Beowulf: Quiz
Beowulf's speech: Tone Read Beowulf's speech in lines 311-352. What is the tone? What does this tell you about Beowulf?
"Hail Hrothgar" Honoring the king (cleaning up his problem of Grendel) *Beowulf showing respect* Hrothgar is above Beowulf. (Soldier of king) Respects Hrothgar as both my king and my family. -I'm not just here working for the king, connected to him and respect him. -Beowulf is sucking up to the Danes. SUCKING UP. -If Beowulf defeats Grendel he becomes famous AND pays off his debt. PROTECTS him and his future family. -Doesn't wanna look like a coward THE TONE OF THIS IS ABOUT RESPECT. The tone of Beowulf's speech is very serious and from this you can tell that Beowulf is a very proud, determined warrior who will fight to the death if it means saving others from evil. He would rather die fighting then let Grendel get away with his actions.
"guerdom" means
"reward". For example, today, if someone decided to pay another person to shovel their driveway
What was "wergild"?
- the amount of compensation paid by a person committing an offense to the injured party or, in case of death, to his family. • Wergild means "man-payment" or compensation to the families of warriors killed
how has bro love been shown in Beowulf
-Beowulf connecting the people he brought with him (army) when going to fight Grendel (makes their kingdom look good because they receive money and fame after fighting Grendel) -If Beowulf succeeds everyone he has mentioned looks good (give up power but share the fame) now: 21st Century -Frats lol
how has public reputation been shown in Beowulf
-Beowulf fighting Grendel -Beowulf introducing who he is and his family now: 21st Century: -Doing dumb things on camera -Social media -Money
Do they follow the rules of their society?
-Beowulf wants to pay his father's debt, he speaks respectfully to Hrothgar and asks for a favor, they Danes are upset Grendel does not pay wilgar-money paid to the families for the killing of a man.
RECITING THE POEM OF BEOWULF :
-EDUCATED ALL PEOPLE WHO HEAR THE POEM -ENTERTAIN WARRIORS -DISTRACT THE ENEMY DURING BATTLE
how has generosity been shown in Beowulf
-Hrothgar promises Beowulf riches and gold now: 21st Century -Jobs -Kids in school -Scholarship
how has loyalty been shown in Beowulf
-Paying off his fathers death now: 21st Century -military -staying loyal in a relationship
Who were the Geats? Who was Hygelac? What was he famous for?
-The Geats lived in southwestern Sweden -Hygelac was their king who was famous for his unusual height. • Geats lived in southwestern Sweden • Hygelac is the king of the Geats or Swedes and uncle of Beowulf • He is famous for his unusual height
What do the warriors do when they see Beowulf in trouble?
-They run Except for one man, all the warriors run away to the woods to save their lives.
AFTER GRENDELS ATTACK ON HEROT STAYS EMPTY FOR
12 YEARS
Character Scyld-
1st ruler of the Danish line of kings. Came alone as a baby set back out to sea after death
How long has the dragon been guarding the treasure? Why is the dragon "aroused...to anger and rage?"
300 years (300 winters)
How does Beowulf govern his kingdom?
50 years (fifty winters)
How does Beowulf's preparation for this battle differ from the one with Grendel and Grendel's mother?
A battle shield made of iron; he will use armor and his bare hands
Upon his departure, what gift does Beowulf give to the coast warden of the Danes? Why?
A battle sword with a gold hilt
Epithets
Anglo-Saxon poets has set of phrases that they could employ to fill out a line of verse. To avoid repeating a character's name, poets used epithets- descriptive phrases that referred back to specific characters. For example: Beowulf is also known as Edgetho's son or Higlac's follower
Describe Grendel as he approached Heorot. Did he kill any of Beowulf's thanes?
As Grendel approached Heorot he was in a very angry and aggressive mood who seemed to be craving murder and chaos. Once he arrives at the mead hall and sees all of the Geatish warriors sleeping, he attacks one of Beowulf's thanes and kills him by tearing him apart and eating his flesh.
THE PRINCE OF WEDERS REFERS TO
BEOWULF
Compare/contrast Beowulf and Hrothgar. List as many similarities and differences as possible.
Beowulf Hrothgar In his youthful Prime Old Age Pride; Arrogant Humbled Courageous Unable to take action Beowulf- youthful prime, proud, arrogant, humbled, courageous Hrothgar- old age, humbled, unable to take action
What did Beowulf accuse Unferth, Ecglaf's son, of?
Beowulf accuses Unferth of not being brave, valiant, or heroic because he is responsible for the killing his brothers/Hrothgar's warriors. And that he should not accuse Beowulf of not being brave, since unferth did nothing about Grendel.
How did Beowulf defeat Grendel? What events do you think will take place in Part II of the epic?
Beowulf defeats Grendel by putting him in a deathly hold and breaking bones in his shoulder and arm. Then finally tearing Grendel's arm off. A celebration of Grendel's defeat will be next.
What did Beowulf have to repay to Hrothgar?
Beowulf is repaying his fathers debt to Hrothgar -Debt of father goes down to the son -Repay your families name
How did Beowulf prepare for the battle?
Beowulf prepares for the battle by taking off all of his armor, speaking a boast, and leaving his life to the fates.
What does this tell us about Beowulf as a king?
Beowulf was a great warrior in the land of the Danes and Geats. He defeated Grendel and Grendel's Mother early in his life. Fifty years have passed and Beowulf was eighty. As a payment to the king of the Danes he decided to fight the Dragon. The Dragon was in possession of a great treasure which he found buried in a cave. One day a man tried to take a cup away from the Dragon in order to free himself from the crime of killing his brother.
How many men accompany Beowulf to Denmark? What did the Danish coast guard say about Beowulf and his men?
Beowulf was accompanied by 14 men to Denmark. Once they arrived, the Danish coast guard claims that he has never seen men as well put together and well-armed as Beowulf's troops. He has never seen men with such great armor and weapons who are not coming to attack.
At the time of the attack, how many years had Beowulf ruled peacefully? Why would he take responsibility for the dragon's awakening even though he had nothing to do with it?
Beowulf went ahead to rule for 50 winters (years) peacefully before the kingdom was attacked by a dragon. Hygelac offered him land and he didn't want the dragon to ruin it.
The men are loyal to their king and family because they are willing to risk their lives to defeat Grendel?
Beowulf's men stay with him in the hall
What did Beowulf's presence restore to the mead hall? What did Hrothgar promise Beowulf if he defeated Grendel?
Beowulf's presence restores happiness, cheerfulness, and most importantly hope throughout the hall. Hrothgar promises Beowulf anything he wants if he defeats Grendel because he says none of Beowulf's wishes will go unfulfilled if he wins.
THE RELIGION INFLUENCED THE BEOWULF POET WAS
CHRISTIANITY
Ecgtheow
Father of Beowulf. Knew Hrothgar, owed Hrothgar a debt.
Anglo-Saxon Values Loyalty
Fighting for one's king Avenging one's kinsmen Keeping one's word
IN HIS FIRST ATTACK,
GRENDEL SLAYS 30 MEN
Beowulf-
Geatish warrior. Nephew of Hygelac
Describe the battle between Beowulf and Grendel. What spell did Grendel put on the thanes' weapons?
Grendel attacks Beowulf laying outstretched on the floor and soon the both of them are moving around the hall and attacking each other. Grendel is thrown off by how strong Beowulf is since he has never experienced anyone as strong as him before. Beowulf puts Grendel in a death grip making it hard for him to move. Grendel had put a spell on the thane's weapons that protects him from being wounded by them.
How does the reason for this monster's attack differ from that of Grendel's attack?
Grendel attacks out of hatred for humankind; the dragon attacks out of revenge. Dragon wants revenge: The theft of a gem-studded cup by someone who accidentally stumbles on the entrance to the stone tower precedes the dragon's attack on the Geats.
What treasures does Beowulf bring to King Hygelac from King Hrothgar?
Headpiece, Helmet, sark, war-sword
What does Hrothgar imply about the accumulation of material riches?
Hrothgar implies that the accumulation of riches is acceptable only when those riches are liberally shared
Did Hrothgar know Beowulf? What was his reaction to Beowulf's arrival?
Hrothgar knew Beowulf as a little boy. Hrothgar is very pleased that Beowulf has arrived to help him. He believes that God sent him to save them from Grendel's attacks. He is excited that Beowulf is there to help since he heard that Beowulf has the strength of about 30 men. He orders Wulfgar to welcome them to Denmark.
Hrothgar stated that "Beowulf close to my heart in firm affection; as son to father" (Line 686- 687)
Hrothgar wanted to have a relationship with Beowulf similar to the one of a father/ son
Hall of the hart
Hrothgar's meading hall. The hart was a symbol of Germanic kingship.
Alliteration
In addition to pleasing the ear, repeated sounds make poetry easier to remember and recite.
Hygelac-
King of the Geats. Uncle of Beowulf.
Unferth
Kinsmen and warrior of Hrothgar. Insults Beowulf. Never tried to stop Grendel and is therefore responsible for his people's deaths.
The themes from beowulf—
Loyalty to king & family, Obedience to tribal law, Admiration of strength, Cleverness in battle
Themes:
Loyalty to king & family, Obedience to tribal law, Admiration of strength, Cleverness in battle Recorded in the written form approximately 1000 AD by monks in England Story Set in Denmark (Danes) and Sweden (Geates)
Grendel
Monster that attacked the mead hall of Hrothgar killing and eating the warriors
What gifts does Hygelac bestow upon Beowulf in honor of his accomplishments in battle?
Naegling of Hrethal, a hall, a steely seat, land
Read lines 519-524. How do the Geats feel about Beowulf's chances of defeating Grendel?
None of the Geats have hope that they will survive the night for they know how easily all of the Danes were effortlessly killed in their sleep by Grendel, but they accept their fate and possible death.
Reasons Beowulf goes to help Hrothgar
Omens, Repay his father's (Ecgtheow) debt to Hrothgar, Childhood Friendship
UNFERTHS NAME MEANS
PEACE BREAKER
Anglo-Saxon Values Heroism
Physical strength Skill and resourcefulness in battle
THE FIRST KING OF DANES WAS
SCYLD
BEOWULF IS NOT:
SELF CENTERED
"UNLOCKING HIS HORD WORD" MEANS
SPEAKING FROM MEMORY
The story of Beowulf first told by a poet called a
Scop
Scyld
Son of Sceaf, founder of the Danish line of kings, the Scyldingas, "descendents of Scyld"
AS A RESULT OF GRENDELS ATTACKS
THE DANES NO LONGER SLEEP IN HEROT
GRENDEL ATTACKS THE MEADHALL BECAUSE
THE SOUNDS OF HAPPINESS MAKES HIM ILL
Who was the Geatish warrior who decided to help Hrothgar? How was he described?
The Geatish warrior who decided to help Hrothgar is Beowulf. He is described as one of the strongest men of all that are living, who is fearless, brave, with a kind heart, and a successful commander.
Caesura
To help poets remember their lines, Old English verses has a strong rhythm marked by a pause or break near the middle of every line
What does Unferth say about Beowulf and Breca's swimming contest in the wintry ocean? How does Beowulf respond?
Unferth says that Beowulf and Breca's swimming contest was silly since they risked their lives just to brag about who won. He claims that Beowulf lost to Breca and will lose again if he fights Grendel. Beowulf responds by saying he is the strongest in swimming and that he only lost the contest because of the sea monsters attacking him during the competition.
Ecglaf
Unferth's Father
COMPENSATION TO THE FAMILIES OF MURDERED WARRIORS WAS CALLED
WERGILD
Thanes
Warriors
Nicore: Swimming
Water demons. BEOWULF HAD A SWIMMING CONTEST WITH BRECA. Unferth was accusing Beowulf. UNFERTH WAS TRYING TO BRING HIM DOWN. Unferth finds it stupid. Unferth is jealous of Beowulf -BEOWULF HAS TO BE POLITE EVEN THO UNFERTH MADE FUN OF HIM.
Why does Wiglaf come to the aid of his king? What qualities valued by Anglo-Saxons does Wiglaf show?
Wiglaf went back to fight the Dragon and later was sent back to the cave to get some of the treasure he won over for Beowulf. Before he dies Beowulf orders a barrow to be made in his name and then names Wiglaf the new King of the Geats. -Wiglaf shows the anglow-saxons definition of courage and brotherly love -Wiglaf, a warrior and Scylding thane, does not hesitate to help Beowulf because he remembers all the kindness and treasure that the king had bestowed on him in the past.
What was the role of women? (Lines 478-480)
Women are described as having a hostess- like role since they are responsible for greeting all of their guests and they need to have an attractive appearance in their expensive jewels.
What did Hrothgar's herald, Wulfgar, say about them?
Wulfgar says that they are all a group of noble men who are high-minded heroes seeking out Hrothgar and he is impressed by how they look.
Do they admire warriors who are smart, and not just strong?
Yes because they come up with better fighting technique Beowulf shows he is smart by defeating Unferth in a battle of words
Do the admire people who are strong?
Yes because when Beowulf comes and defeats Grendel, everyone sees him as famous they have also heard about Beowulf
Allusion
a reference to a person, place, event, or literary work that a writer expects the reader to recognize and respond to.
Anglo-Saxon Values Generosity
gifts symbolize bonds Brotherly love, not romantic love
Hrothgar
great ruler of the Danes. Built the mead hall (Herot). Attacked by Grendel.
Wealtheow
is the wife of Hrothgar and the Queen of the Danes, She basically tells Beowulf to befriend her children who happened to be in line fro the thrown. She wants them to be allies.
Kennings
related to epithets, kennings are metaphoric compound words that are used by poets in place of simple nouns. for example, the sea is referred to as "the whale-road"
How did Scyld arrive in Denmark? What kind of king was Scyld? Describe his burial.
• Scyld arrives in Demark by sailing alone in the sea when he was a child • Scyld is a great king that everyone loves, he makes strong warriors, defeats other kingdoms, and even get the other kingdoms to pay money • His burial was respectful and honorable to him; he was put onto a large war ship and buried at sea, and placed on ship with riches, treasures, weapons, and belongings; dressed nicely -He arrived alone from the ocean. -He was a great king and the people loved him. -They sent him on a war ship, with weapons -Alone as a child, friendless foundling (like an orphan all alone) -He goes to Denmark -Don't know where he comes from
Folk land
Common land (Public land owned by a community)
THE HOME OF SCYLDING WARRIORS WAS IN
DENMARK
The poem was translated from
Danish
THE FIRST KING ARRIVED TO HIS NEW COUNTRY ON A SHIP
FILLED WITH TREASURE AND ALONE
Bragging is:
A good thing in this society. Slaughtered these people. Beowulf brags (people sent me and know im capable of fighting Grendel)
Conflict
A struggle between two opposing forces or characters in a short story novel, play, or narrative poem. Conflict can be external and it can take one of these forms: -A person against another person -A person against society -A person against nature -Two elements within a person struggling for mastery
MEAD HALL IS A MONUMENT
ALL WARRIORS SUCCESS IN BATTLE
"MEAD HALL MIGHT"
ALLITERATION (MEAD AND MIGHT)
Healfdene
Hrothgar's father
Anglo-Saxon Values Courage
Public Reputation, not private conscience
Spear-Danes
The Danish people
how has courage been shown in Beowulf
-Beowulf fighting Grendel
WHALE ROAD IS AN EXAMPLE OF A
KENNING
Brecca
won a swimming contest against Beowulf (in the past)
What are Beowulf's dying wishes? What last gift does he give Wiglaf?
• 1. show him some of the treasure 2. give all his treasure to his people 3. build him a monument • 1.his gold collar 2. his helmet 3. his byrny 4. his ring
Who was the monster and how did he terrorize the warriors? How long did his reign of terror last?
• Grendel is the monster, who terrorizes the warriors by attacking them in the mead hall at night while they are sleeping since he is angry about the making of the mead hall • His reign of terror lasted for twelve winters time -Grendel -Eats people, stated in foot notes -He attacked them -12 years
What kind of king was Hrothgar? What did he build to reward his warriors?
• Hrothgar is a great warrior and king, many of his people admire him because of his success in battle, his loyal followers and retainers; people obeyed him • His builds a large mead hall for his warriors, the greatest mead hall -A good war king as he got older he wasn't able to defend his -mead-hall "Hall of the Heart"
