Notes Canterbury Tales prologue

Bede (pp.74-82) & the Prologue to Canterbury Tales (pp.90-115) Collaboration Notes

Pages 74-82 Taylor

From A History of the English Church and People:

• most people were illiterate so Bede got documents through the monastery
• Britain and Ireland: Britain is an island off the coast of Germany
• land is good for grain and timber
• good pasturage for cattle/draft animals
• alot of fish
• pearls and scarlet dye extracted from shellfish
• land has many metals: copper, iron, lead, silver
• has a lot of coal
• 28 noble cities: five languages and four nations (English, British, Scots, Picts)
• Britons were first to colonize, a common language is latin 
• Scots settled ireland and Picts showed up and asked permission to join their island
• Scots refused so Picts settled on Britain, Picts took Scottish wives so the king comes from the female royal line
• Scots migrated to Britain under chieftain Reuda they are called Dalreudians

From the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle:

• The Vikings split up in East Anglia and Northumbria 
• vikings defeated many earls/lords of the British king in Sussex, Kent, Essex etc.
• King Alfred ordered new longships to be built against the ash-ships
• The english engaged in a naval battle with the danes
• The danes made king edward break the peace by taking a woman 
• they got into a huge fight and a lot of people with weird names died
• they negotiated peace with northumbria and the anglians 

Pages 90-98-michael

•  Bio

• ·         Written by Geoffrey Chaucer(circa 1343-1400)
• ·         No one knows what inspired Canterbury Tales, the tale embodies medieval literature such as romance and comedy. 

• A Closer look

• ·         The story tells of a pilgrimage of all people both rich and poor together, and starts with a prologue.
• ·         There are 24 different tales through the eyes of different people on the voyage.
• ·         Captures the essence of the time, shows all parts of medieval society.

• Prologue

• ·         Canterbury is a town outside London where a cathedral stands that is the place where Archbishop Thomas a Becket was murdered in 1170
• ·         The pilgrimage began in April 1387, at an inn on the way the narrator meets a group of people who are all going on the pilgrimage and he joins their fellowship.
• ·         Among the company was, a Knight was told of many heroic tales and battles he had been through.
• ·          With him was his son and squire, some 20 years of age. He is described as being fresh and yet experienced and knew what he was doing.
• ·         There was also a Yeoman( Attendant) for the knight and squire, “he was properly Forester I guess”

• A nun, Known as Madam Eglantyne. She was pleasant and friendly in her ways; her way of smiling was very simple and coy. 

Pages 99-107 Hikaru 

• the monk has a great horse, and is a hunter
• the friar is benevolent, a beggar
• the merchant is known for his money handling skills, but is in debt
• there is a clerk who likes philosophy books, spends his money on them
• the Sergeant of Law was well respected and erudite 
• several craftsmen as part of a guild - Haberdasher as hatmaker, weaver, carpenter, tapestry maker
• a shipman who knew the seas from Tunisia to Sweden, a great seaman
• a doctor who was excellent in curing people, saved his money

Pages 108-115 Annie

the plowman was an honest worker, was a good man living by the gospel (Ten Commandments) 

the miller was a big man, very strong and hearty. He played bagpipes and stole grain. He was a brawny looking dude. 

The manciple was illiterate but very good with money.

The reeve was old and thin. He played his bussiness by the books with taxes and such. He had his rich treasure stored away. He and from Norfolk.

The summoner resembled a cherub. He had bad boils on his face. He was mean looking and scared children. He resembled an ogre. Some thought he was insane. 

The pardoner rode with the summoner. He had waxy, yellow, rat tail hair with no hood. With bulging eyeballs. Small voice. a man of  God with many relics. 

This is the story of the ranks of an aseembled company in southwark at the high class hostelry know as the tabard. 

They were all drinking. A manly man came. the man proposes that they all tell two stories on the way to Canterbury Nd two stories back, the winner gets dinner at the tavern paid by all. The man will go with them and be the judge. They all started off on the journey. 

Vocab 4

obsequious - adj. attentive in an ingratiating or servile manner; attempting to win favor from influential people by flattery
beatitude - noun one of the eight sayings of Jesus at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount; in Latin each saying begins with `beatus' (blessed); a state of supreme happiness
bode - verb indicate by signs
dank - adj. unpleasantly cool and humid
ecumenical - adj. of worldwide scope or applicability; concerned with promoting unity among churches or religions
fervid - adj. extremely hot; characterized by intense emotion
fetid - adj. offensively malodorous
gargantuan - adj. of great mass; huge and bulky
heyday - noun the period of greatest prosperity or productivity
incubus - noun a male demon believed to lie on sleeping persons and to have sexual intercourse with sleeping women; someone who depresses or worries others; a situation resembling a terrifying dream
infrastructure - noun the stock of basic facilities and capital equipment needed for the functioning of a country or area; the basic structure or features of a system or organization
inveigle - verb influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering
kudos - noun an expression of approval and commendation
lagniappe - noun a small gift (especially one given by a merchant to a customer who makes a purchase)
prolix - adj. tediously prolonged or tending to speak or write at great length
protege - noun a person who receives support and protection from an influential patron who furthers the protege's career
prototype - noun a standard or typical example
sycophant - noun a person who tries to please someone in order to gain a personal advantage
tautology - noun useless repetition; (logic) a statement that is necessarily true

LITERATURE ANALYSIS #1

Michael Hall

Period 4

9/12/14

Lit Analysis #1: Crime and Punishment

1.  1.    Crime and Punishment starts off in 19th century Russia, in St. Petersburg with Raskolnikov an ex-student who is struggling in the city. In order to try to survive he has to sell his last valuable item to an old pawnbroker who gives him a horrible deal. As he drowns his sorrows in a tavern he meets Marmeladov, another man who is very down. On his way him from taking Marmeladov back to his home he hears other people complaining about the old pawnbroker, this is where he starts to consider that if someone was to kill her than all people would be better off. He goes to bed that night and the next day grabs an ax and something to distract her and goes to her place, her he kills her with the ax but her sister walks in and he kills her as well. He slips out of the apartment before the police come and returns to his place where he collapses. This marks the climax of the story, from here on it’s about Raskolnikov dealing with what he has done. The nest day he is freaking out about his actions and gets even more nervous when he is summoned to the police station, but it turns out it’s because he landlord is trying to collect her money he owes her. At the station he faints when asked about the murders, and the police start to suspect him. From here on he struggles between telling friends and family and deciding whether or not to confess to the police. Porfiry Petrovich a police officer begins to suspect Raskolnikov but has no evidence to support his theory, his makes him even more nervous. After the death of Marmeladov and his wife along with the suicide of Svidrigailov he goes to the station. On the way he stops in the market place and kisses the ground, he almost turns around but sees his love Sonya and continues in. He ends up getting eight years of hard labor in Siberia, Sonya moves to the closest town and visits him.

2.      2.There are many themes that people can pull form this literary work, one that I thought was a major contributor to the story was that there is a major distinction between thinking about an action an doing it. Also based on that action it can change your whole life in the blink of an eye. He contemplated killing the pawnbroker and thought that he could live with it was doing the ”right” think but once he had committed the crime could barley live with himself. Also once he killed her and her sister his life completely changed and he ended up in prison.

3.    3.  I would say the authors tone is a hint of darkness, much of the story involves people with very hard lives and situations, for most there are no happy endings in sight. One example:”he was badly dressed; so badly, it would have embarrassed a tramp to go out in such rags in the daytime. In that neighborhood, though, nothing could surprise anyone.” Another example being, “Where’s the money? O lord, he’s drunk it all up!....Aren’t you ashamed ?”

4.   4.   There are many literary elements used throughout the story here is a list of just some:
(I have the signet classic version of the book from the library for citing.)

1,2. Parallelism and Repetition: on page 158 in part 2 Raskolnikov yells “why don’t you catch him, then? Go on, now, why don’t you!” and continues, ”Who’s going to catch him? You? You think you’ll catch him?...”

3. There are many similes one being on page 38 in part 1, “Because the whole thing is clear as day,” Raskolnikov said to himself after reading his mothers letter.

4. Allusion to the story of Jesus, “"I ought to be crucified, crucified on a cross…”

5,6. Much of the story is written in extensive dialogue between characters such as, “Good-bye, Mama dear.”  “What? This very day!... I can’t.. its time… I really have to-“  “No, but you can pray to god for me on your knees. Your prayer might reach.”(pg 490) Also this passage holds an allusion to Christianity, the most popular religion the area at that time.

7. There were also very detailed descriptions of the setting example: “outside, the heat had grown ferocious. Closeness, crowds, scaffolding, with lime and brick and dust everywhere, and that special summer stench familiar to very Petersburger who can’t afford a summer cottage….” (pg 2)

8. Ethos when the pawn lady tells Raskolnikov “that’s for me to say. I could sell your pledge right now.” It’s because he has no other choice to sell his watch and needs the money leavening her with all the power.

9,10. Symbolism, Sonia grabs two crosses, and Raskolnikov says, “That’s a symbol, I suppose. Means I’m taking the cross upon myself, ha-ha! As if till now I hadn’t suffered!” (pg497)  the second phrase is both a rhetoric question and sarcasm.

Characterization

1.      1.When Raskolnikov walk into the bar he meets Marmeladov there is a paragraph that describes Marmeladov’s appearance as “...a man in his fifties, he had a graying fringe of hair and a large bald spot….” He was described through direct characterization as was Raskolnikov in the start, “Not that he was cowardly or abject; quite the contrary. For some time, though, he had been tense and irritable.”

2.     2. The author alternates from long descriptive segments to long and fast paced dialogue between the characters. There are distinct differences in characters because Raskolnikov speaks a lot to himself through thought while most others only act through their reactions a direct dialogue.

3.    3.  The protagonist Raskolnikov is most diffidently dynamic, not only does he fight in exterior conflicts but more importantly he struggles fighting himself. He stated off thinking that killing the pawnbroker would be good for everyone and that he could handle it, but in the end he couldn’t take it and turned himself in.

4.  4.    I didn't really feel like I meet a new character I had a feeling that he wouldn’t be able to handle what he had done and most people wouldn't, I didn't find that much special  with his character overall. 

Vocab #3

accolade - noun a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction
acerbity - noun a sharp sour taste; a sharp bitterness; a rough and bitter manner
attrition - noun the act of rubbing together; wearing something down by friction; a wearing down to weaken or destroy; sorrow for sin arising from fear of damnation; the wearing down of rock particles by friction due to water or wind or ice; erosion by friction
bromide - noun any of the salts of hydrobromic acid; formerly used as a sedative but now generally replaced by safer drugs; a trite or obvious remark
chauvinist - noun an extreme bellicose nationalist; a person with a prejudiced belief in the superiority of his or her own kind
chronic - adj. being long-lasting and recurrent or characterized by long suffering
expound - verb add details, as to an account or idea; clarify the meaning of and discourse in a learned way, usually in writing; state
immaculate - adj. completely neat and clean; free from stain or blemish; without fault or error
imprecation - noun the act of calling down a curse that invokes evil (and usually serves as an insult); a slanderous accusation
ineluctable - adj. impossible to avoid or evade:"inescapable conclusion"
mercurial - adj. relating to or containing or caused by mercury;relating to or having characteristics (eloquence, shrewdness, swiftness, thievishness) attributed to the god Mercury; relating to or under the (astrological) influence of the planet Mercury; liable to sudden unpredictable change
palliate - verb provide physical relief, as from pain; lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of
protocol - noun code of correct conduct; forms of ceremony and etiquette observed by diplomats and heads of state; (computer science) rules determining the format and transmission of data
resplendent - adj. having great beauty and splendor
stigmatize - verb mark with a stigma or stigmata; to accuse or condemn or openly or formally or brand as disgraceful
sub - noun a submersible warship usually armed with torpedoes; a large sandwich made of a long crusty roll split lengthwise and filled with meats and cheese (and tomato and onion and lettuce and condiments); different names are used in different sections of the United States; verb be a substitute
rosa - noun large genus of erect or climbing prickly shrubs including roses
vainglory - noun outspoken conceit
vestige - noun an indication that something has been present
volition - noun the act of making a choice; the capability of conscious choice and decision and intention

Beowulf Essay

Michael Hall

Period 4

9/6/14

Beowulf Essay

            What is a hero? It seems so simple but it’s much more when you actually get into it. “Beowulf” is considered one of the great heroic tales; it also gives a great opening into the society that forged it. While it is not known specifically who or where the epic was created, there are many theories that suggest that it was before 1000 AD in northern Europe. The main character, Beowulf, is a great warrior and skilled leader; he embodies the name hero perfectly for his time. Through this the reader is able to get a look into what qualities his society felt was most important. There is also a correlation between his qualities and those of other civilizations all across the world, there seem to be universal heroic traits that are in all epics, one being that they are excellent fighters and great leaders. His qualities have major distinctions from both literary and real heroes in today’s society.  Also there is a major distinction from a literary view of this piece; it was one of the first major heroic tales to be written in Old English.

            Heroes have always been created as the ideal person in a society; they hold the ideal qualities and traits. In “Beowulf” he has all the “normal” heroic traits such as: being an excellent warrior, a strong fighter, a great leader, and very loyal to his king. One interesting characteristic was his extreme confidence to the point that he fought one of the major monsters Grendel while being naked. The reason that people praise him for his extreme confidence is that he could back it up and people saw that. If he had boasted that he could defeat Grendel naked and had loss than all of his reputation would be lost. A distinction between him and some other heroes from epics is that he is not a flawed hero, such as some Greek heroes like Odysseus and Achilles. He eventfully falls to the dragon but still remains a great hero.

            Heroes are in all societies, in Anglo-Saxon cultures the skill with a sword trumped all skills, but as the world and people have developed the heroic qualities the Beowulf have remained in heroes. There are two types of heroes in today society, real heroes that affect our lives and heroes in our literature and media. Our real heroes are the people how defend us: military, police, firemen, ect. They are the ones who protect us, they posses heroic qualities that resemble Beowulf, one being that they put themselves in harm’s way to defend others. In literature we take these same qualities and extend them out into larger than life characters, these are super heroes. They take the heroic qualities of Beowulf but elevate them to the next level. Even after so many years the same heroic qualities that Beowulf has are seen in today’s society.       

There are many heroic tales and epics, lots are Greek and Roman tales such as Odysseus and Achilles. “Beowulf “was the first major English epic written by an anonymous Anglo-Saxon. It is considered one of the most important old English pieces of literature. It was written in the style of a poem just like the Greek heroic stories. Because it was written in old English it has and uses many words and phrases that have become obsolete in today’s English. Many people have taken the original version of the text and converted it to modern English. Even though it is still English it can be seen how the language has changed from that time to know.  

            “Beowulf” was one of the first major English pieces of literature it tells the story of the hero Beowulf and his journeys. Beowulf himself shows a look in to thy time and place that it was made showing that they saw strength and heroism as keys to life. His qualities are universal to most stories and cultures including today’s society. Altogether the poem shows a look at their society and a reflection about our own. 

Vocab #2

apogee - noun apoapsis in Earth orbit; the point in its orbit where a satellite is at the greatest distance from the Earth; a final climactic stage
apropos - adj. of an appropriate or pertinent nature; adv. by the way; at an opportune time
bicker - noun a quarrel about petty points; verb argue over petty things
coalesce - verb fuse or cause to grow together; mix together different elements
contretemps - noun an awkward clash
convolution - noun the action of coiling or twisting or winding together; a convex fold or elevation in the surface of the brain; the shape of something rotating rapidly
cull - noun the person or thing that is rejected or set aside as inferior in quality; verb remove something that has been rejected;look for and gather
disparate - adj. including markedly dissimilar elements;fundamentally different or distinct in quality or kind
dogmatic - adj. characterized by assertion of unproved or unprovable principles; relating to or involving dogma; of or pertaining to or characteristic of a doctrine or code of beliefs accepted as authoritative
licentious - adj. lacking moral discipline; especially sexually unrestrained
mete - noun a line that indicates a boundary
noxious - adj. injurious to physical or mental health
polemic - adj. of or involving dispute or controversy; noun a controversy (especially over a belief or dogma); a writer who argues in opposition to others (especially in theology)
populous - adj. densely populated
probity - noun complete and confirmed integrity; having strong moral principles
repartee - noun adroitness and cleverness in reply
supervene - verb take place as an additional or unexpected development
truncate - adj. terminating abruptly by having or as if having an end or point cut off; verb make shorter as if by cutting off; approximate by ignoring all terms beyond a chosen one; replace a corner by a plane
unimpeachable - adj. beyond doubt or reproach; completely acceptable; not open to exception or reproach; free of guilt; not subject to blame

Beowulf Questions

Beowulf Questions:

Collaboration: Erica Paculan, Yesenia Beas, Susel Garcia, Jisu Yoon, Millicent Angulo, Naiomi Desai, Jayce Alegre, Laike McFarland, Alec McFarland, Ephraim Rodriguez, Hikaru Kasai, Danielle Cadena, Eric Jackson, Taylor Wall, Michael Hall, and Lupita Pliego

[Prologue: The Rise of the Danish Nation] (lines 1-85, pp. 33-34)

1.Realize that this prologue introduces the Danes, not Beowulf or his people the Geats. What was unusual about the way Shield came to be ruler of the Danes? What was his funeral like? What relation is Hrothgar to Shield?

The manner in which he became king was unusual because Shield was an abandoned child whom travelled to Denmark alone and there was able to change his fate and rule many lands. His funeral consisted of placing his corpse on a fighting ship, piling it up with treasures, and setting him adrift in the sea. Hrothgar is Shield’s grandson.

[Heorot is Attacked] (lines 86-188, pp. 34-36)

1.What magnificent work did Hrothgar undertake? Who attacked it, and with what result? How long did the attacks last? What was the response of the Danes?

Hrothgar built the beautiful dwelling of Heorot, however the monstrous Grendel attacked it and killed many of his men. His attacks spanned over a period of twelve winters. The Danes could do nothing else but remain in the bloody feud with Grendel, although they attempted to remain hidden. Hrothgar’s council tried to find solutions by looking for warriors and making sacrifices to the old stone gods.

[The Hero Comes to Heorot] (lines 189-490, pp. 36-42)

1. What does Beowulf do when he hears of Hrothgar's problems with Grendel?

Beowulf heads out to  Heorot with his men to take on the deed of cleansing it of Grendel. He is confident that with his strength he will accomplish it.

2. Whom do the Geats first meet when they arrive in Denmark? What does he do, and what do they do?

The Geats meet a watchman of the seas/beach shore. The watchman stops the Geats and asks what they are doing with the weapons they carry and the armor they have. He asked them specifically what their purpose was landing on Denmark. The Geats say they are not invaders or pirates, but wish to protect the throne of Scylding and defend the throne of Hrothgar from the villainous Grendel.

3. They next meet Hrothgar's herald. Who is he? What does he tell them? What does he tell Hrothgar? What does Hrothgar respond? Are you surprised that Hrothgar knows Beowulf so well?

Hrothgar’s herald is named Wulfgar. Wulfgar asks the Geats what is their business and asks them what their names are. Beowulf announces himself as the leader of the Geats seeks an audience with the king of Danes, Hrothgar of the throne. Hrothgar responds by saying yes to the warrior Beowulf to speak. No I am not surprised that Hrothgar knows Beowulf because he knows Beowulf’s father who fought with him before king.

4.What does Beowulf tell Hrothgar when he enters? What did Hrothgar do for Beowulf's father?

Beowulf told Hrothgar that he has defeated giants and other mythical creatures. He said that he will kill Grendel unarmed and unarmored when he comes to the hall at night. Hrothgar fought with his father during a feud with the Geats and Scyldings and were settled by a paying old treasure.

[Feast at Heorot] (lines 491-661, pp. 42-46)

1. What does Unferth accuse Beowulf of? How does Beowulf answer him? How is this episode relevant to the poem as a whole? What does Beowulf accuse Unferth of?

Unferth is jealous of Beowulf due to the kinsmen’s adoration for him. He tells the kinsmen that Beowulf lost a swimming match against Breca (and will lose to Grendel as well). Unferth believes that the swimming match was a waste of time and was a reckless thing to do. Beowulf answers Unferth by  telling his side of the story saying that Breca had help, a few monster allies, when he pulled Beowulf under the ocean and then pointedly mocks Unferth. This is relevant to the poem as it enhances the reader’s analysis of Beowulf’s character. The episode shows Beowulf’s boastfulness and arrogance, which is an overall big part of the whole poem.  

2. What is Queen Wealhtheow doing during the feasting?

Queen Wealhtheow goes around passing drinks and food to the soldiers as a sign of gratefulness and peace.

[The Fight with Grendel] (lines 662-835, pp. 46-49)

1.Heroic poetry normally has a scene in which the hero arms for battle. What is different about Beowulf's preparations for his fight with Grendel?

Instead of arming for battle, typical for a heroic poetry battle scene, Beowulf believes he is strong enough to beat Grendel without the use of any weapon. Therefore, Beowulf strips himself of any weapon, using instead his bare hands.

2.What happens when Grendel enters Heorot? How does Beowulf fight with him? What happens when Grendel tries to leave? Does Grendel escape? What does he leave behind?

When Grendel enters Heorot, he encounters many men sleeping and imagines the destruction and murder he could cause. However, he also finds an alert and prepared Beowulf. Beowulf fights him without armor or weapons, he simply tightly grasps Grendel, refusing to let him go. Within minutes, Beowulf’s men are attempting to help, but their weapons are harmless to Grendel. Grendel is weak and unable to free himself, but he is able to escape because he loses an arm.

[Celebration at Heorot] (lines 836-1250, pp. 49-60)

1.When the Danes and Geats return from following Grendel's tracks to the mere, someone sings in Beowulf's presence, comparing him to Sigemund and saying that he was not like Heremod (lines 883-914). How is Beowulf like Sigemund? How is he not like Heremod? (Be alert for inserted stories such as this one. Beowulf contains many of them, most much more complex than this one.)

Beowulf is like Sigemund because they both cared and protected their people, ultimately they were both heroes who murdered monsters. On the other had, Heremod ignored the needs of his people, he did not protect them and actually turned on them.

2.How does Hrothgar respond to Beowulf's deed? What does he offer to do for him? What does Unferth have to say now?

Hrothgar makes a speech praising Beowulf as well as offers him the best riches and to get vengeance for all the Geat soldiers that were murdered. Unferth now says nothing, Beowulf has proven his bravery.

3.The singer sings of Finn during the feasting (lines 1070-1158). The exact details of the Finn story are not clear, but in general, what happens? What does it suggest about the wisdom of using a woman as bride to heal enmity between tribes?

In general, the Danish general is treacherously attacked at Finn’s castle. Hengest succeeds Hnaef as the Danish general and a pact is made between Finn and the Danes after his force is nearly exterminated. Hengest is stuck in the castle during Winter and comes up with a way to enact vengeance. He kills Finn and the jewels of Finn are borne away to the Dane’s castle. This suggests that using a bride to heal enmity between tribes is not the smartest thing to do.

4.When the feasting resumes, what does Wealhtheow ask Hrothgar not to do?

Wealhtheow asks Hrothgar not to give Beowulf the throne.

5.Wealhtheow gives Beowulf a large, broad necklace. What later happens to it? What does Wealhtheow ask Beowulf to do?

Wealhtheow asks Beowulf to help her sons if they are ever in need.

6.Why do so many men remain in the beer hall to sleep? Why is it a mistake?

The men had all fallen asleep in the beer hall, because they had earlier defeated Grendel and had been drinking and feasting in celebration. This was a mistake, because Grendel’s mother comes back to take her revenge.

BEOWULF AND GRENDEL'S MOTHER (lines 1251-2199, pp. 60-79)

[Another Attack] (lines 1251-1382, pp. 60-62)

1.Why has Grendel's mother come to Heorot? Is it the same reason Grendel had?

Grendel’s mother came to Heorot to take revenge while Grendel came to Heorot to kill without reason.

2.What is Hrothgar's response? Whom has Grendel's mother killed?

Grendel’s mother kills Hrothgar’s good friend, Aeschere. Hrothgar promises Beowulf that he will repay him greatly if he is able to kill Grendel’s mother.

3.What sort of place is the mere?

The literal/dictionary meaning of mere is a “lake, pond, or arm of a sea.” Hrothgar describes a haunted mere where Grendel’s mother lives. He says that no one knows how deep it is and that at night, the water burns in it. He also says that the mere throws dirty water up to the sky in storms.

[Beowulf Fights Grendel's Mother] (lines 1383-1650, pp. 63-68)

1.How does Beowulf tell Hrothgar to respond?

Beowulf asks Hrothgar to take care of his men if he doesn’t survive. Hrothgar had also promised gifts to Beowulf, which he requests him to send to his king, Hygelac. He also reveals his heroic personality by his words, “It is always better / to avenge dear ones than to indulge in mourning.”

2.What happens at the mere before Beowulf enters it?

When Beowulf first dives in the mere, he at first sinks and takes an entire day to reach the bottom. While fighting with the monster, towards the end of the fight, the water filled with blood and warriors assumed him to be dead.

3.How does Beowulf prepare for the battle? What sword does he take with him?

Beowulf prepared for battle by courageously getting his armor and weapons because he wants to get revenge on those who were killed by Grendel, so he is off to kill his Grendel’s own mother. Beowulf is granted a sword which is named “Hrunting” from Unferth which is passed down and admired as an “old-time heirloom.”

4.What happens when Beowulf enters the mere? What is surprising about where Grendel and his mother live in the mere?

Beowulf dives in the “floor of the sea” to get into the mere and have his battle with Grendel’s mother. Grendel’s mother tries to kill Beowulf in the spot but his armor protects him then she brings him to her underwater lair which marks her “own” territory, so no other creatures will bother her.

5.What happens to the sword Beowulf borrowed from Unferth?

“Hrunting”, the sword given by Unferth, was completely useless against Grendel’s mother that it broke in the spot during their battle.

6.At one point Beowulf is on the floor, with Grendel's mother sitting on him and drawing her knife. How does Beowulf escape?

Beowulf escapes by using his armor; his armor protects him from the knife wound and then he uses his strength to escape from Beowulf’s mother.

7.How does Beowulf kill Grendel's mother? What weapon does he use? What happens when she dies? What does Beowulf take with him from her home? What happens to the sword he used to kill her?

Beowulf kills Grendel’s mother by cutting the mother’s throat using the sword of Eotens. When she dies, Beowulf decides to bring the mother’s head home in order to take revenge for those who got killed by Grendel. The sword melts down only leaving the hilt because of the mother’s acidic blood.

8.What happens when Beowulf returns to the surface? Did his men expect him to return?

When Beowulf returns to the surface by swimming, his men are not there waiting for him because they did not expect him to return alive from Grendel’s mother.

[Further Celebration at Heorot] (lines 1651-1798, pp. 68-71)

1.What does Beowulf give to Hrothgar?

After fighting  Grendel’s mother; Beowulf seeks the head of Grendel to give to the king.

2.What message does Hrothgar have for Beowulf? What and why does he tell us about Heremod? Why and how did Heremod die? What lesson does Hrothgar teach with the Heremod example?

He tells Beowulf the story of an ambitious and prideful king named, Hermond. King Heremod ends up dying in misery and alone. He advises Beowulf not to be like that king because the same will happen to him. Hrothgar teaches him what happens to a king when he is overtaken by pride.

3.What does Beowulf give to Unferth as he leaves?

Beowulf returns to Unferth his sword, Hrunting; that Beowulf used right before his fight with Grendel’s mother.

[Beowulf Returns Home] (lines 1799-2199, pp. 71-79)

1.What future does Hrothgar predict for Beowulf?

Hrothgar tells Beowulf that he will become an epic king and have a great reign over his kingdom. There is no mention of his demise or any other important details of that sort

2.Who is Hygd and why is she not like Modthryth?

Hygd reigns as Queen of the Geats. She is an excellent ruler unlike Modthryth who is a lousy and cruel leader

3.Beowulf reports to Hygelac that Hrothgar may marry his daughter Freawaru to Ingeld. Why does he plan to do that? What does Beowulf expect the result will be? (Remember the Finn story, lines 1070-1158.) How does Beowulf think the peace will be broken? Is this the type of report we expected from the hero Beowulf, or are we seeing a new side of him?

Marrying Ingled with Freawaru will hopefully end the vendetta the families are having. He expects the marriage will temporarily end the feud yet will not last very long. Beowulf plans to try this but is rightly worried since the fighting has waged for so long and the pride based members could reignite the flame by killing another. From what we have seen of the hero is this outside of his character since usually he is brave and always seeks the best even in the face of overwhelming odds

4.How does Beowulf report about his own adventures? Does he report accurately?

Beowulf is arrogantly reports his adventures in a boastful manner. Exaggerating much of his adventure.

 

5.What does Beowulf do with the treasure he was given? What does Hygelac give him?

Beowulf gives the treasure to Hygelac, and in return Hygelac gives Beowulf a powerful sword, land, hides, and a gigantic house.

BEOWULF AND THE DRAGON (lines 2200-3182, pp. 79-99)

[The Dragon Wakes] (lines 2200-2509, pp. 79-86)

1.How much later does Part 2 take place? What kings have died in the meanwhile? What danger now exists?

Part 2 is fifty years later. Hygelac and Heardred both died, and a dragon is attacking Beowulf’s kingdom.

2.Why is the dragon angry? Why did the man take a cup? How did the treasure come to be there in the first place? (The speech of the lone survivor, the one who put the gold in the barrow, is in a typically Old English elegiac tone.

The dragon is angry because a man took a cup from his hoard of treasure. The man took the cup to bring back to his lord to make peace because he was fleeing for his life. The treasure was once an old lord’s hoard that he kept with him until he died because all of his kinsmen had perished.

3.What did the dragon destroy that evening?

The dragon destroyed the homes and land of the Geats that evening.

4.Why does Beowulf think his home was burnt? Why does he order a new shield? How will he fight this battle? What will happen to him?

Beowulf thinks his home was burnt because he is war-lord of the Geat kingdom, and he grew up there. He orders a new shield made of iron because his old one was wooden which wouldn’t withstand fire. He fights the battle by himself with a sword and shield and brings eleven men with him. Beowulf will die for he is old and beginning to weaken, and swords won’t do him any good because of his remarkable strength.

5.How did Hygelac die? (The description in lines 2354-2379 begins one of several versions of Geatish history and Hygelac's death we will get.) What did Beowulf do after Hygelac's death? What happened when he returned home? Did he accept Hygd's offer to become king?

Hygelac died in battle in Friesland. When he was killed, Beowulf swam to safety right after Hygelac’s death to return home. When he returned home, Hygd offered Beowulf to take the Hygelac’s throne as his successor. She didn’t think her son was ready to rule due to his inexperience. Beowulf did not accept to become the king of Geatland yet, but he gave support for Hygd’s son. He aided his way to mature as a good successor.

6. What happened to Hygelac's son Heardred? (That's the story in lines 2380-2390.) How did Beowulf plan to revenge Heardred's death (lines 2391-2396)?

Onela from Sweden voyaged across to meet Heardred, which he was mortally wounded from a sword. This left Beowulf to ascend the throne of Geatland. He planned his revenge by receiving men from Eadgils and eventually killed Onela.

7.How many men accompany Beowulf as he goes to meet the dragon?

He took “eleven comrades” with him to fight the dragon. Beowulf told his men the stories of his youth and his vow to defeat the dragon while the men accompanied him.

8.What happened to Hygelac's oldest brother Herebeald? Who killed him? What did this do to his father King Hrethel? (This passage, lines 2425-2509, is the second account of Geatish history and of the death of Hygelac.) What happened between the Swedes and Geats after Hrethel's death? What happened to Haethcyn? How die Beowulf revenge Hygelac's death?

Hygelac’s oldest brother, Herebeald, was killed in an accident by his brother Haethcyn. This caused their father, King Hrethel, to shut down and die of grief. After their father’s death Haethcyn became king and lead the Geat people into a war with the Swedes, but died during the war. His brother Hygelac then proceeded into the throne but after defeating the Swedes in the war died during a raid.  Beowulf soon become kings and rules the land as a wise and noble king.

[Beowulf Attacks the Dragon] (lines 2510-2820, pp. 86-92)

1.What does Beowulf tell his companions to do?

As Beowulf approaches the home of the dragon he gives a speech to his companions about how he feels nothing less because he is using the armor, a shield, and a sword. He tells about how the dragon is far greater than Grendel, he tells them that this fight will be between him and the dragon. The ending result will be whatever fate decides for him.

2.What happens the first time Beowulf and the dragon fight? What do his companions do? How is Wiglaf different? What does he tell the others? What does he then do?

As Beowulf approaches the dragon he yells a loud war cry that shows the dragon his intent. The dragon soon awoke and poured out fire at Beowulf, who stood still with his shield at hand. The shield protected him but the fire began to overwhelm it, he struck out with his trusty sword but as it pierced the beast’s skin it shattered. Now he was stuck with no weapon against the fire breathing beast. All but one of his companions had fled in fear, only Wiglaf stood there seeing his king in danger. He remembers the oath that all the men had taken to help and defend their king and goes to aid of Beowulf.    

 

3.What happens the second time Beowulf meets the dragon? What happens to Beowulf? Who kills the dragon?

Beowulf and Wiglaf kill the dragon together. Beowulf is mortally wounded when he's hit by the dragon's poisonous breath.

4.What does the dying Beowulf ask Wiglaf to do? What happens when Beowulf sees the gold? How does Beowulf want to be buried?

He asks him to get the treasure the dragon was hiding. At the sight of his treasure, Beowulf practically dies of happiness. But before he dies he tells Wiglaf his final wishes. He wants to be buried with his treasure on a high hill with a tall tower so that everyone will remember Beowulf and his greatness.

[Beowulf's Funeral] (lines 2821-3182, pp. 92-99)

1.What happens when the companions return? What does Wiglaf say to him? What does he expect will happen in the future?

When they return, they find Wiglaf grieving over the dead Beowulf. Wiglaf reminds them of the promise they had made to Beowulf and of their cowardice. Wiglaf expects the Geats to be attacked by enemies once again.

2.What does the messenger tell the city? (This passage, lines 2900-3027, is the third account of the history of the Geats and the death of Hygelac. These are the enemies that will attack the Geats when they learn of Beowulf's death.) What happened overnight in Ravenswood after Ongentheow killed Haethcyn? What happened the next morning? What happened to Ongentheow? What does the messenger say to do with the gold? What is the final image (animal) of the messenger's speech?

A battle is coming between the Geats and the Swedes. Ongentheow returned home after killing his target. Eofor captured the man who killed his father. They later fought to the death where Eofor claimed to be the winner. Only warriors who were given gold by Beowulf were allowed to enter the barrow and honor his kingmenship. The final image was the dragon.

3. What does Wiglaf tell the crowd that comes to see the dragon and Beowulf?

Wiglaf tells the crowd that they must not take the gold or they will be cursed if they do unless blessed by heaven to claim it. They must leave their fallen leader to burn next to the fallen enemy, the dragon.

4.What happens to the dragon?

The dragon is pushed off a cliff and falls into the rolling waves of the sea.

5.What happens during and after the funeral celebration?

During the funeral celebration the entirety of the people mourn for their lost king, a huge memorial that could be seen by all was constructed. This memorial was his tomb, a place where they buried Beowulf and all his worldly treasures. After the funeral celebration,12 warriors, men of Beowulf’s, gather around his tomb to chant, “mourning his loss as a man and as a king.”

6.What did the Geats say about Beowulf in the last three lines of the poem? Are these the terms one would expect to be used to describe a military hero?

In the last three lines of the poem, the twelve Geats describe Beowulf with much love because he has sacrificed his life to protect his people and they addressed him as their “beloved leader”, which is a memorable way to describe a military hero. The Geats also addressed him as a “prince so mild” which is ironic because he holds that courage and rage he expresses when he fights in a battle.