Beowulf Flashcards
Beowulf both begins and ends with a funeral? *Whose funerals are they? What
do they tell us about Anglo-Saxon culture? About the poem and its interest?
Both funerals are Beowulf’s. It shows that Lords are highly respected even in death. For
the poem itself it seems to focus on Beowulf’s death, aka his failure.
*Pay close attention to Beowulf’s arrival in Daneland, which emphasizes he is an outsider come to repay an old debt. *What is that debt? *What other reasons might Beowulf have for helping Hrothgar with Grendel?
Hrothgar helped Beowulf’s father long before by paying his wergeld so that he would not be an outcast. Beowulf could also be doing this for his own pride and the ability to add another successful battle notch on his belt.
*Pay close attention to Beowulf’s actions on the night that he occupies Heorot, waiting for Grendel to attack. In particular, examine his interaction with Unferth and his boasting.
Unferth calls Beowulf’s character and his qualifications into question. (Beowulf didn’t win the swimming contest with Breca) Beowulf doesn’t claim he won the swimming contestvbut then lists all of his achievements in that contest and calls out unferth for not being able to kill Grendel yet.
Think about structure. Beowulf is a story about a hero who fights 3 monsters, and these three fights are often thought to signal rough divisions in the narrative.
*Be able to describe and discuss each monster, as well as the battle each has with Beowulf.
Grendel- Described as humane like (a thane that cannot approach the throne) only appeared in the hall.
Grendel’s mother- also had some human-like features. Beowulf fought her under water with his men on the shore waiting. The only sword that could defeat her was one that she had possession of. We talked about her not acting the part of a “courtly lady”but of a male avenger so she was breaking gender norms. The Dragon- Had not killed anyone to get the treasure (the people had died many years ago) and he didn’t attack anyone until that treasure was stolen. During the fight 11 men came with beowulf, all of whom left except for Wiglaf. Beowulf is bitten on the neck and poisoned, Wiglaf stabed the dragon so Beowulf could escape the dragon’s fire and kill
the dragon.
Notice as well that the poem can be divided in two parts: Beowulf’s youthful exploits, and the exploits of his old age. Which division seems to you more significant or more intended?
The battles of his older age seem more significant because it shows his faults rather than constantly giving praise.
Think about the reasons why each monster attacks human beings. Do they suggest anything about Anglo-Saxon culture?
Grendel- Attacks the mead hall because of isolation and jealousy (he hates his exile from the thane community)
Grendel’s mother- attacking to avenge a kinsman
Dragon- attacks to get revenge for being stolen from (he keeps treasure to himself instead of distributing it like a good thane)
Note that the story involves pagan characters, but it is told by a Christian storyteller. What do you make of this? (i.e., For what reason does the Christian poet tell this story?)
Possibly to integrate Christianity into a pagan society?
It might also be to simply record history/stories that were passed down from generation to generation. Also, the Christian poet kind of looked up to and saw some good values in Beowulf.
*How does Beowulf finally defeat the last monster? Who helps him, and what does this individual predict will happen to the Geats the following this battle?
He stabs him in the belly [flank]? Wiglaf helps him and he predicts they will be taken
over by others because Beowulf is dead and never taught them to defend themselves or
fight.
What do you make of the fact that this poem ends in failure? Is it an indictment of Beowulf or a condition of life in the world, a reminder that all things must eventually fail and fall?
Possible interpretations for Beowulf’s failure
a) Beowulf is praised, but ends in failure because it’s the condition of the world
b) Beowulf is a strong warrior, but fails as a king; the poem is about kingship
c) Beowulf is very like the monsters himself; his pride is a monstrous attribute and so he must fail
