2024-10-22 09:50
Status: #sapling
Tags: [[classics]] [[literature]] [[history]] [[mythology]] [[heroism]]
Beowulf, Heaney
Pre-reading
Tells the story of a Scandinavian hero Beowulf, written around 700-900 C.E., incorporates both pre-Christian and
[[Christianity|Christian]] elements. Wasn't popularized until [[Tolkien]] wrote a paper on it. He borrowed many elements in
his novels.
Beowulf is a Geat from Sweden, going to Denmark to fulfill his Wyrd by slaying Grendel. Only one surviving manuscript
Characters
![[Beowulf Character Map.canvas]]
The Poem
"Behavior that's admired is the path the power to people everywhere", Pg. 5
The father of Beow died and, as he was well-loved and powerful, he had a grand viking funeral. Beow's heir is the
Halfdane. Halfdane's heir is the king of the Danes, Hrothgar. He created a grand throne-room and mead hall named
Heorot. The Danes have been having succession crises A demonic dragon named Grendel held a grudge against life
itself, who desolated Denmark and humiliated Hrothgar by butchering his guard in Heorot. He began to wage war against
the Danes without remorse. Descended from Cain. He attacked for twelve winters. "So Grendel waged his lonely war",
Pg. 13 Ecgtheow killed someone from another Geat tribe, and met with Hrothgar in Denmark The thane of Hygelac,
Beowulf, son of Ecgtheow, from Geatland (Sweden), along with fourteen others, ventured to Denmark to save Hrothgar.
Hrothgar is grateful to Beowulf and promises treasure for defeating Grendel, and gives a feast to his men Beowulf vows
to defeat Grendel in hand-to-hand combat Another Dane, Unferth, is envious of Beowulf, and insults Beowulf about his
losing a boast to Breca, but Beowulf recovers by boasting that he defeated nine sea-beasts during the swimming race
and accusing Unferth of killing his kin Beowulf impressed Wealhtheow with his boasts and drinking
The Battle With Grendel
None expected to defeat Grendel alive, but Beowulf's strength, even unarmed, was "blessed by Almight God" When
Grendel arrived, only Beowulf was awake and he was able to kill one man
Beowulf trapped Grendel in an armlock, and Grendel desparately tried to escape in an massive, destructive fight. In this
fight, Beowulf's men struck against Grendel with their blades to kill him, but he was impervious to blacksmith's art.
Beowulf managed to fatally injure Grendel. In doing this, he saved the Danes and showed his prowess.
The Danes provided a feast and victory gifts for Beowulf for defeating Grendel
The Mother of Grendel
While the Danes and Geats slept in celebration after Grendel's death, there was an avenger for his death; the mother of
Grendel. She managed to capture and kill an advisor of Hrothgar.
Hrothgar would give Beowulf gold for ending the feud and killing Grendel's mother, and he managed to so even after his
inherited sword cracked at his foe's skin, and after many of the Danes believed he had died.
However, he returned with the head of Grendel and a giant's sword and the king was incredibly grateful. Then, Beowulf
returns to Geatland
Beowulf's Return
Hygelac heard of his return and and wanted to hear Beowulf's tales and he boasted of his exploits, and then granted his
lord the treasure that Hrothgar gave him.
The Dragon
The king Hygelac was killed by the Shylfings, and Beowulf became king for 50 years
However, there was a [[dragon]] awakened after a thief stole some of its treasure was stolen
Boewulf decided to fight the dragon alone, and his war-band didn't help him in order to defeat the dragon He sent the
only man to fight with him, Wiglaf to tell the Geats of his fight
Unfortunately, he died from the dragon's poison after killing it
After Beowulf's Death
His death will then begin a war against the Geats after foreigners learn of their weakness
In the funeral, they left the hoard to the earth The funeral was massive and thankful for Beowulf
References
[[Beowulf Presentation, AP Lit]] [[Vocabulary in Beowulf]]
