Beowulf Notes

CHARACTERS

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
  

Litotes:

• Beowulf's boasting against Unferth [beer talking]
• Worst night Teremonger's spent
• Happy with his night's work
• 
  

Flytes:

• Unferth accusing Beowulf of being a bad warrior
• Beowulf's put down on Unferth
  

Apositive:

• 
  

Alliteration:

• 
  

Censura: a line that broken into two, two beats per section, alliteration drawing the two lines together.

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
  

Epic Hero:

• 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

Kin Killing:

• 
  

Ambush:

Wergild:

• Blood Money
• Honor
  

Wyrd:

• Idea of Fate
• 
  

The Role of Kings:

• Keep the Peace
• Give Gifts
• Keep land under control
  

The Role of Women

• Peace Pledge
• Good Hostesses
• Raising Warriors
• Giving Birth
  

The Role of Warriors:

• 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.