1. Beowulf’s Battle with Grendel’s Mother
Grendel was wronged by the noisy Danes, so he sought retribution for this wrong.
The Danes thought Grendel was too harsh, so Beowulf helped the Danes seek retribution against Grendel.
Upon Grendel’s death, Grendel’s mother needed to avenge the death of her son, so she had to seek retribution (a vicious cycle, right?)

2. Beowulf’s Battle with Grendel’s Mother
Beowulf discovered that no sword could slice Grendel’s mother’s evil skin, that Hrunting (the sword) could not hurt her.
They wrestled, she ripped and tore and clawed at him, bit holes in his helmet…he became nervous!
Stretched on his back, wildly tearing at him, she squatted on his stomach. She drew a dagger, brown and dried with blood (underwater—dried blood…hmm), and prepared to avenge her only son.

3. Beowulf’s Battle with Grendel’s Mother
The stabbing blade was blunted by the woven chain mail shirt on his chest.
She could not reach him. Beowulf was back on his feet and fighting.
Beowulf lifted his sword high over his head and struck with all the strength he had left, caught her in the neck and cut it through, broke bones and all.
A brilliant light shone, suddenly… (symbol for what?)
Chain mail

4. Beowulf’s Battle with Grendel’s Mother
Beowulf found Grendel dead in the corner, armless, then struck off his head with a single swift blow. The body jerked for the last time, then lay still (Anglo-Saxons believed that if the demon/monster/enemy was not beheaded, they could come back).
The wise warriors staring into the lake saw the waves surging and blood spurting through.
They spoke about Beowulf, all the graybeards whispered together that hope was gone, that the she-wolf had killed him (literary term?).

5. Beowulf’s Battle with Grendel’s Mother… what happened above the water
The sun slid over past noon, went further down. The Danes gave up, left the lake and went home.
The Geats stayed, sat sadly watching…
Then that noble protector of all seamen swam to land, rejoicing, they left the lake together. Behind them, the water slowly thickened as the monsters’ blood came seeping up.
They walked quickly, happily, brave men staggering under the weight of Grendel’s skull, too heavy for fewer than four of them to handle—two on each side of the spear jammed through it.

6. Beowulf’s Battle with Grendel’s Mother
Soon, fourteen Geats arrived at the hall.
Beowulf sought Hrothgar to salute him and show Grendel’s head.
He carried that terrible trophy by the hair, brought it straight to where the Danes sat, drinking, the queen among them (one of the few mentions of a woman in A/S literature).
It was a weird and wonderful sight, and the warriors stared.

7. The Battle with the Dragon
After Beowulf fights and kills Grendel and Grendel’s mother, he returns to his homeland to live his life in relative peace.
Beowulf refused the throne once, but later in life becomes the king of his people.
He’s been king for 50 winters when terror comes to his people …

8. The Battle with the Dragon
A dragon lives in a stone tower protecting a stash of treasure, put there by a man, the last of his race.
Now, a slave, beaten by his master, stumbles across the path leading to this stone tower. Seeing the great treasures within, the dazzled slave steals a gem-studded cup to give to his master (to beg forgiveness, not to steal for his own riches).
The slave begged his master for mercy, was pardoned, and although “the cup brought peace to a slave, and pleased his master,” it “stirred a dragon’s anger.”

9. The Battle with the Dragon
The dragon tried to follow the man,
but the man was too fast.
The beast planned a bloody revenge, “counting off the hours till the Almighty’s candle went out”, intent on flying across and burning the land (what is the “Almighty’s candle?).
Vomiting fire and smoke, the dragon burned down their homes. The people suffered, and everyone lived in terror.
Beowulf comes to the aid of his people.

10. The Battle with the Dragon
“It had wrapped its flames around the Geats; now it trusted in stone walls, and its strength, to protect it. But they would not.” (literary element?)
The dragon burned down Beowulf’s mead hall. “The Geats deserved revenge…”
“That noble prince would end his days on earth, soon, would leave this brief life, but would take the dragon with him…and he’d go to it alone, scorning to lead soldiers against such an enemy.”

11. The Battle with the Dragon
“And Beowulf uttered his final boast: ‘I’ve never known fear; as a youth I fought in endless battles. I am old, now, but I will fight again, seek fame still, if the dragon hiding in his tower dares to face me.”
“I’d use no sword, no weapon, if this beast could be killed without it, crushed to death like Grendel, but his breath will be burning hot, poison will pour from his tongue. I feel no shame, with shield and sword and armor, against this monster.”
“My heart is firm, my hands calm: I need no hot words.”

12. The Battle with the Dragon
It’s breath came first. A steaming cloud pouring from the stone, then the earth itself shook. The dragon coiled and uncoiled. The monster came quickly toward him. Flames beat at the iron shield, then it began to melt, “and for the first time in his life that famous prince fought with fate against him, with glory denied him.” He knew it, but he raised his sword and struck. The dragon leaped with pain, thrashed and beat at him, spouting murderous flames, spreading them everywhere.

13. The Battle with the Dragon
Beowulf fell back. Its breath flared, and he suffered, wrapped around in swirling flames—a king, before, but now a beaten warrior. None of his comrades came to him, helped him, his brave and noble followers; they ran for their lives, fled deep in a wood.
And only one of them remained, stood there, miserable, remembering, as a good man must, what kinship should mean. His name was Wiglaf. His soul did not melt, his sword was strong…

14. The Battle with the Dragon
Then he ran to his king, crying encouragement as he dove through the dragon’s deadly fumes: “Beloved Beowulf, remember how you boasted, once, that nothing in the world would ever destroy your fame: fight to keep it, now, be strong and brave, my noble king, protecting life and fame together. My sword will be at your side!”
They fight. And the dragon, “watching for its chance, drove its tusks into Beowulf’s neck; he staggered, the blood came flooding forth, fell like rain.” (literary device?)

15. The Battle with the Dragon
Quickly, he split the beast in half, their courage had killed it, two noble cousins had joined in the dragon’s death. Yet what they did all men must do when the time comes! (this part of the story encourages the A/S belief in the importance of loyalty to a king)
Beowulf spoke to Wiglaf, “go, quickly, and find the dragon’s treasure: we’ve taken its life, but its gold is ours too. Hurry, bring me ancient silver, precious jewels, shining armor and gems, before I die. Death will be softer, leaving life and this people I’ve ruled so long, if I look at the last of all prizes.”

16. The Battle with the Dragon
Beowulf requests that a mound is built for him so that all crossing the sea will see it and know it.
Then Beowulf gave his necklace, helmet, rings, and mail shirt to Wiglaf.
“The old man’s mouth was silent, spoke no more, had said as much as it could; he would sleep in the fire, soon. His soul left his flesh, flew to glory.”

17. The Battle with the Dragon
And when the battle was over, Beowulf’s followers came out of the wood, cowards and traitors, knowing the dragon was dead. They came like shamefaced jackals, their shields in their hands, and waited for Wiglaf to speak.

18. The Funeral Fire
He was sitting near Beowulf’s body, wearily sprinkling water in the dead man’s face, trying to stir him. He could not.
Then Wiglaf turned and angrily told them what men without courage must hear.