Beowulf Flashcards
glory vs. legacy
glory is your immediate impact, celebrated in the present
Legacy is your lasting impact and long-term influence
chapter 2-12 Beowulf (battle with Grendel)
Grendel went to Herot during the night and killed 30 warriors. Grendel kept going back night after night and the warriors went as far from Herot as possible to avoid being hunted
Grendel never attacked Hrothgar because he was protected by God
Beowulf heard about Grendel terrorizing the Danes and decided to go help. Beowulf and his men are questioned when they arrive on Hrothgar’s shores
Beowulf explains his reasoning for being in Denmark and Hrothgar’s guard allows them to enter and march towards Herot
Beowulf and his Geatish warriors greeted Hrothgar and says he will help to defeat Grendel because he is the greatest warrior
Unferth is jealous of Beowulf and his fame and glory and tells Beowulf that he has been lucky with his battles and doesn’t believe that Beowulf can defeat Grendel
Beowulf took off his armor and weapons and says he will not kill Grendel with his sword because he believes Grendel is no braver or stronger than him
Grendel killed one of the Geats and then went after Beowulf and soon realized that Beowulf was much stronger than him. Grendel began to run but Beowulf grabbed him and wounded him, leading to his escape and eventual death at his den.
Beowulf prologue
history of the Danish family, focuses on king Hrothgar who built a great hall called Heorot. Heorot is plagued by a monstrous creature, Grendel, who terrorizes Denmark
wealthow
married to Hrothgar (the queen)
chapter 13-26 (battle with Grendel’s Mother)
crowds gathered and celebrated Beowulf’s victory, Beowulf is given gifts
Grendel’s mother is seeking revenge for the death of her son and goes to Herot and attacks Hrothgar’s warriors, Beowulf and his men were sleeping elsewhere and could not intervene
Hrothgar’s friend was killed, and he asks Beowulf to help Herot again and defeat Grendel’s mother
Beowulf and his warriors go to Grendel’s lair and brings back the hilt of the sword and Grendel’s head
while Beowulf was fighting Grendel’s mother, all of the Danes left while Beowulf was in the lake for hours. The Geats, although they didn’t jump into the lake with Beowulf, still stayed and did not abandon him. Loyalty is an important factor.
Hrothgar gives Beowulf more gifts and Beowulf leaves Denmark
lof
fame and recognition
Hermod
a once great and powerful king who had his downfall when he grew arrogant and tyrannical, shows that a good king must prioritize the welfare of the people over himself
27-end
Beowulf and his men go to Higlac and they celebrate
Hrothgar had given Beowulf jewels as a sign of alliance/thanks/friendship
Beowulf eventually took the throne
a dragon awoke from its darkness and began to terrorize the people in Geatland after someone stole treasure it was protecting; the dragon represents something that must be conquered in order to obtain glory
the dragon spat fire and smoke and burned down homes in Geatland, Beowulf began to plan revenge
Beowulf battles with the Dragon and his sword is broken after striking it
Wiglaf decides to help Beowulf because of his loyalty, he stabbed the dragon and then went to help Beowulf, Beowulf tells Wiglaf to get the dragon’s treasure
Beowulf tells Wiglaf to be the next leader and dies. Wiglaf is angry that no other soldiers helped Beowulf in the battle and refers to them as cowards/traitors
Beowulf and Breca swimming competition
Beowulf recounts a daring challenge he undertook in his youth, where he engaged in a swimming contest against his friend Breca. The two adventurers donned full armor and plunged into the icy sea, where they battled not just the waves but also sea monsters. Though the contest was initially about who could swim further, it quickly became a test of survival. Beowulf proudly recalls how he fought off numerous sea creatures, ultimately saving Breca’s life. Though Breca reached the shore first, Beowulf emerged victorious in a more heroic sense, having demonstrated his strength and bravery by defeating the monsters and ensuring their survival. This story serves to highlight Beowulf’s courage and prowess, setting the stage for his later heroic deeds in the epic.
