Beowulf Notes

Collaberated with: 

Judith Lee, Sierra Sanchez, Haley Kestler, 

Imanie Patel, Victoria Tonasia, Taylor Williams, 

Megan Stevens, Elizabeth Smith, Shailynn Joseph, 

Haley Stowe, Stevie Wisz, Courtney Reyburn, Hannah Hurd

From Tristia Ovid, Translated by L. R. Lind: Book 10 

-Tristia had moved from her mother country, Dardanian Troy, when it was attacked by the Grecian Army.
-Now in the Pontus, feels like the days go by like years
-Despises the common theme of death races (referring to gladiator games and/or the continuous war between the Romans and their enemies)
-Feels like a barbarian not being able to communicate with people of the new land, had to use body language
-Was exiled from Rome
-"Injured the power of Caesar the god," in result was sent to assimilate with the Scythian race as a punishment
-Believes she deserved to be exiled but not to such a city

Far Corners of Earth by Tu Fu translated by David Hinton
Describes a shift from the Chiang-han mountains where clouds begin to hover over to "a new waste of highway." Gradual decline in mood.

from Beowulf
-portrays the Anglo-Saxon culture of eighth century Britain
-Beowulf: sword-wielding slayer of monsters, upholder of the right, warrior-chieftain
-Takes place in sixth century Scandinavia, speaks Old English
-Beowulf seeks to help the Danish King Hrothgar in fighting the swampland monster, Grendel.
-first of the three mortal battles
-Scops often told long narrative poems by mouth in Anglo-Saxon England which resulted in it's change and growth
-finally written down in eleventh century
-main themes: bravery, loyalty, heroism
-The Electronic Beowulf Project revived the burnt original manuscripts of Beowulf.

Epic: a long narrative poem, sometimes developed orally, that celebrates the deeds of a legendary or heroic figure
-hero battles for the order of his world
-story told in serious matter with sophisticated language
Legendary hero: a larger than life character whose accomplishments are celebrated in traditional tales

Important words/vocab (pg. 37)
Kenning
Caesura
Reparation
Solace
Purge
Writhing
Massive
Loathsome 

- Higlac was the king of the Geats and Beowulf's feudal lord and uncle as well as a very strong man

- Higlac heard that Grendel violently forced and demanded a boat to be fitted out for him to go see Higlac

- Beowulf chose the mightiest, bravest, and best men of the Geats he could find to accompany him on his journey to Hrothgar (14 men total)

- He knew the sea would lead them straight to that distant, Danish shore

- They sailed their boat and arrived fully dressed in mail with the best armor and uninvited

- Hrothgar's lieutenant met them on the shore, demanding to know who they were and why they came unannounced

- He asked Beowulf to immediately explicate their reason for their visit before they take action against them

- Beowulf explained who they were and that they were there to hunt Grendel and protect the people and their King from the monster

- The mounted officer believed their words and that he and his men would guard their ship and protect it, saying that any warriors who battle Grendel successfully should go home bearing their love

- Once Beowulf and his men arrived at Herot, they were called in to see the King

- Beowulf arose and went to meet Hrothgar with some of his men, ordering a few to remain behind with their weapons

Vocab

- reparation: (n.) something making up for wrong or injury

- solace: (n.) comfort; relief

- mail: (n.) flexible body armor made of metal (in this context)

-Beowulf and his men arrive at Herot and are called to see the King 

-Beowulf ordered some of his men to stay with their weapons, while he took others and himself "into Hrothgar's Presence"

-Beowulf describes himself to the kind to make him seem more favorable, by saying things like "They have seen my strength for themselves, Have watched me ride form the darkest of war, Dripping with my enemies' blood."

-Beowulf over does it on the compliments to the king then asks for the kings permission to "purge all evil from this hall" (including Grendal, who Beowulf is willing to go into great battle against) Beowulf is willing to die for his cause and exaggeratedly says so. 

The Battle with Grendel 

-Grendal came from the marsh and journeyed to Herot and was met harshly with Herot being so firmly defended. 

-Grendal stormed through the doors quickly, saw the young and sleepy soldiers lining the halls, grabbed one and killed him, snapping shit and drinking the blood. 

-Grendal clutched Beowulf but was suprised by his strength and attack. Grendal's first reaction was to run but Beowulf didn't let him go. 

-Beowulf and Grendal battled violently. Herot shook and trembled, it was built to only come down in fire but the battle was a much great force. 

·        He was the strongest man, Beowulf was going to kill the "monster"

·        Beowulf's men woke up to Beowulf fighting Grendel and were ready to fight, if needed; they were courageous, but Grendel was pretty indestructible against them and he could easily beat them all

·        But, he(Grendel) was now declining, dying, and had been defeated

·        His shoulder bone broke, a sign of the battle being over

·        Beowulf won "glory, Grendel escaped" to his den though, to die a slow and miserable death

·        Beowulf was very prod, the Danes were happy and his accomplishments were listed; he ended Hrothgar's people's problems

·        Beowulf hung Grendel's "arm, claw, shoulder and all" on the rafters; it was basically a trophy of the victory and proof of the win

Pg. 49 The Monsters' Lair (there was a celebration of Beowulf's victory, but Grendel's mother kills Hrothgar's best friend and takes Grendel's claw, Beowulf hears from the king about the underwater lair)

·        The king is talking the whole time

·        peasants in fields saw female and male creatures and told the king's wise men

·        Grendel they named the man one, no one knows if there were any before them or any other creatures like them

·        The creatures lived in a secret wolf den with rocks and a waterfall to an underground lake (my visual interpretation of the text) It's very dark, roots hanging from the top, no one knows how deep

·        The king wants Beowulf to kill the mother, Beowulf is his only help and hope of "being saved", he will reward him with gold and treasure for winning

Pg. 50 The Battle with Grendel's Mother (Beowulf decides to kill her and goes to the lake)

·        (Beowulf is speaking to the men) To Hrothgar, if he(Beowulf) should die during battle, he wants Hrothgar to be "Father and protector" of his comrades. He wants Higlac to have the things Hrothgar gave him. To Unferth, who questioned his bravery before the Grendel battle, he leaves his "famous old sword" <symbolic value

·        He jumped into the lake without others responding

·        Sank for "hours" before reaching the bottom

·        Grendel's mother saw him, her "welcome" was trying to kill him, but his armor was too strong to penetrate

·        She carried him to her home, he couldn't get out his weapon

·        the fight brought other monsters swimming to see...

-She brought him into her home which nothing could attack them in

-He attacked her but realized he couldn't hurt her

-They continue to fight, and she draws a blade on him, her only son, but she hit his armor and he was unharmed

-He then struck her across the neck and rejoiced at her death

-He then picked up his sword and went to find Grendel but found him dead

-Beowulf then left taking nothing but Grendels head and the jeweled sword

-The Geats rejoiced when Beowulf returned

-They then gifted the Danes with Grendel's head

·        Beowulf honored by Hrothgar

·        He becomes king

·        rules Greatland for 50 years

·        Dragon comes into kingdom when Beowulf is an old man

·        he decided to slay the beast 

·        before battle, tells his men about the royal house 

·        wanted to fight without any armor, then realizes the dragon breathes fire 

·        believes he's the only man who can do it. 

·        wants to claim dragon's riches

·        dragon attacked with breathe first

·        his armor held up, then started to melt

·        first time in life, he fought with fate against him

·        his sword broke in two, but got a stab into the dragon

·        Beowulf fell back, dragon attacked, breathed fire at him, he suffered

·        once king, now a beaten warrior 

·        all other men fleed without helping him

·        only man that stayed was Wiglaf, Wexstan's son

·        Wiglaf's mind was made up, he raised his shield and drew his sword

·        Onela got armor from the king. 

·        Wexstan kept the shining gifts for his son but was killed. 

·        His heir, Wiglaf, inherited the treasures. He went into war with Beowulf and was strong and courageous. 

·        Wiglaf brought the soldiers together, telling them Beowulf had given them the swords, it is time to defend with them. It is better for them to suffer than to cause agony to the king. He yelled encouragement and went into the dragons deadly flames. 

·        Wiglaf and Beowulf kill the dragon. The Beowulf is wounded and is dying. He asks Wiglaf to retrieve the treasure the dragon was protecting. 

The Spoils

·        Wiglaf goes into the cave. Finds lots of gold and sparkling things. He grabs as much as he can and takes it to the dying king. 

·        Beowulf says he gave his life for this treasure, use it to help and lead his people. 

·        He said he wanted to be burned high at the waters edge so sailors could see this tower and call it Beowulf's tower. He gave all he had to Wiglaf and said their family had been swept away as warriors and now he was following them. Then he died. 

·        Wiglaf is mad at those who deserted Beowulf

·        The Geats burn his body. 

The Farewell

·        The Geats built the tall and strong tower Beowulf requested, his ashes sealed inside. All the treasure was left at his grave deep in the ground. Twelve men road around the tower telling of their stories and sadness and of his greatness. They said there was not other king worthy of such praise. 

Prologue

·        -A King named Scyld the Scefing was a wealthy man who was looked up upon by the people of his town.

·        -Nobody challenged him, he was better than everyone else

·        -Had a son and named him Beowulf.

·        -Son was looked up to and was generous to all the people of the town. 

·        -Ship created to hold dead body, very wealthy items, 

·        -Description of armor and expensive weapons.

·        -Ship sent to sea, talk about a flood

·        -People mourn for the death of the child.

Chapter 1

·        -A new person came to the thrown named Healfdean. 

·        -Was a strong leader

·        -Had four children Heorogar, Hrothgar, Halga, one not living 

·        -Heorogar was known for his bravery on the battle field.

·        -A hall was built in his honor 

·        -Something of evil comes from "moore land" to hurt the happiness 

·        - Cain awakens evil creature to ruin the fun. 

Vocab

·        -march-rieve- A disturber of the border, one who sallies from his haunt in the fen and roams over the country nearby. This probably pagan nuisance is now furnished with biblical credentials as a fiend or devil in good standing, so that all Christian Englishmen might read about him. "Grendel" may mean one who grinds and crushes.

·        Ettins-Giants

Chapter 2 

·        Went to house and found group of people mourning the death of a person 

·        The next morning Grendel found out his servant of 12 years was murdered

·        That night Grendel looked for the person who killed his servant and was determined to get his revenge

·        The murder wasn't hard to find and Grendel found who he thought killed his servant

·        There was another person continuing to murder people ruthlessly 

·        People said he still lurked the "moorlands" but nobody said where this place was because they were so afraid 

·        People prayed that they wouldn't be killed by this person but also prayed he would be forgiven by god 

Chapter 3 

·        Grendel seen as a hero and people thought his valor should be recognized by the king 

·        Grendel chosen to lead a group of 14 men (called the Geats) to sea 

·        He and his men found the place they were sailing to - Danes 

·        Get off boat armed with weapons and shields 

·        Met by a warden ("scylding clansman") on horseback that was armed 

·        Warden explains that his job is to protect the people of Danes from sailors who land there

·        He also explains he had never seen people come there and be so obvious that they were warriors

·        Warden tells them that he is praying for them on their voyage 

Chapter 4:
-the warrior (seafarer) leader claims he is the son of Ecgtheow who's widely known and honored by many
-the warrior got wind of the "monster" that tortures and haunts the Danes and demands that he and his men attempt to defeat this "scathing", "dark ill-doer" monster
-agreeing with the plan, his men marched to the village/palace in which Hrothgar loved
-some men were assigned to gaurd the boat and escort the others to the palace, protecting the boat from their foes; "gaurd it kept o'er the man of war..."
-the men can see the shimmery, glistening, gold palace from afar
-the men who were assigned to gaurd the boat and also escort the other men then return to the boat where they spend their time being on the look out

Chapter 5:
-the men, while marching, observe the shiny, well-decorated streets and atmosphere of Heorot
-the men were approached by a proud, curious warrior who stopped the men and asked what their purpose of arrival was
-Beowulf, the leader of the men, and Wulfgar(the warrior described above) discuss the matters. Wulfgar directs the leader and his men to the throne of Hrothgar
-Wulfgar asks Hrothgar to speak to the men
and exclaims that Beowulf appears to be a strong, firm leader; "In weeds of the warrior worthy they, methinks, of our liking, their leader most surely, a hero that hither his henchmen has led." 

Characters: 

The Geats- Beowolf’s clan, Beowolf born around 495

The Dantes- residents of Denmark, Scylding is Anglo Saxon lineage

The Swedes- lived in Sweden north of Geats

Finnsburh- The Fight at Finnsburh overlaps with Beowolf estimated time period and so studied together, example of Germanic heroic lay describing warriors experiences in war

Grendel- monster Beowolf killed and symbolic of when bad Cain killed good Abel (revenge), Beowolf is cause of trouble because rebel, Grendel’s mother is constant vengeful and represents cycle of war even when enemy seems to be defeated

I don't know if needed (above) but it was on the website and the characters are kinda confusing to know who are people talking but I think with rest of notes it will hopefully make sense! Thanks again for all your participation!!!

Chapter Six (VI)

·        Hrothgar is talking of Beowolf and only legends have been told (like rumors in today’s world) of how strong and great Beowolf is

·        They thank god (grateful) for having him send Beowolf to relive them of Grendel and his destruction

·        Grateful for someone/thing that they haven’t even met yet, they just know rumors and stories about.

·        Like society today when we want to ay someone for their service but really we should just be grateful for their service and sacrifice to be there rather than having to pay them to make ourselves feel better about “hassling them”

·        heros don’t get hassled, they just go out and do because that’s their “job”

·        People get mad about Beowolf not taking the money and gold but why should he? He did a good deed and shouldn’t it just be left to that?

·        Beowolf gets message that Hrothgar will accept him and his kin in his own kingdom for Beowolf’s bravery

·        Beolwolf replies by giving story of his own battles and how he came to be known as a strong man. He fought animals and his foes, many at a time, for his people (the Geats) and to avenge them (symbol of hero)

·        Beowolf knows his duty, in specific to defeating Grendel, and knows that he must use only himself and no other armor

·        knowledgeable of situation and knows what needs to be done. Doesn’t put brawn over brains

·        “So, from thee, thou sovran of the Shining-Danes, Scyldings'-bulwark, a boon I seek, and, Friend-of-the-folk, refuse it not, O Warriors'-shield, now I've wandered far, that I alone with my liegemen here, this hardy band, may Heorot purge!” - I am not sure what he means by I have wandered too far?

·        He knows he might die in battle and respects the “rules” of battle and lets his family know that if he is to die in battle, they shouldn’t worry about burying him properly.

·        Practical but still with hope that he will win the battle with faith

Chapter Seven (VII)

·        Hrothgar retells story of brother’s, Heorogar, death.

·        Killed by war between Wylfings and Scyldings over money and gold

·        Shows destruction of materialistic world and consequences of it

·        “Then was this mead-house at morning tide dyed with gore, when the daylight broke, all the boards of the benches blood-besprinkled, gory the hall: I had heroes the less,” - descriptive language of how warriors died trying to defeat Grendel. Revenge Hrothgar wants. Passionate

·        Sit to eat after this gruesome story, shows culture and how they take death as a apart of life but then want revenge for wrongful deaths as do we in today’s world

Chapter 8 (VIII)

·        Always refer to seafarers to tell a rumor or story, Why?

·        Enferth (son of Ecglaf) questioned Beowolf’s ability to actually fight Grendel and told of story where Beowolf and “rival” Breca swam the seas together and then Breca got out of the sees unharmed but he worries that Beowolf is not strong like Breca.

·        Questioning of strength is key in hero battle/adventure because it makes the hero think about his/her strength and if they really can achieve their goal

·        Also gives background to Beowolf and adventures

·        Questions that Beowolf will do anything without really thinking about it or consequences

·        Beowolf reinforces that he is ready and states that he was a child and didn’t know better but he did bring swords for protection

·        He stayed by Breca until the very end until it was impossible to stay together because of the seas tearing them apart

·        Beowolf defeated the beast of the sea and that shows give evidence behind why he is worthy of fighting Grendel

·        He supports this accusation on inadequacy and backs up his point with evidence as seen in today’s culture with giving effective opinions and if you want people to believe you then you give them reasons to

·        He proves himself time and time again which is what a hero has to do because the people are putting their faith into him and they want credibility 

Beowulf Notes:

Chapter 9:

·        Beowulf encounters evil sea monsters that make him feel threatened. So he kills them with his sword. He kills nine of them and they will never bother the sailors again. This is when he was separated from Breca. Reminds me of Moby Dick in a sense.

·        He fought a difficult battle and the tides ended up taking him to the land of the Fins.

·        Breca was on of Beowulf’s closest kin, but he left Beowulf in the sea where he had to fight giants on his own, but Beowulf doesn’t wish war with him. Beowulf believes that his bad will come to him.

·        Grendel is the son of Ecglaf. Grendel was very jealous of Hrothgar so he brought him humiliation. Now Grendel would “rot in hell”. (Dante’s Inferno)

·        Beowulf fears no feud with the Danish; he will fight, murder and eat with them and the next day finds out the strength of the Geats.

·        Beowulf will fight with them and Hrothgar, jewel-giver, is pleased with his will to fight. The queen snickers at this but still continues to wear her gold and carried the cup of the hall.

·        The queen walked around the hall, first giving the king a drink (Hrothgar), and then giving the rest a drink. She was so happy that Beowulf had committed to fight with the Geats and if he didn’t help win the battle he would die in the process.

·        The queen thanked the lord for her Savior, Beowulf.

·        The son of Healfdene wants to get to bed, but speaks with Beowulf before he goes. They speak of the hopeful glory for the battle the next morning. Beowulf will remain in the hall bequeathing, or giving the power over to him. Healfdene’s son would obtain the power over the hall, which was called Heorot Hall, for the night. ( A will? In case he died in battle the next day, Healfdene would inherit the power?)

Chapter 10

·        Hrothgar and Wealhtheow, the queen, go to bed, but have a guard watch their room in order to prevent the monster from getting to them. The monster being Grendel. (Frankenstein was a monster to everyone)

·        Beowulf retires for the night and has a guard watch his armor, but he challenges the monster to a battle without armor or weapons. He says the gods will decide who is right.

·        Everyone laid down to rest not fearing of dying or not returning home the next day. Although many people had not made it back, they had no worries.

·        Metaphor of one man being different than the rest to god ruling over man-kind. Was Beowulf starting to earn the reputation of a god?

·        Beowulf was the only man to lie awake looking at the wandering shadow in the hall. Beowulf could only think of the upcoming battle and would not sleep.