BRIT LIT MIDTERM BEOWULF

Beowulf

• epic hero

• king of the geats

Hrothgar

• king of the Danes

• cries for 12 years after grendel attacks and b4 Beowulf comes

Grendel

• monster that attacks mead hall

• enemy in the 1st episode

• debate between man vs monster

• lives in a hellish lake

Wiglaf

• Beowulf’s cousin

• instructs geats to celebrate Beowulf after he died for everything he did for them

Grendel’s Mother

• enemy of the second battle

• came to avenge her son

• took grendel’s arm and a dane to start the battle

dragon

enemy of the third battle

Edgetho

Beowulf’s dad

patronym

father naming (edgetho’s son—- Beowulf)

Wyrd

fate

Wergild

man price (revenge)

Mead Hall

place of sanctuary and gathering, used for eating and entertainment, no weapons or killing allowed

epic boast

intro(family), resume, promise

Skop

story performer

chain mail

links of metal used for protection in battle, Beowulf has this armour on in the second battle

episode 1

• mead hall attacked by Grendel

• Danes mourn for 12 years

• Beowulf and Geats pretend to sleep

• Beowulf rip Grendel’s arm and kills Grendel

Episode 2

• Grendel’s mom steals back arm and human

• Beowulf finds mom

• Beowulf receives chain mail from sea creature

• Grendel’s mom takes him down in lake, but Beowulf wins

• B takes Grendel head as trophy

episode 3

• dragon burns down land sparking battle

• Beowulf willing to die for people

• death is a journey into darkness

• kills dragon but dies in the end

• B encourage Wig to take treasure

• Wig tells denmark to honor Beo

• Wig becomes king of Geats

• Geats celebrate Beo life w a monument

Themes

• What makes an epic hero?

• Fate (wyrd)& inevitable decay

• Good vs Evil

• Legacy & heroism

Culture

• Christian vs. A.S

• Christian references

• Rules of Combat (when killing is ok, A.S opinion on battle)

• oral tradition of storytelling