Beowulf Part I The Defeat of Grendel What

Beowulf Part I The Defeat of Grendel

§ What purpose does the prologue to Beowulf serve?

Prologue --Shield Sheafson § Sets an extraordinary standard for leadership = “That was one good king” § Self-made, an orphan § Came to power at a time of chaos § Provides a valuable context for the hero

Prologue --Shield Sheafson § Prepares the reader for the positive aspects of violence and subjugation § Enslaved his defeated foes § In the Anglo-Saxon culture, this bolstered his superiority § Respect for his authority

Prologue --Shield Sheafson § Image of his funeral ship = leaves kingdom with more than he first had § Pride in the kingdom he built § Fame and treasure endure beyond his life § Swords, helmets, armor signify his fighting ability

Song of Creation § Ordered nature vs. dark slime § Hrothgar vs. Grendel § Good vs. evil

§ What significance did king and mead hall have to the Anglo-Saxons?

The Worthy Ruler Good Rulers § Shield Sheafson § Halfdane § Hrothgar Bad Rulers § Hermod (evil pride = hubris) § Finn (fratricide) § Hrothgar’s nephew Hrothulf will kill his son and heir Hrethric (regicide)

Hrothgar § God = father § King Hrothgar = father (comitatus) § Had helped Ecgtheow by paying wergild, sees Beowulf’s help as proper respect § Adopts Beowulf as a son of his heart

Heorot § § “Hall of the Hart” Extraordinary creation Garden of order from chaos of swamps Monument to Danish culture’s king and values § Symbol of battle strength

§ What is fratricide, and what is the larger meaning behind this crime?

Grendel’s Origin § § Grendel = pagan, hell, Cain Finds pain in joyful celebration at Heorot motiveless antagonism Embodiment of evil = magic used against weapons § Antithesis of Beowulf

Unferth § Intoxicated taunting § Jealous of Beowulf’s fame § Chaos from unnatural acts = Fratricide: Cain, Unferth, Finn (brother-in-law), Hrothulf (cousin) § No feats to his name

§ In Part I of the poem, how does the character of Beowulf fit the cycle of the hero monomyth?

Beowulf as Epic Warrior Hero § Uncanny strength = stronger than Breca § Incredible courage = swims hostile waters and slays numerous monsters § Stoic resolve = puts himself in a position from which retreat is impossible § Defeat of Grendel = Sigemund’s triumph over the dragon

Beowulf = the best of men § Humility, not hubris = sees himself as controlled by fate rather than in control of his own destiny § The poem celebrates the pagan concept of immortality through fame, yet extols a hero whose conduct is Christian

Beowulf’s Boasts? § Rightfully rebukes Unferth § Establishes a standard of heroic behavior § Tests fate by attempting the impossible § Fulfills heroic destiny

§ And what about Wealtheow?

The Queen § § A mere type Diplomatic hostess Role of women in Anglo-Saxon society? Prototype for the idealized woman of courtly love?