Beowulf Poet
Why did the Beowulf Poet write this epic poem?
To convert Scandinavian-Germanic people to Christianity
Beowulf's faith, courage, success, and achievements make him symbolic of whom?
Jesus Christ
Repetition of stressed sounds at the beginning of words
Alliteration
"Misbegotten son of a foul mother,
Grendel his name, hating the sound of the harp,
The minstrel’s song, the bold merriment of men
In whose distorted likeness he was shaped
Twice six feet tall, with arms of hairy gorilla
And red ferocious eyes and ravening jaws."
What 2 details can be learned about Grendel from this passage?
Grendel is a distorted version of man
Grendel is 12 feet tall
Grendel hates men and everything they enjoy
Lives in Grendel Lake
Loses an arm
Beowulf takes this character's head as a trophy
Descended from Cain
Grendel
When was Beowulf most likely written?
The eighth centry
As an evil creatures descended from Cain, what does Grendel Lake represent?
As a warm, safe place that is protected by Hrothgar and eventually Beowulf, what does Heorot represent?
Hell & Heaven
A dispute or exchange of abuse or ridicule in verse form between two characters
Flyting
Beowulf, dearest youth, son of most favored
And fortunate of mothers, this your deed is matchless.
Greater than all these. In the farthest corners
of the earth your name shall be known. Wherever the ocean
Laps the windy shore and the wave-worn headland,
Your praise shall be sung.
Who is praising Beowulf and why? What has Beowulf accomplished?
Hrothgar is praising Beowulf for killing Grendel. His deeds will be remembered forever.
Lives in Grendel Lake
Loses a son
Is defeated by a giant sword
Descended from Cain
Grendel's Mother
Even though Beowulf it an Anglo-Saxon poem, what is the subject matter?
Scandinavian and Germanic
The Fire Dragon destroys villages and flies into a rage because several small items were stolen from his treasure, and he desperately wants those items back. What sin is represented by the Fire Dragon?
Greed
An adjective or brief phrase used to characterize a person, place, or thing, summarizing it's most essential quality
"Hrothgar, King of the Danes, glorious in battle"
"And the joyous sun, bright candle of the world"
Epithet
O noble Hrothgar, grey-haired giver of treasure,
I am ready to depart. But whether it be that Hrunting
Shall win me fame or death devour me, I know not,
For secret are the ways of Fate, and her word final.
What does the Beowulf Poet suggest about Beowulf when he doesn't question the ways of Fate?
God is in control of our lives and it is not up to us to challenge him. Beowulf obeys God and does not question or challenge him.
Rules over the Danes
Is kind, selfless, and values loyalty
Treats Beowulf like a son
Hrothgar
How does the Christian Beowulf Poet treat the heathens subject matter?
He ennobles the character of Beowulf and envisions his battles in a wider moral context, and he mixes Scandinavian and Christian elements
Wyglaf scolds the other warriors who did not come to help Beowulf in his time of need. Wyglaf declares his comfort and confidence found when he seeks out Beowulf and stands at his side. What does Wyglaf represent?
A disciple/ a Christian/ a follower
A metaphoric compound word or phrase that takes the place of a noun
"whale-road"
"swan-boat"
Kenning
Meanwhile the Prince,
Dragging the monster's head, dived upward.
Behind him a myriad bubbles in sparkling trail
Bejeweled his victorious path and, bursting,
Purged the water of poison.
How does this quote capture the Central One Idea of Part II? What does this suggest about the imagery of the poem?
This passage relates to the Central One Idea because Beowulf's actions bring glory to God - he is defeating evil with God's help. The imagery shows us that Beowulf could not be successful alone, and that God is leading Beowulf out of the darkness of evil and death.
Is jealous of Beowulf
Tries to degrade Beowulf in front of other warriors
Is considered lowly and worthless by Hrothgar
Unferth
Why is the subject of Beowulf Germanic and Scandinavian if the Beowulf Poet is Anglo Saxon?
The Anglo Saxon people originated from this region before they came to England
God's decisions for humanity
Our faith in God
God's love for his people
Tower-like reinforcement
Turret
Fierce love for his lord
Flashed into rage, his words lashed like a whip:
"Fine requital, this, for his gifts in the mead hall!
To think he called you brave, the flower of warriors!
That you swore to protect him - what mockery that was!"
What important Anglo-Saxon cultural principle is revealed in this passage?
Exchange
Close kinsman to Beowulf
Is the only warrior to come to Beowulf's aid
Beowulf dies in his arms
He scolds the other warriors for abandoning Beowulf in his hour of need
Wiglaf