Characters
This character is an epic hero who clearly demonstrates his abilities by facing off against three formidable foes.
Who is Beowulf?
Beowulf dies by this.
What is the dragon's bite/ venom/ poison?
Beowulf's introduction of himself to Hrothgar is both a cultural expectation and a characteristic of being an epic hero. It also speaks about having this theme; a person's name is worth a fortune if sold correctly.
What is identity?
Culturally speaking, Beowulf does this action upon entering Hrothgar's presence. This characteristic is also a common trait among epic heroes.
What is brag/ be a braggart?
The Roman Empire held the Celtic lands (what we refer to as Great Britain today) for many generations. The Celts benefited from this because the Romans gave them this.
What is protection/ safety from invaders?
This character only wants to stop the party that is disturbing his home life. He attacks Herot for 12 years straight. When he finally battles Beowulf, he ends up losing an arm.
Who is Grendel?
Beowulf ends up facing these three antagonist.
Who are Grendel, Grendel's mother, and the dragon?
The more of this theme you have, the better you are known. Kings would reward loyal and courageous followers for their achievements with land and gold.
What is wealth?
The battles between the three antagonist best represents this part of the Hero's Journey.
What are trials?
Paganism was the primary religion for the people of Great Britain until this major religious entity took over.
What is Christianity?
This character is a king who, after taking the throne when his elder brother dies, builds a mead hall to commemorate his many successes. This action ultimate forces another character to attack because, hey, plot.
Who is Hrothgar?
Beowulf is a member of this group of people. When he hears of Hrothgar's trouble, he travels to help these people.
Who are the Geats and Danes? (Right order.)
Every action that the characters make is driven by this theme. Beowulf would not have entered Hrothgar's home and stated everything about himself had it not been called for.
What are traditions and customs?
Beowulf immediately moves to help Hrothgar when he learns of his troubles. This action is this part of the hero's journey.
What is the call to action/ adventure?
Name the author of Beowulf.
Who is "Unknown"/ "Not Known"?
This character made a huge mistake. He killed a Wulfling Solider and nearly started a war because of it. Hrothgar helps him by paying off his debt. Beowulf returns many years later to help Hrothgar as a form of paying off this man's debt to him.
Who is Edgthetho/ Beowulf's Father?
Beowulf, the poem, can be classified in several different ways. Name two of them.
What is an epic poem, oral tradition piece, and song?
This theme is one that shows the many contradictions of the writer's religion against what the people who told Beowulf believed in. Originally, Beowulf had no religious associations but the writer fused their Christian ideas in, giving us the monsters that we see.
What is the supernatural?
In the second battle against an antagonist, Beowulf lifts a Giant's specially made sword to slice down on the neck of said antagonist. This item best represents this part of the hero's journey.
What is the weapon/ talisman?
This language became the language of British Monarchy after the Norman Conquest. Parlez vous?
What is French?
This character was the only one to remain at Beowulf's side when he fought the final of his fierce foes. In doing so, he became king of the Geats after Beowulf's death.
Who is Wiglaf?
Scops (pronounced "shops") described all the battles in great detail in order to build this literary device.
What is imagery?
For the people who spoke Beowulf into existence, there was no association to this. However, they did believe that fate played a part in a person's actions as well as the outcome of those actions.
What is religion?
Like many stories that follow the Hero's journey, Beowulf was told in this manner.
What is orally/ oral tradition?
It was thanks to these practices that, instead of dying out, English became mixed with Old Norse.
What are marriage practices?