Beowulf

1
Beowulf

• Part I
• The Defeat of Grendel

2

• What purpose does the prologue to Beowulf serve?

3
Prologue --Shield Sheafson

• Sets an extraordinary standard for leadership
  That was one good king
• Self-made, an orphan
• Came to power at a time of chaos
• Provides a valuable context for the hero

4
Prologue --Shield Sheafson

• Prepares the reader for the positive aspects of
  violence and subjugation
• Enslaved his defeated foes
• In the Anglo-Saxon culture, this bolstered his
  superiority
• Respect for his authority

5
Prologue --Shield Sheafson

• Image of his funeral ship leaves kingdom with
  more than he first had
• Pride in the kingdom he built
• Fame and treasure endure beyond his life
• Swords, helmets, armor signify his fighting
  ability

6
Song of Creation

• Ordered nature vs. dark slime
• Hrothgar vs. Grendel
• Good vs. evil

7

• What significance did king and mead hall have to
  the Anglo-Saxons?

8
The Worthy Ruler

• Good Rulers
• Shield Sheafson
• Halfdane
• Hrothgar

• Bad Rulers
• Hermod (evil pride hubris)
• Finn (fratricide)
• Hrothgars nephew Hrothulf will kill his son and
  heir Hrethric (regicide)

9
Hrothgar

• God father
• King Hrothgar father (comitatus)
• Had helped Ecgtheow by paying wergild, sees
  Beowulfs help as proper respect
• Adopts Beowulf as a son of his heart

10
Heorot

• Hall of the Hart
• Extraordinary creation
• Garden of order from chaos of swamps
• Monument to Danish cultures king and values
• Symbol of battle strength

11

• What is fratricide, and what is the larger
  meaning behind this crime?

12
Grendels Origin

• Grendel pagan, hell, Cain
• Finds pain in joyful celebration at Heorot
• motiveless antagonism
• Embodiment of evil magic used against weapons
• Antithesis of Beowulf

13
Unferth

• Intoxicated taunting
• Jealous of Beowulfs fame
• Chaos from unnatural acts Fratricide Cain,
  Unferth, Finn (brother-in-law), Hrothulf (cousin)
• No feats to his name

14

• In Part I of the poem, how does the character of
  Beowulf fit the cycle of the hero monomyth?

15
Beowulf as Epic Warrior Hero

• Uncanny strength stronger than Breca
• Incredible courage swims hostile waters and
  slays numerous monsters
• Stoic resolve puts himself in a position from
  which retreat is impossible
• Defeat of Grendel Sigemunds triumph over the
  dragon

16
Beowulf the best of men

• Humility, not hubris sees himself as controlled
  by fate rather than in control of his own destiny
• The poem celebrates the pagan concept of
  immortality through fame, yet extols a hero whose
  conduct is Christian

17
Beowulfs Boasts?

• Rightfully rebukes Unferth
• Establishes a standard of heroic behavior
• Tests fate by attempting the impossible
• Fulfills heroic destiny

18

• And what about Wealtheow?

19
The Queen

• A mere type
• Diplomatic hostess
• Role of women in Anglo-Saxon society?
• Prototype for the idealized woman of courtly love?