1. Beowulf
Introduction

2. Introduction Time period - years 500 to 1100
449 AD--Angles, Saxons, and Jutes invade Britain
597 AD--St. Augustine arrives to convert the pagans
8th century--Danes invade (but are eventually defeated in 871)
1066--Norman conquest--Battle of Hastings
Passed down through the oral tradition
Many elements of the story trace back to Scandinavian and Celtic folk tales
Later influenced by Christianity
First written down in the 1200’s

3. Literary Terms To Know
Epic: a long narrative poem usually involving a journey & a hero
Kennings: metaphorical phrases that replace concrete nouns
Caesura: a natural pause in the middle of a line of poetry which were used to help scops (traveling minstrels) remember the poem

4. A helmet found in a 7th century ship burial in southern Sweden.
Sweden is Beowulf’s homeland, and the poem takes place in southern Sweden and Denmark.
A helmet found in a 7th century ship burial in southern Sweden.

5. The original author of
Beowulf is unknown.
However, he probably
came from an area now
known as East Anglia.

6. Sutton Hoo
A horde of Anglo-Saxon objects was found in this area, much like many objects referenced in the poem. An intact ship burial was found on the site.
Helmet
Buckle
Shield
Coins

7. Writing a Summary
Working with a partner, create a list of the important details from the first part of Beowulf, “The Wrath of Grendel.”
Consider the following:
Who are the main characters?
What are the most important things that happen?

8. Writing a Summary
Next, let’s compare your list with mine.

9. People / Places Hrothgar – king Grendel – monster / villain
Herot – the mead hall where the warriors lived

10. The Wrath of Grendel Grendel is born of Cain – pure evil
Grendel kills 30 of Hrothgar’s warriors
Grendel terrorizes Herot for 12 winters
Hrothgar’s throne is blessed by god – Grendel is unable to touch him
Warriors make heathen offerings to try to defeat Grendel

11. Beowulf’s Heroic Traits
Looks impressive
Special weapons
Strong, brave
Beowulf will not use his weapons-- he will fight Grendel with his bare hands

12. The Coming of Beowulf
Beowulf and 14 warriors sail to the land of the Danes to get rid of Grendel
Beowulf’s arrival is unexpected – Watchman is suspicious
Beowulf boasts to Hrothgar of his own accomplishments (bragging on yourself was OK in Anglo-Saxon culture)
Beowulf says the outcome is in God’s hands

13. The Battle with Grendel
No man’s sword can harm Grendel because he has cursed all men’s weapons
Beowulf rips Grendel’s arm off at the shoulder
Grendel runs home and dies
Beowulf hangs Grendel’s arm from the rafters

14. The Monster’s Lair
Grendel’s mom kills Hrothgar’s best friend & steals Grendel’s arm
They live in an underwater lair at the bottom of an evil, dangerous lake
Details about the lake: darkness, no one knows the bottom, snakelike roots, animals would rather die than swim in the water

15. Battle with Grendel’s Mother
Hrunting--sword given to Beowulf by Unferth (importance of weapons in Anglo-Saxon / Viking warrior culture)
Beowulf spends hours sinking to the bottom to Grendel’s mother’s lair
Heroic quality-supernatural ability

16. Battle with Grendel’s Mother
Deus ex machina--contrived plot resolution
Examples:
Beowulf ends up in a battle hall to fight Grendel’s mother
Happens to be a giant’s sword there he can use to kill Grendel’s mother

17. The Last Battle After many years Beowulf becomes king. New Character:
Wiglaf – stays by Beowulf’s side and helps him defeat the dragon Beowulf returns home to Geatland.
He is old but determined to kill the dragon that is terrorizing his kingdom
Beowulf’s shield melts & sword breaks
His men all desert him (except Wiglaf)
Beowulf is mortally wounded by the dragon

18. THe Spoils
Dragon’s lair holds piles of treasure, but it is in poor condition.
Beowulf dies. Before he dies, he asks that a tower be built to honor him.
Beowulf gives Wiglaf his gold necklace (symbol of power passing to new king).
Wiglaf denounces the other warriors who failed to help Beowulf defeat the dragon.

19. The Farewell
The tower is built in Beowulf’s memory. Beowulf’s ashes are sealed inside and the dragon’s treasure is buried in the sand.
12 of the bravest warriors ride horses around the tower & tell stories.