Beowulf Study Guide PDF

Beowulf Study Guide Beowulf was originally written in Old English Beowulf is considered one of the first texts written in Old English that is still present today Old English was established so that there was a common written language Old English was influenced by religion at the t...

Beowulf Study Guide Beowulf was originally written in Old English Beowulf is considered one of the first texts written in Old English that is still present today Old English was established so that there was a common written language Old English was influenced by religion at the time. For example, Pagan Gods influenced the days of the week. Old English stems from the Germanic family as well as the romantic languages It is theorized that Beowulf was written by a monk due to the religious references Beowulf consists of simple theme topics: Good vs evil Components of the heroic Journey: Ordinary World Call to Adventure Refusal of the Call Crossing the Threshold Tests, Allies, Enemies Ordeal Supreme Ordeal Reward/Journey Home Anglo-Saxons Nature is the enemy No happy afterlife - wants to active LOF (fame, glory, immortality) They valued Commatius -Loyalty and Kinship Scop is a shaper of oral tradition - They would tell stories (such as Beowulf) They believed that things were left up to wyrd (fate) Beowulf if a Geat Established warrior known for his strength Called on to protect the Danes against Grendel ○ This is seen as his “duty” due to his reputation Refuses to use weapons against Grendel so that it is a fair fight ○ This changes when he fights Gendel’s Mother Higlac Is his feudal lord (and King) Beowulf comes from a royal lineage Demonstrates his loyalty in his story about his swimming match with Brecca in addition to wanting his things sent back to Higlac if he were to lose to Grendel. Firm believer in wyrd Takes Grendel’s arm as a trophy to show off - helps him achieve LOF Goes to fight Grendel's mother - this is where he faces death and almost loses until a magical sword appears that can kill her. Becomes king of the Geats Grendel - Supernatural Antagonist of the story Terrorized Herot Hall for 12 years Cannot hurt Hrothgar as long as he sleeps on a throne protected by God Descendant of Cain - God is the enemy (revenge for being banished) ○ Evil personified Attacks at night ○ Kills those who are sleeping He is Beowulf’s Ordeal Beowulf’s Enemy When he realizes Beowulf’s strength he tries to run ○ Cowardly Beowulf severs his whole arm from his body and hangs it from the rafters as a trophy Hrothgar is a Dane King Grendel is terrorizing his hall - he has lost many men Grendel cannot attack him due to his throne being protected by God He is Beowulf’s ally Has history with the Geats (Beowulf’s father) Tried multiple things to get rid of Grendel ○ Sacrificed to the stone gods ○ Asked for support from hell ○ Prayed ○ Sent his own men to fight Throws a feast in Beowulf’s honor - pep him up for the battle to come Unferth Dane warrior One of Hrothgar's most nobel men Challenges (this is a test) Beowulf verbally due to being upset that someone of greater glory/fame has arrived. Beowulf’s Enemy His challenge ends up making him seem weak due to what Beowulf reveals: ○ Killed his brothers ○ Hasn’t tried to fight Grendel ○ Talks a lot about what he has done, but there are no actions to back it up Grendel’s Mother - Supernatural Upset about what happened to Grendel Beowulf’s Enemy Took Grendel’s arm back from Herot Hall  Sea creature brought Beowulf to her battle arena Fought Beowulf in her lair She is Beowulf’s Supreme Ordeal Almost defeated Beowulf until he started to use a magical sword created by Giants Reward Beowulf defeated Grendel and Grendel’s Mother “Extra” revenge against Grendel by cutting his head off after already being dead Beowulf was given treasure for helping the Danes Beowulf becomes King of the Geats Literary Elements Kenning : compound metaphor symbolic of a noun Personification: Giving human characteristics to nonhuman things (even nature) Heroic Boast: Common in Anglo-Saxon era to demonstrate bravery and courage in order to achieve LOF Imagery: Descriptive language that appeals to the senses Characterization:Description of characters either directly (traits stated) or indirectly (traits revealed through actions or dialogue)