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Beowulf study guide
- 1. Terms • Archetype –pattern or model , Beowulf possess archetypal classic hero characteristics • Hierarchical – ranking one thing over another political - social system of the Anglo-Saxons King the head, nobles, warriors, then peasants • Anglo-Saxon – Germanic tribes that founded early Europe, warlike structure • Epic poem - long serious poem about a hero
- 2. Terms continued… • Hubris– overly inflated sense of pride, it usually leads to a literary hero’s demise • Classic Literary Hero – the archetype in literature that reflects a protagonist that possess heroic characteristics • Heroic Code – Anglo-Saxon political social code, Warriors must demonstrate kinship with their strong leader and stand by him through the end. They must retaliate any attack on a fellow warrior – an eye for an eye
- 3. Classic Literary Hero Characteristics • Special birth • Call to adventure • Goes on a journey = quest • Crosses the threshold • Talisman – special weapon • Special helper • Faces trials • Achievement of the goal • The return home • Reconciliation with the father figure
- 4. Historical Background • Englandis an island - venerable to attacks in this warlike society • Anglo-Saxons had a hierarchal social and economic system • Monarchy and nobles owned land , surfs worked it • Secular festivals - oral tradition -sang poems, Beowulf was sang at these festivals • Religion – is changing from paganism to Christianity - poem was not pagan but started that way – however when the Christian monk writes it down it becomes an allegory (metaphor) for the bible
- 5. Beowulf – thehero • Archetype of the hero • Special birth - name means bear and wolf – strength • Brave, crosses the threshold, journey from home, faces trials, reaches his goals, talisman (mail)
- 6. Beowulf • Positive –selfless, glory, brave, cares about saving people, savior • Negative – prideful, hubris blinds the hero, glory and treasure
- 7. Beowulf as aHoly Savior • Christ-like • Fights Grendel’s mom • During the fight he has his mail – protected by God • Use the dark magic sword to kill Grendel’s mom – created by giants – evil kills evil • Goes to the dark side – “hell” down in the lair, dark, heat, fire coming out, animals would rather die than come to this lair
- 8. Holy Savior • Chopsoff Grendel’s head • Water turns black and red • The onlookers believe he is dead - like Jesus • Water turns clear - rebirth • At the end comes out of the lake with the sword – looks like a cross • This battle is the one that best demonstrates the theme of Good vs. Evil
- 9. Old Beowulf vs.Young Beowulf • Young Beowulf - Selfless, fights for glory, super strength, doesn’t think about death, survives dangerous battles • Old Beowulf - Fights for glory to prove himself, fights for treasure, hubris, men betray him, dies
- 10. Beowulf – thePoem • Poem is believed to be written by a Christian Monk because they were the only ones who could read and write at the time • A pagan poem becomes a symbol for Christianity • We see elements of both paganism and Christianity with in the poem
- 11. Examples of theHeroic Code • Beowulf fights for glory • Brings the bravest and best men Denmark • Leaves men behind with the ship when he arrives at Denmark • The battle of Grendel demonstrates Beowulf’s men trying to defend him • After the battle with Grendel’s mother everyone thinks Beowulf is dead and they leave but Beowulf’s men stay behind and wait for him
- 12. Examples of theHeroic Code cont.. • Wiglaf’s speech to Beowulf’s warriors after they abandon him • Beowulf leaves his kingdom to Wiglaf because he is the last of “our far flung family”
- 13. Paganism vs. Christianity •Poem is written at time when Paganism is dying and Christianity is taking over • Danish people praying to other Gods before Beowulf arrives • Heroic Code – unwritten laws of warrior – kinship – eye for an eye – conflicts with the Christian doctrine of love and “turn the other cheek” – this tension is demonstrated throughout the entire poem
- 14. The Importance ofEstablishing an Identity • Beowulf is royalty – father was king and he will become king • Beowulf’s Boast establishes him as a hero – is experienced in fighting monsters, glory, has no fear • Must establish his own path and fight for glory • Travels to a foreign land to fight their monsters • Fights Grendel without weapons • Goes into the monsters’ lair to kill Grendel’s mom