Beowulf Introduction Friday October 13 2010 BEOWULF Beowulf

Beowulf Introduction: Friday, October 13, 2010

BEOWULF Beowulf , written in Old English sometime before the tenth century A. D. , describes the adventures of a great Scandinavian warrior of the sixth century.

A rich fabric of fact and fancy, Beowulf is the oldest surviving epic in British literature.

Beowulf exists in only one manuscript. This copy survived both the wholesale destruction of religious artifacts during the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII and a disastrous fire which destroyed the library of Sir Robert Bruce Cotton (1571 -1631).

Beowulf Of the founder of the Danish house Prelude. 15 Bw 1 Beowu lf

Alliteration LO, praise of the prowess of people-kings of spear-armed Danes, in days long sped, we have heard, and what honor the athelings won! Oft Scyld the Scefing from squadroned foes, from many a tribe, the mead-bench tore, awing the earls.

Since erst he lay friendless, a foundling, fate repaid him: for he waxed under welkin, in wealth he throve, till before him the folk, both far and near, who house by the whale-path, heard his mandate, gave him gifts: a good king he!

To him an heir was afterward born, a son in his halls, whom heaven sent to favor the folk, feeling their woe that erst they had lacked an earl for leader so long a while; the Lord endowed him, the Wielder of Wonder, with world's renown. Famed was this Beow* *Not, of course, Beowulf the Great, hero of the epic.

far flew the boast of him, son of Scyld, in the Scandian lands. So becomes it a youth to quit him well with his father's friends, by fee and gift, that to aid him, aged, in after days, come warriors willing, should war draw nigh, liegemen loyal: by lauded deeds shall an earl have honor in every clan. Forth he fared at the fated moment, sturdy Scyld to the shelter of God.

Then they bore him over to ocean's billow, loving clansmen, as late he charged them, while wielded words the winsome Scyld, the leader beloved who long had ruled. . In the roadstead rocked a ring-dight vessel, ice-flecked, outbound, atheling's barge: there laid they down their darling lord on the breast of the boat, the breaker-of-rings*, by the mast the mighty one. Kenning * for king or chieftain of a comitatus: he breaks off gold from the spiral rings -- often worn on the arm -- and so rewards his followers.

Many a treasure fetched from far was freighted with him. No ship have I known so nobly dight with weapons of war and weeds of battle, with breastplate and blade: on his bosom lay a heaped hoard that hence should go far o'er the flood with him floating away.

No less these loaded the lordly gifts, thanes' huge treasure, than those had done who in former time forth had sent him sole on the seas, a suckling child. High o'er his head they hoist the standard, a gold-wove banner; let billows take him, gave him to ocean. Grave were their spirits, mournful their mood.

No man is able to say in sooth, no son of the halls, no hero 'neath heaven, -- who harbored that freight!

Beowulf I Now Beowulf bode in the burg of the I. Scyldings, leader beloved, and long he ruled in fame with all folk, since his father had gone away from the world, till awoke an heir, haughty Healfdene, who held through life, sage and sturdy, the Scyldings glad. Then, one after one, there woke to him, to the chieftain of clansmen, children four: Heorogar, then Hrothgar, then Halga brave; and I heard that -- was --'s queen, the Heathoscylfing's helpmate dear.

To Hrothgar was given such glory of war, such honor of combat, that all his kin obeyed him gladly till great grew his band of youthful comrades.

It came in his mind to bid his henchmen a hall uprear, a master mead-house, mightier far than ever was seen by the sons of earth, and within it, then, to old and young he would allot that the Lord had sent him, save only the land the lives of his men.

Wide, I heard, was the work commanded, for many a tribe this mid-earth round, to fashion the folkstead. It fell, as he ordered, in rapid achievement that ready it stood there, of halls the noblest: Heorot* he named it. *That is, "The Hart, " or "Stag, " so called from decorations in the gables that resembled the antlers of a deer. The building was rectangular, with opposite doors -- mainly west and east -- and a hearth in the middle of the single room.

whose message had might in many a land. Not reckless of promise, the rings he dealt, treasure at banquet: there towered the hall, high, gabled wide, the hot surge waiting of furious flame. * *Fire was the usual end of these halls. See v. 781 below. End of Prologue

English Literature begins with Beowulf. It is England’s heroic epic, its Odyssey. The poem shapes and interprets materials connected with the tribes of northern Europe: Angles, Saxons, Jutes. —who invaded England in fifth century.

Beowulf is a history of festering pride, loud talk, and drunken violence, of spies, bloody borders, and raids. Beowulf is a history in which a stranger comes openly to help rather than covertly to kill and loot, in which eating and drinking and speaking and gift-giving are natural ceremonies.

Beowulf is a history of heroic strength that is wise and generous. Beowulf is based on unwritten stories passed from generation to generation by word of mouth.

Beowulf, like all epic poems, is about a hero , larger than life, who becomes leader of his people Beowulf is about good versus evil, a belief in the power of Fate (Wyrd) to rule human destiny, and the resignation to the certainty of death.

Finally Beowulf, is a suspense-filled story sung by traveling scops, filled with lyrical alliteration and metaphoric kennings, boasts and bloodshed, heroes and monsters, hospitality and horror, light and darkness, imagery and imagination.

Beowulf, though often difficult to decipher because of the Old English vocabulary, is a timeless tale, one worth reading and studying because. . .

. . . Beowulf has served as an inspiration for many later writers, among them J. R. R. Tolkien, author of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. End Day 1

The Prologue: Day 2 -Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Danes Shield Grain Healfdene Halga Married a Swede Hrothgar King of Danes Wealhtheow, Hrothar’s Queen

Cain and Abel: A Brother’s Bloodshed

Adam and Eve sinned.

Abel were blessed them with Cain two They boys…

Cain became a farmer. Abel became shepherd. Cain and Abel brought gifts to God in thanks for a prosperous life.

Cain brought products from his farm, but he was really reluctant to give them up. Abel willingly brought a sheep. God wasn’t happy about Cain’s gift because it did not come from the heart.

Cain was angry that God was not pleased with his gift.

God said to Cain… If you always do what is right, you will be happy. But be careful. Bad thoughts will ruin. your life. Learn to control them

kills than Abelhewith Cain thought God loved. Cain Abel more loved him. He was jealous. He took Abel out in a rock. the fields one day. Abel trusted his brother. But…

Monsters Cain, punished for murdering his brother Monsters, elves, zombies, giants who fought with God and caused the great flood Grendel’s mother Grendel

Episode 2: Grendel Attacks Herot Hall…Thursday, October 21, 2010

Herot Hall: A Place of loud Boasting, Drinking, Singing, Gift-giving… and finally sleeping off the revelry… Until… Grendel attacks… Bloody footprints everywhere…night…after night…for 12… long, bloody years… Until…

The Mighty Geats arrive, resplendent in their shiny chain mail suites, swords, and helmets.

Geats Ecgtheow, Hygelac’s thane and brother-in -law Beowulf Hygelac, King of Geats Heardred Thanes: Great warriors who pledged their loyalty to king in exchange for land Wiglaf-son of a great warrior who passed on chain mail forged by Giants.

the Germanic Warrior Day 2

Episode 3: Beowulf Comes to Herot Monday, October 25, 2010

In his far-off home Beowulf, Hygelac’s (king of Geats) follower and the strongest of the Geats---greater and stronger than anyone anywhere in this world--heard how Grendel filled nights with horror and quickly commanded a boat. . . proclaiming that he’d go to the. . . king. . . and would sail across the sea to Hrothgar, now when help was needed.

Geats Danes Herot

The Coming of Beowulf Mail Armour

Geats Ecgtheow, Hygelac’s thane and brother-in -law Beowulf Hygelac, King of Geats Heardred Thanes: Great warriors who pledged their loyalty to king in exchange for land Wiglaf-son of a great warrior who passed on chain mail forged by Giants.

The Coming of Grendel. . . thanes: free men who were given land spoils of battle for military service to their King. They were expected to follow their lord to their death.

• Look for similarities with the Greek epic the Odyssey • Watch how Beowulf rebukes the Danes • Alliteration/assonance • Kennings • light vs darkness imagery

• Listen for elements of the fantastic • See how the poet underscores the power of words and a hero’s determination alliteration/light-darkness/lurid details to create suspense/ End Day 3

Hrothgar Welcomes Beowulf … • Beowulf’s father is Hrothgar’s friend • Beowulf’s reputation as a brave man. • Beowulf’s reputation of having the grip of thirty men. • God has sent Beowulf to the Danes to save them from Grendel.

Beowulf Boasts, as is the tradition of great Geat warriors… “I am Hygelac’s kinsman and warrior. I have undertaken many glorious deeds. …The wise men among my people advised I seek you because they know my strength.

And now I shall, alone fight Grendel. …I shall seize my enemy in my hand grip and fight, and let God decide who shall be taken by death. Fate…always goes as it will!” Oh…the suspense!

Grendel has left Herot stained with the blood and gore of the Danes’ bloody battle. Beowulf seems their only hope…but…

Mail shirt How do you think some of the Dane warriors may have felt about Beowulf’s arrival and boasts of conquering Grendel? Which warrior was envious of Hrothgar’s attention to Beowulf and Beowulf’s fame? Unferth…jealous…

Unferth relates Beowulf’s swimming contest with Brecca…though others warned of the danger…Beowulf scoffed at the danger…Brecca…who beat Beowulf…yet , then succumbed to the swelling sea and rose to Heaven…

Beowulf retaliated with his story of Unferths murdering his own brother…claiming he…Unferth… a worse monster than Grendel… Then brave words were spoken and the people were happy and went to bed…knowing that…

The wretch planned to attack the hall after the sun had set… …when the shadows came striding dark under the clouds…

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Danes Shield Grain Healfdene Halga Married a Swede Hrothgar King of Danes Wealhtheow, Hrothar’s Queen

Geats Ecgtheow, Hygelac’s thane and brother-in -law Beowulf Hygelac, King of Geats Heardred Thanes: Great warriors who pledged their loyalty to king in exchange for land Wiglaf-son of a great warrior who passed on chain mail forged by Giants.

Scops: Good Story-tellers • lurid details to keep the listener interested: èSpawned in slime èMurderous creatures banished by God èBlood dripping behind them èNo savage assault quenched his lust for evil èHell-forged hands èAlone, bloodthirsty, and horrible

Kennings • mankind’s enemy-Grendel • that shadow of death-Grendel • Healfdene’s son-Hrothgar

Match the kenning with the correct character/place. Wanderer of the wasteland Grendel Sea-weary ones Geats Giver of the rings Hrothgar

So the living sorrow of Healfdane’s son (Hrothgar) simmered, bitter and fresh, and now no wisdom or strength could break it: that agony hung on king and people alike, harsh and unending, violent and cruel, and … Evil

Element s of an Epic: The Battle with Grendel • Suspense puts listeners on the edge of their seats, around the fire ring, waiting for what is to promised to come– “…let God decide who shall be taken by death…” • Lurid details to create suspense— “will carry my corpse, dripping with blood…” • Vivid imagery/strong action words– “hall warriors …swept away in Grendel’s horror.

• Kennings-- memorable phrases that shape a character’s personality– “the brave one” • Alliteration to create rhythm and to tie ideas together– “ward off whales” End Episode 4

Friday, October 29, 2010 Episode 5: “The Speeches”

Episode 5: Understanding the Lineage of the Old Trouble The inclusion of this story of Finn gives the reader an idea of how a story like Beowulf might have been presented. • 60 warriors of the Half-Danes (Division of the Danes) are visiting King Finn(Frisians) at this fortress. (see map) • King Hnaef leads the Half-Danes. His sister, Hildeburh, is married to Finn. (the marriage was arranged to settle a feud)

Geats Danes Finn Herot

• For some unclear reason, the Frisians attack the hall where the Half-Danes are sleeping. • Danes lose the bloody battle to Finn. • Danish leader, Hnaef, (Finn’s wife’s brother) is killed in combat. • Hildeburh’s son, a Frisian warrior, is also killed. • Queen Hildeburh’s grief is immense. This had been a place of great happiness, now turned to sorrow. She orders that her son’s and brother’s bodies be laid side by side on the funeral pyre.

• Finn’s troops are so decimated that he cannot continue to attack the hall • The Danes are on foreign soil and unable to break out to a victory.

• A truce is reached. Finn offers to take in Hnaef’s thanes as his own. • Recognizing defeat, Danes strike a truce. Agree to live separately, but under common rule and equal treatment. • They are forced to stay the winter because of rough, icy seas.

• Hengst, Hnaef’s top thane and now the Half-Danes’ leader, thinks more about vengeance than he does about returning home. • Springtime, one of the Danish warriors presents him with a sword symbolic of leadership and implies revenge. • Finn is defeated and slain. • Hildeburh is returned to her family, the Danes

Day 5: Review Game 1. Divide class into 5 teams 2. Each power point slide contains review questions pertaining to the elements of a story 3. On each slide, there will be 2 -point questions in two-levels of difficulty. 4. Each team member must take a play card before answering. The play cards will give the player an option for answering. Some will take the turn away.

5. The team with the most amount of points after two completed rounds of play gets 6 bonus points for the day. Second place gets 4 bonus points. Third gets 3. Fourth gets 2. Fifth gets 1 bonus point. HOWEVER, your team must have at least 1 point on the board to qualify for any bonus points. 6. There will be NO TALKING during the play time. EXCEPTION—if your play card says you make confer with a member(s) of your team.

Day 5: Reviewing Characters Level 2 Level 1 Hygelac Beowulf Ecgtheow Hrothgar Brecca Grendel Sigemund Wealhtheow Unferth Grain Healfdene

Reviewing Setting Level 1 Whose home was referred to as a lair? Mode of Transportation? Geatland: What direction from Danes? Buildings for social gatherings and meals Time period of Beowulf 3 Level 2 Furthest north: Jutes or Danes? Sea north of Geats Sea East of Geats Curved prow of Geat ship like a …? Person who lived with both Geats and Danes

Reviewing Plot Level 1 Orphan who prospered and became a good king Level 2 Payment to the giants who had fought with God in the beginning. Years Hrothgar suffered Grendel before Beowulf Who moved into the mead-hall once Hrothgar’s men gave up? Who took the Geats to Hrothgar? First Dane to Challenge Beowulf Who helped Hrothgar build his mead hall? How did Hrothgar know that the first men killed by Grendel had tried to escape? What had Hrothgar heard of Beowulf’s strength before his coming to the Danes? How had Hrothgar helped Beowulf’s father?

Episode #6: The Queen Speaks • Wealhtheow is concerned about her aging husband’s predecessor • Narrator hints that trouble is brewing between Hrothgar and his nephew • Narrator explains about the fall of Hygelac in battle and how the spoils of war included a treasured neck ring, pilfered by the Frisians and then the Franks.

What do you learn about the Germanic Culture: 1. Germanic custom required avenging death of kinsmen 2. Winner of battles takes the spoils and leaves the bodies lie 3. Germanic concept of a hero: • Role model to the young • Faithful t o his king • Mild in spirit • Always ready for war • Ready to sacrifice his life for the king

Epic Style: • Kennings • Vivid Imagery • Heroic Qualities: Faithful to His King, Mild in Spirit, Brave (choose one) • Suspense • Culture • Themes: Vengeance

Episode 7: The Expedition to Grendel’s Mere Plot: Why were the Danes going here? “Tracks were clearly visible going over the ground along the forest paths where she had gone forth over the murky moors carrying the best of men, lifeless…

Setting: How was Grendel’s mere described? “…a joyless woods leaning over’ turbid and bloody water… …When they on the sea cliff saw Aeschere’s head. The water boiled with blood and hot gore as the men watched. …along the water the kin Of snakes, strange sea dragons, Swimming in the deep or Lying on the steep slopes– Water monsters, serpents, and Wild beasts…

himself Beowulf prepares to. Beowulf battlearrayed a in armor…large and monstrous foe… decorated. . . woven by hand So that hostile grips…might not scathe his life.

Episode 7: The Expedition to Grendel’s Mere=small lake or pond Group Work: 1. Constant Awareness of Death pervades this epic poem--Find direct quotes throughout the poem that depict a life full of death and the threat of death that loom over every life, both human and monster. Find three quotes for each. 2. Adherence to the same vengeance –demanding code-Find two quotes for each-monsters and humans. 3. Beowulf’s superhuman, heroic abilities : Find two quotes in Episode 7.

Episode 8: Beowulf Returns to Herot Theme: A great warrior is blessed by God • “His men rushed toward him(Beowulf), thanking God they saw him safe. • “The battle (with Grendel’s mother) would have ended quickly if God had not protected me. ”

Theme: Bad /Evil warriors are punished • “When the grim-hearted being (Grendel), God’s adversary, guilty of murder, left this world … • “…the ancient heirloom(magic sword)…slew the race of giants…a race foreign to the Eternal Lord…Almighty gave them a final reward through the water’s surging(flood).

• “Heremod …waxed not to their (Danes) help but to their slaughter…he cut down his bosom friends…his spirit grew blood thirsty…he gave no rings…he who shoots his bow with evil--- mighty God…distributes land/rank. . controls all--intent…is hit in the heart, beneath his armor…

Epic Style: vivid imagery The helmet of night turned black, dark over the warriors, The men arose. The grayhaired one would seek his bed, the old Dane What is being compared to a helmet? Why does the metaphor work?

The hall reached high, vaulted and adorned in gold. The guest rested within until the black raven told heaven’s joy with a happy heart. Then came the bright light, hastening over the shadow

Episode 8 Group Activity: Group Choice • Create one slide • Give an example of either vivid imagery, Good warriors blessed by God, or Bad/Evil is punished by God Be creative, using color and shapes, pictures, etc, . to emphasize your message. • Save on my R drive, under Myths/Beowulf

a. a pile of treasures b. anyone who entered turned to stone c. anyone who looked upon the place lost all memory Episode 9: Beowulf becomes King of the Geats. Hygelac’s Family Hygd(wife) Heardred (youngest son) Beowulf

How the Dragon got the hoard… In-class activity : Each person in your group is responsible for composing a 11 X 8 size element of your timeline. You will line up in front and present your part of the timeline. Group A: Create a time-line that details how , in the old days, the hoard was first formed. Group B: How the Dragon found the hoard and claimed it as his home. Group C: How the thief stole from the dragon Group D: How the dragon avenged the thievery

Background information : Episode 10 Boasts • Today: Boasting is a big-headed thing to do • Anglo-Saxon England: A boast was a kind of promise a warrior made in front of other people

*When a warrior had boasted that he would carry out a brave action and everyone had heard it, then he had to do it. *If he succeeded (or even if he died trying) his would be talked about and praised. *If he did not succeed, he would not be respected any more.

fame *Fame was very important to warrior tribes like the Geats and Danes. *Life was short - many died in battle or from disease. • What mattered was for the things you had done while you were alive to be spoken about and praised when you were dead. *Then you would have created something that lasted longer than a life.

*A warrior could win fame by brave deeds in battle or by being a wise adviser, for making good decisions or bringing about peace. *A warrior could win ill-fame too for leaving friends in battle or being a bad lord or murdering relatives. *Fame was the way someone was remembered and spoken of, the way his or her story was told.

Franks, Frisians, Swedes and Hetware • The Franks, the Frisians and the Hetware were tribes living in the areas of Europe that are now part of Germany, Holland Belgium. • The Swedes were the neighboring tribe of the Geats, living in the north of the country we now call Sweden.

• Later on, the Franks moved south into what is now France. The word France comes from their name.

• Heardred, is the son of Hygelac, king of the Geats, and his queen Hygd. • After Hygelac's death, in Frisia, Hygd wants to make Hygelac's nephew Beowulf, king of Geatland, as she fears that the young Heardred won't be able to defend his people. • Beowulf, however, declares his trust in the young man, teaches him as he grows up, and Heardred is proclaimed king.

• However, further north in Sweden , the Swedish king Ohthere dies and is succeeded by his younger brother Onela. • Ohthere's sons Eadgils and Eanmund flee to the Geats and are received by Heardred. • This makes Onela attack the Geats to neutralize his nephews, and to avenge his father Ongentheow, who had been killed by the Geats.

• During the battle Heardred is killed. • Heardred is succeeded by his cousin Beowulf, who avenges Eanmund by helping Eadgils kill Onela.

• Fate: Acceptance of Death (2) • Loyalty to King (1) • Courage (2) • Defeat of Evil (1) • Great Wit and Strength (2) Episode 10: Beowulf Prepares for the Fight with the Dragon 2. Epic Style Group Work: Partners 1. Find examples in Episode 10 of the heroic code: Heroic Code: (10 pts) Give direct quotes and explain how it shows that example. • Vengeance (2) • Fate: Acceptance of Death (2) • Loyalty to King (1) • Courage (2) • Defeat of Evil (1)

End of Episode 10… The brave king, gold friend of the Geats, sat down on the headland talked with his companions. He was sad, restless, and ready to die. That fate was near, which the old man would greet. He would seek his reward, life from body parted; not for long would the soul of the prince stay wrapped in flesh”

• He spoke to each of his brave companions for the last time… “…Therefore I wear shield and mail. I will not back a step away from that hoard-guardian. We two shall end as fate decrees…”

Episode 11: The Fight with the Fire Dragon. A. Beowulf Accepts His Fate: He has grown old as king of the Geats. He foresees his imminent death, but chooses to do battle with … … the fire dragon, who is wreaking havoc on the villages in retribution for a thief stealing part of his hoard-treasure. B. Beowulf’s comrades witness the battle from a distance. . . … and then retreat in terror, cowards all

C. Wiglaf steps forward in a heroic speech, inspiring each to… …adhere to the heroic code, for which they had pledged their allegiance D. Beowulf becomes… …inspired once again and battles his enemy, but… …the dragon bites him on the neck and the blood gushes in waves!

E. Wiglaf … …shows courage and drove in the sword and then …. . the fire abated. F. The Beowulf controlled his senses and… …cut the fire dragon through the middle and the two men, king and warrior, had cut down the enemy. So should a warrior do; it is the hero’s code.

G. And that was Beowulf’s… …last victory; his last work in this world.

Episode 12: The Death of Beowulf… This episode is the longest of the epic. Give yourself a lot of time.

The Burning of Beowulf’s Body. . . Days of. . . • misery • infinite sadness • mourning • fear and sorrow to come

Final Thoughts “And then twelve of the bravest Geats rode their horses around the tower, telling their sorrow, telling stories of their dead king and his greatness, his glory. . .

. . . Praising him for heroic deeds, for a life as Noble as his name. . . Beowulf. . . no better king had ever lived, no prince so mild, no man so open to his people, so deserving of praise.