Beowulf Excerpts PDF

The Anglo-Saxon Epic from Beowulf RL 3 Analyze the impact of the Epic Poem by the Beowulf Poet Translated by Burton Raffel author’s choices regardin...

The Anglo-Saxon Epic from Beowulf RL 3 Analyze the impact of the Epic Poem by the Beowulf Poet Translated by Burton Raffel author’s choices regarding how to develop and relate elements VIDEO TRAILER KEYWORD: HML12-40A of a story. RL 4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative meanings; analyze the Meet the Author impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including words with multiple meanings or language that is particularly fresh, The Beowulf Poet about 750? engaging, or beautiful. L 4a Use context as a clue to the meaning Old English bears little resemblance to of a word. L 5a Interpret figures Modern English and so must be translated of speech in context and analyze their role in the text. L 5b Analyze for readers today. By the time Beowulf nuances in the meaning of words was written, the Anglo-Saxons had also with similar denotations. converted to Christianity. This Christian influence is evident in the poem. Long Ago and Far Away Although Beowulf was composed in England, the “Hear me!” So begins Beowulf, the oldest poem describes events that take place did you know? surviving epic poem in English. The in Scandinavia around the 500s among The original Beowulf command was intended to capture the two groups: the Danes of what is now manuscript... listening audience’s attention, for Beowulf Denmark and the Geats (gCts) of what is exists in only one copy. was originally chanted or sung aloud. now Sweden. Beowulf is a Geat warrior was damaged and Centuries of poet-singers, called scops who crosses the sea to defeat Grendel, a nearly destroyed in a fire (shIps), recited the adventures of Beowulf. monster who is terrorizing the Danes. He in the 18th century. It is our great fortune that eventually a later returns to his homeland to succeed has now been preserved gifted poet unified the heroic accounts his uncle as king of the Geats. through digitization. and produced an enduring work of art. Beowulf celebrates warrior culture By Anonymous Unfortunately, we don’t and deeds requiring great strength and know who that poet was or when Beowulf courage. Scops recited the poem and was composed. Scholars contend that the other tales in mead halls, large wooden poet may have lived anytime between the buildings that provided a safe haven for middle of the seventh century a.d. and the warriors returning from battle. During end of the tenth century. However, we do the performances, audiences feasted and know where the poem was written. In the drank mead, an alcoholic beverage. fifth century, bloody warfare in northern Europe had driven many Germanic- Survivor The sole surviving copy of Beowulf speaking tribes, including groups of dates from about the year 1000. It is the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes, to abandon work of Christian monks who preserved their homes. Many of these groups settled the literature of the past by copying in England, where they established what is manuscripts. After suffering mistreatment now called Anglo-Saxon civilization. and several near-disasters, the Beowulf manuscript is now safely housed in the The people of the Anglo-Saxon period British Library in London. spoke a language known as Old English, the language in which Beowulf was composed. Author Online Go to thinkcentral.com. KEYWORD: HML12-40B 40 NA_L12PE-u01s11-brBeowul.indd 40 12/15/10 7:27:43 PM  text analysis: characteristics of an epic An epic, a long narrative poem that traces the adventures of a great hero, has the power to transport you to another time and place. Beowulf takes you to the Anglo-Saxon period and Where do the land of the Danes and the Geats, where a mighty warrior battles fantastic monsters. As you read the poem, note some monsters of the following characteristics of epic poetry: The hero is a legendary figure who performs deeds requiring lurk? incredible courage and strength. Unlike the monsters in Beowulf, those The hero embodies character traits that reflect lofty ideals. in our world are not always easy to The poet uses formal diction and a serious tone. identify. Evil can hide in the most unexpected places: behind a smiling The poem reflects timeless values and universal themes. face, between the lines of a law, in otherwise noble-sounding words. Even reading strategy: reading old english poetry when evil is clearly exposed, people may Old English poetry is marked by a strong rhythm that is easy to disagree on how to confront it. chant or sing. Here are some of the techniques used in an Old English poem: QUICKWRITE What does evil mean to you? Write your own definition of the alliteration, or the repetition of consonant sounds at the word, and provide some examples of beginning of words, which helps unify the lines real-life monsters. So mankind’s enemy continued his crimes caesura (sG-zhMrPE), or a pause dividing each line, with each part having two accented syllables to help maintain the rhythm of the lines He took what he wanted, // all the treasures kenning, a metaphorical compound word or phrase substituted for a noun or name, which enhances meaning— for example, “mankind’s enemy” used in place of “Grendel” As you read Beowulf, note examples of these techniques and consider their effect on rhythm and meaning in the poem. vocabulary in context The words shown here help convey the monstrous forces Beowulf faces in the epic. Choose a word from the list that has the same definition as each numbered item. word affliction lair purge list gorge livid talon infamous loathsome 1. claw 2. burden 3. notorious 4. cram Complete the activities in your Reader/Writer Notebook. beowulf 41 NA_L12PE-u01s11-brBeowul.indd 41 11/22/10 11:59:41 AM  Hrothgar (hrôthPgärQ), king of the Danes, has built a wonderful mead hall called Herot (hDrQEt), where his subjects congregate and make merry. As this selection opens, a fierce and powerful monster named Grendel invades the mead hall, bringing death and destruction. grendel A powerful monster, living down In the darkness, growled in pain, impatient a a OLD ENGLISH POETRY As day after day the music rang Reread lines 1–2 aloud. Notice Loud in that hall, the harp’s rejoicing the use of alliteration with the repetition of the letters p and d. 5 Call and the poet’s clear songs, sung What mood, or feeling, does the Of the ancient beginnings of us all, recalling alliteration convey? The Almighty making the earth, shaping These beautiful plains marked off by oceans, Then proudly setting the sun and moon 10 To glow across the land and light it; Analyze Visuals The corners of the earth were made lovely with trees Examine the composition, or And leaves, made quick with life, with each arrangement of shapes, in this photograph. How does the Of the nations who now move on its face. And then angle of the photo contribute to As now warriors sang of their pleasure: its impact? 42 unit 1: the anglo-saxon and medieval periods NA_L12PE-u01s11-Beowul.indd 42 11/22/10 12:01:06 PM  beowulf 43 NA_L12PE-u01s11-Beowul.indd 43 11/22/10 12:01:25 PM  15 So Hrothgar’s men lived happy in his hall Till the monster stirred, that demon, that fiend, Grendel, who haunted the moors, the wild 17 moors (mMrz): broad, open Marshes, and made his home in a hell regions with patches of bog. Not hell but earth. He was spawned in that slime, 19 spawned: given birth to. 20 Conceived by a pair of those monsters born Of Cain, murderous creatures banished 21 Cain: the eldest son of Adam and By God, punished forever for the crime Eve. According to the Bible (Genesis 4), he murdered his younger brother Abel. Of Abel’s death. The Almighty drove Those demons out, and their exile was bitter, 25 Shut away from men; they split Into a thousand forms of evil—spirits And fiends, goblins, monsters, giants, A brood forever opposing the Lord’s Will, and again and again defeated. b b EPIC Note the description in lines Then, when darkness had dropped, Grendel 23–29 of supernatural creatures 30 that are “again and again Went up to Herot, wondering what the warriors defeated.” What universal Would do in that hall when their drinking was done. theme might these lines He found them sprawled in sleep, suspecting suggest? Nothing, their dreams undisturbed. The monster’s 35 Thoughts were as quick as his greed or his claws: He slipped through the door and there in the silence Snatched up thirty men, smashed them Unknowing in their beds and ran out with their bodies, The blood dripping behind him, back 40 To his lair, delighted with his night’s slaughter. lair (lâr) n. the den or resting At daybreak, with the sun’s first light, they saw place of a wild animal How well he had worked, and in that gray morning Broke their long feast with tears and laments For the dead. Hrothgar, their lord, sat joyless 45 In Herot, a mighty prince mourning The fate of his lost friends and companions, Knowing by its tracks that some demon had torn His followers apart. He wept, fearing The beginning might not be the end. And that night c c EPIC 50 Grendel came again, so set What is the tone of lines 44–49? What words and details convey On murder that no crime could ever be enough, this tone? No savage assault quench his lust For evil. Then each warrior tried To escape him, searched for rest in different 55 Beds, as far from Herot as they could find, Seeing how Grendel hunted when they slept. Distance was safety; the only survivors Were those who fled him. Hate had triumphed. 44 unit 1: the anglo-saxon and medieval periods NA_L12PE-u01s11-Beowul.indd 44 11/22/10 12:01:31 PM  So Grendel ruled, fought with the righteous, 60 One against many, and won; so Herot Stood empty, and stayed deserted for years, Twelve winters of grief for Hrothgar, king Of the Danes, sorrow heaped at his door By hell-forged hands. His misery leaped d d OLD ENGLISH POETRY 65 The seas, was told and sung in all What does the kenning “hell- forged hands” in line 64 suggest Men’s ears: how Grendel’s hatred began, about Grendel? How the monster relished his savage war On the Danes, keeping the bloody feud Alive, seeking no peace, offering 70 No truce, accepting no settlement, no price In gold or land, and paying the living For one crime only with another. No one Waited for reparation from his plundering claws: 73 reparation: something done to That shadow of death hunted in the darkness, make amends for loss or suffering. In Germanic society, someone who 75 Stalked Hrothgar’s warriors, old killed another person was generally And young, lying in waiting, hidden expected to make a payment to the In mist, invisibly following them from the edge victim’s family as a way of restoring peace. Of the marsh, always there, unseen. So mankind’s enemy continued his crimes, 80 Killing as often as he could, coming Alone, bloodthirsty and horrible. Though he lived In Herot, when the night hid him, he never Dared to touch king Hrothgar’s glorious Throne, protected by God—God, 84 The reference to God shows 85 Whose love Grendel could not know. But Hrothgar’s the influence of Christianity on the Beowulf Poet. Heart was bent. The best and most noble Of his council debated remedies, sat In secret sessions, talking of terror And wondering what the bravest of warriors could do. 90 And sometimes they sacrificed to the old stone gods, Made heathen vows, hoping for Hell’s 91 heathen (hCPthEn): pagan; non- Support, the Devil’s guidance in driving Christian. Though the Beowulf Poet was a Christian, he recognized that Their affliction off. That was their way, the characters in the poem lived And the heathen’s only hope, Hell before the Germanic tribes were 95 Always in their hearts, knowing neither God converted to Christianity, when they still worshiped “the old stone gods.” Nor His passing as He walks through our world, the Lord Of Heaven and earth; their ears could not hear affliction (E-flGkPshEn) n. a force that oppresses or causes His praise nor know His glory. Let them suffering Beware, those who are thrust into danger, 100 Clutched at by trouble, yet can carry no solace In their hearts, cannot hope to be better! Hail To those who will rise to God, drop off Their dead bodies and seek our Father’s peace! beowulf 45 NA_L12PE-u01s11-Beowul.indd 45 11/22/10 12:01:32 PM  beowulf The Oseberg Ship (850), Viking. Viking Ship Museum, Bygdoy, Norway. © Werner Forman/Art Resource, New York. So the living sorrow of Healfdane’s son 104 Healfdane’s son: Hrothgar. 105 Simmered, bitter and fresh, and no wisdom Or strength could break it: that agony hung On king and people alike, harsh And unending, violent and cruel, and evil. In his far-off home Beowulf, Higlac’s 109–110 Higlac’s follower: a warrior 110 Follower and the strongest of the Geats—greater loyal to Higlac (hGgPlBkQ), king of the Geats (and Beowulf’s uncle). And stronger than anyone anywhere in this world— Heard how Grendel filled nights with horror And quickly commanded a boat fitted out, Proclaiming that he’d go to that famous king, 115 Would sail across the sea to Hrothgar, Now when help was needed. None Of the wise ones regretted his going, much As he was loved by the Geats: the omens were good, And they urged the adventure on. So Beowulf 120 Chose the mightiest men he could find, The bravest and best of the Geats, fourteen In all, and led them down to their boat; 46 unit 1: the anglo-saxon and medieval periods NA_L12PE-u01s11-Beowul.indd 46 11/22/10 12:01:32 PM  RL 3 He knew the sea, would point the prow Straight to that distant Danish shore.... e e EPIC An epic is a long narrative poem Beowulf and his men sail over the sea to the land of the Danes to offer that traces the adventures of a great hero. Almost all national help to Hrothgar. They are escorted by a Danish guard to Herot, where cultures have their own epics, Wulfgar, one of Hrothgar’s soldiers, tells the king of their arrival. Hrothgar whose stories and heroes play knows of Beowulf and is ready to welcome the young prince and his men. a role in defining the national character. An epic may describe 125 Then Wulfgar went to the door and addressed how a nation was established or highlight specific traits The waiting seafarers with soldier’s words: associated with its people. Read “My lord, the great king of the Danes, commands me lines 109–124. At what point in To tell you that he knows of your noble birth the story is Beowulf introduced? And that having come to him from over the open What traits of an epic hero does he appear to possess? Which 130 Sea you have come bravely and are welcome. traits of Beowulf’s might also Now go to him as you are, in your armor and helmets, be used to describe the British But leave your battle-shields here, and your spears, people and their origins? Let them lie waiting for the promises your words May make.” Beowulf arose, with his men 135 Around him, ordering a few to remain With their weapons, leading the others quickly Along under Herot’s steep roof into Hrothgar’s Presence. Standing on that prince’s own hearth, Helmeted, the silvery metal of his mail shirt 139 mail shirt: flexible body armor 140 Gleaming with a smith’s high art, he greeted made of metal links or overlapping metal scales. The Danes’ great lord: 140 smith’s high art: the skilled “Hail, Hrothgar! craft of a blacksmith (a person who Higlac is my cousin and my king; the days fashions objects from iron). Of my youth have been filled with glory. Now Grendel’s 142 cousin: here, a general term for a relative. Beowulf is actually Higlac’s Name has echoed in our land: sailors nephew. 145 Have brought us stories of Herot, the best Of all mead-halls, deserted and useless when the moon Hangs in skies the sun had lit, Light and life fleeing together. My people have said, the wisest, most knowing 150 And best of them, that my duty was to go to the Danes’ Great king. They have seen my strength for themselves, Have watched me rise from the darkness of war, Dripping with my enemies’ blood. I drove Five great giants into chains, chased 155 All of that race from the earth. I swam In the blackness of night, hunting monsters Out of the ocean, and killing them one beowulf 47 NA_L12PE-u01s11-Beowul.indd 47 11/22/10 12:01:38 PM  By one; death was my errand and the fate They had earned. Now Grendel and I are called f f EPIC 160 Together, and I’ve come. Grant me, then, Notice that in lines 153–159, Beowulf boasts about past Lord and protector of this noble place, victories that required A single request! I have come so far, superhuman strength and Oh shelterer of warriors and your people’s loved friend, courage. Why might the people That this one favor you should not refuse me— of Beowulf’s time have valued 165 That I, alone and with the help of my men, such traits? May purge all evil from this hall. I have heard, purge (pûrj) v. to cleanse or rid of Too, that the monster’s scorn of men something undesirable Is so great that he needs no weapons and fears none. Nor will I. My lord Higlac 170 Might think less of me if I let my sword Go where my feet were afraid to, if I hid Behind some broad linden shield: my hands 172 linden shield: a shield made Alone shall fight for me, struggle for life from the wood of a linden tree. Against the monster. God must decide 172–174 Beowulf insists on fighting Grendel without weapons. 175 Who will be given to death’s cold grip. Grendel’s plan, I think, will be What it has been before, to invade this hall And gorge his belly with our bodies. If he can, gorge (gôrj) v. to stuff with If he can. And I think, if my time will have come, food; glut 180 There’ll be nothing to mourn over, no corpse to prepare For its grave: Grendel will carry our bloody Flesh to the moors, crunch on our bones And smear torn scraps of our skin on the walls Of his den. No, I expect no Danes 185 Will fret about sewing our shrouds, if he wins. 185 shrouds: cloths in which dead bodies are wrapped. And if death does take me, send the hammered Mail of my armor to Higlac, return The inheritance I had from Hrethel, and he 188 Hrethel (hrDthPEl): a former king From Wayland. Fate will unwind as it must!” of the Geats—Higlac’s father and Beowulf’s grandfather. 189 Wayland: a famous blacksmith 190 Hrothgar replied, protector of the Danes: and magician. “Beowulf, you’ve come to us in friendship, and because Of the reception your father found at our court. Edgetho had begun a bitter feud, 193 Edgetho (DjPthI): Beowulf’s father. Killing Hathlaf, a Wulfing warrior: 194 Wulfing: a member of another Your father’s countrymen were afraid of war, Germanic tribe. 195 If he returned to his home, and they turned him away. Then he traveled across the curving waves To the land of the Danes. I was new to the throne, Then, a young man ruling this wide 48 unit 1: the anglo-saxon and medieval periods NA_L12PE-u01s11-Beowul.indd 48 11/22/10 12:01:39 PM  200 Kingdom and its golden city: Hergar, My older brother, a far better man Than I, had died and dying made me, Second among Healfdane’s sons, first In this nation. I bought the end of Edgetho’s 205 Quarrel, sent ancient treasures through the ocean’s Furrows to the Wulfings; your father swore He’d keep that peace. My tongue grows heavy, And my heart, when I try to tell you what Grendel Has brought us, the damage he’s done, here 210 In this hall. You see for yourself how much smaller g g OLD ENGLISH POETRY Our ranks have become, and can guess what we’ve lost Observe that as Hrothgar begins To his terror. Surely the Lord Almighty to speak about Grendel in lines 207–210, his tone, or his attitude Could stop his madness, smother his lust! toward his subject, becomes How many times have my men, glowing bleak and despairing. What 215 With courage drawn from too many cups repeated sounds does the poet Of ale, sworn to stay after dark use to suggest this tone? And stem that horror with a sweep of their swords. And then, in the morning, this mead-hall glittering With new light would be drenched with blood, the benches 220 Stained red, the floors, all wet from that fiend’s Savage assault—and my soldiers would be fewer Still, death taking more and more. But to table, Beowulf, a banquet in your honor: Let us toast your victories, and talk of the future.” h h EPIC 225 Then Hrothgar’s men gave places to the Geats, Note that Hrothgar delivers a long speech to Beowulf in Yielded benches to the brave visitors lines 190–224. What values are And led them to the feast. The keeper of the mead reflected in the speech? Came carrying out the carved flasks, And poured that bright sweetness. A poet 230 Sang, from time to time, in a clear Pure voice. Danes and visiting Geats Celebrated as one, drank and rejoiced.... beowulf 49 NA_L12PE-u01s11-Beowul.indd 49 11/22/10 12:01:40 PM  the battle with grendel After the banquet, Hrothgar and his followers leave Herot, and Beowulf and his warriors remain to spend the night. Beowulf reiterates his intent to fight Grendel without a sword and, while his followers sleep, lies waiting, eager for Grendel to appear. Out from the marsh, from the foot of misty Hills and bogs, bearing God’s hatred, 235 Grendel came, hoping to kill i i OLD ENGLISH POETRY Anyone he could trap on this trip to high Herot. Reread lines 233–235. Notice that the translator uses He moved quickly through the cloudy night, punctuation to convey the Up from his swampland, sliding silently effect of the midline pauses, or Toward that gold-shining hall. He had visited Hrothgar’s caesuras, in the lines. In what 240 Home before, knew the way— way does the rhythm created by But never, before nor after that night, the pauses reinforce the action recounted here? Found Herot defended so firmly, his reception So harsh. He journeyed, forever joyless, Straight to the door, then snapped it open, 245 Tore its iron fasteners with a touch 50 unit 1: the anglo-saxon and medieval periods NA_L12PE-u01s11-Beowul.indd 50 11/22/10 12:01:40 PM  And rushed angrily over the threshold. 246 threshold: the strip of wood or He strode quickly across the inlaid stone at the bottom of a doorway. Floor, snarling and fierce: his eyes Gleamed in the darkness, burned with a gruesome 250 Light. Then he stopped, seeing the hall Crowded with sleeping warriors, stuffed With rows of young soldiers resting together. And his heart laughed, he relished the sight, Intended to tear the life from those bodies 255 By morning; the monster’s mind was hot With the thought of food and the feasting his belly Would soon know. But fate, that night, intended Grendel to gnaw the broken bones Of his last human supper. Human 260 Eyes were watching his evil steps, Waiting to see his swift hard claws. Grendel snatched at the first Geat He came to, ripped him apart, cut His body to bits with powerful jaws, 265 Drank the blood from his veins and bolted Him down, hands and feet; death And Grendel’s great teeth came together, Snapping life shut. Then he stepped to another Still body, clutched at Beowulf with his claws, 270 Grasped at a strong-hearted wakeful sleeper —And was instantly seized himself, claws Bent back as Beowulf leaned up on one arm. That shepherd of evil, guardian of crime, Knew at once that nowhere on earth 275 Had he met a man whose hands were harder; His mind was flooded with fear—but nothing Could take his talons and himself from that tight talon (tBlPEn) n. a claw Hard grip. Grendel’s one thought was to run 278–289 Up to this point Grendel From Beowulf, flee back to his marsh and hide there: has killed his human victims easily. 280 This was a different Herot than the hall he had emptied. But Higlac’s follower remembered his final Boast and, standing erect, stopped The monster’s flight, fastened those claws In his fists till they cracked, clutched Grendel 285 Closer. The infamous killer fought infamous (GnPfE-mEs) adj. having For his freedom, wanting no flesh but retreat, a very bad reputation Desiring nothing but escape; his claws Had been caught, he was trapped. That trip to Herot Was a miserable journey for the writhing monster! beowulf 51 NA_L12PE-u01s11-Beowul.indd 51 11/22/10 12:01:47 PM  290 The high hall rang, its roof boards swayed, And Danes shook with terror. Down The aisles the battle swept, angry And wild. Herot trembled, wonderfully Built to withstand the blows, the struggling 295 Great bodies beating at its beautiful walls; Shaped and fastened with iron, inside And out, artfully worked, the building Stood firm. Its benches rattled, fell To the floor, gold-covered boards grating 300 As Grendel and Beowulf battled across them. j j OLD ENGLISH POETRY Hrothgar’s wise men had fashioned Herot Reread lines 293–300. What impression of the battle does the To stand forever; only fire, alliteration help convey? They had planned, could shatter what such skill had put Together, swallow in hot flames such splendor 305 Of ivory and iron and wood. Suddenly The sounds changed, the Danes started In new terror, cowering in their beds as the terrible Screams of the Almighty’s enemy sang In the darkness, the horrible shrieks of pain 310 And defeat, the tears torn out of Grendel’s Taut throat, hell’s captive caught in the arms L 4a Of him who of all the men on earth Language Coach Was the strongest. Homophones Many word pairs sound alike but have different That mighty protector of men spellings and meanings. For Meant to hold the monster till its life example, taught is the past tense 315 Leaped out, knowing the fiend was no use of teach. Which word in line 311 is a homophone for taught? Guess To anyone in Denmark. All of Beowulf ’s the word’s meaning using the Band had jumped from their beds, ancestral surrounding text. Swords raised and ready, determined To protect their prince if they could. Their courage 320 Was great but all wasted: they could hack at Grendel From every side, trying to open A path for his evil soul, but their points Could not hurt him, the sharpest and hardest iron Could not scratch at his skin, for that sin-stained demon 325 Had bewitched all men’s weapons, laid spells That blunted every mortal man’s blade. And yet his time had come, his days Were over, his death near; down To hell he would go, swept groaning and helpless 330 To the waiting hands of still worse fiends. 52 unit 1: the anglo-saxon and medieval periods NA_L12PE-u01s11-Beowul.indd 52 11/22/10 12:01:48 PM  Now he discovered—once the afflictor Of men, tormentor of their days—what it meant To feud with Almighty God: Grendel Saw that his strength was deserting him, his claws 335 Bound fast, Higlac’s brave follower tearing at His hands. The monster’s hatred rose higher, But his power had gone. He twisted in pain, And the bleeding sinews deep in his shoulder 338 sinews (sGnPyLz): the tendons that connect muscles to bones. Snapped, muscle and bone split 340 And broke. The battle was over, Beowulf Had been granted new glory: Grendel escaped, But wounded as he was could flee to his den, His miserable hole at the bottom of the marsh, Only to die, to wait for the end 345 Of all his days. And after that bloody Combat the Danes laughed with delight. He who had come to them from across the sea, Bold and strong-minded, had driven affliction Off, purged Herot clean. He was happy, 350 Now, with that night’s fierce work; the Danes Had been served as he’d boasted he’d serve them; Beowulf, A prince of the Geats, had killed Grendel, Ended the grief, the sorrow, the suffering Forced on Hrothgar’s helpless people 355 By a bloodthirsty fiend. No Dane doubted The victory, for the proof, hanging high From the rafters where Beowulf had hung it, was the monster’s Arm, claw and shoulder and all. And then, in the morning, crowds surrounded 360 Herot, warriors coming to that hall From faraway lands, princes and leaders Of men hurrying to behold the monster’s Great staggering tracks. They gaped with no sense Of sorrow, felt no regret for his suffering, 365 Went tracing his bloody footprints, his beaten And lonely flight, to the edge of the lake Where he’d dragged his corpselike way, doomed And already weary of his vanishing life. The water was bloody, steaming and boiling 370 In horrible pounding waves, heat Sucked from his magic veins; but the swirling Surf had covered his death, hidden beowulf 53 NA_L12PE-u01s11-Beowul.indd 53 11/22/10 12:01:49 PM  Deep in murky darkness his miserable End, as hell opened to receive him. k k GRAMMAR AND STYLE 375 Then old and young rejoiced, turned back To capture a scene, the poet From that happy pilgrimage, mounted their hard-hooved often uses vivid imagery. Notice the use in lines 369–374, for Horses, high-spirited stallions, and rode them example, of adjectives such as Slowly toward Herot again, retelling bloody, steaming, pounding, and Beowulf ’s bravery as they jogged along. swirling to help readers see and 380 And over and over they swore that nowhere feel the violent, churning water. On earth or under the spreading sky Or between the seas, neither south nor north, Was there a warrior worthier to rule over men. (But no one meant Beowulf ’s praise to belittle 385 Hrothgar, their kind and gracious king!) And sometimes, when the path ran straight and clear, They would let their horses race, red And brown and pale yellow backs streaming Down the road. And sometimes a proud old soldier 390 Who had heard songs of the ancient heroes And could sing them all through, story after story, Would weave a net of words for Beowulf ’s Victory, tying the knot of his verses l OLD ENGLISH POETRY Reread lines 389–396. In what Smoothly, swiftly, into place with a poet’s ways does this description 395 Quick skill, singing his new song aloud reflect the techniques used by While he shaped it, and the old songs as well.... l Anglo-Saxon poets? Cite details. Text Analysis 1. Clarify Why does Beowulf journey across the sea to the land of the Danes? 2. Summarize How does Beowulf trap and kill Grendel? 3. Analyze Motivation What drives Grendel to attack so many men at Herot, the mead hall? 4. Make Inferences Why does Beowulf hang Grendel’s arm from the rafters of Herot? 54 unit 1: the anglo-saxon and medieval periods NA_L12PE-u01s11-Beowul.indd 54 11/22/10 12:01:49 PM  grendel’s mother Although one monster has died, another still lives. From her lair in a What mood is conveyed by this cold and murky lake, where she has been brooding over her loss, Grendel’s photograph? Which elements help create that mood? mother emerges, bent on revenge. So she reached Herot, Where the Danes slept as though already dead; Her visit ended their good fortune, reversed 400 The bright vane of their luck. No female, no matter 400 vane: a device that turns How fierce, could have come with a man’s strength, to show the direction the wind is blowing—here associated Fought with the power and courage men fight with, metaphorically with luck, which is as Smashing their shining swords, their bloody, changeable as the wind. Hammer-forged blades onto boar-headed helmets, 404 boar-headed helmets: 405 Slashing and stabbing with the sharpest of points. Germanic warriors often wore helmets bearing the images of wild The soldiers raised their shields and drew pigs or other fierce creatures in the Those gleaming swords, swung them above hope that the images would increase The piled-up benches, leaving their mail shirts their ferocity and protect them against their enemies. And their helmets where they’d lain when the terror took hold of them. 410 To save her life she moved still faster, Took a single victim and fled from the hall, Running to the moors, discovered, but her supper Assured, sheltered in her dripping claws. She’d taken Hrothgar’s closest friend, 415 The man he most loved of all men on earth; She’d killed a glorious soldier, cut A noble life short. No Geat could have stopped her: Beowulf and his band had been given better beowulf 55 NA_L12PE-u01s11-Beowul.indd 55 11/22/10 12:01:50 PM  Beds; sleep had come to them in a different 420 Hall. Then all Herot burst into shouts: She had carried off Grendel’s claw. Sorrow Had returned to Denmark. They’d traded deaths, Danes and monsters, and no one had won, Both had lost!... Devastated by the loss of his friend, Hrothgar sends for Beowulf and recounts what Grendel’s mother has done. Then Hrothgar describes the dark lake where Grendel’s mother has dwelt with her son. 425 “They live in secret places, windy Cliffs, wolf-dens where water pours From the rocks, then runs underground, where mist Steams like black clouds, and the groves of trees Growing out over their lake are all covered 430 With frozen spray, and wind down snakelike L 4a Roots that reach as far as the water And help keep it dark. At night that lake Language Coach Homographs Words with the Burns like a torch. No one knows its bottom, same spelling but different No wisdom reaches such depths. A deer, meanings, pronunciations, or 435 Hunted through the woods by packs of hounds, both are homographs. The word A stag with great horns, though driven through the forest wind, for example, can rhyme From faraway places, prefers to die with sinned or kind. What is the pronunciation and meaning On those shores, refuses to save its life of wind in line 430? How can In that water. It isn’t far, nor is it you tell? 440 A pleasant spot! When the wind stirs And storms, waves splash toward the sky, As dark as the air, as black as the rain That the heavens weep. Our only help, Again, lies with you. Grendel’s mother 445 Is hidden in her terrible home, in a place You’ve not seen. Seek it, if you dare! Save us, Once more, and again twisted gold, 447–449 Germanic warriors placed Heaped-up ancient treasure, will reward you great importance on amassing treasure as a way of acquiring fame For the battle you win!”... and temporarily defeating fate. 56 unit 1: the anglo-saxon and medieval periods NA_L12PE-u01s11-Beowul.indd 56 11/22/10 12:01:55 PM  the battle with grendel’s mother Beowulf accepts Hrothgar’s challenge, and the king and his men accompany the hero to the dreadful lair of Grendel’s mother. Fearlessly, Beowulf prepares to battle the terrible creature. 450 He leaped into the lake, would not wait for anyone’s Answer; the heaving water covered him Over. For hours he sank through the waves; At last he saw the mud of the bottom. And all at once the greedy she-wolf 455 Who’d ruled those waters for half a hundred Years discovered him, saw that a creature From above had come to explore the bottom Of her wet world. She welcomed him in her claws, Clutched at him savagely but could not harm him, 460 Tried to work her fingers through the tight Ring-woven mail on his breast, but tore beowulf 57 NA_L12PE-u01s11-Beowul.indd 57 11/22/10 12:01:56 PM  And scratched in vain. Then she carried him, armor And sword and all, to her home; he struggled To free his weapon, and failed. The fight 465 Brought other monsters swimming to see Her catch, a host of sea beasts who beat at His mail shirt, stabbing with tusks and teeth As they followed along. Then he realized, suddenly, That she’d brought him into someone’s battle-hall, 470 And there the water’s heat could not hurt him, Nor anything in the lake attack him through m EPIC Reread lines 464–474. What The building’s high-arching roof. A brilliant details of the battle and its Light burned all around him, the lake setting are characteristic of Itself like a fiery flame. m an epic? Then he saw 475 The mighty water witch, and swung his sword, His ring-marked blade, straight at her head; 476 his ring-marked blade: For the The iron sang its fierce song, battle with Grendel’s mother, Beowulf has been given an heirloom sword Sang Beowulf ’s strength. But her guest with an intricately etched blade. Discovered that no sword could slice her evil 480 Skin, that Hrunting could not hurt her, was useless 480 Hrunting (hrOnPtGng): the name of Beowulf’s sword. (Germanic Now when he needed it. They wrestled, she ripped warriors’ swords were possessions And tore and clawed at him, bit holes in his helmet, of such value that they were often And that too failed him; for the first time in years given names.) Of being worn to war it would earn no glory; 485 It was the last time anyone would wear it. But Beowulf Longed only for fame, leaped back Into battle. He tossed his sword aside, Angry; the steel-edged blade lay where He’d dropped it. If weapons were useless he’d use 490 His hands, the strength in his fingers. So fame Comes to the men who mean to win it And care about nothing else! He raised His arms and seized her by the shoulder; anger Doubled his strength, he threw her to the floor. 495 She fell, Grendel’s fierce mother, and the Geats’ Proud prince was ready to leap on her. But she rose At once and repaid him with her clutching claws, Wildly tearing at him. He was weary, that best And strongest of soldiers; his feet stumbled 500 And in an instant she had him down, held helpless. Squatting with her weight on his stomach, she drew A dagger, brown with dried blood, and prepared To avenge her only son. But he was stretched 58 unit 1: the anglo-saxon and medieval periods NA_L12PE-u01s11-Beowul.indd 58 11/22/10 12:01:59 PM  On his back, and her stabbing blade was blunted 505 By the woven mail shirt he wore on his chest. The hammered links held; the point Could not touch him. He’d have traveled to the bottom of the earth, Edgetho’s son, and died there, if that shining Woven metal had not helped—and Holy 510 God, who sent him victory, gave judgment For truth and right, Ruler of the Heavens, Once Beowulf was back on his feet and fighting. Then he saw, hanging on the wall, a heavy Sword, hammered by giants, strong 515 And blessed with their magic, the best of all weapons But so massive that no ordinary man could lift Its carved and decorated length. He drew it From its scabbard, broke the chain on its hilt, And then, savage, now, angry 520 And desperate, lifted it high over his head And struck with all the strength he had left, Caught her in the neck and cut it through, Broke bones and all. Her body fell To the floor, lifeless, the sword was wet 525 With her blood, and Beowulf rejoiced at the sight. The brilliant light shone, suddenly, As though burning in that hall, and as bright as Heaven’s Own candle, lit in the sky. He looked n n EPIC At her home, then following along the wall What does the light described in lines 526–528 suggest about 530 Went walking, his hands tight on the sword, Beowulf’s victory? His heart still angry. He was hunting another Dead monster, and took his weapon with him For final revenge against Grendel’s vicious Attacks, his nighttime raids, over 535 And over, coming to Herot when Hrothgar’s Men slept, killing them in their beds, Eating some on the spot, fifteen Or more, and running to his loathsome moor loathsome (lIthPsEm) adj. With another such sickening meal waiting disgusting 540 In his pouch. But Beowulf repaid him for those visits, Found him lying dead in his corner, Armless, exactly as that fierce fighter Had sent him out from Herot, then struck off His head with a single swift blow. The body 545 Jerked for the last time, then lay still. beowulf 59 NA_L12PE-u01s11-Beowul.indd 59 11/22/10 12:02:00 PM  The wise old warriors who surrounded Hrothgar, Like him staring into the monsters’ lake, Saw the waves surging and blood Spurting through. They spoke about Beowulf, 550 All the graybeards, whispered together 550 graybeards: old men. And said that hope was gone, that the hero Had lost fame and his life at once, and would never Return to the living, come back as triumphant As he had left; almost all agreed that Grendel’s 555 Mighty mother, the she-wolf, had killed him. o o EPIC The sun slid over past noon, went further What do lines 549–555 suggest about attitudes toward fame in Down. The Danes gave up, left the Anglo-Saxon period? The lake and went home, Hrothgar with them. The Geats stayed, sat sadly, watching, 560 Imagining they saw their lord but not believing They would ever see him again. —Then the sword Melted, blood-soaked, dripping down Like water, disappearing like ice when the world’s Eternal Lord loosens invisible 565 Fetters and unwinds icicles and frost As only He can, He who rules Time and seasons, He who is truly God. The monsters’ hall was full of Rich treasures, but all that Beowulf took 570 Was Grendel’s head and the hilt of the giants’ Jeweled sword; the rest of that ring-marked Blade had dissolved in Grendel’s steaming Blood, boiling even after his death. And then the battle’s only survivor 575 Swam up and away from those silent corpses; The water was calm and clean, the whole Huge lake peaceful once the demons who’d lived in it Were dead. Then that noble protector of all seamen 578 that noble protector of all Swam to land, rejoicing in the heavy seamen: Beowulf, who will be buried in a tower that will serve as a 580 Burdens he was bringing with him. He navigational aid to sailors. And all his glorious band of Geats Thanked God that their leader had come back unharmed; They left the lake together. The Geats Carried Beowulf ’s helmet, and his mail shirt. 585 Behind them the water slowly thickened As the monsters’ blood came seeping up. 60 unit 1: the anglo-saxon and medieval periods NA_L12PE-u01s11-Beowul.indd 60 11/22/10 12:02:01 PM  They walked quickly, happily, across Roads all of them remembered, left The lake and the cliffs alongside it, brave men 590 Staggering under the weight of Grendel’s skull, Too heavy for fewer than four of them to handle— Two on each side of the spear jammed through it— Yet proud of their ugly load and determined That the Danes, seated in Herot, should see it. p p EPIC 595 Soon, fourteen Geats arrived Reread lines 587–594. Why do you think the Geats want the At the hall, bold and warlike, and with Beowulf, Danes to see Grendel’s skull? Their lord and leader, they walked on the mead-hall Green. Then the Geats’ brave prince entered Herot, covered with glory for the daring 600 Battles he had fought; he sought Hrothgar To salute him and show Grendel’s head. He carried that terrible trophy by the hair, Brought it straight to where the Danes sat, Drinking, the queen among them. It was a weird 604 queen: Welthow, wife of 605 And wonderful sight, and the warriors stared.... Hrothgar. Text Analysis 1. Clarify Why does Hrothgar ask Beowulf to battle Grendel’s mother? 2. Summarize What does Beowulf do after he kills Grendel’s mother? 3. Compare and Contrast Compare the two monsters. Does the behavior of Grendel’s mother seem as wicked or unreasonable as Grendel’s behavior? Support your opinion with evidence from the text. beowulf 61 NA_L12PE-u01s11-Beowul.indd 61 11/22/10 12:02:01 PM  beowulf’s last battle With Grendel’s mother destroyed, peace is restored to the land of the Danes, and Beowulf, laden with Hrothgar’s gifts, returns to the land of his own people, the Geats. After his uncle and cousin die, Beowulf becomes king of the Geats and rules in peace and prosperity for 50 years. One day, however, a fire-breathing dragon that has been guarding a treasure for hundreds of years is disturbed by a thief, who enters the treasure tower and steals a cup. The dragon begins terrorizing the Geats, and Beowulf, now an old man, takes on the challenge of fighting it. And Beowulf uttered his final boast: “I’ve never known fear, as a youth I fought In endless battles. I am old, now, But I will fight again, seek fame still, 610 If the dragon hiding in his tower dares To face me.” 62 unit 1: the anglo-saxon and medieval periods NA_L12PE-u01s11-Beowul.indd 62 11/22/10 12:02:02 PM  Then he said farewell to his followers, q q OLD ENGLISH POETRY Each in his turn, for the last time: Notice the repeated use of the letter f in lines 606–611. What “I’d use no sword, no weapon, if this beast tone does the alliteration help Could be killed without it, crushed to death convey? 615 Like Grendel, gripped in my hands and torn Limb from limb. But his breath will be burning Hot, poison will pour from his tongue. I feel no shame, with shield and sword And armor, against this monster: when he comes to me 620 I mean to stand, not run from his shooting Flames, stand till fate decides Which of us wins. My heart is firm, My hands calm: I need no hot Words. Wait for me close by, my friends. 625 We shall see, soon, who will survive This bloody battle, stand when the fighting Is done. No one else could do What I mean to, here, no man but me Could hope to defeat this monster. No one 630 Could try. And this dragon’s treasure, his gold And everything hidden in that tower, will be mine Or war will sweep me to a bitter death!” Then Beowulf rose, still brave, still strong, And with his shield at his side, and a mail shirt on his breast, 635 Strode calmly, confidently, toward the tower, under The rocky cliffs: no coward could have walked there! And then he who’d endured dozens of desperate Battles, who’d stood boldly while swords and shields Clashed, the best of kings, saw 640 Huge stone arches and felt the heat Of the dragon’s breath, flooding down Through the hidden entrance, too hot for anyone To stand, a streaming current of fire And smoke that blocked all passage. And the Geats’ 645 Lord and leader, angry, lowered His sword and roared out a battle cry, A call so loud and clear that it reached through The hoary rock, hung in the dragon’s 648 hoary (hôrPC): gray with age. Ear. The beast rose, angry, 650 Knowing a man had come—and then nothing But war could have followed. Its breath came first, A steaming cloud pouring from the stone, Then the earth itself shook. Beowulf beowulf 63 NA_L12PE-u01s11-Beowul.indd 63 11/22/10 12:02:06 PM  Swung his shield into place, held it 655 In front of him, facing the entrance. The dragon Coiled and uncoiled, its heart urging it Into battle. Beowulf ’s ancient sword Was waiting, unsheathed, his sharp and gleaming Blade. The beast came closer; both of them 660 Were ready, each set on slaughter. The Geats’ Great prince stood firm, unmoving, prepared Behind his high shield, waiting in his shining Armor. The monster came quickly toward him, Pouring out fire and smoke, hurrying 665 To its fate. Flames beat at the iron Shield, and for a time it held, protected Beowulf as he’d planned; then it began to melt, And for the first time in his life that famous prince Fought with fate against him, with glory 670 Denied him. He knew it, but he raised his sword And struck at the dragon’s scaly hide. r r EPIC The ancient blade broke, bit into Reread lines 668–671. What do these lines reveal about the The monster’s skin, drew blood, but cracked qualities of an epic hero? And failed him before it went deep enough, helped him 675 Less than he needed. The dragon leaped With pain, thrashed and beat at him, spouting Murderous flames, spreading them everywhere. And the Geats’ ring-giver did not boast of glorious 678 ring-giver: king; lord. When a Victories in other wars: his weapon man swore allegiance to a Germanic lord in return for his protection, the 680 Had failed him, deserted him, now when he needed it lord typically bestowed a ring on his Most, that excellent sword. Edgetho’s follower to symbolize the bond. Famous son stared at death, Unwilling to leave this world, to exchange it For a dwelling in some distant place—a journey 685 Into darkness that all men must make, as death Ends their few brief hours on earth. Quickly, the dragon came at him, encouraged As Beowulf fell back; its breath flared, And he suffered, wrapped around in swirling 690 Flames—a king, before, but now A beaten warrior. None of his comrades Came to him, helped him, his brave and noble Followers; they ran for their lives, fled s EPIC Deep in a wood. And only one of them What values are implied in lines 695 Remained, stood there, miserable, remembering, 691–696? What message about As a good man must, what kinship should mean. s these values do the lines convey? 64 unit 1: the anglo-saxon and medieval periods NA_L12PE-u01s11-Beowul.indd 64 11/22/10 12:02:06 PM  His name was Wiglaf, he was Wexstan’s son And a good soldier; his family had been Swedish, Once. Watching Beowulf, he could see 700 How his king was suffering, burning. Remembering 701 Everything his lord and cousin had given him, 702 Armor and gold and the great estates 703 Wexstan’s family enjoyed, Wiglaf ’s Mind was made up; he raised his yellow 705 Shield and drew his sword.... And Wiglaf, his heart heavy, uttered The kind of words his comrades deserved: “I remember how we sat in the mead-hall, drinking And boasting of how brave we’d be when Beowulf 710 Needed us, he who gave us these swords And armor: all of us swore to repay him, When the time came, kindness for kindness —With our lives, if he needed them. He allowed us to join him, Chose us from all his great army, thinking 715 Our boasting words had some weight, believing Our promises, trusting our swords. He took us For soldiers, for men. He meant to kill This monster himself, our mighty king, Fight this battle alone and unaided, 720 As in the days when his strength and daring dazzled Men’s eyes. But those days are over and gone And now our lord must lean on younger Arms. And we must go to him, while angry Flames burn at his flesh, help L 5b 725 Our glorious king! By almighty God, I’d rather burn myself than see Language Coach Flames swirling around my lord. Connotation The images or And who are we to carry home feelings connected to a word Our shields before we’ve slain his enemy are its connotations. Killed has many synonyms with different 730 And ours, to run back to our homes with Beowulf connotations. Slain (line 729) So hard-pressed here? I swear that nothing means “killed violently or in He ever did deserved an end large numbers.” Butchered (line Like this, dying miserably and alone, 734) means “killed viciously.” Why are these connotations Butchered by this savage beast: we swore important in lines 728–735? 735 That these swords and armor were each for us all!”... beowulf 65 NA_L12PE-u01s11-Beowul.indd 65 12/15/10 7:27:56 PM  Iron helmet covered with decorative panels of tinned bronze (early 600s). Anglo-Saxon. From Mound 1, Sutton Hoo, Suffolk, the death of beowulf England. © The British Museum. Wiglaf joins Beowulf, who again attacks the dragon single-handed; but the remnant of his sword shatters, and the monster wounds him in the neck. Wiglaf then strikes the dragon, and he and Beowulf together finally succeed in killing the beast. Their triumph is short-lived, however, because Beowulf ’s wound proves to be mortal. Beowulf spoke, in spite of the swollen, Livid wound, knowing he’d unwound livid (lGvPGd) adj. discolored from His string of days on earth, seen being bruised As much as God would grant him; all worldly 740 Pleasure was gone, as life would go, Soon: “I’d leave my armor to my son, Now, if God had given me an heir, A child born of my body, his life Created from mine. I’ve worn this crown 745 For fifty winters: no neighboring people Have tried to threaten the Geats, sent soldiers 66 unit 1: the anglo-saxon and medieval periods NA_L12PE-u01s11-Beowul.indd 66 11/22/10 12:02:08 PM  Against us or talked of terror. My days Have gone by as fate willed, waiting For its word to be spoken, ruling as well 750 As I knew how, swearing no unholy oaths, Seeking no lying wars. I can leave This life happy; I can die, here, Knowing the Lord of all life has never Watched me wash my sword in blood 755 Born of my own family. Belovèd t t EPIC Wiglaf, go, quickly, find Note that Beowulf summarizes his 50-year reign in lines The dragon’s treasure: we’ve taken its life, 744–755. What ideals are But its gold is ours, too. Hurry, reflected in Beowulf’s speech? Bring me ancient silver, precious 760 Jewels, shining armor and gems, Before I die. Death will be softer, Leaving life and this people I’ve ruled So long, if I look at this last of all prizes.” Then Wexstan’s son went in, as quickly 765 As he could, did as the dying Beowulf Asked, entered the inner darkness Of the tower, went with his mail shirt and his sword. Flushed with victory he groped his way, A brave young warrior, and suddenly saw 770 Piles of gleaming gold, precious Gems, scattered on the floor, cups And bracelets, rusty old helmets, beautifully Made but rotting with no hands to rub And polish them. They lay where the dragon left them; 775 It had flown in the darkness, once, before fighting Its final battle. (So gold can easily Triumph, defeat the strongest of men, No matter how deep it is hidden!) And he saw, u u EPIC Hanging high above, a golden Reread lines 768–778. What 780 Banner, woven by the best of weavers theme do the lines suggest? And beautiful. And over everything he saw A strange light, shining everywhere, On walls and floor and treasure. Nothing Moved, no other monsters appeared; 785 He took what he wanted, all the treasures That pleased his eye, heavy plates And golden cups and the glorious banner, Loaded his arms with all they could hold. beowulf 67 NA_L12PE-u01s11-Beowul.indd 67 11/22/10 12:02:13 PM  Beowulf ’s dagger, his iron blade, 790 Had finished the fire-spitting terror That once protected tower and treasures Alike; the gray-bearded lord of the Geats Had ended those flying, burning raids Forever. v v OLD ENGLISH POETRY Then Wiglaf went back, anxious Identify the kennings used in 795 To return while Beowulf was alive, to bring him lines 789–794 to refer to the dragon and to Beowulf. What Treasure they’d won together. He ran, does the phrase used to describe Hoping his wounded king, weak Beowulf emphasize about the And dying, had not left the world too soon. warrior? Then he brought their treasure to Beowulf, and found 800 His famous king bloody, gasping For breath. But Wiglaf sprinkled water Over his lord, until the words Deep in his breast broke through and were heard. Beholding the treasure he spoke, haltingly: 805 “For this, this gold, these jewels, I thank Our Father in Heaven, Ruler of the Earth— For all of this, that His grace has given me, Allowed me to bring to my people while breath Still came to my lips. I sold my life 810 For this treasure, and I sold it well. Take What I leave, Wiglaf, lead my people, Help them; my time is gone. Have The brave Geats build me a tomb, When the funeral flames have burned me, and build it 815 Here, at the water’s edge, high On this spit of land, so sailors can see 816 spit: a narrow point of land This tower, and remember my name, and call it extending into a body of water. Beowulf ’s tower, and boats in the darkness And mist, crossing the sea, will know it.” w w EPIC 820 Then that brave king gave the golden Reread lines 812–819. Why is it Necklace from around his throat to Wiglaf, important to Beowulf that he leave a legacy behind? Gave him his gold-covered helmet, and his rings, And his mail shirt, and ordered him to use them well: “You’re the last of all our far-flung family. 825 Fate has swept our race away, Taken warriors in their strength and led them To the death that was waiting. And now I follow them.” The old man’s mouth was silent, spoke No more, had said as much as it could; 830 He would sleep in the fire, soon. His soul 68 unit 1: the anglo-saxon and medieval periods NA_L12PE-u01s11-Beowul.indd 68 11/22/10 12:02:14 PM  Left his flesh, flew to glory.... And when the battle was over Beowulf ’s followers Came out of the wood, cowards and traitors, Knowing the dragon was dead. Afraid, 835 While it spit its fires, to fight in their lord’s Defense, to throw their javelins and spears, 836 javelins (jBvPlGnz): light spears They came like shamefaced jackals, their shields used as weapons. 837 jackals (jBkPElz): doglike animals In their hands, to the place where the prince lay dead, that sometimes feed on the flesh of And waited for Wiglaf to speak. He was sitting dead beasts. 840 Near Beowulf ’s body, wearily sprinkling Water in the dead man’s face, trying To stir him. He could not. No one could have kept Life in their lord’s body, or turned Aside the Lord’s will: world 845 And men and all move as He orders, And always have, and always will. Then Wiglaf turned and angrily told them What men without courage must hear. Wexstan’s brave son stared at the traitors, 850 His heart sorrowful, and said what he had to: “I say what anyone who speaks the truth Must say.... Too few of his warriors remembered To come, when our lord faced death, alone. 855 And now the giving of swords, of golden Rings and rich estates, is over, Ended for you and everyone who shares Your blood: when the brave Geats hear How you bolted and ran none of your race 859 bolted: ran away; fled. 860 Will have anything left but their lives. And death Would be better for them all, and for you, than the kind Of life you can lead, branded with disgrace!”... x x EPIC Then the warriors rose, What does Wiglaf’s speech in lines 851–862 tell you about the Walked slowly down from the cliff, stared importance of honor and the 865 At those wonderful sights, stood weeping as they saw consequences of dishonorable Beowulf dead on the sand, their bold behavior in Beowulf’s time? Ring-giver resting in his last bed; He’d reached the end of his days, their mighty War-king, the great lord of the Geats, 870 Gone to a glorious death.... beowulf 69 NA_L12PE-u01s11-Beowul.indd 69 11/22/10 12:02:15 PM  mourning beowulf Then the Geats built the tower, as Beowulf Analyze Visuals Had asked, strong and tall, so sailors What details in this photograph Could find it from far and wide; working suggest the mourning for Beowulf? Explain. For ten long days they made his monument, 875 Sealed his ashes in walls as straight And high as wise and willing hands Could raise them. And the riches he and Wiglaf Had won from the dragon, rings, necklaces, Ancient, hammered armor—all 880 The treasures they’d taken were left there, too, Silver and jewels buried in the sandy Ground, back in the earth, again And forever hidden and useless to men. And then twelve of the bravest Geats 885 Rode their horses around the tower, Telling their sorrow, telling stories Of their dead king and his greatness, his glory, Praising him for heroic deeds, for a life y OLD ENGLISH POETRY As noble as his name. So should all men Reread lines 889–893 aloud. 890 Raise up words for their lords, warm Notice the alliteration in the phrases “words for their lords” With love, when their shield and protector leaves and “warm with love.” How His body behind, sends his soul would you describe the tone of On high. And so Beowulf ’s followers y these lines? Rode, mourning their belovèd leader, 895 Crying that no better king had ever Lived, no prince so mild, no man 896 mild: gentle or kindly. So open to his people, so deserving of praise. 70 unit 1: the anglo-saxon and medieval periods NA_L12PE-u01s11-Beowul.indd 70 11/22/10 12:02:15 PM  After Reading Comprehension 1. Recall In what way does Beowulf’s sword fail him? RL 2 Determine two or more themes or central ideas of a text. 2. Summarize How do the Geats honor Beowulf after he dies? RL 3 Analyze the impact of the author’s choices regarding how to develop and relate elements of a Text Analysis story. RL 4 Analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone. L 5a Interpret figures of 3. Examine Epic Characteristics Review the discussion speech in context and analyze their of the characteristics of an epic in the Text Analysis Workshop on pages role in the text. 38–39. Then use a chart like the one shown to list Beowulf’s traits as an epic hero and the deeds that Traits Deeds reveal these traits. Is he a typical epic hero? 4. Analyze Old English Poetry Review the list you created as you read. In what ways might the alliteration, caesuras, and kennings in Beowulf have helped Anglo-Saxon poets chant or sing the poem and convey its meaning? 5. Analyze Theme Beowulf is able to defeat Grendel and Grendel’s mother, yet he loses his life when he battles the dragon. What themes does this suggest about the struggle between good and evil? 6. Compare and Contrast Compare and contrast the portrayals of Beowulf as a young and old man. Also compare Hrothgar’s recollections of his early deeds with his limitations as an aged king. What view of youth and age do these comparisons convey? Support your conclusions with specific evidence. 7. Draw Conclusions Describe Beowulf’s attitude toward death or mortality in each of the following passages: lines 179–189, lines 481–492, and lines 665–691. How does his attitude change over time? 8. Evaluate Author’s Purpose Reread lines 81–85, which reveal