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BEOWULF (2._beowulf[1].doc)
Pedagogická Fakulta Univerzity Komenského v Bratislave
OLD ENGLISH LITERATURE
BEOWULF
1. Context and circumstances
Beowulf is an epic poem composed somewhere between the middle of the 7th century and the end of 10th century a.d., about four centuries before the Norman Conquest, composed in Anglo – Saxon Old English. It is the most important poem in Old English and the first poem found on English territory.
Boewulf is an Old English heroic epic, of anonymous authorship, assigned to the period 700-750, or to the time of composition of the only manuscript, circa 1010. At 3,183 lines, the poem is notable for its length. The poem is untitled in the manuscript, but has been known as Boewulf since the early 19th century. As the single major surviving work of Anglo-Saxon heroic poetry, the work — in spite of dealing primarily with Scandinavian matters — has risen to such prominence that it has become "England's national epos." And there are over 1.5 million copies of Boewulf printed today.
There is just one manuscript in which Beowulf has survived to the present days. In the history context, the earliest owner of the manuscript was Anglo – Saxon scholar, known as Laurence Nowell. Later it entered the manuscript collection of Sir Robert Bruce Cotton(1571 – 1631). In 1700, Cotton collection was donated to British people and moved to Essex House in Strand and 7 years later it was mowed to Ashburnham House in Westminster. Unfortunately, the Ashburnham House caught fire. This manuscript was saved only by being thrown from the window of this Ashburnham House. In 1787 were made two transcripts of Beowulf and in the next century British museum decided to repair all books damaged by the fire. By that time texts of Beowulf had crumbled away from the edges of pages. The manuscript remains fairly readable but some parts had been neglect and must have been revised and repaired. The repaired manuscript rests in the British Library in London.
Illustration of a fragment from Beowulf, where he attacks the dragon:
Interesting fact is that the revision is still actual, and there is an Electronic Beowulf project in which the fragments are repaired. More interesting is that there is a disagreement in page numbering, according to evidence is clear, that appropriate numbering was attempt six times, two times before the fire and the last four attempts after the fire. So we will probably never be sure of the real correspondence of verses with the original manuscript.
Here is the table which illustrates this problem:
1793-1801 | 1884 |
129, 130 | 132, 122 |
132 to 146 | 134 to 148 |
131 | 149 |
147 to 188 | 150 to 191 |
197 | 192 |
189 to 196 | 193 to 200 |
198 | 201 |
2. Who wrote Beowulf?
The author of Beowulf is unknown, he did not sign and date the manuscript and there are no records or historical resources about when the poem was written. The origin of the poem is deduced by scholars on the ground of artefacts and text history. This question might seem unimportant, but it has large consequences, without the date we can not assume if the circumstances are real or idealized, if it is imagination or description of past events. The period from 5th to 11th century is so wide, that we can not distinguish the element of Beowulf despite of history, material culture, myths, legends, political history and development of English literature.
The poem is dated around the year 1000 a.d. and is written in Old English, which is absolutely different from Modern English and its grammar construction. Old English is very similar to Latin or other languages whose grammar is expressed by inflection, it means that one word can have different meanings by different suffixes and the alphabet contains several unfamiliar letters. It is very difficult to understand such text also for linguists not for us. The translation of the poem seemed to be necessary through the history and according to our resource the translation is in form of exploration, because it is a nonsense to translate the original text word after word and match the word and sense properly together, or the grammar of one language with grammar of another.
The latest translation is by Seamus Heaney.
Old English poems were transmitted verbally, on oral presentations and hearing from generation to generation, so it was always modified by individual, so we can see a great difference between written and oral delivery. The poem was constructed and designed for being heard and sung, always through oral performance.
3.Epic poem
As we mentioned above, Beowulf is an epic poem consisting of 3182 lines in verse, written by an unknown author, probably a medieval poet who wrote down the poem events. The poem was carried from generation to generation because Old English was traditionally heard rather than read and the audience was mostly illiterate.
The events are set in pagan Germanic society governed by heroic kings. Description of this every day events seemed more familiar to the listeners. Many events are legendary and mythic and some authors declare, that these descriptions bear similarities to other Germanic historical and mythological litaerature in Old English, Norse and German.
Epic poem can be defined (A handbook to Literature) as a long narrative poem in elevated style presenting character of high position in a series of adventures who are related to a central hero or figure of heroic proportions and through their development of episodes important in the history of a nation or race.
Epic poem tends to have certain characteristics like a central hero who is a figure of heroic status, he is legendary, active in his deeds, he has superhuman values and power, because he can do what others can not, he can fight with demons, monsters or gods. In epic poem we always find in the content and plot the recounting of the deeds of the main hero, and he is mostly described positively.
Anyway in this poem there is no distinction between myth and history, because myth is the means of interpretation of history. Or we can say that it is a history with fabulous element which makes this poem so historically important. It contains of analogical stories and episodes, real people and creatures, praise, blame, comedy and also tragedy of the preChristian Germanic world.The poem deals with legends, i.e. it was composed for entertainment and does not separate between fictional elements and real historic events.
4. Themes
The poem as we know it is filled with elements of the Norse legendarium along with Christian statements. It is often assumed that the work was written by a Christian monk, on the grounds that they were the only members of Anglo-Saxon society with access to writing materials. However, the example of King Alfred suggests the possibility of lay authorship.
In historical terms the poem's characters would have been pagans. The poem's narrator, however, places events into a Biblical context, casting Grendel and Grendel's Mother as the kin of Cain and placing monotheistic sentiments into the mouths of his characters. Although there are no direct references to Jesus in the text of the work, there are many indirect references. Also, the book of Genesis serves as a touchstone for the poem, since Grendel and Grendel's mother (due to their heritage) are seen as punished by the Curse and mark of Cain. Scholars disagree as to whether Boewulf's main thematic thrust is pagan or Christian in nature. Of particular note is the description of soldiers' helmets, decorated with boar-carvings, alongside references to God and Christ, such as when Boewulf is given up for lost in Grendel's Mere at the ninth hour, which was the time at which Christ dies on the cross in the Bible. This could possibly be evidence of Christian details being placed in the story alongside traditional accounts of ancient Germanic religious practices. However, the lack of a pre-Christian written version of the epic leaves the issue unresolved.
Thus reflecting the above historical context, Boewulf depicts a Germanic warrior society, in which the relationship between the leader, or king, and his thanes was of paramount importance. This relationship was defined in terms of provision and service; the thanes defended the interest of the king in return for material provisions: weapons, armor, gold, silver, food, and drinks.
This society was strongly defined in terms of kinship; if a relative was killed it was the duty of surviving relatives to exact revenge upon his killer, either with his own life or with weregild, a reparational payment. In fact, the hero's very existence owes itself to this fact, as his father Ecgþeow was banished for having killed Heaðolaf, a man from the prominent Wulfing clan. He sought refuge at the court of Hroðgar who graciously paid the weregild. Ecgþeow did not return home, but became one of the Geatish king Hreðel's housecarls and married his daughter, by whom he had Boewulf. The duty of avenging killed kinsmen became the undoing of king Hreðel, himself, because when his oldest son Herebeald was killed by his own brother Hæþcyn in a hunting accident, it was a death that could not be avenged. Hreðel died from the sorrow.
Moreover, this is a world governed by fate and destiny. The belief that fate controls him is a central factor in all of Boewulf ´s actions.
5. Summary: episode after episode
The saga begins with an overview of King Hrothgar’s ancestry. Many years before the birth of Hrothgar, his great-grandfather, King Scyld, began the Danish royal line. This powerful and influential king successfully defeated many nations in war, bringing them under his reign.
King Scyld had a son, Beow; also King Hrothgar’s grandfather. Beow found fame among the nations his father ruled. He gave many gifts to these nations, ensuring their devotion to his own kingship when the time came to take over the crown from his father. The unknown author of Boewulf knew that a generous king could win the popularity of the masses. He stated, “By such deeds of honor shall a man prosper among all the peoples (lines 24-25).”
King Scyld eventually passed away, leaving the throne to Beow. He also left specific burial instructions for his successor. Following Scyld’s requests, King Beow ordered his father’s body to be placed on a ship adorned with much treasure and accoutrements of war. After the completion of this task, the ship was set adrift on the open sea.
5.1 Chapter 1
King Beow was beloved by his people and ruled over them for many years. During his reign, he had a son, Healfdene the High. Healfdene, in turn, ruled the Scyldings all of his life. He had four children: Heorogar, Hrothgar, Halga the Good, and a fourth child (name unknown) who is said to have been married to King Onela of Sweden.
Hrothgar grew up being a noble warrior and, eventually, a kind and generous king. He built a great political and social hall where he and his men could discuss politics and have great celebrations. He called the hall Heorot. At Heorot, men attended meetings and, during parties, guests enjoyed hearing scops (impromptu singers) sing about various issues, including the creation of man. Life was good then. The king’s loyal followers lived happy lives.
Then an evil demon, Grendel, an offspring of Cain is introduced. Wallowing in his own misery, Grendel wishes to interrupt the joy at Heorot hall. He begins to scheme and “work his wickedness (line 101).”
5.2 Chapter 2
Grendel soon put his plan into action. One night, after beer-drinking and feasting, everyone in the hall went to sleep. Grendel proceeded to attack the hall, killing thirty thanes (the king’s retainers) in their sleep.
The following morning, there is great sorrow among the king and his men. They are also surprised by the extent to which this stranger caused such damage. However, at this point, Grendel is not finished with the destruction of everyone and everything at Heorot. The following night, he came back to the hall to commit more havoc and murder.
But that was not all. King Hrothgar and his men fought Grendel for several more years. They were miserable. All of their time was taken up figuring out what to do about this menace in their lives. The king’s council often sat for hours considering the best way to defend themselves. Times were difficult. Grendel did not want peace, nor did he compensate for his many killings (customary in this society). His ceaseless violence kept Hrothgar’s kingdom on their toes.
5.3 Chapter 3
Meanwhile in Geat, Boewulf, son and thane of King Ecgtheow, heard of the horrible attacks by Grendel at Heorot. Boewulf decided to offer his assistance to the Danish king. He then chose fourteen of his bravest warriors to accompany him on his expedition.
When the time came, the warriors packed the ship with many weapons and supplies, and then set sail. Beowulf and his well-equipped soldiers eventually arrived off the Danish coast where a coastguard troop approached them.
To the Danish guard on horseback, Beowulf’s expedition looked peculiar—somewhat threatening. Considering the multitude of weaponry and troops aboard ship, this uneasy feeling came as no surprise. Protected by chain mail, shields and weapons, the lone guard feared an attack by this force. He immediately demanded to know their business exclaiming, “…haste would be best for you to make known your home and your nation (lines 256-257).”
5.4 Chapter 4
Beowulf answered the coastguard captain. He told them they came to help the king, to counsel him on how the Danes could defeat Grendel. After the explanation, the Dane judged the expedition as friendly, and then proceeded to escort the Geats to see King Hrothgar.
5.5 Chapter 5
Beowulf and his men marched a cobbled road to the king’s hall where they are approached by King Hrothgar’s herald, Wulfgar the Wendel. In turn, Wulfgar—alone—goes to see the king about Beowulf’s request to see him. Desperate for help against this menace, Grendel, Wulfgar practically begs the king to see Beowulf
5.6 Chapter 6
King Hrothgar knew of Beowulf and of his Geat lineage very well. Impressed with Beowulf’s reputation for braveness and strength, the king told the herald that beowulf and his men are indeed welcomed among his people, and to invite the warrior in to speak with him.
Looking impressive in his shiny armor, Beowulf stood before King Hrothgar—not as just a lone warrior with a troop of fourteen—but as a representative of the Geats as a nation. “Those in my nation as the very best among the wise counselors, gave me advice to look for ways to help you, Lord Hrothgar,” Beowulf said (lines 415-417).
Beowulf continued to tell the king his plan to “cleanse Heorot” of Grendel (line 432). Since Grendel did not use conventional weapons—only his hands –Beowulf also informs the king that he will be fighting Grendel in hand-to-hand combat. In this manner, Beowulf thought his father might take even more pride in his son’s expedition.
5.7 Chapter 7
In this chapter, it is learned that Beowulf came to help King Hrothgar to repay a debt incurred by his father, Ecgtheow. King Hrothgar told Beowulf all about the time when he paid to settle a feud between his father and another party in Geat. Ecgtheow fled Geat to Denmark; he could not return unless damages were compensated.
Hrothgar also spoke of his past extensive power as a young king. But now he felt humiliated by Grendel’s unstoppable power, and by the Danes’ inability to halt the ongoing threat.
After conversing, Hrothgar invited Beowulf and his men to a feast, and adjourned to the beer hall. They consumed food and drink and listened to a scop sing. Like many party-goers in the hall before them, the Geats were happy and had a great time.
5.8 Chapter 8
Threatened by Beowulf’s glorious reputation, Unferth, a thane of King Hrothgar’s, ridiculed Beowulf for a lost swimming contest. This ensued a debate about whether or not Beowulf held the ability and willingness to beat Grendel. Assuming Beowulf to be too weak, Unferth said, “…I expect still worse of an outcome (line 525).”
Beowulf defended himself. Despite losing the contest, he believed himself to be the stronger of the two competitors. He told of a “sea-monster” that pulled him under the water where, eventually, after a long fight he killed it with his sword.
5.9 Chapter 9
The debate continued. Beowulf explained to Unferth that he, in fact, killed nine creatures during this contest—and it was that fact that slowed him down during the race. “Never have I heard such stories told of your skill in battle, in furious sword-fights,” Beowulf said (lines 581-583).” In Beowulf’s view, Unferth has no reason to be boasting about himself or ridiculing anyone. Beowulf then places blame on Unferth for the toll Grendel has taken on Heorot, the king and his men. Beowulf goes on to tell Unferth that Grendel may have already been subdued if “your spirit were so fierce in battle as you suppose yourself (lines 593-594).”
Beowulf then vows to show Grendel the strength and courage of the Geats. The king now felt more confident than ever in Beowulf’s abilities. Hrothgar wishes Beowulf and his men good luck, and retires for the night. Never before did the king leave the hall in the care of someone with such trust.
5.10 Chapter 10
Beowulf and his men also retire for the night. All fall asleep except one: Beowulf. Awake, and waiting for Grendel, not one of his men doubted Beowulf’s capability to defeat this monster, and live to return to Geat. He also thought of his history and when he was young. In an unusual display, he recalled the smell of flowers when he was a child, a stark contrast to the setting he was current in.
5.11 Chapter 11
Grendel attacked the hall that night. He forced himself into the hall searching for prey. Before Beowulf could engage in a fight with the monster, Grendel devoured one sleeping warrior. Next, he came for Beowulfv.beowulf leaned up from his bed and placed a tight grip on Grendel’s fingers. The creature never experienced such pain before. With fingers broken, Grendel tried to flee, but Beowulf pursued. A great fight ensued until Grendel finally succumbed to his fatal wounds.
5.12 Chapter 12
Beowulf´s followers are all ready to fight, but their weapons are no match for Grendel, as even "the sharpest and hardest iron could not scratch at his skin." (801-802) At this point, Grendel's arm is torn off his body by Beowulf and he flees, wounded. Beowulf hangs the arm high in the hall as proof that he has defeated Grendel.
5.13 The complete summary of the poem an its content
In the poem, Boewulf, a hero of the Geats, battles three, antagonists: Grendel, who is destroying Heorot and its inhabitants in Denmark, Grendel's mother, and later in life (after he is King) a dragon. He is mortally wounded in the final battle, and after his death is buried in a barrow by his retainers.
Long ago, at the beginning of creation, two brothers, Cain and Abel lived peacefully, until Cain killed Abel, starting a blood-feud of kin-murder. This legacy of kin-murder was passed down through time, for the murder split the bloodline into two groups: Abel's, whose decendants were human, and Cain's, whose descendants were monstrous and sub-human.
This summary is based on the information from the web site, not on the real study of the text:
The poem Beowulf begins with this legacy of kin-murder and revenge. In Denmark, an evil monster, Grendel, who is ritually ravaging his kingdom, torments King Hrothgar. Currently, the monster breaks into the castle and eats as many of Hrothgar's men as he can stomach each night. Beowulf, a noted and respected warrior from Geatland, arrives with a ship of his warriors to assist King Hrothgar in stopping Grendel. King Hrothgar accepts Beowulf's pledge to kill Grendel. That night, Grendel comes to the castle and kills some of the men, devouring them. Beowulf meets Grendel, and a battle ensues--Beowulf uses no weapon against Grendel, and fighting barehanded, rips off his arm. Grendel escapes, but when he returns to his underwater lair, he dies. King Hrothgar is utterly grateful to Beowulf for killing Grendel. Grendel's arm is hung in the battlehall as a trophy of his bravery and the victory of mankind over monster.
The danger has not passed; Grendel's mother has become enraged by her son's death. She comes late one night to King Hrothgar's battlehall, grabs one man, eat him, and flees. She also retrieves her son's arm, which had been hanging in the hall as a trophy. Hrothgar is anxious and upset, and calls on Beowulf to aid them once again, offering him much gold and treasure, as well as alliance with his people, for doing battle with Grendel's mother. Beowulf travels with his men to the evil fiery lake where Grendel's mother lives. Beowulf makes a great speech about bravery, citing that God will look after him in his deed, and leaps into the lake wearing armor and carrying a great sword. Beowulf swims down through the lake for many hours, finally coming upon Grendel's mother. They fight for a brief time, Grendel's mother batters Beowulf around, but is unable to harm him through the armor. Beowulf finds his sword to be useless against Grendel's mother, and she swims to her underwater battlehall with him in tow. There, they continue to fight, until Beowulf takes a giant sword off the wall of the battlehall and cuts off her head, killing her. The sword is a magic sword, created by ancient monsters and giants at the beginning of creation. He swims to where Grendel's arm is located and finds the dead Grendel, whose head he decapitates as well, and takes with him as a trophy.
Beowulf swims back through the fiery lake to his men who are waiting for him. Hrothgar's men have already left, sure of Beowulf's defeat. Beowulf's men rejoice, and Beowulf goes back to Hrothgar's battlehall. Hrothgar names him as one of their friends and rewards him with gold and important advice about being a king.
Beowulf and his men leave on their ship to go back to Geatland and King Higlac. Beowulf gives his King all the treasure and great weapons he received. Higlac rewards him with a great sword.
Higlac rules a long time, but eventually is killed in battle. His sons rule and are killed as well, and after this, Beowulf is crowned as King of Geatland. He rules long and well. Then, when he is an older man, a runaway slave comes upon a hidden tower in Geatland. An evil dragon lives in the tower, and guards a mighty golden treasure. The dragon had found the treasure many centuries ago, when it was left to be buried with an ancient king, whose people had died out. The slave steals a golden cup from the tower, awakening and enraging the dragon. The dragon leaves its tower, and the next night begins to ravage the kingdom, burning down villages, people, and Beowulf's castle.
Beowulf hears of the horror and vows to once again rid the land of a fiend. He meets the dragon during the day, with many of his warriors by his side. He fights the dragon, but is losing, because he is an old man. His weaponry is melting, and the dragon is burning him up. One of his fellow warriors and men, Wiglaf, runs in to distract the dragon. He brings his shield up to distract the dragon, while Beowulf takes his sword, and with the last of his strength, wounds the dragon. He then slits the dragon down his middle, cutting him in two. But with this victory comes Beowulf's death. The dragon has wounded him, and his poisonous venom is killing the brave Beowulf. Beowulf is dying, and Wiglaf cleans his lord and brings him jewels from the dragon's lair, as his lord has asked. All the rest of Beowulf's men have run away, fleeing when the dragon began to beat Beowulf. Beowulf leaves his kingdom's rule to Wiglaf, giving him his rings and mail. Beowulf dies.
Wiglaf calls to the men that fled, telling them that they were cowards and from this moment on will be banished from Geatland. Then he sends a messenger to the rest of Beowulf's warriors to tell them of Beowulf's death. Beowulf is burnt and his ashes buried in the Dragon's tower. There the jewels are left forevermore. And as Beowulf asked, the tower is built up high and tall, and named Beowulf's tower, so that sailors on the sea may always see the tower as a guide and know of the great Beowulf.
6. Characters and comments
Here is the cast of characters that surround Beowulf, some of them are real, some are not they are just fantasy. From this point of view we can say that Beowulf is not purely fiction but also not purely real history.
THE DANES were residents of Denmark, it is likely that Hrotgar Hoerot has been located here. Hrotgar and Hrodulf were co- rulers of the Danes at Hoerot.
THE GEATS were the clan of Beowulf, it was a seafaring tribe residing in south of Sweden. They were later subjugated by the Swedes in territory of Sweden.
THE SWEDES lived in Sweden,north of the Geats. Archeology in Sweden reveals the grave mounds of two famous men who were burried in 510 – 575 which aredates corresponding with events described in Beowulf.
GRENDEL was a monster a giant, his origin stretch back to Cain who killed Abel, he came in trouble with Hrothgar because he refused to maintain the rules, law and customs, peace settlement and tributes of gold. He is later killed by Beowulf. A man-eating monster who terrorizes the Danish people, until he is later killed by the warrior Beowulf. Grendel lives, with his monstrous mother, at the bottom of a foul lake, which a variety of other monsters inhabit. He is descended from Cain ('the progenitor of all evil spirits'). The root of his name is perhaps related to the Old Norse grindill, meaning 'storm,' and grenja, 'to bellow,' and to other words which mean 'ground, (bottom) of a body of water,' and 'grinder (destroyer).'
Grendels mother is smaller creature than Grendel and she wants to revenge her sons murder, there is a fight between her and Beowulf an she illustrates the cycle of war in the poem, although the enemy was killed and seemed to be defeated, the next enemy appears.
Abel: From the Old Testament, he is the brother of Cain, also killed by Cain, progenitor of mankind and humanity (goodness).
Beowulf: Mythical son of Edgetho, Higlacs nephew and follower/bound warrior. Later king of the Geats, he was born A.D. 495, traveled to Denmark to rid Hrothgars Herot of Grendel in 515, and later accompanied Higlac on an expedition against the Franks and Frisians in 521. He became king of the Geats in 533, and reigned until his death. Hrothgar, the King of the Danes, befriended Beowulfs father, which explains Beowulfs journey to aid Hrothgar in ridding Denmark of the monster Grendel.
Cain:From the Old Testament, 'the progenitor of all evil spirits', brother to Abel, whom he killed against the will of God, and thus was cast out of humanity and earth forever.
Edgetho:Beowulfs father, who was a renowned warrior and married to Beowulfs mother, Hrethels only daughter.
Higlac:A king of the Geats, son of Hrethel and younger brother to Herbald and Hathcyn. Higlac is both feudal lord to Beowulf, and his uncle.
Hrothgar:A Danish king who was the second son of Healfdane. He built Herot, the great hall in Denmark and was terrorized by Grendels violent massacres upon his people, until Beowulfs arrival and murder of Grendel. A major character, Hrothgar is portrayed as 'wise, brave, yet troubled' at the end of his life, mainly because of Grendel and Grendels mother, in addition to memories of his famed past, and issues dealing with who will succeed the throne after his death.
Wiglaf:A Geat warrior who is also somehow related to Beowulf. Son of Wexstan, he is thought to be partially Swedish. He travels with Beowulf when he fights the dragon, and is the only one of Beowulfs band who comes to his aid during the battle. He becomes king presumably after Beowulfs death.
Dragon:A dragon who lived hundreds of years inside a castle guarding ancient treasure until disturbed by a fleeing slave. It?s wrath caused it to ravage Geatland, burning up entire villages with its fiery breath. It is finally killed in a battle with King Beowulf, in which both he and the dragon perish.
Scyld Scefing:A mythical figure, Scyld was the founder of the tribe of the Scyldings long before Beowulf’s story begins. His ship funeral early in the poem is a significant ritual.
Wealhtheow: Hrothgar’s queen welcomes Beowulf and is the embodiment of charm and hospitality
Wiglaf:The only thane to stand with Beowulf against the dragon, he is the Geats’ future king and a symbol of loyalty within the social/political structure of the comitatus.
7. Symbols
CHRISTIANITY AND PAGANISM, Beowulf is essentially a pagan poem written in times when England was conversing to Christianity, the poem combines direct references to the Old Testament with pagan references, and this happens very often. There ere references on God, Evil, God will, God be thanked, miracles, Gods hands, prayers, emphasis on revenge same as in Old Testament – an eye for an eye, there are also reference to finiteness of the life and importance of the soul after death and this everything appears in battles, wars, rituals, or dialogues which have the pagan origin.
LIGHT AND DARKNESS present the main storyline of the poem, they symbolize the forces of good and evil which are always in one circle. From the point of view of Christianity they can symbolize the heaven and hell. Heroic deeds and human civilisation represent the good, associate the light, the treasure is the material symbol of happiness and good. Monsters and creatures, sub – human beings are dark, symbolize the negatives, it is associated with night, dark places like Grendels lair, they hunt during the dark night, they use magic power and fire which are the symbols of hell, also battles and wars symbolize the evil as well as death of warriors and soldiers. But death of monsters symbolize the good, the light when good won the fight with evil. The lairs are probably the symbols of hell.
SWORD is the symbol of worthiness and power, is also the tool for revenge and specific symbol of heroism for each tribe. The swords have their own history and they are given names like as Naegling Beowulfs sword, they are heired from father to son or captured in battle. Beowulf’s own mighty sword is ineffective in the fight with the fiery dragon.
MAGICAL GIANT SWORD Beowulf miraculously finds this wonderful weapon in the underwater cave and uses it to kill Grendel’s mother. It melts down to the hilt after Beowulf uses it to decapitate Grendel’s corpse. Beowulf presents the hilt to Hrothgar along with Grendel’s head.
HEOROT Hrothgar’s mead-hall is more like a palace, symbolizing his and the Scyldings’ success. Grendel sees it as a symbol of mankind’s joy and delights in raiding and capturing it nightly.
HELMET, ARMOUR are symbols of protection.
TREASURE AND GOLD are sources of power for war and battles of the tribesand also symbolize the differences between kings and feuds. It is distributed among the warriors and soldiers according to their deeds, there is a strong loyalty of followers in tribes.
PEACE VS. WARFARE, all old poems describing real life in more or less mystified way are interested and concerned with battles an wars, we can not extract this fact from Beowulf, but in this poem we can find a great difference, because Beowulf essentially lays a great emphasis on peace keeping through the rules of powerful kings.
8. Questions and discussion
1. According to the found resources and some authors who reckon that this poem cold not have been written in such a strong Christian atmosphere, try to find any reason or fact which could influence or affect the original form of Beowulf.
- poem was composed by Christian who had heard the stories
- poem was written on the basis of legends and old lays and at later date it was revised by a Christian
2. Do you agree with assumption that if we want we can find any association with Christianity or paganism with or without any change of a word in the verse?
3. Name the main characters from the poem and try to describe their symbolical function.
4 .Have you heard during our presentation any new and interesting information you have never known before about this poem?
5. If you listen to the summary of the story, would you be so courageous to find any other symbols or associations?
9. Illustration of a prologue in Old English:
55
folcum gefræge (fæder ellor hwearf,
aldor of earde), oþþæt him eft onwoc
heah Healfdene; heold þenden lifde,
gamol ond guðreouw, glæde Scyldingas.
ðæm feower bearn forð gerimed
60
in worold wocun, weoroda ræswan,
Heorogar ond Hroðgar ond Halga til;
hyrde ic þæt wæs Onelan cwen,
Heaðoscilfingas healsgebedda.
þa wæs Hroðgare heresped gyfen,
65
wiges weorðmynd, þæt him his winemagas
georne hyrdon, oðð þæt seo geogoð geweox,
magodriht micel. Him on mod bearn
þæt healreced hatan wolde,
medoærn micel, men gewyrcean
70
þonne yldo bearn æfre gefrunon,
ond þær on innan eall gedælan
geongum ond ealdum, swylc him god sealde,
buton folcscare ond feorum gumena.
ða ic wide gefrægn weorc gebannan
75
manigre mægþe geond þisne middangeard,
folcstede frætwan. Him on fyrste gelomp,
ædre mid yldum, þæt hit wearð ealgearo,
healærna mæst; scop him Heort naman
se þe his wordes geweald wide hæfde.
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He beot ne aleh, beagas dælde,
sinc æt symle. Sele hlifade,
heah ond horngeap, heaðowylma bad,
laðan liges; ne wæs hit lenge þa gen
þæt se ecghete aþumsweorum
85
æfter wælniðe wæcnan scolde.
ða se ellengæst earfoðlice
þrage geþolode, se þe in þystrum bad,
þæt he dogora gehwam dream gehyrde
hludne in healle; þær wæs hearpan sweg,
90
swutol sang scopes. Sægde se þe cuþe
frumsceaft fira feorran reccan,
cwæð þæt se ælmihtiga eorðan worhte,
wlitebeorhtne wang, swa wæter bebugeð,
gesette sigehreþig sunnan ond monan
95
leoman to leohte landbuendum
ond gefrætwade foldan sceatas
leomum ond leafum, lif eac gesceop
cynna gehwylcum þara ðe cwice hwyrfaþ.
Swa ða drihtguman dreamum lifdon
100
eadiglice, oððæt an ongan
fyrene fremman feond on helle.
Wæs se grimma gæst Grendel haten,
mære mearcstapa, se þe moras heold,
fen ond fæsten; fifelcynnes eard
105
wonsæli wer weardode hwile,
siþðan him scyppend forscrifen hæfde
in Caines cynne. þone cwealm gewræc
ece drihten, þæs þe he Abel slog;
ne gefeah he þære fæhðe, ac he hine feor forwræc,
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metod for þy mane, mancynne fram.
þanon untydras ealle onwocon,
eotenas ond ylfe ond orcneas,
swylce gigantas, þa wið gode wunnon
lange þrage; he him ðæs lean forgeald.
Illustration of the same passage in Modern English:
Beowulf bode in the burg of the Scyldings,
leader beloved, and long he ruled
in fame with all folk, since his father had gone
away from the world, till awoke an heir,
haughty Healfdene, who held through life,
sage and sturdy, the Scyldings glad.
Then, one after one, there woke to him,
to the chieftain of clansmen, children four:
Heorogar, then Hrothgar, then Halga brave;
and I heard that -- was --'s queen,
the Heathoscylfing's helpmate dear.
To Hrothgar was given such glory of war,
such honor of combat, that all his kin
obeyed him gladly till great grew his band
of youthful comrades. It came in his mind
to bid his henchmen a hall uprear,
a master mead-house, mightier far
than ever was seen by the sons of earth,
and within it, then, to old and young
he would all allot that the Lord had sent him,
save only the land and the lives of his men.
Wide, I heard, was the work commanded,
for many a tribe this mid-earth round,
to fashion the folkstead. It fell, as he ordered,
in rapid achievement that ready it stood there,
of halls the noblest: Heorot1 he named it
whose message had might in many a land.
Not reckless of promise, the rings he dealt,
treasure at banquet: there towered the hall,
high, gabled wide, the hot surge waiting
of furious flame.2 Nor far was that day
when father and son-in-law stood in feud
for warfare and hatred that woke again.3
With envy and anger an evil spirit
endured the dole in his dark abode,
that he heard each day the din of revel
high in the hall: there harps rang out,
clear song of the singer. He sang who knew4
tales of the early time of man,
how the Almighty made the earth,
fairest fields enfolded by water,
set, triumphant, sun and moon
for a light to lighten the land-dwellers,
and braided bright the breast of earth
with limbs and leaves, made life for all
of mortal beings that breathe and move.
So lived the clansmen in cheer and revel
a winsome life, till one began
to fashion evils, that field of hell.
Grendel this monster grim was called,
march-riever5 mighty, in moorland living,
in fen and fastness; fief of the giants
the hapless wight a while had kept
since the Creator his exile doomed.
On kin of Cain was the killing avenged
by sovran God for slaughtered Abel.
Ill fared his feud,6 and far was he driven,
for the slaughter's sake, from sight of men.
Of Cain awoke all that woful breed,
Ettins7 and elves and evil-spirits,
as well as the giants that warred with God
weary while: but their wage was paid them
Illustration of episode two
Grendel attacks
One night, after a beer party,
the Danes settled in the hall
for sleep; they knew no sorrows.
The evil creature, grim and hungry,
grabbed thirty warriors
and went home laughing.
At dawn, when the Danes learned
of Grendel's strength,
there was great weeping.
The old king sat sadly,
crying for his men. Bloody
footprints were found.
That was bad enough,
but the following night
Grendel killed more--
blinded by sin,
he felt no remorse.
(You can bet the survivors
started sleeping elsewhere.)
So Grendel ruled,
fighting right,
one against many,
and the greatest hall
in all the earth
stood empty at night.
Twelve years this went on,
Hrothgar suffering
the greatest of sorrows.
Poets sang sad songs
throughout the world,
how Grendel tormented Hrothgar;
how no warrior,
no matter how brave,
could kill Grendel.
How Grendel wasn't
about to stop,
or pay damages.
Grendel kept ambushing from his lair,
the moors which lay in perpetual darkness.
Then, the cruelest of all injuries,
he moved into the hall--
stayed there every night
(though God would never allow
such an evil thing
to actually touch the throne).
Hrothgar was broken;
council after council proposed
what to do against the attacks.
They even went to heathen temples,
worshipped idols, and called
to the Devil for help.
The Danes forgot God.
(Woe be to those who go
to the fire's embrace,
even in great distress--
There is no consolation there.)
No counselor, no warrior
could destroy the evil.
They wept and seethed.
10. Bibliography
www.humanities.mcmaster.ca/beowulf/main.html
28.09.2007 o 23:15
www.bookrags.com/notes/beo/index.htm
28.09.2007 o 23:32
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beowulf
29.09.2007 o 20:21
http://www.beowulftranslations.net/rebs.shtml
29.09.2007 o 20:38
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