Grendel: Descendent of Kane; from the swamps; misunderstood
Beowulf: Hero; Geatish Warrior; Fights many battles and different creatures; Rips Grendel's arm off
Hrothogar: Dad was Half-Dane; built the meadhall; King of Denmark
Fitela: Nephew of Sigmund
Sigmund: Ambushed; kills dragons
Wulgar: Hrothgar's harold; Brings Beowulf in when he arrives
Heremod: Danish hero who becomes the symbol of a bad king; murders those close to him; exiled by his own warriors; murdered by Jewt's; kills comrades; causes chaos and is eventually exiled and ambushed.
Finn: King of Frisians
Hnaef: Danish leader; allied with the Frisians; killed in ambush along with his nephew
Hengest: Danish leader who takes over after Hnaef dies after battle; possibly a Jewt
Wealtheow: Hrothgar's Queen; peacemaker; perfect Queen
Unferth: Jester-like character; Warrior who's jealous of Beowulf; Coward; can't handle his drink; kin-killer
Shield: Founder of the Danes; King who sets up his dynasty; like Moses
Halfdane: Hrothgar's father; Son of Beow;
Beow:
LITERARY TERMS
Kenning:
- Dark Death Shadow
- Whale Road
- Hall Thanes
- Swan Road
- Asleep with a Sword
- Word Hoard
- Beowulf's boasting against Unferth [beer talking]
- Worst night Teremonger's spent
- Happy with his night's work
- Unferth accusing Beowulf of being a bad warrior
- Beowulf's put down on Unferth
Symbol:
- Grendel's name [god cursed scream]
- Heorot [royalty, hart (deer)]
- Grendel's Arm
Allusion:
- Bible [Cain & Abel]
- Story of Sigmond
- Story of Finn
Epic Boast:
- Beowulf against Unferth
- Journey involved
- Heroic Deeds
- Respect of the King in charge
- Giving of Gifts
- Tragic Flaw
MOTIFS & THEMES
Exile:
- Worse thing that can happen to you
Wergild:
- Blood Money
- Honor
- Idea of Fate
- Keep the Peace
- Give Gifts
- Keep land under control
- Peace Pledge
- Good Hostesses
- Raising Warriors
- Giving Birth
- Protect the Land
- Protect the King
Paganism vs. Christianity:
Digressions:
- Sigmond
- Finn
- Heremod
Structure:
Begin to think about Beowulf in a 2 and 3 part structure.
