1. Key Points: From plot to theme
Beowulf Analysis
Key Points:
From plot to theme

2. Plot analysis Protagonist: Beowulf Antagonist:
Complications: Unferth, Grendel and MG :
Crisis: Battles and anticipation of final
Climax: page 43
Resolution: sections 16 and 17

3. Climax/Turning Point of Beowulf
“Quickly the dragon came at him, encouraged/ As Beowulf fell back; its breath flared,/And he suffered, wrapped around in swirling flames—a king before, but now a beaten warrior.”

4. Conflict
GOOD VS EVIL
The Danes and Geats; Grendels; swamp home
Herot

5. Beowulf’s failure: reasons
Less capable—old
Motives—less pure
Greed
Less inspiring

6. What role does greed play?

7. Remember…
After Beowulf’s death, “an aged woman with unbound locks lamented for Beowulf, wailing in woe…she uttered her dread of sorrow to come, of bloodshed and slaughter, of terror of battle, and bondage, and shame.”

8. How significant is the role of loyalty?
Loyalty, bravery and altruistic behavior all helped to create the Anglo-Saxon society; without it…

10. Dragons and Treasure
Dragons (serpents) were symbolic of evil Treasure was symbolic of damnation

11. Once greed entered Beowulf’s kingdom, Beowulf’s people were spiritually damned. By turning away from ethical behavior, they doomed their society.

12. Subject to theme Subjects are 1 or 2 words: love, youth, jealousy
Themes answer this question: What does the author have to say ABOUT the subject.
For example: William Shakespeare tells us in Othello that distrust and jealousy destroy relationships.

13. Themes are… Universal in nature A complete sentence
Romeo and Juliet demonstrate that youthful impetuousness can be very dangerous.
Gatsby shows us that the desire to recapture one’s past is rarely successful.

14. Themes for Beowulf Subject: Loyalty
Theme: Beowulf proves that without loyalty, all relationships eventually collapse.
Subject: Greed
Theme: The story Beowulf suggests that….
Subject: Bravery
Theme: