BEOWULF Themes and Test Review 2 THEMATIC LEVELS

BEOWULF Themes and Test Review

2 THEMATIC LEVELS ON WHICH BEOWULF IS TOLD v. Relentless conflict • Good vs. evil • Order vs. chaos v. Allegory of Christian salvation

TRAITS OF AN EPIC HERO VALUED BY ANGLO-SAXONS v. Loyalty v. Courage v. Prowess in battle v. Generosity

CHRISTIAN ELEMENTS v References to Cain’s sin of killing his brother spawning Grendel and his mother v Prayers of thanks or appeals to God v Beowulf’s descent into the lake like Christ’s descent to the dead and resurrection v Beowulf’s defense against taunts of Unferth like Christ’s withstanding of attempts by Pharisees to discredit him v Beowulf’s trials when betrayed by others

CHRISTIAN ELEMENTS v. Beowulf’s accomplishments of impossible tasks like Christ’s performance of miracles v. Beowulf’s sacrifice of his life for others like Christ v. Beowulf’s followers like Christ’s disciples v. Beowulf’s soul leaving and flying to glory (Heaven) like Christ’s ascension

PAGAN ELEMENTS v Beowulf’s travel under “good omens” v Beowulf’s character filled with mythological, superhuman traits valued by Anglo-Saxon society v Concept of fate and loom v Magical quality of monsters that no ordinary weapons could harm v Hrothgar’s men praying to stone idols v Mythological heroes making journeys to underworld like Beowulf’s descent into the lake

LEADERSHIP QUALITIES OF BEOWULF v Acts decisively v Acts courageously v Creates peace as well as war v Concerned for people v Serves as protector v Respected by people v Plans for his replacement