Beowulf Lecture Notes

These flashcards contain key vocabulary terms and definitions from the Beowulf lecture notes, focusing on important characters, themes, and literary concepts.

Beowulf

An Old English epic poem about the hero Beowulf who fights Grendel, Grendel's mother, and a dragon.

Epic Poem

A lengthy narrative poem, often detailing heroic deeds and events significant to a culture.

Grendel

A monster and antagonist in Beowulf, who terrorizes the kingdom of the Danes.

Hrothgar

The king of the Danes who is terrorized by Grendel, and seeks Beowulf's help.

Heroic Code

A set of values among Germanic tribes including bravery, loyalty, and generosity.

Thematic Elements

Key themes in Beowulf include loyalty, kinship, identity, and the clash of pagan and Christian beliefs.

Manuscript

A handwritten document; the Beowulf poem survives in a single manuscript, the British Library Cotton Vitellius A.15.

Treasure

In Beowulf, treasure symbolizes success and honor, reflecting one's achievements.

Mortality

A prominent theme in Beowulf, highlighting the inevitability of death.

Kinship

A crucial aspect of identity in Beowulf, referring to familial relationships and lineage.

Fate

A concept in Beowulf influencing characters' choices and beliefs regarding destiny.

Monsters

In Beowulf, monsters like Grendel symbolize evil and chaos, countered by the hero.

Christian Influence

Debates among critics if Beowulf reflects Christian ideals versus pagan traditions.

Oral Tradition

The practice of storytelling and passing down histories orally, relevant to the poem's origins.

Dragon

In Beowulf, represents death and serves as the final adversary Beowulf faces.

Wiglaf

A young warrior and Beowulf's ally who helps him in the battle against the dragon.

Historical Figures

Some characters like Hrothgar may be based on actual historical figures.

Eanmund

A character in Beowulf, grandson of the Swedish king Ongetheow.

Wealtheow

Queen of the Danes and wife of Hrothgar, representing dignity and political sense.

Unferth

A warrior who questions Beowulf's abilities, emphasizing Beowulf's heroic qualities.