Beowulf as a Hero

1. Beowulf as a Hero Tre’ Gildersleeve

2. Supernatural • Grendel and his mom. • “Grendel was the name of this grim demon haunting the marshes, marauding round the heat in a desolate fens he had dwelt for time and misery among the banished monsters, Cain’s Clan whom the creator had outlawed to condemned as outcasts.” (p.9) • “Then the prince of War-Geats, warming to this fight with Grendel’s mother, gripped her shoulder and laid about him in a battle frenzy: he pitched his killer opponent to the floor.” (p. 107) • Dragon that guards the treasure. • “…until one began to dominate the dark, a dragon on the prowl from the steep vaults of a stone-roofed barrow where he guarded a hoard…” (p.151) • Monsters in the lake. • “The water was infested with all kinds of reptiles. There were writhing sea-dragons and monsters slouching on slopes by the cliff, serpents and wild things such as those that often surface at dawn to roam the sail-road and doom the voyage.” (p.99)

3. Strength • “When he wielded a sword, no matter how blooded and hard-edged the blade his hand as too strong, the stroke he dealt (I have heard) would ruin it. He could reap no advantage.” • “Everybody said there was no honed iron hard enough to pierce him through, no time-proofed blade that could cut his brutal, blood-caked claw” (p.65-67) • “No weapons, therefore, for either this night: unarmed he shall face me if face me he dares. And may the Divine Lord in His wisdom grant the glory of victory to whichever side He sees fit.” (p.47)

4. Pride • Often Beowulf had a lot of pride and needed to be toned down a smudge. • “I guarantee you: she will not get away, not to dens under ground nor upland groves nor the ocean floor. She’ll have nowhere to flee to. Endure your troubles to-day. Bear up and be the man I expect you to be.” (p. 97) Worried about everyone else but himself. • “Choose, dear Beowulf, the better part, eternal rewards. Do not give way to pride.” (p. 121) Hrothgar puts Beowulf in check.

5. Honor • “There’s nothing you wish for that won’t be yours if you win through alive.” (p. 45) Beowulf will get so much glory if he kills Grendel. • “Take delight in this torque, dear Beowulf, wear it for luck and wear also this mail from our people’s armoury: may you prosper in them!” (p.85-87) • “… leaving Beowulf to ascend the throne, to sit in majesty and rule over the Geats. He was a good king.” (p.163) People respect him and believed that he will be glorious. • “I took what came, cared for and stood by things in my keeping, never fomented quarrels, never swore to a lie. all this consoles me, doomed as I am and sickening for death; because of my right ways, the Ruler of mankind need never blame me when the breath leaves my body for murder of kinsmen.” (p.185) • “And I shall fulfill that purpose, prove myself with a proud deed or meet my death here in the mead-hall.” He knows he’s going to show everyone how amazing he is. • “You are strong in body and mature in mind, … My liking for you deepens with time, dear Beowulf.” (p. 127)

6. Compassion/Bravery • “I give thanks that I behold this treasure here in front of me, that I have been allowed to leave my people so well endowed on the day I die.” (p.189) Even though he loves himself, he loves his people. • “When it comes to fighting, I count myself as dangerous any day as Grendel.” (p.47) He is so positive that he is going to kill Grendel. • “People from Geatland have put ashore. They have sailed far over the wide sea. They call the chief in charge of their band by the name of Beowulf.” (p.25-27) Beowulf has come along way and is planning to fight hard and help as much as he can. • “Fate goes ever as fate must.” (p.31) Beowulf knows he’s got to do it. He knows whatever happens, happens. • “Time and again, foul things attacked me, lurking and stalking, but I lashed out, gave as good as I got with my sword.” (p.39) Beowulf shows compassion and bravery here. Even though he was attacked he tried his best to go beast mode on everything.

7. How is Beowulf poetic? • Compounds • Combining two words to make a new word • “the arch-warrior, came first-footing in…” (p.93) • Kennings • Special form of compounding that is metaphoric in meaning • “The hoard-guard took heart, …” (p.175) • Alliterations • Repetition of stressed sounds • “Then out of the night came the shadow-stalker, stealthy and swift;” (p.47) • Formulas • Ready-made phrases which fulfill the metrical needs of a line • “Sigemund’s name was known everywhere. … But evil entered into Heremod.” (p.61)

8. How is Beowulf Anglo-Saxon? • Religious • “Almighty Judge of good deeds and bad, the Lord God, … and find friendship in the Father’s embrace.” (p.15) • “The truth is clear: Almighty God rules over mankind and always has.” (p.47) • Feast (celebrations) • “Then the due time arrived for Halfdane’s son to proceed to the hall. … or better order around their ring-giver.” (p.67) • “And he drank it down like the warlord he was, with festive cheer.” (p.43) • Gifting • “Then Halfdane’s son presented Beowulf with a gold standard as a victory gift … and token of honour.” (p.69) • “The cup was carried to him, kind words spoken in welcome and a wealth of wrought gold graciously bestowed: … on earth or under heaven.” (p.85) • Funeral - “The Geat people built a pyre for Beowulf, … just as he had ordered.” (p.211)

9. Beowulf , a part of the oral Tradition • “So. The Spear-Danes in days gone by …” (p.3) It is narrative. • “Far and wide through the world, I have heard, orders for work to adorn that wallstead were sent to many peoples.” (p.7) Talking to audiences • “I therefore suspect the good faith of the Heathobards, the truth of their friendship and the trustworthiness of their alliance with the Danes.” (p.141) Historical Memory (Germanic Tribes: Geat, Shielding, and Jutes) • “When the dragon awoke, trouble flared again. … and woe by the grace of God.” (p.155) Repetition of Events • “We have gone through with a glorious endeavour … the mighty judgement of God in majesty.” (p.65) Repetition of Events

10. Impact ofAnglo Saxon language and literature have on today’s English language • English was divided into three periods - Old English, Middle English, and Modern English • Literary devices usage - Compounds, Formulas, Kennings, and Alliterations • Heroic epic story • Letters like alphabet that we use today. - thorn, eth, ash, and wyn

11. Influence over contemporary literature has the epic and epic hero • Still use the same hero journey - Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter • Two types of Journey • Otto Rank’s Pattern for the Life of Heroic a Hero • Joseph Campbell’s Heroic Journey • Standard and classic heroic journey

12. Beowulf a product of its time • Culture • Anglo-Saxon’s tradition, daily life, and beliefs. • Religion • Blending of Christianity • Language • Old English to New English

13. Work Cited • http://www.readwritethink.org/materials/beowulf/ • Beowulf: Seamus Heaney • Power Points • Notes • Discussion