1. Part I The Defeat of Grendel
Beowulf
Part I
The Defeat of Grendel

2. What purpose does the prologue to Beowulf serve?

3. Prologue --Shield Sheafson
Sets an extraordinary standard for leadership = “That was one good king”
Self-made, an orphan
Came to power at a time of chaos
Provides a valuable context for the hero

4. Prologue --Shield Sheafson
Prepares the reader for the positive aspects of violence and subjugation
Enslaved his defeated foes
In the Anglo-Saxon culture, this bolstered his superiority
Respect for his authority

5. Prologue --Shield Sheafson
Image of his funeral ship = leaves kingdom with more than he first had
Pride in the kingdom he built
Fame and treasure endure beyond his life
Swords, helmets, armor signify his fighting ability

6. Song of Creation Ordered nature vs. dark slime Hrothgar vs. Grendel
Good vs. evil

7. What significance did king and mead hall have to the Anglo-Saxons?

8. The Worthy Ruler Good Rulers Shield Sheafson Halfdane Hrothgar
Bad Rulers
Hermod (evil pride = hubris)
Finn (fratricide)
Hrothgar’s nephew Hrothulf will kill his son and heir Hrethric (regicide)

9. Hrothgar God = father King Hrothgar = father (comitatus)
Had helped Ecgtheow by paying wergild, sees Beowulf’s help as proper respect
Adopts Beowulf as a son of his heart

10. Heorot “Hall of the Hart” Extraordinary creation
Garden of order from chaos of swamps
Monument to Danish culture’s king and values
Symbol of battle strength

11. What is fratricide, and what is the larger meaning behind this crime?

12. Grendel’s Origin Grendel = pagan, hell, Cain
Finds pain in joyful celebration at Heorot
motiveless antagonism
Embodiment of evil = magic used against weapons
Antithesis of Beowulf

13. Unferth Intoxicated taunting Jealous of Beowulf’s fame
Chaos from unnatural acts = Fratricide: Cain, Unferth, Finn (brother-in-law), Hrothulf (cousin)
No feats to his name

14. In Part I of the poem, how does the character of Beowulf fit the cycle of the hero monomyth?

15. Beowulf as Epic Warrior Hero
Uncanny strength = stronger than Breca
Incredible courage = swims hostile waters and slays numerous monsters
Stoic resolve = puts himself in a position from which retreat is impossible
Defeat of Grendel = Sigemund’s triumph over the dragon

16. Beowulf = the best of men
Humility, not hubris = sees himself as controlled by fate rather than in control of his own destiny
The poem celebrates the pagan concept of immortality through fame, yet extols a hero whose conduct is Christian

17. Beowulf’s Boasts? Rightfully rebukes Unferth
Establishes a standard of heroic behavior
Tests fate by attempting the impossible
Fulfills heroic destiny

18. And what about Wealtheow?

19. The Queen A mere type Diplomatic hostess
Role of women in Anglo-Saxon society?
Prototype for the idealized woman of courtly love?