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Three speeches in Beowulf

Three speeches in Beowulf. Hrothgar, ll. 1764-1784 Beowulf, ll. 2510-2537 Wiglaf, ll. 2632-2668. Hrothgar’s speech ll. 1724-1784. Invocations of almighty God with overlays of the Christian God Beowulf will not always by in his prime and should be aware of the toll of age

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Three speeches in Beowulf

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  1. Three speeches in Beowulf Hrothgar, ll. 1764-1784 Beowulf, ll. 2510-2537 Wiglaf, ll. 2632-2668

  2. Hrothgar’s speech ll. 1724-1784 • Invocations of almighty God with overlays of the Christian God • Beowulf will not always by in his prime and should be aware of the toll of age • Inevitability of death which makes earthly pleasures and possessions unimportant • Warns of the dangers of pride at l. 1760 • Hrothgar’s reference to hard reversal foreshadows Beowulf’s own with the dragon

  3. Beowulf’s Speech ll. 2510-2537 • Although he is a king, he reverts back to his heroic quest for glory at ll. 2513-2516 • He acknowledges the influence of fate on a man’s life and death at l. 2527-2528 • He also refers to the fact that he will win gold from the dragon which will help quantify his heroism at ll. 2535-2538

  4. Heroes Have only a personal responsibility to self and glory Use pride as a motivator to perform dangerous deeds to earn honor Kings Have a responsibility to protect people Should balance pride against need to preserve social stability Beowulf’s PrideGood or Bad?

  5. Wiglaf’s Speech • Wiglaf acknowledges that Beowulf’s responsibilities have changed and might be understood as a subtle criticism of Beowulf’s decision to fight the dragon • Wiglaf also states that the fighter cannot fight alone • Wiglaf emphasizes that humans must demonstrate loyalty to their lord

  6. What does the dragon symbolize? • Pride and greed • Temptation of humans • The serpent in the Garden of Life who tempted Adam and Eve to eat through pride • Sin

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