Beowulf. Epic Poem by The Beowulf Poet Translated by Burton Raffel pages

Transcription

1 Beowulf Epic Poem by The Beowulf Poet Translated by Burton Raffel pages

2 Read background on page 409 Although the poem was composed in England during the Anglo- Saxon age, it is set in sixth-century Scandinavia. Beowulf, the hero of the epic, is a Geat, a person from what is now Sweden. He travel to Denmark to help the Danes, who are being terrorized by the monster Grendel. There is only one historical copy of Beowulf in existence. Scholars believe that it dates from the eleventh century. The manuscript now is part of the British Library s collection. 1. How was Beowulf part of a rich oral tradition? 2. What did the Anglo-Saxons believe would give them immortality? 3. Why were Christian references mingled with pagan beliefs in the final draft of Beowulf?

3 Read pages Notice the setting, conflict, and characters are introduced near the beginning of the epic. 4. Explain the contrast that is developed between Herot, home of the Danes, and Grendel s home? 5. How do the Biblical allusions extend this contrast? 6. What conflict is foreshadowed through this contrast? NOTE: One of the devices used in the oral tradition is alliteration, the repetition of the initial consonant sound in a line of poetry. 7. Re-read lines What sound is alliterated throughout these lines? How does this sound create an image of the action?

4 Pages Community lay at the heart of Anglo-Saxon society. Note the effect of Grendel's actions on both Hrothgar, the Danes leader, and on their hall. 8. Identify the tone of lines What details and words help to convey the attitude of the poet? 9. What happens to Hrothgar s hall. Why does the poet say hate had triumphed? In any good story, the poet grips the attention of the listeners by developing the conflict and the suspense. 10. Write down the details that show the threat that Grendel poses. 11. What does Grendel's unwillingness to accept gold or land to settle the feud mean for the Danes? Note: Another characteristic of oral poetry is the use of kennings. Kennings are compound words or phrases used to both name and describe an object or person or place. 12. Explain what the denning shadow of death contributes to the characterization of Grendel.

5 Read pages Note: The central character of an epic is a hero, a character who epitomizes the heroic ideal of a society. The hero incorporated the traits most admired by the culture. 13. Identify details that tell you about Beowulf. What conclusions about the traits most valued by the Anglo-Saxons can be drawn from this description? 14. Define affliction: How do the Danes try to end their affliction? NOTE: Remember you can use the test details to make Inferences, or logical assumptions about what is not directly stated. 15. What does Beowulf, seen in the silvery metal of his mail shirt/gleaming with a smith s high art, Represent to the Danes? The Danes have never met Beowulf. Think about the impression created by the Danes first sight of him and by his words. 16. Examine what he says to Hrothgar about himself and his past deeds. Why does he appear to boast about his accomplishments?

6 Read pages An epic reflects the historical context from which it originated. From the passage we can infer ideas about the sociopolitical conditions of the Angelo-Saxons What is Beowulf s reasoning behind the method he will use to fight Grendel. What does this reveal about the relationship between warrior and leader? 18. Identify details that reveal Beowulf s attitude toward Hrothgar. Why dies he feel this? 19. Define purge: Explain the consequences for the Danes if Beowulf is able to purge the hall of Grendel s presence.

7 Page 415 Notice that in this part of the epic. Hrothgar responds to Beowulf s long speech with one f his own. These long speeches are a characteristic of an epic. Often they include important ideas about values, behaviors, traditions, and beliefs of the culture and were used as a way to pass this information down from generation to generation. 20. Explain how Hrothgar's speech reflects the importance of courage and community. Note: The old epic s were often sung to the accompaniment of a harp, strong rhythm is a prominent feature. In Beowulf the lines have four stresses, which are often divided by a pause, or caesura. 21. Re-read lines : Note the punctuation that indicates the caesura. How does the rhythm created by those pauses reinforces the action described in the lines?

8 Read pages The poet uses imagery and foreshadowing in lines to increase suspense. 22. What details reinforce the idea of Grendel as a force of evil? 23. How does this view of Grendel increase suspense? Identify foreshadowing in this passage and explain why the poet includes it? Remember you can use what you know about a character and situations to infer motives. 24. Why does Beowulf allows one of his followers to be taken by Grendel before he attacks? Although a particular segment of the text might focus on the action or a character you can also learn about other elements, such as setting, at the same time. 25. Re-read lines : explain what the setting details in this passage reveal about Angle-Saxon civilization.

9 Pages The epic hero typically confronts enemies who have supernatural qualities that make them particularly difficult to defeat. 26. Re-read lines : Explain why Grendel is such a formidable opponent? 27. What is the significance of the inability of Beowulf s men to help him. 28. Define infamous: what instinct drives the infamous Grendel once Beowulf has hold of him? 29. Define taut: Explain how Beowulf s taut grip causes Grendel s agony.

10 Pages NOTE: Symbols are objects or events that stand for something other than themselves. Poets may incorporate symbolism into their works to convey deeper meaning. 30. Identify the evidence that supports the idea that the fight between Grendel and Beowulf is symbolic of the struggle between good and evil. 31. How does the symbolism of Beowulf s gesture in lines reveal a theme resulting from this conflict? 32. Re-read lines : How does the alliteration and imagery affect the impact of this part of the poem? 33. Re-read lines : How does this passage relate to the Anglo-Saxon view of immortality? On one level, the epic can be read as a thrilling narrative about a larger than life hero. It can also be studied as a a chronicle of life in the historical period. Lines reflects how Anglo-Saxon poets use alliteration, kenning and rhythm. 34. Explain why the term pilgrimage is appropriate for those traveling to the site of Grendel s disappearance?

11 Pages An epic hero undergoes several trials to show that he truly deserves to be called a hero. 35. Re-read lines : Identify the details and techniques the poet uses to convey the brutality of Grendel s mother s attack What is the significance of her actions. What do they foreshadow about future events? 37. Re-read lines : Identify the descriptive images that link Grendel's mother s home to the concepts of death and darkness.? 38. What does the lake symbolize? The epics include detailed descriptions of the hero s battles. 39. Re-read lines : Note where the battle takes place. How does Grendel s mother inadvertently give Beowulf an advantage?

12 Pages A performance of Beowulf would be sung over several nights. Therefore, the poet planned to develop and maintain the suspense in each new part. 40. Re-read lines : Explain how this battle differs from Beowulf s encounter with Grendel? 41. What is the similarity between the two battles, why is this important? Notice the details that develop the image of the hero as an extraordinary individual. 42. Explain the significance of Beowulf s ability to wield the sword. What does this show? 43. Identify images of light and connect them with Beowulf's victory. 44. What does Beowulf cutting off Grendel s head symbolize? 45. Define loathsome: What image of Grendel s moor is evoked by calling it loathsome?

13 Page 424 Universal themes are those that appear again and again in works of art throughout a civilization s history. 46. Re-read lines : Explain the transformation of the lake. What has Beowulf metaphorically restored? 47. Re-read lines : Identify details in these final lines that reinforce the idea the Beowulf is superior to all others? 48. How does the poet keep readers on the edge of their seats. Cite specific textual evidence form the poem to support your ideas.