The Story of Beowulf Summary and Notes PDF

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Summary

Story of Beowulf with Notes on Plot Analysis, Summary, and Characters...

Description

Hrothgar’s best friend

I. Beowulf 

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Epic poem  The original epic poem was told in an oral tradition format for many years but was finally written down by an unknown source. Epic Hero o Embodies and protects the values of the time o Possesses supernatural traits o Identifies a need to go on a quest o Carries himself with pride and pomposity Anglo-Saxon values 1. Strength 2. Courage 3. Community 4. Kinsmanship 5. King Characters: o Hrothgar  King of the Danes; Heldfane’s son o Beowulf  Strength of 30 men; son of Edgetho o Grendel  Monster from hell that killed Danes o Grendel’s mother  Seeked revenge for her son; killed

Honor Test I Review 1

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o Dragon  In a lair in the land of the Geats o Higlac  Brother of Edgetho; Beowulf’s uncle o Wulfgar  Soldier that greets Beowulf o Edgetho  Beowulf’s father; former king of the Geats o Hergar  Hrothgar’s oldest brother o Wiglaf  Killed the dragon Universal themes in Beowulf o Loyalty to the king and people o Courage and bravery o Honor o Good vs. Evil Kenning o Metaphorical compound word or phrase substituted for a thing or name Alliteration o Repetition of consonant sounds Caesura

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o Pause dividing words on a line of poetry giving What do the Danes do to avoid Grendel? o They went as far away as possible. Why do the Danes have such difficulties fighting Grendel? o They were not strong enough to deal with a big and strong beast What does Wiglaf represent? o Loyalty What does Beowulf represent? o Fate because that was what brought him to Denmark How does Grendel die? o He was already dying in his marsh, and Beowulf came and decapitated him How does Grendel’s mother die? o Beowulf decapitated her How does the dragon die? o Wiglaf and Beowulf help each other, but Wiglaf delivers the final blow How does Beowulf die? o Bleeding out from the neck What do these represent: 1. Beowulf desire to fight alone o Fame and Glory

Honor Test I Review 2

2. Hoard of gold: before and after the fight o Before: Fame and Greed o After: Inheritance 3. The dragon and its destruction o Greed

II. The Seafarer and The Wanderer 

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Themes: o Loneliness  Both searching for something they don’t have Exile  The w. seeking for another leader to follow  The s. exiles himself out in the ocean Faith  Both believe in God Earthly existence  More spiritual existence than earthly Inner journey from ignorance to wisdom...