TITLE: BEOWULF

CHARACTERS:

Beowulf - The protagonist of the epic, Beowulf is a Geatish

hero who fights the monster Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and a
fire-breathing dragon.

King Hrothgar - The king of the Danes. Hrothgar enjoys

military success and prosperity until Grendel terrorizes his
realm.

Grendel - A demon descended from Cain, Grendel preys on

Hrothgar’s warriors in the king’s mead-hall, Heorot.

Grendel’s mother - An unnamed swamp-hag, Grendel’s mother

seems to possess fewer human qualities than Grendel, although
her terrorization of Heorot is explained by her desire for
vengeance—a human motivation.
The dragon - An ancient, powerful serpent, the dragon guards
a horde of treasure in a hidden mound. Beowulf’s fight with
the dragon constitutes the third and final part of the epic.
Other Danes
Shield Sheafson - The legendary Danish king from whom Hrothgar
is descended, Shield Sheafson is the mythical founder who
inaugurates a long line of Danish rulers and embodies the
Danish tribe’s highest values of heroism and leadership.
Beow - The second king listed in the genealogy of Danish
rulers with which the poem begins.

Halfdane - The father of Hrothgar, Heorogar, Halga, and an

unnamed daughter who married a king of the Swedes, Halfdane
succeeded Beow as ruler of the Danes.
Wealhtheow - Hrothgar’s wife, the gracious queen of the Danes.
Unferth - A Danish warrior who is jealous of Beowulf, Unferth
is unable or unwilling to fight Grendel, thus proving himself
inferior to Beowulf.
Hrethric - Hrothgar’s elder son, Hrethric stands to inherit
the Danish throne, but Hrethric’s older cousin Hrothulf will
prevent him from doing so. Beowulf offers to support the
youngster’s prospect of becoming king by hosting him in
Geatland and giving him guidance.
Hrothmund - The second son of Hrothgar.
Hrothulf - Hrothgar’s nephew, Hrothulf betrays and usurps his
cousin, Hrethic, the rightful heir to the Danish throne.
Hrothulf’s treachery contrasts with Beowulf’s loyalty to
Hygelac in helping his son to the throne.
Aeschere - Hrothgar’s trusted adviser.
Other Geats
Hygelac - Beowulf’s uncle, king of the Geats, and husband of
Hygd. Hygelac heartily welcomes Beowulf back from Denmark.
Hygd - Hygelac’s wife, the young, beautiful, and intelligent
queen of the Geats. Hygd is contrasted with Queen Modthryth.
Wiglaf - A young kinsman and retainer of Beowulf who helps him
in the fight against the dragon while all of the other
warriors run away. Wiglaf adheres to the heroic code better
than Beowulf’s other retainers, thereby proving himself a
suitable successor to Beowulf.

Ecgtheow - Beowulf’s father, Hygelac’s brother-in-law, and

Hrothgar’s friend. Ecgtheow is dead by the time the story
begins, but he lives on through the noble reputation that he
made for himself during his life and in his dutiful son’s
remembrances.
King Hrethel - The Geatish king who took Beowulf in as a ward
after the death of Ecgtheow, Beowulf’s father.
Breca - Beowulf’s childhood friend, whom he defeated in a
swimming match. Unferth alludes to the story of their contest,
and Beowulf then relates it in detail.
Sigemund - A figure from Norse mythology, famous for slaying a
dragon. Sigemund’s story is told in praise of Beowulf and
foreshadows Beowulf’s encounter with the dragon.
King Heremod - An evil king of legend. The scop, or bard, at
Heorot discusses King Heremod as a figure who contrasts
greatly with Beowulf.
Queen Modthryth - A wicked queen of legend who punishes anyone
who looks at her the wrong way. Modthryth’s story is told in
order to contrast her cruelty with Hygd’s gentle and
reasonable behavior.

DYNAMIC:
Beowulf is round, dynamic character because he is the poet's
epic hero who changes greatly throughout the narrative. He is
full of paradoxes: he is both pagan and Christian, blood-
thirsty and generous, immortal and vulnerable. Beowulf begins
as a young, proud hero who defeats Grendel with his bare
hands.
STATIC:
Alas! The now king of the Geats has been slain by a mighty
dragon! Throughout the epic poem of Beowulf, Beowulf himself
showed many traits and characteristics, some being good and
some being bad. His courage and pride make up his good traits,
while his greed and being overly proud make up his bad. In my
opinion, Beowulf manages to stay a static character throughout
the epic poem, that is, a character who stays necesarily
the same throughout the story or poem.
In the battle of Grendel, we see a very confident and
proud Beowulf, who boasts about his power and might before the
battle. Though he did not get the chance to take Grendel on
one on one due to the monster's ambush, Beowulf still managed
to slay Grendel, showing his great courage and fearlessness.
We see this from Beowulf throughout the epic.
In the battle of Grendel's mother, again we see a very
pround and confident Beowulf, who this time goes down into the
lake to fight the monster alone. Showing great courage and
pride, Beowulf manages to avoid death and slay Grendel's
mother and her minion lake beasts, and while at it beheads the
corpse of Grendel to bring back to Hrothgar. This may be a
sign of greed, for this act was unnecessary and the arguement
could be made that Beowulf had become too obsessed with fixing
his family name.
In the final battle agaist the mighty dragon, again we see
a proud and confident Beowulf for the final time within the
poem. Beowulf only takes a handful of men with him to the
sight of the battle, and before the battle he boasts for the
final time. In an act of over confidence, Beowulf tells his
men that he would enter the dragon's barrow alone, knowing of
the great danger of the situation. This act, proved to be
lethal for the king, who was fatally wounded from a dragon
bite to the neck. One of his men named Wiglaf comes to his
aid, and eventually Beowulf slays the dragon despite his
injury. Beowulf, showing great greed, claims that he will be
buried with the treasure that he fought the dragon for.
Beowulf stays necesarily the same throughout the epic
poem. He is a hero who displays great strength, courage and
pride, but he is not perfect. He shows greed, and at times
over confidence and too much pride for his own good, which
kills him towards the end of the novel. Beowulf is a static
character.
BEOWULF A FLAT OR ROUND CHARACTER:

Beowulf is a hero noted for his acts of courage and the

nobility with which he performed these acts. Beowulf embodied
the ideals of conduct that were most valued in this setting.
Beowulf is described as the perfect hero, almost too perfect.
There lies the problem of Beowulf’s character, it is flat.
Beowulf fights for his people and fights evil with super-human
abilities to bring about peace and justice. Three traits of
Beowulf supports his being the ultimate super hero, these are
his amazing physical strength, his ability to put people’s
welfare before his own, and that he does not fear death.

PROTAGONIST:
It's tough to miss this one. Modern readers named the poem
after Beowulf. He's the hero. He defeats all—well, most—of the
monsters. This is his story. The Anglo-Saxons liked to keep
things simple. And from this we learn an important rule-of-
thumb: find the guy who kills the demons, and that's probably
your main character.
ANTAGONIST
Character Role Analysis
Grendel
Grendel is the first antagonist we meet in Beowulf, but he's
not the last, nor the mightiest. In fact, he's just the first
of a cycle of three tests.

Grendel's Mother
Grendel's mother, out to avenge the death of her son, is the
second antagonist Beowulf must face, but she's not the
mightiest. In fact, she's not as strong physically as Grendel,
but she's more dangerous for Beowulf because he must follow
her into her lair in a cave beneath a lake.

Introduction
Greetings! I am the great storyteller. Now
they don’t call me the great storyteller for
nothing. The reason I have obtained this title is
because I have traveled far and wide to gather
firsthand accounts of all the legends and stories in
the world. One legend that I am particularly fond of
is the story of the great Beowulf, king of Geatsland
and savior of the Danes. So you may be wondering
what type of firsthand account do I have for this
story? Now it doesn’t get much better than this. I
have painstakingly gathered (and don’t ask me how I
got them) the diaries of the great lord Beowulf and
those involved in his epic adventures.

major conflict · The poem essentially consists of three

parts. There are three central conflicts: Grendel’s domination
of Heorot Hall; the vengeance of Grendel’s mother after
Grendel is slain; and the rage of the dragon after a thief
steals a treasure that it has been guarding. The poem’s
overarching conflict is between close-knit warrior societies
and the various menaces that threaten their boundaries.
rising action · Grendel’s attack on Heorot, Beowulf’s defeat
of Grendel, and Grendel’s mother’s vengeful killing of
Aeschere lead to the climactic encounter between Beowulf and
Grendel’s mother.
climax · Beowulf’s encounter with Grendel’s mother
constitutes the moment at which good and evil are in greatest
tension.
falling action · Beowulf’s glorious victory over Grendel’s
mother leads King Hrothgar to praise him as a worthy hero and
to advise him about becoming king. It also helps Beowulf to
transform from a brazen warrior into a reliable king.
themes · The importance of establishing identity; tensions
between the heroic code and other value systems; the
difference between a good warrior and a good king

lesson in morality in Beowulf

1. Honor your King and Queen
2. Never Underestimate the power of Heritage and Reputation
3. Beware the Grendels
4. Every Grendel has a mother
5. Choose your Battles
6. Make Ready the Battle Gear
7. Gather Thirteen Warriors
8. Be a Good Leader
9. Know When to Quit
10. Find your Wiglaf
 VOCABULARY
praise
an expression of approval and commendation
LO, praise of the prowess of people-kings
of spear-armed Danes, in days long sped,
we have heard, and what honor the athelings won!
prowess
a superior skill learned by study and practice
LO, praise of the prowess of people-kings
of spear-armed Danes, in days long sped,
we have heard, and what honor the athelings won!
spear
a long pointed rod used as a tool or weapon
LO, praise of the prowess of people-kings
of spear-armed Danes, in days long sped,
we have heard, and what honor the athelings won!
speed
a rate at which something happens
LO, praise of the prowess of people-kings
of spear-armed Danes, in days long sped,
we have heard, and what honor the athelings won!
honor
a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction
LO, praise of the prowess of people-kings
of spear-armed Danes, in days long sped,
we have heard, and what honor the athelings won!
foe
an armed adversary
Oft Scyld the Scefing from squadroned foes,
from many a tribe, the mead-bench tore,
awing the earls.
awe
an overwhelming feeling of wonder or admiration
Oft Scyld the Scefing from squadroned foes,
from many a tribe, the mead-bench tore,
awing the earls.
fate
the ultimate agency predetermining the course of events
Since erst he lay
friendless, a foundling, fate repaid him:
for he waxed under welkin, in wealth he throve,
till before him the folk, both far and near,
who house by the whale-path, heard his mandate,
gave him gifts: a good king he!
 thrive
make steady progress
Since erst he lay
friendless, a foundling, fate repaid him:
for he waxed under welkin, in wealth he throve,
till before him the folk, both far and near,
who house by the whale-path, heard his mandate,
gave him gifts: a good king he!
mandate
a document giving an official instruction or command
Since erst he lay
friendless, a foundling, fate repaid him:
for he waxed under welkin, in wealth he throve,
till before him the folk, both far and near,
who house by the whale-path, heard his mandate,
gave him gifts: a good king he!
heir
a person entitled by law to inherit the estate of another
To him an heir was afterward born,
a son in his halls, whom heaven sent
to favor the folk, feeling their woe
that erst they had lacked an earl for leader
so long a while; the Lord endowed him,
the Wielder of Wonder, with world’s renown.
favor
an act of gracious kindness
To him an heir was afterward born,
a son in his halls, whom heaven sent
to favor the folk, feeling their woe
that erst they had lacked an earl for leader
so long a while; the Lord endowed him,
the Wielder of Wonder, with world’s renown.
woe
misery resulting from affliction
To him an heir was afterward born,
a son in his halls, whom heaven sent
to favor the folk, feeling their woe
that erst they had lacked an earl for leader
so long a while; the Lord endowed him,
the Wielder of Wonder, with world’s renown.
leader
a person who rules or guides or inspires others
To him an heir was afterward born,
a son in his halls, whom heaven sent
 to favor the folk, feeling their woe
that erst they had lacked an earl for leader
so long a while; the Lord endowed him,
the Wielder of Wonder, with world’s renown.
endowed
provided or supplied or equipped with
To him an heir was afterward born,
a son in his halls, whom heaven sent
to favor the folk, feeling their woe
that erst they had lacked an earl for leader
so long a while; the Lord endowed him,
the Wielder of Wonder, with world’s renown.
renown
the state or quality of being widely honored and acclaimed
To him an heir was afterward born,
a son in his halls, whom heaven sent
to favor the folk, feeling their woe
that erst they had lacked an earl for leader
so long a while; the Lord endowed him,
the Wielder of Wonder, with world’s renown.
boast
talk about oneself with excessive pride or self-regard
Famed was this Beowulf: {0a} far flew the boast of him,
son of Scyld, in the Scandian lands.
aid
the activity of contributing to the fulfillment of a need
So becomes it a youth to quit him well
with his father’s friends, by fee and gift,
that to aid him, aged, in after days,
come warriors willing, should war draw nigh,
liegemen loyal: by lauded deeds
shall an earl have honor in every clan.
warrior
someone engaged in or experienced in warfare
So becomes it a youth to quit him well
with his father’s friends, by fee and gift,
that to aid him, aged, in after days,
come warriors willing, should war draw nigh,
liegemen loyal: by lauded deeds
shall an earl have honor in every clan.
loyal
steadfast in allegiance or duty
So becomes it a youth to quit him well
with his father’s friends, by fee and gift,
 that to aid him, aged, in after days,
come warriors willing, should war draw nigh,
liegemen loyal: by lauded deeds
shall an earl have honor in every clan.
laud
praise, glorify, or honor
So becomes it a youth to quit him well
with his father’s friends, by fee and gift,
that to aid him, aged, in after days,
come warriors willing, should war draw nigh,
liegemen loyal: by lauded deeds
shall an earl have honor in every clan.
deed
a legal document to effect a transfer of property
So becomes it a youth to quit him well
with his father’s friends, by fee and gift,
that to aid him, aged, in after days,
come warriors willing, should war draw nigh,
liegemen loyal: by lauded deeds
shall an earl have honor in every clan.
fare
the sum charged for riding in a public conveyance
Forth he fared at the fated moment,
sturdy Scyld to the shelter of God.
11. sturdy
having rugged physical strength
Forth he fared at the fated moment,
sturdy Scyld to the shelter of God.
12. shelter
covering that provides protection from the weather
Forth he fared at the fated moment,
sturdy Scyld to the shelter of God.
13. bore
make a hole, especially with a pointed power or hand tool
Then they bore him over to ocean’s billow,
loving clansmen, as late he charged them,
while wielded words the winsome Scyld,
the leader beloved who long had ruled....
14. billow
a large sea wave
Then they bore him over to ocean’s billow,
loving clansmen, as late he charged them,
while wielded words the winsome Scyld,
the leader beloved who long had ruled....
 15. wield
handle effectively
Then they bore him over to ocean’s billow,
loving clansmen, as late he charged them,
while wielded words the winsome Scyld,
the leader beloved who long had ruled....
16. winsome
charming in a childlike or naive way
Then they bore him over to ocean’s billow,
loving clansmen, as late he charged them,
while wielded words the winsome Scyld,
the leader beloved who long had ruled....
17. beloved
dearly loved
Then they bore him over to ocean’s billow,
loving clansmen, as late he charged them,
while wielded words the winsome Scyld,
the leader beloved who long had ruled....
18. vessel
an object used as a container, especially for liquids
In the roadstead rocked a ring-dight vessel,
ice-flecked, outbound, atheling’s barge:
there laid they down their darling lord
on the breast of the boat, the breaker-of-rings, {0b}
by the mast the mighty one.
19. fleck
a small contrasting part of something
In the roadstead rocked a ring-dight vessel,
ice-flecked, outbound, atheling’s barge:
there laid they down their darling lord
on the breast of the boat, the breaker-of-rings, {0b}
by the mast the mighty one.
20. treasure
any possession that is highly valued by its owner
Many a treasure
fetched from far was freighted with him.
21. fetch
go or come after and bring or take back
Many a treasure
fetched from far was freighted with him.
22. freight
goods carried by a large vehicle
Many a treasure
fetched from far was freighted with him.
 23. battle
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces
No ship have I known so nobly dight
with weapons of war and weeds of battle,
with breastplate and blade: on his bosom lay
a heaped hoard that hence should go
far o’er the flood with him floating away.
24. hoard
a secret store of valuables or money
No ship have I known so nobly dight
with weapons of war and weeds of battle,
with breastplate and blade: on his bosom lay
a heaped hoard that hence should go
far o’er the flood with him floating away.
25. flood
the rising of a body of water and its overflowing onto land
No ship have I known so nobly dight
with weapons of war and weeds of battle,
with breastplate and blade: on his bosom lay
a heaped hoard that hence should go
far o’er the flood with him floating away.
26. float
be on or below a liquid surface and not sink to the bottom
No ship have I known so nobly dight
with weapons of war and weeds of battle,
with breastplate and blade: on his bosom lay
a heaped hoard that hence should go
far o’er the flood with him floating away.
27. hoist
raise or haul up with or as if with mechanical help
High o’er his head they hoist the standard,
a gold-wove banner; let billows take him,
gave him to ocean.
28. standard
a basis for comparison
High o’er his head they hoist the standard,
a gold-wove banner; let billows take him,
gave him to ocean.
29. banner
long strip of cloth or paper for decoration or advertising
High o’er his head they hoist the standard,
a gold-wove banner; let billows take him,
gave him to ocean.
30. grave
 a place for the burial of a corpse
Grave were their spirits,
mournful their mood.
31. mournful
expressing sorrow
Grave were their spirits,
mournful their mood.
32. mood
a characteristic state of feeling
Grave were their spirits,
mournful their mood.
33. hero
someone who fights for a cause
No man is able
to say in sooth, no son of the halls,
no hero ’neath heaven, -- who harbored that freight!
34. harbor
a sheltered port where ships can take on or discharge cargo
No man is able
to say in sooth, no son of the halls,
no hero ’neath heaven, -- who harbored that freight!
35. bode
indicate by signs
Now Beowulf bode in the burg of the Scyldings,
leader beloved, and long he ruled
in fame with all folk, since his father had gone
away from the world, till awoke an heir,
haughty Healfdene, who held through life,
sage and sturdy, the Scyldings glad.
36. haughty
having or showing arrogant superiority
Now Beowulf bode in the burg of the Scyldings,
leader beloved, and long he ruled
in fame with all folk, since his father had gone
away from the world, till awoke an heir,
haughty Healfdene, who held through life,
sage and sturdy, the Scyldings glad.
37. sage
a mentor in spiritual and philosophical topics
Now Beowulf bode in the burg of the Scyldings,
leader beloved, and long he ruled
in fame with all folk, since his father had gone
away from the world, till awoke an heir,
haughty Healfdene, who held through life,
sage and sturdy, the Scyldings glad.
 BEOWULF

SUB. BY:
JAYSER BETAL

SUB. TO:
TECLA CANABANG

Date: July 23, 2018