British Literature

December 17, 2007

Ms. Cares

Agenda: 1. Bellringer Beowulf Questions – Please

have your HW questions out for my signature.

2. Review “Beowulf’s Last Battle,” “The Death of Beowulf,” and “Mourning Beowulf.”

3. Beowulf Review Questions – Big Ideas

4. Homework: Complete the Big Ideas handout. Prepare to SLAY Wednesday’s Beowulf exam!

1. “Light and life fleeing together” is an example of what literary device?

2. List TWO reasons why Beowulf decides to help Hrothgar and the Danes when they are under attack from Grendel.

3. What THREE things do the Romans bring with them when they invade the British Isles? What are the effects of each of these three things on the Anglo-Saxon culture?

“Beowulf’s Last Battle”

“The Death of Beowulf”

&

“Mourning Beowulf” Review

1. Why does Beowulf want his friends to stay “close by”?

1. Why does Beowulf want his friends to stay “close by”?

One word… FAME!

If his friends are close to him as he fights, they will be able to relay his stories of glory to others.

2. In lines 663-666, the dragon is the aggressor. What does this

suggest about how the battle might proceed?

2. In lines 663-666, the dragon is the aggressor. What does this suggest about how the battle might proceed?

“The monster came quickly…”

“Flames beat at the iron / Shield, and for a time it held…”

Beowulf is on the DEFENSIVE.

3. What do lines 684-686 reveal about early Anglo-Saxon attitudes about life?

3. What do lines 684-686 reveal about early Anglo-Saxon attitudes about life?

“Unwilling to leave this world…”“A journey / into darkness that all men must make, as death / Ends their few brief hours on earth.”Death is unknown, and Beowulf is reluctant to leave Earth, where he has known great fame and glory. Life is good but short.

4. Lines 694-696. What do you conclude about the poet’s attitude toward the behavior of Beowulf’s comrades other than Wiglaf?

4. Lines 694-696. What do you conclude about the poet’s attitude toward the behavior

of Beowulf’s comrades other than Wiglaf? “And only one of them remained, stood there, miserable, remembering, as a good man must, what kinship should mean” (54).

The other men are not “good,” and they do now know the meaning of true friendship or devotion to one’s king. In the warrior culture, such behavior is not looked upon highly.

5. What heroic quality does Wiglaf represent and champion in his speech? (lines 699-735)

5. What heroic quality does Wiglaf represent and champion in his speech? (lines 699-735)

-Dedication to his “mighty king” Beowulf. “I’d rather burn myself than see flames swirling around my lord.” BRAVERY.

-Respect for what Beowulf has given him and his family.

6. Lines 736-737 contain an example of which of our literary elements?

6. Lines 736-737 contain an example of which of our literary elements?

-FORESHADOWING – “life would go, soon.”

-ALLITERATION – “spoke, in spite of the swollen livid wound”

7. Figurative Language – Consider the remark that Beowulf has “unwound / his string of days on earth” (lines 737-38). What does it mean?

7. Figurative Language – Consider the remark that Beowulf has “unwound / his string of days on earth” (lines 737-38). What does it mean?

There are no more days to be unwound. He is about to die (foreshadowing).

8. Does Wiglaf himself qualify as an epic hero?

This is your argument to make. Think about his characteristics and compare them to the “epic hero” characteristics on page 29 of the textbook.

9. Describe the interior of the dragon’s tower.

9. Describe the interior of the dragon’s tower.

Look at page 57.

“Piles of gleaming gold, precious gems, scattered on the floor, cups and bracelets, rusty old helmets, beautifully made but rotting with no hands to rub and polish them.”

10. Clarify the meaning of lines 801-803. To whom does his refer in line 802? To whom does his refer in line 803?

10. Clarify the meaning of lines 801-803. To whom does his refer in line 802? To whom does his refer in line 803?

line 802: “his lord” = Beowulf

line 803: “his breast broke through” = Beowulf’s voice breaks, and he is able to speak his final words

11. Do you agree or disagree that Beowulf “sold his life well”? (line 809)

What do you think?

12. What do Beowulf’s gifts to Wiglaf suggest about Wiglaf’s future?

Wiglaf is rewarded with Beowulf’s golden necklace, gold-covered helmet, rings, mail shirt. He must, therefore, continue Beowulf’s legacy as a brave and devoted king.

12. What consequence will the warriors’ cowardice have for the rest of the Geat tribe according to Wiglaf?

12.What consequence will the warriors’ cowardice have for the rest of the Geat tribe according to Wiglaf?

Page 59 – “death would be better…than the kind of life you can lead, branded with disgrace.”