Beowulf

Themes The importance of establishing identity Tensions between the heroic code and other value systems The meaning of monsters Pick a theme, apply it to yourself, and write about it. ½ PAGE

Beowulf Characters Beowulf The Dragon Grendel Grendel’s Mother The protagonist of the epic. Beowulf, a Geatish hero, is incredibly strong and able. In his youth, he personifies all of the best values of the heroic culture. In his old age, he is a wise and effective ruler. The Dragon An ancient, powerful serpent. The dragon, who guards a horde of treasure in a hidden mound, is Beowulf’s final nemesis. Grendel A demon descended from Cain. Grendel suffers for the sins of Cain, leading a ruthless and miserable existence because God seeks vengeance for Cain’s murder of Abel. Grendel’s Mother A swamp-hag. Grendel’s mother possesses fewer human qualities than Grendel. Still, her terrorization of Heorot springs from her understandable anger over her son’s death. King Hrothgar The king of Danes. A wise and aged ruler, Hrothgar leads in a different way than the youthful warrior Beowulf does. Hrothgar is a father figure for Beowulf and a model for the kind of king Beowulf will become.

Beowulf CONCLUDING Free write “Beowulf is the archetype of the dragon slayer, the hero who faces death in order to save a threatened community. Does Beowulf remind you of any heroes in real life today? What characteristics do the heroes share? Compare/contrast the heroes.” ½ page