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Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Beowulf Reading Notes


Prologue - Chapter 10
  • Begins with story of Scyld Scefing, strong, powerful, honored, foundling (abandoned infant, unknown parents). He died with honor, son Beow gained power afterwards. Beow dies, his son takes power.
  • Grendel "wrathful, reckless" monster kills 30 men, didn't like the music/festivities going on inside Heorot.
  • Possible biblical allusion to story of Cain and Abel.
  • Lots of family ties
  • Beowulf is introduced as a true hero and leader who aspires to save Hrothgar's people. He is brave and brutal.
  • Grendel relies on strength only, so Beowulf will as well.
  • grim, confusing syntax
Trista by Ovid
  • Ovid was born in Italy, lived in Rome, but exiled by Emperor Augustus
  • Danube River, Euxine Ocean frozen over. Time is passing slowly for narrator.
  • Believes that men care too much about warfare
  • Regrets his mistakes, feels guilty
Far Corners of Earth by Tu Fu
  • Tu Fu was a educated man, traveled through China
  • He sees everyone suffering and confused but he keeps walking
The Wrath of Grendel
  • Grendel, the monster, killed 30 men after the had a celebration
  • Herot remained empty for 12 years because of Grendel
The Coming of Beowulf
  • Beowulf= brave warrior/hero
  • He and 14 brave warriors go to herot to destroy Grendel
The Battle with Grendel
  • Beowulf kills Grendel
  • This angers Grendel's mother so she kills Hrothgar's friends.
  • Beowulf goes to find the mother
The Battle with Grendel's Mother
  • After a battle in the lake, Beowulf kills Grendel's mother
  • He becomes King as result of his glory
  • A dragon becomes his next beast
The Last Battle
  • Beowulf defeats the dragon with the help of Wiglaf 
  • Beowulf is dying from a wound :( Wiglaf gathers the treasure being guarded by the dragon
The Spoils/The Farewell
  • gold, gems, all in dragons lair
  • The people built a monument for Beowulf.
  • They considered him very deserving of praise

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