Key Characters and Places

Transcription

1 Beowulf

2 Beowulf History Written c. 700 C.E.(A.D) Author unknown Often called the beginning of English literature. The first great work of the English national literature. Written in what is now called Old English Only one complete original copy remains

3 Epic Poem An EPIC is a long narrative poem which follows a hero s struggle against universal issues. A larger-than life hero The Supernatural Elevated language style

4 Literary Devices Kennings descriptive compound words Alliteration the repetition of consonant and vowel sounds at the beginnings of words Caesura a rhythmical pause

5 Key Characters and Places Hrothgar King of the Danes, builder of Herot. He had once befriended Beowulf s father. Grendel a man-eating monster who lives at the bottom of a foul mere, or mountain lake. A descendent of Cain. Herot The Danish king s meeting hall. It is a golden guest-hall built by King Hrothgar. A place for the knights to meet, eat, and drink. Beowulf a Geat, son of Edgetho and nephew of King Higlac s, king of the Geats. He is the strongest of the Geats. Higlac is Beowulf s feudal lord as well as his uncle.

6 Key Characters and Places Unferth one of Hrothgar s courtiers, who is reputed to be a skilled warrior. His sword, called Hrunting, is used by Beowulf in a later battle. Unferth - He is a Danish warrior who is jealous of Beowulf. He is unable or unwilling to fight Grendel, thus proving himself inferior to Beowulf. He is considered to be Beowulf s foil. A foil is a character whose traits contrast with and thereby accentuate those of another character. Welthow Hrothgar s wife, queen of the Danes. Wiglaf a Geat warrior, one of Beowulf s select band, and the only one to help him in his final fight with the dragon. Wiglaf might be related to Beowulf. Hrothgar s lieutenant a Danish watchman who patrols the coastline. Aeschere - Hrothgar s trusted adviser

7 The Three Monsters Grendel - man-like monster. Gives Beowulf the struggle of Man VS Man and Man VS Supernatural Grendel's Mother - less human than her son. An older more animal-like evil. The Dragon - the oldest form of evil. It is also referred to as the worm.

8 Overview What is the main theme of Beowulf? What are 3 qualities the Anglo-Saxons demanded that their hero? How does Beowulf prove to be an epic hero? Identify both Pagan and Christian elements as you read.

9 Let the Journey Begin!

10 Beowulf Part One Grendel Attacks the Danes & The Coming of Beowulf

11 Key Vocabulary and Terms Moors large areas of open land, often poorly drained Banished forced to leave; exiled Truce a temporary halt to fighting Omens signs Moored secured; made fast Sentinels - watchmen

12 Reading Guide Lines What is Grendel? Where does he live? What does Grendel do when he finds the warriors asleep in Herot? Hrothgars remaining warriors leave Herot and scatter throughout the country. For how long is Herot deserted? Grendel lives in a state of war with the Danes. What actions does he take against Hrothgar s remaining warriors? Though Grendel lives at Herot after the slaughter, what does he leave undisturbed? Why? In the far-off land of Geat, Beowulf hears of the troubles with Grendel. What does Beowulf do? Beowulf and his men arrive. The guard takes the soldiers to Herot. After offering his services to Hrothgar, what favor does Beowulf ask?

13 Beowulf Part Two The Battle with Grendel & The Battle with Grendel s Mother

14 Key Vocabulary and Terms Relished took pleasure in Retreat withdrawal Grating scratching Cowering shrinking away Taut tightly drawn Afflictor ones who causes suffering Heaving rising or swelling Mail flexible armor of metal rings Avenge to seek vengeance Fetters - chain

15 Reading Guide Lines Where does Grendel tear open the door and force his way in? What does he find there? What does Grendel do to the first warrior? Who is the second warrior Grendel attacks? What happens? The Geats try to help Beowulf fight Grendel, but Grendel has put a spell on their swords, making the swords useless. How does the battle end? Grendel s mother avenges her son s death by killing Hrothgar s closest friend. Beowulf jumps into the lake to pursue Grendel s mother. He fights her, but his sword and his helmet fail to protect him. What does protect Beowulf? After Beowulf kills Grendel s mother, he searches for another dead monster. What does Beowulf find? The other soldiers wait beside the lake while Beowulf fights below. What do the soldiers think has happened? The proud Geats walk with Beowulf back to Herot. What does Beowulf do when he reaches the hall?

16 Beowulf Part Three The Battle with the Dragon and The Funeral Fire

17 Key Characters Dragon a guard of a great ancient treasure Thief an escaped slave who steals from the dragon s treasure and enrages the dragon Wiglaf a courageous warrior of Beowulf

18 Key Vocabulary and Terms Boast vain or exaggerated statement Livid grayish-blue coloration from an injury Bolted broke away from a group; abandoned

19 Reading Guide Lines After several kings succeed to the throne, Beowulf becomes king of the Geatland. How many years has he served as king? A dragon guards an ancient treasure. What causes the dragon to become angry? What does the dragon do after he discovers the robbery? Beowulf decides to fight the dragon to defend his people. Who fights with Beowulf, and who deserts him? What happens in the battle of the dragon against Beowulf and Wiglaf? What happens to Beowulf? For whom is the funeral fire?