T HE G LENCOE L ITERATURE L IBRARY

Study Guide

for

A by Burton Raffel  Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. B these tribesisshownbelow. Beowulf Beowulf Beowulf ern EuropehadbeeninvadingEngland’s shoresforcenturies.Theprincipalhumancharactersin y thetimethat Herward ebl Hathcyn Herbald Hergar Study Guide hail fromthreeScandinaviantribes:theGeats,Danes,andSwedes.Thegenealogyof Hrethric Beowulf and Swedesof Meet theGeats,Danes, ( m. Hrothmund Ohther was writtendown,GermanictribesfromScandinaviaandelsewhereinnorth- Welthow) ( daughter m. Efor) ( m. Freaw THE SWEDES THE DANES THE Ingeld) ( Ongentho Healfdane Swerting m. Hrethel Higlac Shild Beo Higd) Herdred ( Hrothulf m. Halga Beowulf Yrs) ( BEOWULF m. ( m. daughter Edgetho) Yrs Onela) 13 Introducing the Poem

One of the most important remains of Anglo- CHARACTER LIST Saxon literature is the epic poem Beowulf. Its Much of the early action takes place in Herot, a age is unknown; but it comes from a very great mead hall, or banquet hall, where the well- distant and hoar antiquity . . . It is like a piece loved and generous Danish king Hrothgar holds of ancient armor; rusty and battered, and yet court. The following list includes the principal strong. characters in Beowulf, some of whom appear in —Henry Wadsworth Longfellow the genealogies on page 13. Beowulf, an ideal warrior of the Geats and the BACKGROUND hero of the poem It is a curious fact that some of the world’s great- Dragon, a fire-breathing, snakelike monster that est literature has come to us from an unknown terrorizes the Geats hand. Beowulf, the first epic poem in the English , a monster with human qualities that language, ranks high among such literature. terrorizes Herot for twelve years Scholars believe that this epic about a brave war- Grendel’s mother, a monster that also terrorizes rior who vanquishes evil monsters was composed Herot between the mid-seventh century and the end of Hrothgar, Danish king and builder of Herot the tenth century. Some of the story materials the Higlac, king of the Geats and uncle of Beowulf poet uses may have been passed down by word of Shild, legendary king of the Danes and great- mouth from one generation to the next. grandfather of Hrothgar Beowulf was probably composed in writing by Unferth, a warrior in Hrothgar’s court who one man. Although no one knows the identity of challenges Beowulf’s bravery the author, he lived in what is now England, Welthow, Hrothgar’s wife probably somewhere north of the river Thames. , a young warrior and relative of Beowulf Little more can be said about the author with cer- tainty, except that he was highly skilled in poetic Early Denmark and Sweden technique and was thoroughly familiar with the During the Time of Beowulf Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. traditional themes and legends of early Germanic culture. Swedes What is it about Beowulf that moved the American poet Longfellow to compare it to “a piece of ancient armor; rusty and battered, and yet strong”? Perhaps it is that the poet fused early Geats Germanic history, legends, mythology, and ideals Jutes with Christian faith and values to create an North Danes enduring work of art that inspires as it entertains. Sea a Or perhaps it is that we still cherish many of the Se ltic qualities that Beowulf embodies—among them Ba courage, loyalty, and generosity. THE TIME AND PLACE The poem is set mainly in Denmark and Geatland Frisians (now southern Sweden) during the sixth century. The map at right shows the locations of peoples Franks mentioned in Beowulf. The proximity of those peo- ples to one another, together with the warrior code they followed, made for frequent clashes. 14 Beowulf Study Guide Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Beowulf Beowulf Did You Know? long before long before not buried intheseventhcentury—perhaps ship treasure-filled aroyal England) uncovered In 1939,excavationsatSuttonHoo(inSuffolk, found there were somuchlikethosedescribed were found there Anglo-Saxon kingornobleman.Thetreasures ship isthoughttobetheburialsiteofanearly CRITIC’S CORNER expressed withsuchadequacyanddignityunforgivingtruth. and thepitchofhergrieffindourselvesbetterforhavingthem exposed toacomfortlessfuture.We immediatelyrecognizeherpredicament have survivedtraumatic,evenmonstrouseventsandwhoarenowbeing Kosovo; her[lament]isanightmareglimpseintothemindsofpeoplewho straight fromalate-twentieth-centurynewsreport,Rwandaor out indreadastheflamesconsumebodyofherdeadlordcouldcome once immemorialandoddlycontemporary. TheGeatwomanwhocries The accountofthehero’s funeralwithwhichthepoemends.[is]at Study Guide Beowulf —, to introduction was firstcomposed.The Beowulf: A New Verse Translation Verse New A Beowulf: found to support thisnotion. found tosupport the lateking,butnosolidevidencehasbeen that thepoemwascomposedasatributeto ancient burial.Somehaveevenspeculated onmemoriesofthe have beenbased,inpart, in Beowulf that scholarssuggest Beowulf Beowulf may 15 Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Study GuideStudy Guide Beowulf —a dispute, or an exchange of personal pay attention to the epithets. Note how pay attention to the epithets. Note flyting Beowulf, Prologue–Part 18 act of giving satisfaction or making amends, as for a wrong or an injury act of giving satisfaction or making amends, as for a wrong or an injury n. extremely disgusting; repulsive; offensive (l. 985) extremely disgusting; repulsive; offensive ] adj. Beowulf Before You Read You Before retaliation against an enemy for injuries or losses suffered, with the intent of retaliation against an enemy for injuries or losses suffered, with the intent expression of sorrow or grief (l. 128) ] n. God is variously described as “the Lord of all Life,” “the Ruler of glory,” “the Lord of God of all Life,” “the Ruler of glory,” is variously described as “the Lord ¯ shən n. ] relief from sorrow or disappointment; comfort; consolation (l. 185) ] n. . to cleanse or rid of whatever is unclean or undesirable (l. 432) . to cleanse or rid of whatever is unclean ] ¯ zəl v ¯th səm lo rep´ə ra rep´ə Beowulf [ home or resting place, esp. of a wild animal (l. 125) home or resting place, esp. of a wild [ ] ri pr n. lə ment [ sol is contains one of the earliest instances in English of a contains one of the earliest instances [ [ purj ] [ ¯r la [ 1616 heaven and earth,” and “our eternal Lord.” As you read heaven and earth,” and “our eternal they provide a brief summary of major characters’ most essential qualities. they provide a brief summary of major The Epithet a brief phrase used to characterize a person, place, or thing. For An epithet is usually an adjective or example, in abuse, in verse. In part 8, the Danish warrior Unferth calls Beowulf a “boastful fool” and taunts him for abuse, in verse. In part 8, the Danish match. Beowulf responds by telling how the match really undertaking and losing a reckless swimming and faulting him for lacking the heart to confront Grendel. went, accusing Unferth of fratricide, loathsome VOCABULARY PREVIEW VOCABULARY lair lament Did You Know? Did You Beowulf BACKGROUND Setting a Purpose the qualities that make Beowulf a hero. Read to discover Share Ideas heroes. Next to the name a list of people who are admired as group of classmates, brainstorm a small With does your list sug- make this person a hero. What the list, jot down a few qualities that of each person on that people prize today?gest about the qualities FOCUS ACTIVITY qualities do these people possess? heroes? What special Who are today’s purge reparation (l. 158) reprisal inflicting equal or greater injury (l. 597) solace Name ࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝ Date ࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝ Class ࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝ Active Reading Beowulf Prologue–Part 18 Several key characters are introduced in the first section of the poem. Write a brief description of each character in the appropriate boxes below to help fix the character in your mind.

Shild Beowulf

Hrothgar Unferth

Welthow Grendel Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Beowulf Study Guide 17 Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Study Guide ࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝ ࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝ Beowulf Class Class Class Class ࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝ ࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝ Date Date Date Date Prologue–Part 18 Beowulf Responding ࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝ ࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝ Based on Welthow’s actions in the poem, what role or roles do you think women played Based on Welthow’s in Anglo-Saxon society? Contrast Beowulf and Unferth. What function does Unferth serve in the poem? Contrast Beowulf and Unferth. What Briefly describe Grendel. What might Grendel symbolize? Briefly describe Grendel. What might How did Hrothgar come to know Beowulf’s father? Do you think that Beowulf feels to the family? Explain. indebted to Hrothgar for his past kindnesses Why does Hrothgar build Herot? Why doesn’t it collapse when Beowulf engages Grendel it collapse when Beowulf build Herot? Why doesn’t Why does Hrothgar have symbolized? in combat? What might its collapse 5. 4. 3. 2. 1. 18 Name Name Name Name Recall and Interpret Analyzing Literature Personal Response impressions of Beowulf? What are your first Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. monster’s personalityandpossiblemotivationsforhisbehavior. Using theauthor’s descriptionsofGrendel,developapsychologicalprofile.Describethe forLife Learning evidence fromthepoem. character.consensus onBeowulf’s Thenshare your opinionwiththeclass,supportingit selfless man.With asmallgroupofclassmates,discusseachpointview. Try tocomea Some readersviewBeowulfasaboastfulgloryseeker. OtherreadersviewBeowulfasanoble, Groups Literature Extending Your Response does itsetthestageforactionthatfollows? to In afewparagraphs,analyzethepurposeofprologue,orintroduction, Analyzing Purpose andWritingLiterature Evaluate andConnect Analyzing Literature Beowulf Beowulf Name Name 7. 6. How might a contemporary of Beowulf’s answerthe How mightacontemporaryofBeowulf’s Explain. In youropinion,wouldthestorybebetterifitwerewritteninproseratherthanverse? Study Guide ࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝ ࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝ Save your work for your portfolio. your for work your Save Responding Beowulf Beowulf (continued) Prologue–Part 18 Prologue–Part Focus Activity Date Date ࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝ ࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝ question onpage16? Beowulf. How Class Class ࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝ ࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝ 19 Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Study Guide Beowulf, Beowulf Parts 19–31 dictatorial; domineering; overbearing (l. 1932) dictatorial; domineering; overbearing miserly; tight-fisted; penurious (l. 1929) rejoicing greatly (l. 1881) adj. adj. ] Beowulf Before You Read You Before moving with a violent, heaving, swelling motion (l. 1453) moving with a violent, heaving, swelling adj. ] ¯ note the marriages that are described and think about the alliances that they create. note the marriages that are described ] ¯ əs anything that confines or restrains (l. 1609) anything that confines or restrains adj. n. ] ¯re is the use of hints or clues to prepare readers for events to come. As you read is the use of hints or clues to prepare ] large number; multitude (l. 1788) n. Beowulf, niərd le niərd im pe [ ] [ i zultin [ surj in [ fetərz [ ¯st ho [ 20 VOCABULARY PREVIEW VOCABULARY exulting Foreshadowing in Beowulf Foreshadowing BACKGROUND Know? Did You chose marriage partners for their children. A princess of one people During medieval times, nobles often of another in order to create alliances between their two peoples. might be given in marriage to the ruler As you read Setting a Purpose stands up for Grendel and why. Read to find out who Journal you took a stand. the situation and explain why In your journal, describe end. Pay close attention to speeches and descriptions that appear to look for clues about how the tale will describe. suggest more than what they actually FOCUS ACTIVITY Why did you defend the person? you stoodRecall a time when up for a friend or family member. niggardly fetters imperious host surging Name ࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝ Date ࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝ Class ࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝ Active Reading Beowulf Parts 19–31 Many of the characters in Beowulf are motivated by vengeance. As you read the next section of Beowulf, use the chart below to note characters who seek revenge.

To avenge the death of Hnaef, King Hengest kills Finn.

To avenge

To avenge Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Beowulf Study Guide 21 Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Study Guide ࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝ ࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝ Beowulf Class Class Class Class ࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝ ࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝ Date Date Date Date Parts 19–31 Beowulf Responding ࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝ ࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝ What sword does Beowulf take into battle? Who gave him the sword? What does the What sword does Beowulf take into battle? Who gave him the sword? failure in battle suggest about its owner? sword’s Contrast Beowulf and Hermod. the contrast help define Beowulf’s How does character? What does Beowulf’s speech just before fighting Grendel’s mother suggest about his rela- mother suggest about What does Beowulf’s speech just before fighting Grendel’s Higlac? tionship to his men? To What is the mood of Part 19? How does the mood at Herot at the beginning change? Why? Grendel’s mother is a major figure, but nothing is known about Grendel’s father. In a father. about Grendel’s a major figure, but nothing is known mother is Grendel’s ancestry suggest about his what does Grendel’s poem in which ancestry is important, character? 5. 4. 3. 2. 1. 22 Name Name Name Name Recall and Interpret Analyzing Literature Personal Response in your mind? Why? What lines linger Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Beowulf Beowulf sions? Chooserolesandrehearsethescene;thenperform itforyourclass. Beowulf feel?Howmightthesefeelingsbeconveyed intheirtonesofvoiceandfacialexpres- of histrustedcounselorEsherandBeowulfresponds. Howdoyouthinkthekingand With apartner, discussthetoneofparts20and21,inwhichHrothgar lamentsthemurder Performing description withtheclass. woman. Howwouldshehavebehaved?Whatrolesplayed?Shareyour mother). Basedontheportrayalofwomeninpoem,describe“ideal”Anglo-Saxon With asmallgroupofclassmates,discuss Groups Literature Extending Your Response other allusionofyourchoiceaddstothepoem. described asanoffspringofCain.Inaparagraphortwo,explainwhatthisallusionany work, orworkofart. Allusions arereferencesinaworkofliteraturetowell-knownperson,place,event,written Recognizing Allusions andWritingLiterature Evaluate andConnect Analyzing Literature Name Name 7. 6. In fightwithGrendel’sto Beowulf’s mother?Explain. of apersonordevicetomakethingsturnoutright.Inyouropinion,doesthetermapply The literaryterm lems beworkedout? Beowulf Study Guide ࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝ ࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝ Save your work for your portfolio. your for work your Save what aretheconsequencesofseekingrevenge?Whatotherwaysmightprob- Beowulf deus exmachina Responding Beowulf Beowulf (continued) contains numerousbiblicalallusions.Forexample,Grendelis Parts 19–31 Parts refers totheimprobableandunexpectedintroduction Beowulf sportrayalofwomen(includingGrendel’s ’s Date Date ࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝ ࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝ Class Class ࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝ ࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝ 23 Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Study Guide Beowulf: Beowulf words! / How Shild a descriptive figure of speech winging mighty s , aptives he’d beaten.” As you read the final section of aptives he’d beaten.” As you read the contains numerous examples of this special use of words. contains numerous examples of this rowds of c Beowulf Parts 32–43 able to inflict a poisonous wound, esp. by biting or stinging; secreting and able to inflict a poisonous wound, esp. by biting or stinging; secreting adj. act of reproaching; blame; reproof (l. 2331) act of reproaching; blame; reproof (l. ] Beowulf Before You Read You Before n. ] venerable; ancient (l. 2553) having a grayish-blue coloration from a bruise (l. 2724) having a grayish-blue coloration from ¯ch oldiers from every / Land, c . to move in a furtive or stealthy manner (l. 2366) adj. v to break away from control; start and run off (l. 2888) to break away from control; start and ] adj. ven ə məs ven ə ] ¯ v. [ ] ri pro [ ] look for instances of alliteration, and think about how they add to the music of the poem. look for instances of alliteration, and r e ho skulk ¯lt laves of s [ [ liv id bo [ [ 24 that takes the place of a familiar noun. that takes the place of a familiar noun. and his men sail is called a “sea-road,” and the waves are called For example, the route that Beowulf read, look for other examples of this literary device. “ocean furrows.” As you continue to The Kenning As a Literary Device in poetry is the Another device that often appears Beowulf, VOCABULARY PREVIEW VOCABULARY bolt BACKGROUND Know? Did You alliteration, the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of Old English poems rely heavily on in these lines from the prologue to Note, for example, the alliteration words in close proximity. Setting a Purpose a man makes the ultimate sacrifice. out of selflessness, how, Read to discover Think-Pair-Share the result? life to help someone else. What was someone who risked his or her talk about a partner, With they cut . . . s heard of Danish heroes / . . . and the glory “We’ve FOCUS ACTIVITY they be? life for? What might sacrificing one’s Are some things worth made s hoary skulk reproach livid transmitting venom (l. 2838) venomous Name ࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝ Date ࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝ Class ࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝ Active Reading Beowulf Parts 32–43 Beowulf is a narrative poem that moves through a sequence of events. As you read Parts 32–43 of the poem, trace the events from the beginning of this section to the end by completing the boxes below. At the end, predict the fate of the Geats.

A fugitive steals a cup from ’s hoard.

Beowulf prepares to fight the dragon alone.

The dragon wounds Beowulf mortally. Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Beowulf is accorded a hero’s burial. Outcome for the Geats:

Beowulf Study Guide 25 Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Study Guide ࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝ ࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝ Beowulf Class Class Class Class ࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝ ࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝ Date Date Date Date ? Why? would you have ended the poem? How Beowulf Parts 32–43 Beowulf Responding ࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝ ࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝ What is usually done with treasures taken from a defeated enemy? Why is it significant What is usually done with treasures taken from a defeated enemy? Why den is buried with Beowulf? that the treasure from the dragon’s Why is Beowulf’s death a turning point for the Geats? In what way does Wiglaf resemble the younger Beowulf? What makes him a worthy resemble the younger Beowulf? What In what way does Wiglaf successor to Beowulf? How does Beowulf become king of the Geats? Explain how his ascension to the throne How does Beowulf become king of earlier in the poem. reinforces the character traits he displays What incident leads the dragon on the path to vengeance? the dragon on the path to vengeance? What incident leads 5. 4. 3. 2. 1. 26 Name Name Name Name Recall and Interpret Analyzing Literature Personal Response the conclusion of you surprised by Were Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Beowulf Beowulf class or, ifyouprefer, doaliveperformance. andplayitforyour Choose rolesandrehearsethebroadcast;thenvideotape theproduction tual death.Includebrief“man-on-the-street”interviewswithGeatsrespondingtotheloss. Beowulf. Recaphisillustriouscareer, themaineventsinhislife,risetofameandeven- With asmallgroupofstudents,writethescriptfornewsbroadcastondeath forLife Learning the class,explaininghowyouarrivedatit. Together, writeasentenceortwothatsumsupthetheme.Thenshare yoursummarywith With asmallgroupofstudents,discusstheme,ormainidea,developedin Groups Literature Extending Your Response think wouldbeinstructivetotheyoungleader. lifethatyou What valueswouldyousuggestheholddear?DrawupondetailsfromBeowulf’s you givetohimleadtheGeats?Whatmistakesmightwarnagainstmaking? Pretend thatyouareBeowulfwritingalettertoWiglaf, yoursuccessor. Whatadvicewould andWritingLiterature Evaluate andConnect Analyzing Literature Name Name 7. 6. page 24?Why? How doyouthinkWiglaf wouldanswerthequestionin it toafriend?Whyorwhynot? How mightyouaccountfortheenduringpopularityof Study Guide ࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝ ࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝ Save your work for your portfolio. your for work your Save Responding Beowulf Beowulf (continued) Parts 32–43 Parts Date Date Beowulf ࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝ ࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝ Focus Activity Would yourecommend ? Beowulf. on Class Class ࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝ ࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝ 27 Name ࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝ Date ࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝ Class ࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝ The New Beowulf Online NewsHour with Seamus Heaney Before You Read Focus Question What do people mean when they say that something is “lost in translation”? What does it take to create a good translation of a work? Background Rarely does poetry make the bestseller list. Yet Seamus Heaney’s translation of Beowulf did just that. Heaney’s translation has been hailed as “both direct and sophisticated, making previous versions look slightly flowery and antique by comparison.” In this interview, Heaney talks about the work. Responding to the Reading 1. What does Heaney mean when he says that the Beowulf poet “lived in two worlds”?

2. What connection does Heaney make between the Old English in which Beowulf was originally writ- ten and the language spoken in the rural community where he grew up?

3. According to Heaney, in what ways are conflicts in Beowulf similar to the conflicts in contemporary Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Northern Ireland? How are they different?

4. What does Heaney mean when he says that “poetry has no tense”? Do you agree? Explain.

5. Making Connections In the interview, Heaney reads his translation of lines 86–96 of Beowulf. Compare with Heaney’s translation Burton Raffel’s translation in your text. Which translation do you prefer? Why? Writing About Literature Heaney’s translation of Beowulf has been described as being more accessible than earlier versions of the poem. Get a copy of Heaney’s translation of Beowulf from your school or community library and compare it with the translation in your text. Then, in a few paragraphs, tell what you think makes it more accessi- ble than Raffel’s version. Support your opinion by quoting passages from both .

28 Beowulf Study Guide Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Beowulf Beowulf John Gardner from thegiant’s pointofview. Shareyourstorywithclass. pointofviewor“JackandtheBeanstalk” fromthewolf’s ple, youmightretell“LittleRedRidingHood” Using theexcerptfrom WritingCreative Responding totheReading It describesGrendel’s encounterwithBeowulffromthemonster’s pointofview. books beforehisuntimelydeathin1982.Thisexcerptisfromthelasttwochaptersofnovel John Gardnertaughtcreativewritingandpublishedpoems,novels,shortstories,criticism,children’s Background the twopointsofviewdiffer?Howdidyoudecidewhichonetobelieve? Think ofatimewhenyouhadtoweightwosidesstorybeforecouldformanopinion.Howdid Focus Question YouBefore Read Name .Making Connections 5. 4. 3. 2. 1. Beowulf Does Grendel attribute Beowulf’s successtohisprowessortheaccident?Howdoyouknow? Does GrendelattributeBeowulf’s What wastheaccidentthat,inGrendel’s mind,gaveBeowulftheupperhand? What doesGrendelthinkofBeowulf? What isGrendel’s seizinghisarm?Howdoesheexplainit? reactiontoBeowulf’s Study Guide ࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝ ? Grendel from How doestheportrayalofmonsterin as a model, rewriteafolktalefromthemonster’sas amodel, pointofview. Forexam- Grendel Date ࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝ Grendel differ fromtheportrayalin Class ࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝ Grendel. 29 Name ࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝ Date ࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝ Class ࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝ translated by Charles W. Old English Riddles Kennedy

Before You Read Focus Question Why are riddles able to engage and hold our interest? Background The Exeter Book, a collection of Old English texts from which these riddles come, contains ninety-five such poems, suggesting the popularity of riddling in Anglo-Saxon society. Responding to the Reading 1. What is the solution to each riddle? Which words and phrases in the first riddle provide the best clues to the solution?

2. What paradox, or apparent contradiction, is set up in the first two half-lines of the second riddle?

3. Why might the object in the third riddle be described as “smitten”? Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

4. In which riddle does the subject express itself with the greatest emotion? is the object given the most emotional content? In what terms does it describe itself?

5. Making Connections Choose a kenning from Beowulf and explain how it might be viewed as a riddle. Creative Writing Using these riddles as models, write a verse riddle of your own. Choose an everyday object and describe its most essential characteristics. Share your riddle with your classmates and see if they can solve it.

30 Beowulf Study Guide Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Beowulf Beowulf Dino Buzzati With a groupofclassmates,discussthetechniquesthatBuzzati usestomakethestoryofdragonplausible. Groups Literature Responding totheReading combined therealandfantastic.Buzzatidiedin1972. Italian authorDinoBuzzatiwroteseveraldistinguishedfantasystoriesandnovels.Inhisworks,heoften Background andKingKong? What istheappealofmoviemonsterslikeGodzilla Monster moviescontinuetodrawlargeaudiences.Whydosomanypeopleenjoystoriesaboutmonsters? Focus Question YouBefore Read Name .MakingConnections 5. 4. 3. 2. 1. ways arethetwomonsterssimilar?different? What mightthedragonsymbolize? In youropinion,arethedragonslayersinthisstoryheroes?Explain. you feelasdo. Briefly describethedragon.Inyouropinion,isportrayalofdragonsympathetic?Explainwhy What warningdoesDr. Taddei giveAndronico?Whydoesn’t AndronicoheedDr. Taddei’s warnings? Study Guide ࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝ Dragon The Slayingofthe Compare thedragonin“TheSlaying”with in Date ࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝ Beowulf. Class ࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝ In what 31 Name ࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝ Date ࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝ Class ࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝

Jane Cahill Medusa’s Story Before You Read Focus Question If someone could foretell your future, would you want the person to describe what will happen to you or would you rather not know? Why? Background If you believe that there are two sides to every story, then you will enjoy this retelling of the Medusa myth. “Medusa’s Story” recounts the events in the Greek myth from the monster’s point of view. Responding to the Reading 1. Why does Athena punish Medusa? In your opinion, does the punishment fit the crime? Explain.

2. How does Medusa feel about her impending death? Why?

3. How might Medusa answer the Focus Question? How can you tell?

4. Does Medusa arouse your sympathy? Explain why or why not. Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

5. Making Connections Describe the role of fate in Beowulf and in “Medusa’s Story.” How are Beowulf’s and Medusa’s responses to fate different? Listening and Speaking Use library resources or the Internet to find a copy of the Greek myth on which “Medusa’s Story” is based. Compare and contrast the portrayal of Medusa in the two works. Then share your findings in a brief oral report to your class.

32 Beowulf Study Guide Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Beowulf Beowulf Beowulf read thestoryaloudtoyour class. speech itcapturesandvary therateandpitchofyourvoicetoexpressvarying tonesofthestory. Then Practice reading“TheWoman withtheBigThumbnail”aloud. Pay attentiontothenaturalrhythmsof Performing Responding totheReading one generationofBasothotothenext. monster whohasauniquewayofkillingpeople.Thetaleisanoldonethatbeenhandeddownfrom Virtually allcultureshavelegendsabout man-eatingmonsters.ThisAfricanfolktaledescribesalegendary Background Many folktalestellaboutmonsters.Whatdothemonstersinhavecommon? Focus Question YouBefore Read Postma Minnie edited by Name .MakingConnections 5. 4. 3. 2. 1. Beowulf generation? What evidenceisthereinthestorythattalehas beenconveyedorallyfromgenerationto How doBulaneandhismenmanagetokillMachakatane? How doesSechakatanemeetBulane? Why isSechakatanesolonely? Study Guide ࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝ ? Thumbnail The Woman withtheBig Tales oftheBasotho from What similaritiesdoyouseein“TheWoman withtheBigThumbnail”and Date ࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝ Class ࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝࿝ Test 33 33