged his body to water and the surf had covered his death. The old and young rejoiced and told the bravery of Beowulf's journey of ending Grendel's life. Describing how bloody, steaming, and boiling Grendel was, when he went home after his death.

Why does Grendel's mother attack Herot? What does she take with her when she leaves? Is she satisfied when she leaves- why or why not?

She kills Herot because of her son's death. She takes the severed arm of her son back to the fen. No, because when she leaves she is seeking revenge on whoever killed her son, so king Hrothgar summons Beowulf.

Describe the home of Grendel's mother?

She lives in a cave and boils with blood and sea serpents

Motifs

Sword, glory- Hero's journey to seek adventure, object, treasure, creation story

What is the motif introduced in this section?

The Sword

What is the example of foreshadowing?

The armor that was laid beside them, laid down to sleep and they just asking to be killed again.

What elements of Christianity are evident in this passage?

The bible, Cain killed his brother, God drove him off in dry and barren desert, and God's grace strengthen him. Descendent of Cain, the first murder of Cain killing Abel. Demons or Devil.

King Hrothgar

The king of the Danes

How does Beowulf defeat her-what object helps him and to what does he attribute his victory?

To his faith in the Lord because he believes it is because of Him that he received the sword

What does Hrothgar ask Beowulf to do?

To save them

Kenning and examples

a compound expression in Old English and Old Norse poetry with metaphorical meaning. whale-road is used for the sea and "shepherd of evil" is used for Grendel.

Foreshadowing and examples

be a warning or indication of (a future event). The funeral of Shield Sheafson, with which the poem opens, foreshadows Beowulf's funeral at the poem's end; the story of Sigemund told by the scop, or bard, foreshadows Beowulf's fight with the dragon

How is Beowulf rewarded?

by giving him an embroidered banner, a helmet, a sword, an embossed ridge, a band lapped with wire, and eight horses with gold bridles

Alliteration and examples

is the use of repetition of initial sounds in words close to one another. 'Up from his swampland, sliding silently,' allow us to imagine Grendel slipping into the hall unseen.

Wealhtheow

Hrothgar's wife, the gracious queen of the Danes.

Unferth

A Danish warrior who is jealous of Beowulf. He is unable or unwilling to fight Grendel, thus proving himself inferior to Beowulf.

Grendel

A demon descended from Cain, he preys on Hrothgar's warriors in the king's mead-hall, Herot

What does Beowulf wear into battle with him this time and what does he take with him? What do you think this indicates Beowulf's feeling toward Grendel's mother?

A sword, bigger battle, she is stronger than Grendel.

Wiglaf

A young kinsman and retainer of Beowulf who helps him in the fight against the dragon while all of the other warriors run away. He adheres to the heroic code better than Beowulf's other retainers, thereby proving himself a suitable successor to Beowulf.

Describe the battle between Beowulf and Grendel's mother

Beowulf goes underwater and fights with Grendel's mother in a cave. During his descent to her lair, Beowulf is attacked by Grendel's mother and dragged to her cave. He tries to hit her with his sword but he does not succeed in piercing her skin.

Describe Beowulf's men. Are they epic warriors? Epic heroes?

Beowulf's men are loyal and that makes them epic warriors because they were ready to fight Grendel and stood by Beowulf side

Summarize the battle between Grendel and Beowulf.

Beowulf's men were ready with weapons in hand. Grendel knew his strength was wearing down. Beowulf was tearing his hands leaving Grendel in pain. Grendel bone had snapped and broke. The battle was over, and Beowulf was granted glory. Beowulf is considered to be a strongest man alive.

Hygelac

Beowulf's uncle, king of the Geats, and husband of Hygd.