Reversal in Tone GM Emerges Seeking Vengeance

Dialectical Journal BEOWULF

“ Grendel’s Mother,” pages 55-56

Reversal in tone GM emerges seeking vengeance

Fierce imagery smashing, bloody, blades, slashing, stabbing

Significance of single victim “an eye for an eye” GM selects Hrothgar’s

Best friend; must choose closest equal to Grendel

Why Beowulf did not help the Danes The Geats slept in a different hall that night

GM carries away Grendel’s claw Both sides lost

Setting and tone of GM’s lair Grendel’s mother lives in a dark and dank lair, cold and gloomy; secret place, wolf den, misty, clouded, frozen,

Snakelike---so ominous that a deer would rather be

Killed by hounds than jump in the water

Hrothgar’s request Asks Beowulf to save the Danes once more

“ The Battle with Grendel’s Mother,” pages 57-61

Kennings for Grendel’s Mother greedy she-wolf; mighty water-witch

Epic setting and conflict (grand in scale) an underwater battle-hall with a “high-

Arching roof,” a fiery lake; fearless hero

Against supernatural creatures (Beowulf

Remains underwater fighting for hours)

Personification The iron sung its fierce song; Hrunting could

Not hurt her

Kenning for sword the steel-edged blade

Epithet for Beowulf the Geats’ proud prince

Epithet for God Ruler of the Heavens

Qualities of Anglo Saxon hero the weapon so massive that no ordinary man

Could lift it---He drew it from its scabbard . . .

And lifted it high over his head

Irony Beowulf killed GM with her own sword

Symbolism The brilliant light shone, suddenly,

Simile as bright as Heaven’s Own candle

Light symbolizes goodness, Heaven Theme Good conquers evil

Shift in setting The Danes and Geats are waiting at the water’s

Edge; when they see the blood, they imagine that

GM has killed Beowulf

Situational irony Readers know that Beowulf is still alive and has

Defeated GM

Anglo Saxon pagan belief leaves gold behind to take Grendel’s head and

Hilt of GM back to surface to prove his defeat;

Supports the Anglo Saxon desire for fame above all

Geats want Danes to see the skull to share in his glory