BEOWULF REVIEW

BEOWULF IS A CHAMPION WHO FIGHTS 3 MONSTERS Beowulf goes to Denmark and fights Grendel Beowulf goes to Denmark and fights Grendel Beowulf fights Grendel’s mom Beowulf fights Grendel’s mom Back home as king of the Geats, Beowulf fights a Dragon Back home as king of the Geats, Beowulf fights a Dragon

GRENDEL Is a monster descended from Cain (of Cain and Abel fame) Is a monster descended from Cain (of Cain and Abel fame) Has been attacking Herot, a mead-hall where the Danes live, each night for 12 years Has been attacking Herot, a mead-hall where the Danes live, each night for 12 years The Danes have trouble fighting him because he attack when it’s dark The Danes have trouble fighting him because he attack when it’s dark He fights without weapons or armor, but is protected from swords because of a spell he has placed on them He fights without weapons or armor, but is protected from swords because of a spell he has placed on them Lives in a lake in a swamp, and the songs and joy of the nearby Danes fuels his rage. The angrier he gets, the stronger he gets. Lives in a lake in a swamp, and the songs and joy of the nearby Danes fuels his rage. The angrier he gets, the stronger he gets. Beowulf, unarmed, wrestles with Grendel in Herot, and rips Grendel’s shoulder off. Beowulf, unarmed, wrestles with Grendel in Herot, and rips Grendel’s shoulder off. Grendel goes back to his swamp to die. Grendel goes back to his swamp to die.

GRENDEL’S MOM Seeking revenge for her son’s death, she attacks Herot and kidnaps the best friend of Hrothgar, the Danish King. Seeking revenge for her son’s death, she attacks Herot and kidnaps the best friend of Hrothgar, the Danish King. Beowulf tracks her back to her underwater lair. Beowulf tracks her back to her underwater lair. Beowulf wears his chain-mail armor and brings his sword, Hrunting, for this encounter. Beowulf wears his chain-mail armor and brings his sword, Hrunting, for this encounter. His sword is useless, but his chain-mail saves his life. His sword is useless, but his chain-mail saves his life. He finds a giant’s sword and uses it to cut off Grendel’s Mom’s head. He finds a giant’s sword and uses it to cut off Grendel’s Mom’s head. He finds Grendel’s corpse, decapitates it, and takes Grendel’s head back to Herot as a gift. He finds Grendel’s corpse, decapitates it, and takes Grendel’s head back to Herot as a gift.

DRAGON! After he fights in Denmark, Beowulf sails home to Geatland, where he serves loyally under his king Higlac and Higlac’s son. After he fights in Denmark, Beowulf sails home to Geatland, where he serves loyally under his king Higlac and Higlac’s son. Beowulf ascends to the throne and rules the Geats in peace and prosperity for 50 years. Beowulf ascends to the throne and rules the Geats in peace and prosperity for 50 years. Then someone steals a cup from a dragon. Then someone steals a cup from a dragon. Dragon’s mad. Dragon’s mad. Beowulf faces the dragon alone, but his shield melts and his sword breaks, and the dragon cuts his neck. Dang. Beowulf faces the dragon alone, but his shield melts and his sword breaks, and the dragon cuts his neck. Dang. Wiglaf, a young warrior, shows bravery in the face of death and kills dragon with Beowulf. Wiglaf, a young warrior, shows bravery in the face of death and kills dragon with Beowulf.

BEOWULF DIES! Says that Wiglaf should succeed him as king, since Wigs was the only guy brave enough to stand beside Beowulf and fight the dragon. Says that Wiglaf should succeed him as king, since Wigs was the only guy brave enough to stand beside Beowulf and fight the dragon. Wants a tower erected in his honor. Wants a tower erected in his honor.

KENNINGS! Two or more words which, when put together, serve as a symbol or metaphor for another word. Two or more words which, when put together, serve as a symbol or metaphor for another word. Similar to epithets, they give a description of noun they replace Similar to epithets, they give a description of noun they replace They were used for variety, entertainment, and to keep the beat and rhythm. They were used for variety, entertainment, and to keep the beat and rhythm. Sometimes they are obvious, some are more obscure Sometimes they are obvious, some are more obscure

EXAMPLES OF KENNINGS Candle of heaven – Sun Candle of heaven – Sun Peace-weaver – women Peace-weaver – women Light of battle – sword Light of battle – sword Ring-marked blade - sword Ring-marked blade - sword

ALLITERATION The repetition of initial consonant sounds. The repetition of initial consonant sounds. Also used for entertainment, variety and to keep the beat and rhythm Also used for entertainment, variety and to keep the beat and rhythm Example from Beowulf: Many a mead-hall Scyld, son of Sceaf, Snatched from the forces of savage foes, From a friendless foundling, feeble and wretched, He grew to a terror as time brought change.

THEME VS. MAIN IDEA Theme is a universal truth, or a lesson that can extends beyond the story. Lesson Learned Theme is a universal truth, or a lesson that can extends beyond the story. Lesson Learned Main idea is what the story or selection is about. Plot Main idea is what the story or selection is about. Plot

EXAMPLE OF THEME VS. MAIN IDEA In the Little Engine that Could: The main idea is that a train is having difficulties getting over a mountain. This isn’t very applicable to everyday life. The theme is that if you fail, you should keep trying until you succeed. This can be applied to MANY facets of life. This can be applied to MANY facets of life.