Beowulf%20as%20a%20Hero

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Beowulf as a Hero
Tre Gildersleeve
2
Supernatural

• Grendel and his mom.
• Grendel was the name of this grim demon haunting
  the marshes, marauding round the heat in a
  desolate fens he had dwelt for time and misery
  among the banished monsters, Cains Clan whom the
  creator had outlawed to condemned as outcasts.
  (p.9)
• Then the prince of War-Geats, warming to this
  fight with Grendels mother, gripped her shoulder
  and laid about him in a battle frenzy he pitched
  his killer opponent to the floor. (p. 107)
• Dragon that guards the treasure.
• until one began to dominate the dark, a dragon
  on the prowl from the steep vaults of a
  stone-roofed barrow where he guarded a hoard
  (p.151)
• Monsters in the lake.
• The water was infested with all kinds of
  reptiles. There were writhing sea-dragons and
  monsters slouching on slopes by the cliff,
  serpents and wild things such as those that often
  surface at dawn to roam the sail-road and doom
  the voyage. (p.99)

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Strength

• When he wielded a sword, no matter how blooded
  and hard-edged the blade his hand as too strong,
  the stroke he dealt (I have heard) would ruin it.
  He could reap no advantage.
• Everybody said there was no honed iron hard
  enough to pierce him through, no time-proofed
  blade that could cut his brutal, blood-caked
  claw (p.65-67)
• No weapons, therefore, for either this night
  unarmed he shall face me if face me he dares. And
  may the Divine Lord in His wisdom grant the glory
  of victory to whichever side He sees fit. (p.47)

4
Pride

• Often Beowulf had a lot of pride and needed to be
  toned down a smudge.
• I guarantee you she will not get away, not to
  dens under ground nor upland groves nor the ocean
  floor. Shell have nowhere to flee to. Endure
  your troubles to-day. Bear up and be the man I
  expect you to be. (p. 97) Worried about everyone
  else but himself.
• Choose, dear Beowulf, the better part, eternal
  rewards. Do not give way to pride. (p. 121)
  Hrothgar puts Beowulf in check.

5
Honor

• Theres nothing you wish for that wont be yours
  if you win through alive. (p. 45) Beowulf will
  get so much glory if he kills Grendel.
• Take delight in this torque, dear Beowulf, wear
  it for luck and wear also this mail from our
  peoples armoury may you prosper in them!
  (p.85-87)
• leaving Beowulf to ascend the throne, to sit
  in majesty and rule over the Geats. He was a good
  king. (p.163) People respect him and believed
  that he will be glorious.
• I took what came, cared for and stood by things
  in my keeping, never fomented quarrels, never
  swore to a lie. all this consoles me, doomed as I
  am and sickening for death because of my right
  ways, the Ruler of mankind need never blame me
  when the breath leaves my body for murder of
  kinsmen. (p.185)
• And I shall fulfill that purpose, prove myself
  with a proud deed or meet my death here in the
  mead-hall. He knows hes going to show everyone
  how amazing he is.
• You are strong in body and mature in mind, My
  liking for you deepens with time, dear Beowulf.
  (p. 127)

6
Compassion/Bravery

• I give thanks that I behold this treasure here
  in front of me, that I have been allowed to leave
  my people so well endowed on the day I die.
  (p.189) Even though he loves himself, he loves
  his people.
• When it comes to fighting, I count myself as
  dangerous any day as Grendel. (p.47) He is so
  positive that he is going to kill Grendel.
• People from Geatland have put ashore. They have
  sailed far over the wide sea. They call the chief
  in charge of their band by the name of Beowulf.
  (p.25-27) Beowulf has come along way and is
  planning to fight hard and help as much as he
  can.
• Fate goes ever as fate must. (p.31) Beowulf
  knows hes got to do it. He knows whatever
  happens, happens.
• Time and again, foul things attacked me, lurking
  and stalking, but I lashed out, gave as good as I
  got with my sword. (p.39) Beowulf shows
  compassion and bravery here. Even though he was
  attacked he tried his best to go beast mode on
  everything.

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How is Beowulf poetic?

• Compounds
• Combining two words to make a new word
• the arch-warrior, came first-footing in (p.93)
• Kennings
• Special form of compounding that is metaphoric in
  meaning
• The hoard-guard took heart, (p.175)
• Alliterations
• Repetition of stressed sounds
• Then out of the night came the shadow-stalker,
  stealthy and swift (p.47)
• Formulas
• Ready-made phrases which fulfill the metrical
  needs of a line
• Sigemunds name was known everywhere. But evil
  entered into Heremod. (p.61)

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How is Beowulf Anglo-Saxon?

• Religious
• Almighty Judge of good deeds and bad, the Lord
  God, and find friendship in the Fathers
  embrace. (p.15)
• The truth is clear Almighty God rules over
  mankind and always has. (p.47)
• Feast (celebrations)
• Then the due time arrived for Halfdanes son to
  proceed to the hall. or better order around
  their ring-giver. (p.67)
• And he drank it down like the warlord he was,
  with festive cheer. (p.43)
• Gifting
• Then Halfdanes son presented Beowulf with a
  gold standard as a victory gift and token of
  honour. (p.69)
• The cup was carried to him, kind words spoken in
  welcome and a wealth of wrought gold graciously
  bestowed on earth or under heaven. (p.85)
• Funeral
• - The Geat people built a pyre for Beowulf,
  just as he had ordered. (p.211)

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Beowulf , a part of the oral Tradition

• So. The Spear-Danes in days gone by (p.3) It
  is narrative.
• Far and wide through the world, I have heard,
  orders for work to adorn that wallstead were sent
  to many peoples. (p.7) Talking to audiences
• I therefore suspect the good faith of the
  Heathobards, the truth of their friendship and
  the trustworthiness of their alliance with the
  Danes. (p.141) Historical Memory (Germanic
  Tribes Geat, Shielding, and Jutes)
• When the dragon awoke, trouble flared again.
  and woe by the grace of God. (p.155) Repetition
  of Events
• We have gone through with a glorious endeavour
  the mighty judgement of God in majesty. (p.65)
  Repetition of Events

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Impact ofAnglo Saxon language and literature have
on todays English language

• English was divided into three periods
• - Old English, Middle English, and Modern English
• Literary devices usage
• - Compounds, Formulas, Kennings, and
  Alliterations
• Heroic epic story
• Letters like alphabet that we use today.
• - thorn, eth, ash, and wyn

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Influence over contemporary literature has the
epic and epic hero

• Still use the same hero journey
• - Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter
• Two types of Journey
• Otto Ranks Pattern for the Life of Heroic a Hero
• Joseph Campbells Heroic Journey
• Standard and classic heroic journey

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Beowulf a product of its time

• Culture
• Anglo-Saxons tradition, daily life, and beliefs.
• Religion
• Blending of Christianity
• Language
• Old English to New English

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Work Cited

• http//www.readwritethink.org/materials/beowulf/
• Beowulf Seamus Heaney
• Power Points
• Notes
• Discussion