Beowulf Notes

As things strike me in the text. I am going to type them out. Simple way for notes and please comment if this also struck your interest while reading.

Backround

  • reflects both pagan and Christian traditions, because during this time England's culture began to change and missionaries converted the Anglo-Saxons
The Wrath of Grendel
  • Christian views in relation to the monsters of Cain (the murderous son of Adam and Eve), all the evils of the world spawn from the exile of Cain's children
  • Why does Grendel continue to travel to the hall each night to kill? Is it based solely on the evil ancestry deep within himself?
  • Was King Hrothgar's throne really protected by God? How would the throne be the only object protected by the power of God?
The Coming of Beowulf
  • Healfdane's son = Hrothgar, is this a norm for the culture that the son is known by the father?
  • Higlac is the lord of the Geats and is Beowulf's uncle.
  • "His life lasted many winters..." When Beowulf talked about the length of his father's life why did he use winters as a sign of age and not say... Summers?
  • When the watchman says "A soldier should know the difference between words and deeds." What are those differences. Because they might know but most people of this age certainly do not.
  • The fact that Beowulf sent five giants giants back to their cells, doesn't that seem to be an exaggeration or are their men who can back up that statement? Or is honor all that is needed to make such a statement
  • Very sure of this promise to kill Grendel after stating where all of his worldly belongings should go if he should die
The Battle with Grendel
  • What is Grendel's purpose? And what kind of creature do you invision when reading "He strode quickly across the inlaid Floor, snarling and fierce: his eyes Gleamed in the darkness, burned with a gruesome Light."?
  • Remember Grendel's struggle against fear and stood his ground against Beowulf.. Does this change his character?
  • Great line... In the darkness, the horrible shrieks of pain And defeat, the tears torn out of Grendel's Taut throat, hell's captive caught in the arms Of him who of all the men on earth Was the strongest."
  • The arm of Grendel became a trophy of Beowulf's victory. And now Grendel crawled back to the marshes to die.
The Monster' Lair
  • The long quote was used to prompt Beowulf into action... Ex. Seek it if you dare! A challenge for the proud warrior.
  • Think about... "A deer, Hunted through the woods by packs of hounds, A stage with great horns, through the forest From faraway places, prefers to die On those shores, refuses to save its life, In that water." Really a deep statement from the king about Grendel going back to the marshes to die.
  • We know now that Grendel has sought refuge in his mother's home
The Battle With Grendel's Mother
  • Beowulf gives instructions about what should happen to his followers and belongings once he dies. 
  • And once he leaves his comrades how could he sink to the bottom of a lake after hours of being underwater? Suspension of disbelief
  • What could be her purpose for taking him where the "water's heat could not hurt him"? Seems fishy...
  • "So fame Comes to the men who mean to win it And care about nothing else!" Talks to his character and his reason for fighting
  • Relation between the decapitation of both the mother and son... is what?
  • Why did the men have so little faith in Beowulf's abilities?
The Last Battle
  • What could be the purpose of not taking any weapons when fighting the dragon as an old man? Seems pretty foolish (luckily he didn't)
  • The old and famed Beowulf wanted to make one last go: either to take all the riches the dragon was in possession of or die in the heat of battle with a great foe
  • His protection melted in the heat and the weapon cracked against the dragon's hide. Now chances were in favor of the dragon instead of our hero prince
  • One man stood there while the rest of the followers deserted the king that the group should have protected
  • The one man that stayed was given a deep character plot about what the lord meant to him and how he dying with his king was the only way to go on, even if it meant the end (Wiglaf)
The Spoils 
  • Remember the relationship that Beowulf had with is mail shirt and sword... Same with Wilgaf.
  • Wilgaf is named by Beowulf to be the next king for his bravery and honor. 
The Farewell
  • Those who deserted Beowulf in his hour of need have been denounced by the new king Wilgaf
  • With his tower were the jewels from their victory. "And forever hiddent and useless to men. And then the twelve of the bravest Geats Rode their horses around the tower, Telling their sorrow, telling stories Of their dead kind and his greatness..." It really was to bad that they abandoned him in the first place and that he might have survived if they had stayed to support him.

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