<p> Dialectical Journal BEOWULF</p><p>“ Grendel’s Mother,” pages 55-56</p><p>Reversal in tone GM emerges seeking vengeance</p><p>Fierce imagery smashing, bloody, blades, slashing, stabbing</p><p>Significance of single victim “an eye for an eye” GM selects Hrothgar’s </p><p>Best friend; must choose closest equal to Grendel</p><p>Why Beowulf did not help the Danes The Geats slept in a different hall that night</p><p>GM carries away Grendel’s claw Both sides lost</p><p>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,</p><p>Snakelike---so ominous that a deer would rather be </p><p>Killed by hounds than jump in the water</p><p>Hrothgar’s request Asks Beowulf to save the Danes once more</p><p>“ The Battle with Grendel’s Mother,” pages 57-61</p><p>Kennings for Grendel’s Mother greedy she-wolf; mighty water-witch</p><p>Epic setting and conflict (grand in scale) an underwater battle-hall with a “high-</p><p>Arching roof,” a fiery lake; fearless hero</p><p>Against supernatural creatures (Beowulf</p><p>Remains underwater fighting for hours)</p><p>Personification The iron sung its fierce song; Hrunting could</p><p>Not hurt her</p><p>Kenning for sword the steel-edged blade</p><p>Epithet for Beowulf the Geats’ proud prince</p><p>Epithet for God Ruler of the Heavens</p><p>Qualities of Anglo Saxon hero the weapon so massive that no ordinary man</p><p>Could lift it---He drew it from its scabbard . . .</p><p>And lifted it high over his head</p><p>Irony Beowulf killed GM with her own sword</p><p>Symbolism The brilliant light shone, suddenly,</p><p>Simile as bright as Heaven’s Own candle</p><p>Light symbolizes goodness, Heaven Theme Good conquers evil</p><p>Shift in setting The Danes and Geats are waiting at the water’s</p><p>Edge; when they see the blood, they imagine that </p><p>GM has killed Beowulf</p><p>Situational irony Readers know that Beowulf is still alive and has</p><p>Defeated GM</p><p>Anglo Saxon pagan belief leaves gold behind to take Grendel’s head and </p><p>Hilt of GM back to surface to prove his defeat;</p><p>Supports the Anglo Saxon desire for fame above all</p><p>Geats want Danes to see the skull to share in his glory </p>