Inside Heorot there was nothing but friendship.

The Shielding nation was not yet familiar with feud and betrayal. (1016-8) GOOD VS EVIL Most of the time, the "evil" in Beowulf consists of inherently depraved fantastic creatures demons like Grendel, sea monsters, and dragons. Occasionally, however, we get hints that another kind of evil could come from inter-tribal feuding. Perhaps human beings can create their own evil without needing monsters to represent it for them.

Thus Beowulf bore himself with valour; he was formidable in battle yet behaved with honour and took no advantage. (2177-2179) Late in the epic, we learn that Beowulf is not just good at fighting he's also morally good. He doesn't take undue advantage of his enemies or his friends. But that's almost an afterthought; it's much less important to the storyteller than his prowess in battle.

After many trials, he was destined to face the end of his days in this mortal world; as was the dragon, for all his long leasehold on the treasure. (2341-2344) The final climactic battle between good and evil in Beowulf results in a draw: Beowulf destroys the dragon, but receives his death-wound in the process. We realize that, without Beowulf, the Geats will be attacked from all sides, and we wonder whether his heroic deeds have really created any lasting good in the world. Beowulf certainly hopes they have, but the future looks somewhat bleak.

IDENTITY

How important is heredity to the identity of the warriors in Beowulf? Does a man's lineage matter, or can he transcend his family history to make a name for himself? Consider Beowulf, Hrothgar, Hygelac, and Wiglaf as examples. Quote #6 Hygelac's kinsman kept thinking about his name and fame: he never lost heart. (1529-1530) People always want to know what inspires heroes, athletes, and great leaders what sustains them, emotionally and mentally, in tough times? In Beowulf's case, it's a bit egotistical it's the thought of his reputation. We can only hope that our other heroes are a little less selfish. Quote #9 Beowulf spoke, made a formal boast for the last time: "I risked my life often when I was young. Now I am old, but as king of the people I shall pursue this fight for the glory of winning, if the evil one will only abandon his earth-fort and face me in the open." (2510-2515) Even at the end of his life, Beowulf makes sure that he's continuing to add to his reputation and fame by his brave deeds. As he faces death, he sustains himself by continuing to think about the name that he's made for himself.

BEOWULF WANTS TO BE REMEMBERED AS A GOOD WARRIOR OR AS A GOOD KING? AS A GOOD WARRIOR The poet argues through the character of Wiglaf that Beowulf should not have chosen to fight the dragon; while courageous, his decision was disastrous for his people, who are left without a protector after Beowulf is killed. In Beowulf, courage is not the confidence a warrior has in his victory; it is his resignation to his eventual defeat.

WEALTH

Why are there so many elaborate descriptions of hoards of treasure and weapons in Beowulf? What do these hoards tell us about their owners Hrothgar, Beowulf, Grendel's mother, and the dragon? How is wealth related to loyalty in Beowulf? Hint: why is a king called a "ring-giver" (36)? What is the symbolism of Beowulf's golden necklace, which he gives to Wiglaf just before he dies? Why do the Geats choose to burn or bury most of the treasure that Beowulf won from the dragon? How does destroying or disposing of all this wealth actually honor their king?

Quote #2 They marched in step, hurrying on till the timbered hall rose before them, radiant with gold. Nobody on earth knew of another building like it. Majesty lodged there, its light shone over many lands. (306-311) There are no points for subtlety or tastefulness in medieval Scandinavian warrior culture. If you're wealthy, you show it by encrusting your hall with gold, so that every visiting warrior and every member of your tribe knows exactly how rich you are, all the time. Ostentatiously displaying wealth is the way these guys communicate.

Quote #3 "Finally I healed the feud by paying: I shipped a treasure to the Wulfings and Ecgtheow acknowledged me with oaths of allegiance." (470-472) Wealth isn't just a mark of status for the Danes and the Geats; money can also buy them out of blood-feuds and wars. If a member of one tribe has killed a member of another, he can prevent a war or bring about a truce by paying a "blood price" for the man who was killed. Of course, sometimes this isn't enough to soothe the feelings of the man's family, and war happens anyway

Quote #4 Then Halfdane's son presented Beowulf with a gold standard as a victory gift, an embroidered banner; also breast-mail

and a helmet; and a sword carried high, that was both precious object and token of honour. So Beowulf drank his drink, at ease; it was hardly a shame to be showered with such gifts in front of the hall-troops. (1019-1026) In return for Beowulf's service, Hrothgar pays him in treasures, armor, and horses. This isn't a special kindness it's exactly what Beowulf expects. Medieval tribes like the Danes and Geats insure that warriors will be loyal to kings by constantly rewarding those warriors with gold, jewels, and other loot.

Why so many different exchanges of wealth? It helps to solidify the alliances and relationships between all three warriors.

MUY IMPORTANTE: RELIGIN

Religion is a touchy issue in Beowulf, because the story is told in late medieval Anglo-Saxon Britain, which has been Christianized, but it's about early medieval Scandinavia, which is pagan. The narrator of the poem compromises by making constant references to God's decrees in general terms, but never

discussing Jesus or the specific tenets of Christianity. Although the poet can't get away from the fact that his hero, Beowulf, would have been a pagan, he can suggest that Beowulf's trust in God translates easily into a Christian context. The only specific references to Christian stories are some shout-outs to the Old Testament story of Cain and Abel.

Why is the only specific reference to a Biblical story in Beowulf a mention of the story of Cain and Abel? (Review the story of Cain and Abel here.) Why might this legend of a murderous clash between brothers be especially relevant for medieval warrior culture? There are many references to God in Beowulf "the Lord of Life" (16), "Almighty God" (701), "the Ruler of Heaven" (1555), and so on. How do these references work to give the reader a sense of the bigger picture, beyond each individual battle that Beowulf fights? Do you think this is an "Old Testament God" or a "New Testament God"? Does the narrator give Beowulf credit for his victories, or does the credit go to God? In what ways is Beowulf a fatalistic epic that is, do events seem to be fixed and decreed, or do characters have free will and the ability to affect their own destinies?

Throughout Beowulf, whenever any great men manage to achieve heroic feats, the narrator will be careful to attribute their prowess to God's favor and divine plan.

MUYYYYYYYYYYYY IMPORTANTEEEEEEEEEEE It's no accident that the only Biblical story specifically referred to in Beowulf is the tale of Cain and Abel, two brothers who took part in a murderous feud. In medieval Scandinavia, tribe against tribe and clan against clan often came down to fratricidal combat. Grendel represents the ultimate evil in this

culture because he's the descendant of a man who killed his brother. Another villain of the poem, Unferth, is also condemned by the narrator because he killed his brothers.

Quote #4 These were hard times, heart-breaking for the prince of the Shieldings; powerful counsellors, the highest in the land, would lend advice, plotting how best the bold defenders might resist and beat off sudden attacks. Sometimes at pagan shrines they vowed offerings to idols, swore oaths that the killer of souls might come to their aid and save the people. That was their way, their heathenish hope; deep in their hearts they remembered hell. (170-180) The narrator of the poem admits, with some discomfort and distaste, that the 5th or 6th century Danes engage in pagan religious practices. It's one of the only times when we really notice the disconnect between the Christian Anglo-Saxons who are telling the story and the pagan characters in the story.

Quote #6 But the Lord was weaving a victory on His war-loom for the Weather-Geats. (696-697) In this image, the poet unites the Christian God with pagan imagery the loom of fate, on which men's lives are woven. Weaving, spinning, and threads were common metaphors for life and fate in Scandinavian culture. By

adopting these traditional pagan images, but using them in a Christian context, the poet tries to negotiate between the two religious perspectives.

Quote #5 The Almighty Judge of good deeds and bad, the Lord God, Head of the Heavens and High King of the World, was unknown to them. Oh, cursed is he who in time of trouble had to thrust his soul into the fire's embrace, forfeiting help; he has nowhere to turn. But blessed is he who after death can approach the Lord and find friendship in the Father's embrace. (180-188) The narrator admits that he feels sorry for the pagan ancestors of the AngloSaxons, who didn't have the opportunity to turn to a Christian God for help. There's some condescension in this admission, of course, but also a genuine sorrow.

Hrothgar spoke; he examined the hilt, the relic of old times. It was engraved all over and showed how war first came into the world and the flood destroyed the tribe of giants. They suffered a terrible severance from the Lord; the Almighty made the waters rise, drowned them in the deluge for retribution. (1687-1693) When the poet describes the engraved hilt of the sword that Beowulf brings up from Grendel's mother's lair, it's a strange mixture of pagan legend a tribe of giants and Christian story the great flood. (Of course, sometimes critics

interpret one of the kinds of angels in Genesis to be like giants, but that's probably not what's going on in this passage.)

Quote #7 The monster wrenched and wrestled with him but Beowulf was mindful of his mighty strength, the wondrous gifts God had showered on him: He relied for help on the Lord of All, on His care and favour. So he overcame the foe, brought down the hell-brute. (1269-1274) The poet is careful not to give Beowulf all the credit for his victory against Grendel; if God hadn't wanted Beowulf to win, he reminds us, then he wouldn't win. In this context, religious faith means being willing to downplay your own abilities or at least to be a little more humble and a little less boastful.

Quote #10 It threw the hero into deep anguish and darkened his mood: the wise man thought he must have thwarted ancient ordinance of the eternal Lord, broken His commandment. (2327-2331) Beowulf assumes that his downfall is a punishment for breaking divine law, not just bad luck. In this world, everything seems to be extremely significant, and God appears to manage every detail of human life.

VIOLENCE

Why are the violent deaths and bloody battles in Beowulf depicted in such elaborate, gory detail? (= ILIAD; HECTOR'S MURDER)

COURAGEEEE Courage is the foundation of the warrior culture that underlies the story of Beowulf. In this epic, a true warrior's bravery comes from a completely fatalistic attitude toward life and indifference to death. Someday, he will die and be defeated. Everything is going to happen as God wills it. All that the warrior can do is meet every challenge fearlessly, increasing his own reputation for courageous deeds, so that when he dies he will be renowned for his bravery. Nevertheless, there are a lot of cowards in Beowulfor, if that's a little harsh, at least people who aren't willing to live by this fatalistic code of honor.

Quote #2 "Often, for undaunted courage, fate spares the man it has not already marked." (572-573)

Beowulf makes an interesting claim early in the poem during his description of his swimming contest with Breca. At other points, the narrator reminds us that God determines everyone's fate. But in this passage, Beowulf claims that, if your fate hasn't been decided yet, you can succeed through sheer nerve and courageous behavior. It will be interesting to see if this attitude works out for him at the end of the poem.

These days, it's popular to distinguish between courage acting bravely in a frightening situation and stupidity doing something that's so brave it's foolish. Is there any distinction of this kind in Beowulf? Do any characters show "extreme courage" that borders on stupidity? (SOBRE LA ILADA Y LA SABIDURIA COMO DON + IMPORTANTE)

Quote #4 and the forthright Unferth, admired by all for his mind and courage although under a cloud for killing his brothers, reclined near the king. (1164-1167) The poet seems to feel somewhat conflicted about Unferth as a character. On the one hand, Unferth has committed fratricide (killed his brother) the ultimate sin in a world where a man's allegiance to his clan and tribe are everything. Still, Unferth is courageous and clever, which counts for something in spite of his past crimes.

As God is my witness, I would rather my body were robed in the same burning blaze as my gold-giver's body than go back home bearing arms. That is unthinkable, unless we have first

slain the foe and defended the life of the prince of the Weather-Geats. I well know the things he has done for us deserve better. Should he alone be left exposed to fall in battle? We must bond together, shield and helmet, mail-shirt and sword." (2650-2660) Wiglaf has thoroughly internalized the code of the medieval warrior. He believes that it is better to die because of a courageous act of loyalty than to survive and make it home without attempting the task you set out to do. He also places his loyalty to his "gold-giver," or king, above his own life.

MORTALITY (((((RELATED TO THE THEME OF RELIGION))))) Quote #6 "Wise sir, do not grieve. It is always better to avenge dear ones than to indulge in mourning. For every one of us, living in this world means waiting for our end. Let whoever can win glory before death. When a warrior is gone, that will be his best and only bulwark." (1384-1389) Although the narrator of Beowulf has a Christian, Anglo-Saxon perspective, the characters in the poem believe that the only protection warriors have in the afterlife is the force of their reputation. In other words, Geat and Dane warriors aren't trying to get into Heaven they're trying to leave tales of their great deeds behind them Why does the narrator stress that it is important for warriors to remember that they will eventually die? What is this awareness of death supposed to cultivate for them? What does thinking about their own mortality prevent them from doing instead?

How does the manner of Beowulf's death affect his reputation as a warrior? Why is it important for readers to see Beowulf's death scene? What is the relationship between the theme of mortality in Beowulf and the emphasis on God's power over human life?

Quote #2 Whichever one death fells must deem it a just judgement by God. (440-441) The poet of Beowulf constantly emphasizes that death comes to everyone at whatever moment God decrees; there is nothing mortal man can do to avoid this eventual fate.

Quote #6 "Wise sir, do not grieve. It is always better to avenge dear ones than to indulge in mourning. For every one of us, living in this world means waiting for our end. Let whoever can win glory before death. When a warrior is gone, that will be his best and only bulwark." (1384-1389) Although the narrator of Beowulf has a Christian, Anglo-Saxon perspective, the characters in the poem believe that the only protection warriors have in the afterlife is the force of their reputation. In other words, Geat and Dane warriors aren't trying to get into Heaven they're trying to leave tales of their great deeds behind them.

THE SUPERNATURAL (RELATE TO 'GOOD AND EVIL') The poet who composed the poem has a strongly Christian worldview, but also knows that the people he's telling a story about, who are from his distant past, would probably have been pagans. As a result, Beowulf fuses the supernatural together with a religious depiction of evil in a strange and interesting way the monsters are the Biblical Cain's children.

How does your interpretation of Beowulf change if you interpret Grendel and his mother as human outcasts or members of a rival tribe, rather than as demonic monsters? The supernatural elements in Beowulf include demons, a dragon, and sea monsters. Is there a conflict between these fantasy elements and the theme of religion in the epic? To put it another way, can divine intervention and dragons co-exist easily in the same story? Instead of a conflict between straightforward good and evil, Beowulf depicts a conflict between demonic fantasy creatures and the power of fate wielded by a Christian God.

The first adversary in Beowulf is no mere man, but a supernatural demon, angered by the very mention of God's creation. Notice that the supernatural elements in Beowulf are intermingled with the religious ones. Grendel is an ogre-like creature, but also a demon with a part (albeit a negative one) to play in a Christianized world. Grendel is much like a creature out of a horror movie or a Stephen King novel a demonic, hellish fiend, embodying all that is evil. Quote #9 That huge cache, gold inherited

from an ancient race, was under a spell which meant no one was ever permitted to enter the ring-hall unless God Himself, mankind's Keeper, True King of Triumphs, allowed some person pleasing to Him and in His eyes worthy to open the hoard. (3051-3057) Even a dragon's treasure hoard seems to be under a spell to keep it from falling into the wrong hands. Once again, pagan and Christian elements blend; the "spell" that keeps men from reaching the gold is associated with God "allowing" someone to "open the hoard."

TRADITION AND CUSTOM

Beowulf is all about tradition and principle, but not the kind we have today in 21st century America. We're talking about the kind of principles that held together a savage tribe of warriors in medieval Scandinavia (where the story is set) or medieval England (where it was told). You know, principles like "always pay money to the family of anyone you kill to prevent a blood feud" and "reward people who help you with gifts of gold and treasure to ensure their continued loyalty." Even boasting is a principle here: warriors are judged by how well they talk up their own prowess.

Although they play only minor roles in the narrative of Beowulf, so minor that often they remain unnamed, women played a significant role in medieval Scandinavian society, achieving alliances and settling blood-feuds by marrying lords of rival tribes.

Quote #3 Wealhtheow came in, Hrothgar's queen, observing the courtesies. Adorned in her gold, she graciously saluted the men in hall, then handed the cup first to Hrothgar, their homeland's guardian, urging him to drink deep and enjoy it because he was dear to them. And he drank it down like the warlord he was, with festive cheer. So the Helming woman went on her rounds, queenly and dignified, decked out in rings, offering the goblet to all ranks, treating the household and the assembled troop until it was Beowulf's turn to take it from her hand. (612-624) High-class women play a subtle but important role in early medieval culture. As Hrothgar's queen, Wealhtheow spends her time at the feast circulating, offering a goblet full of mead to each warrior in turn, creating connections between the men and signaling to everyone where they rank in the hierarchy. This is a traditional duty that helps her to fulfill her function as a "peaceweaver," a lady who uses her rank and position to reinforce alliances between tribes.

Quote #5 Meanwhile, a thane of the king's household, a carrier of tales, a traditional singer deeply schooled

in the lore of the past, linked a new theme to a strict metre. The man started to recite with skill, rehearsing Beowulf's triumphs and feats in well-fashioned lines, entwining his words. (866-873) Immediately after Beowulf's fight with Grendel, the Danish minstrel begins composing a song, using established poetic clichs, about his great deeds. The spontaneous composition of new ballads celebrating local heroes was traditional in medieval Scandinavian culture. The bard probably knows a set series of phrases that fit the meter of his song, and he jumbles them around, adding details of the most recent hero's activities, in order to sing about "a new theme."

Quote #9 "So this bad blood between us and the Swedes, this vicious feud, I am convinced, is bound to revive; they will cross our borders and attack in force when they find out that Beowulf is dead." (2999-3003) Blood feuds were, sadly, a traditional part of early medieval culture, too. Every time a man from one tribe kills a man from another tribe, it's possible that the revenge killings will eventually escalate into a full-scale war. At the end of Beowulf, a Geatish messenger predicts that, with the strong king Beowulf dead, another blood feud will break out between the Geats and their rival tribe, the Swedes.

Quote #8 "Order my troop to construct a barrow on a headland on the coast, after my pyre has cooled.

It will loom on the horizon at Hronesness and be a reminder among my people so that in coming times crews under sail will call it Beowulf's Barrow, as they steer ships across the wide and shrouded waters." (2802-2808) The building of barrows, or huge mounds of earth filled with treasures, is a traditional way for Scandinavian and European tribes in the Middle Ages to commemorate great men and women after their deaths. You can think of barrows as a combination of tomb and memorial. Beowulf's Barrow is going to be built on top of the spot where his funeral pyre burned.