BEOWULFBEOWULF: OF MEN : OF MEN AND MONSTERSAND MONSTERS
FeracoFeraco
Search for Human PotentialSearch for Human Potential
10 December 200810 December 2008
Noteworthy Features of Noteworthy Features of the Poemâs First Halfthe Poemâs First Half
Itâs largely triumphantItâs largely triumphant The flush of heroic youthThe flush of heroic youth Only one setback (Hruntingâs failure) and one Only one setback (Hruntingâs failure) and one
minor failure (Grendel breaks Beowulfâs minor failure (Grendel breaks Beowulfâs grasp)grasp)
However, thereâs real sadness in the However, thereâs real sadness in the stories and myths King Hrothgarâs stories and myths King Hrothgarâs storyteller, the scop himself, recitesstoryteller, the scop himself, recites There are plenty of hints that darkness will be There are plenty of hints that darkness will be
coming â âThe Shielding nation/was not yet coming â âThe Shielding nation/was not yet familiar with feud and betrayalâ (1017-18)familiar with feud and betrayalâ (1017-18)
The first half also references many The first half also references many characters from either legend or the pastcharacters from either legend or the past Weâll study them, then move on to âmodernâ Weâll study them, then move on to âmodernâ
characters (present tense)characters (present tense)
Roguesâ GalleryRoguesâ Gallery
First, however, letâs look at two of the four First, however, letâs look at two of the four most important men in Beowulfâs lifemost important men in Beowulfâs life Weâll talk about Hrothgar and Wiglaf laterWeâll talk about Hrothgar and Wiglaf later
Ecgtheow â Father of Beowulf, husband to Ecgtheow â Father of Beowulf, husband to King Hygelacâs sister (so Beowulf is quasi-King Hygelacâs sister (so Beowulf is quasi-royalty)royalty) Killed Heatholaf years ago, starting a feudKilled Heatholaf years ago, starting a feud Ecgtheowâs people banished him â shades of Grendel Ecgtheowâs people banished him â shades of Grendel
(âLike a man outlawed/for wickednessâ (976-77) â (âLike a man outlawed/for wickednessâ (976-77) â out of fear over the war they knew would ensueout of fear over the war they knew would ensue
Feud was ended by a young King Hrothgar, who paid Feud was ended by a young King Hrothgar, who paid the âdeath-priceâ for Heatholaf by sending treasure the âdeath-priceâ for Heatholaf by sending treasure overseasoverseas
Hygelac â The king of the GeatsHygelac â The king of the Geats He will die wearing the torque Wealhtheow hands to He will die wearing the torque Wealhtheow hands to
Beowulf (in the wake of his victory over Grendel)Beowulf (in the wake of his victory over Grendel) Beowulf Beowulf willwill succeed him as king, but hasnât when succeed him as king, but hasnât when
the poem beginsthe poem begins
The Danesâ Family TreeThe Danesâ Family Tree
Shield Sheafson â The Danish king Shield Sheafson â The Danish king whose funeral marks the opening of whose funeral marks the opening of the poemthe poem
Beow â Shieldâs son who follows in his Beow â Shieldâs son who follows in his footsteps as kingfootsteps as king
Halfdane â Beowâs son; continues the Halfdane â Beowâs son; continues the family line of kings, and sires family line of kings, and sires Hrothgar, Heorogar, and HalgaHrothgar, Heorogar, and Halga Heorogar is actually king of the Danes Heorogar is actually king of the Danes
before Hrothgar; the latter takes the before Hrothgar; the latter takes the throne after his brotherâs deaththrone after his brotherâs death
Legend and SongLegend and Song
The scop/OEP thrusts himself into the story The scop/OEP thrusts himself into the story around line 880around line 880 Until then, Until then, BeowulfBeowulf is a straight story; afterwards, it is a straight story; afterwards, it
interweaves myths into a interweaves myths into a parallel structureparallel structure This helps the scop foreshadow events and flesh out his This helps the scop foreshadow events and flesh out his
characterization â e.g., âRole Modelsâ referencescharacterization â e.g., âRole Modelsâ references Sigemund â A dragon-slayer, Fitelaâs nephew, Sigemund â A dragon-slayer, Fitelaâs nephew,
and the subject of the royal storytellerâs songand the subject of the royal storytellerâs song He wins the dragonâs treasure-hoard after defeating He wins the dragonâs treasure-hoard after defeating
the monster the monster alonealone ( (very importantvery important)) Ironically, the scop is singing about Sigemund Ironically, the scop is singing about Sigemund
in order to honor Beowulfâs defeat of Grendelin order to honor Beowulfâs defeat of Grendel In actuality, the Sigemund tale foreshadows Beowulfâs In actuality, the Sigemund tale foreshadows Beowulfâs
battle with the dragon near the end of the poembattle with the dragon near the end of the poem It also introduces King Heremod, whose wrong-doings It also introduces King Heremod, whose wrong-doings
will be referenced later by King Hrothgarwill be referenced later by King Hrothgar
Legend and Song, Part IILegend and Song, Part II
Heremod â An old king of the DanesHeremod â An old king of the Danes Betrayed by his own men and forced Betrayed by his own men and forced
into exile; heâs the example of a âbad into exile; heâs the example of a âbad cyning,â while Shielf Sheafson and cyning,â while Shielf Sheafson and Hrothgar are âgood cyningsâHrothgar are âgood cyningsâ
Although Heremod is mentioned in Although Heremod is mentioned in order to contrast him with the noble order to contrast him with the noble Beowulf, the scop (once again) fore-Beowulf, the scop (once again) fore-shadows the young heroâs eventual shadows the young heroâs eventual fatefate He uses two wildly different examples to He uses two wildly different examples to
do this in the space of a single legend! do this in the space of a single legend! Remarkable⊠RemarkableâŠ
Second Performance of Second Performance of Legend and Song (Line Legend and Song (Line 1070)1070)
Finn â The Frisian King mentioned by the scop Finn â The Frisian King mentioned by the scop during the second taleduring the second tale He reaches a truce with the Danes during their war, He reaches a truce with the Danes during their war,
and keeps the peace with the survivorsand keeps the peace with the survivors He allows the Danes to burn their dead on the funeral He allows the Danes to burn their dead on the funeral
pyre â an extremely honorable gesture to extend to a pyre â an extremely honorable gesture to extend to a defeated enemy defeated enemy
However, he does keep the Danes from returning to However, he does keep the Danes from returning to their homes; this decision eventually dooms him, as their homes; this decision eventually dooms him, as the Danes cannot tolerate exilethe Danes cannot tolerate exile
Homesick and resentful, the Danes betray and murder Homesick and resentful, the Danes betray and murder him before stealing his queen, whose complicated him before stealing his queen, whose complicated relationship with the two sides compounds her painrelationship with the two sides compounds her pain
This betrayal foreshadows another message This betrayal foreshadows another message from the second half â that ânothing is sacred,â from the second half â that ânothing is sacred,â and that those who violate their principles (and and that those who violate their principles (and mutual values) can defeat those who wonât do mutual values) can defeat those who wonât do the samethe same
Second Performance, Second Performance, Part IIPart II
Hengest â The Dane who assumes Hengest â The Dane who assumes command after King Hnaef is lost in command after King Hnaef is lost in the battle with the Frisiansthe battle with the Frisians
Hildeburh â A Danish princess who Hildeburh â A Danish princess who married Finn (the Frisian king); married Finn (the Frisian king); Sheâs the queen from the previous slideSheâs the queen from the previous slide In the end, she not only loses her brother In the end, she not only loses her brother
(Hnaef, the Danish king) and her son (Hnaef, the Danish king) and her son (another Dane), but Finn as well(another Dane), but Finn as well
Carried away by the Danes after her Carried away by the Danes after her husbandâs slaughter, a tragic victim of husbandâs slaughter, a tragic victim of pointless hatred and a symbol of pointless hatred and a symbol of revengeâs corrosive powerrevengeâs corrosive power
ââModernâ FiguresModernâ Figures
Beowulf â Not much left to be said Beowulf â Not much left to be said about himabout him Heâs a Geat, and Ecgtheowâs sonHeâs a Geat, and Ecgtheowâs son One of Hygelacâs thanesOne of Hygelacâs thanes He will eventually assume the throne in He will eventually assume the throne in
Geatland â at least as long as the country Geatland â at least as long as the country remains intactremains intact
Hrothgar â The king of the Danes, he Hrothgar â The king of the Danes, he builds Heorot Hallbuilds Heorot Hall Hrothgar has sons of his own (Hrethric Hrothgar has sons of his own (Hrethric
and Hrothmund), but Wealhtheow urges and Hrothmund), but Wealhtheow urges him to break the line of succession by him to break the line of succession by passing the throne to Halgaâs son, passing the throne to Halgaâs son, Hrothulf (a bit after line 1170, right in the Hrothulf (a bit after line 1170, right in the middle of her long speech)middle of her long speech)
ââModernâ Figures, Part IIModernâ Figures, Part II
Wealhtheow â Hrothgarâs beautiful and Wealhtheow â Hrothgarâs beautiful and regal queen; helps bestow treasure upon regal queen; helps bestow treasure upon victorious warriors and loyal servantsvictorious warriors and loyal servants
Wulfgar â One of Hrothgarâs retainers, he Wulfgar â One of Hrothgarâs retainers, he introduces Beowulf upon his arrivalintroduces Beowulf upon his arrival
Aeschere â Hrothgarâs best friend Aeschere â Hrothgarâs best friend amongst the retainers â Govinda, but amongst the retainers â Govinda, but betterbetter Carried off and decapitated by Grendma Carried off and decapitated by Grendma
following Beowulfâs defeat of Grendelfollowing Beowulfâs defeat of Grendel His death is another hint of the darkness to His death is another hint of the darkness to
come in the poemâs second halfcome in the poemâs second half
Villains and KnavesVillains and Knaves
Unferth â Another one of Hrothgarâs men; Unferth â Another one of Hrothgarâs men; he envies Beowulf because he craves the he envies Beowulf because he craves the same type of praisesame type of praise Unferth is intelligent, but he is not respected Unferth is intelligent, but he is not respected
because he killed both of his brothersbecause he killed both of his brothers The scop/OEP had issues with fratricide â The scop/OEP had issues with fratricide â
remember Cain and Grendel?remember Cain and Grendel? Grendel â The beast who lurks in the Grendel â The beast who lurks in the
haunted merehaunted mere A descendant of Cain, and thus cursed by GodA descendant of Cain, and thus cursed by God
Grendelâs mother (âGrendmaâ) â A Grendelâs mother (âGrendmaâ) â A demon who attacks Heorot after demon who attacks Heorot after Grendelâs demiseGrendelâs demise
Now, for the Main CourseNow, for the Main Course
The characters are worth knowing The characters are worth knowing because they add substance to the poem because they add substance to the poem and help us better understand Beowulfand help us better understand Beowulf
That said, there really isnât much depth That said, there really isnât much depth or subtlety to most of themor subtlety to most of them Outside of Unfurthâs reversal (he gives Outside of Unfurthâs reversal (he gives
Hrunting to Beowulf â and itâs worth noting Hrunting to Beowulf â and itâs worth noting that Beowulf pledges to pass him his familyâs that Beowulf pledges to pass him his familyâs sword if he dies fighting Grendma), most of sword if he dies fighting Grendma), most of the characters donât change at all (although the characters donât change at all (although Beowulf does)Beowulf does)
The The themesthemes give give BeowulfBeowulf the bulk of its the bulk of its lasting power, as a great deal happens lasting power, as a great deal happens at at or or just beneathjust beneath the surface of the the surface of the poempoem
Just Sit Here and Wait for Just Sit Here and Wait for the End of the Worldthe End of the World
Although the first half of the poem is Although the first half of the poem is about preservation â after all, Beowulf about preservation â after all, Beowulf saves Heorot â the poem as a whole is saves Heorot â the poem as a whole is about the ways in which things endabout the ways in which things end The death of kings in war â and the The death of kings in war â and the
destruction of nationsdestruction of nations The funerals that bracket the poemThe funerals that bracket the poem
Shieldâs death opens the tale; we barely see him Shieldâs death opens the tale; we barely see him alive!alive!
The end of courage, heroism, and loyalty in The end of courage, heroism, and loyalty in a darkening agea darkening age
The inevitable toll that power takes on The inevitable toll that power takes on anyone, good or evil, who tries to hold itanyone, good or evil, who tries to hold it
Even the ending of Cainâs God-cursed line, Even the ending of Cainâs God-cursed line, celebrated by the scop, rams this point celebrated by the scop, rams this point homehome
I Will Protect MyselfI Will Protect Myself
In an interesting parallel, the poem is also In an interesting parallel, the poem is also about protection and restoration â about about protection and restoration â about trying to hold on to whatâs yours even as trying to hold on to whatâs yours even as it inevitably slips awayit inevitably slips away In the wake of Grendelâs attack, Heorot is In the wake of Grendelâs attack, Heorot is
rebuilt and restored to its old glory (only to be rebuilt and restored to its old glory (only to be attacked again when Grendma arrives!)attacked again when Grendma arrives!)
Faith Faith providesprovides protection: Beowulfâs arrival in protection: Beowulfâs arrival in Denmark is treated as a gift from God, and his Denmark is treated as a gift from God, and his defense of the hall smacks of salvationdefense of the hall smacks of salvation It also saves Hrothgar, as God-cursed Grendel cannot It also saves Hrothgar, as God-cursed Grendel cannot
approach the throne (itâs divinely protected)approach the throne (itâs divinely protected) Faith also Faith also requiresrequires protection â notice the poet protection â notice the poet
condemns those who burn pagan offerings in condemns those who burn pagan offerings in an attempt to save Heorot (after line 170)an attempt to save Heorot (after line 170)
Creaky TraditionCreaky Tradition
One of the ways that âprotectionâ â the One of the ways that âprotectionâ â the maintenance of what we already have â maintenance of what we already have â subtly influences the poem is in its treatment subtly influences the poem is in its treatment of ritual and traditionof ritual and tradition
These are our bulwarks against attacks from These are our bulwarks against attacks from the terrifying darkness, and the scaffolding the terrifying darkness, and the scaffolding that preserves society âas we know itâ that preserves society âas we know itâ (comforting!)(comforting!) The ways we treat our deadThe ways we treat our dead The ways we treat one anotherThe ways we treat one another The way we feast collectivelyThe way we feast collectively The way we collect and re-distribute treasureThe way we collect and re-distribute treasure The way we worship GodThe way we worship God The way we tell our storiesThe way we tell our stories The way we value family heritageThe way we value family heritage
Tradition and ReputationTradition and Reputation
Another way we see tradition and values upheld Another way we see tradition and values upheld is through the power of reputationis through the power of reputation
People routinely pay not only for what they do, People routinely pay not only for what they do, but for what they say â although action is more but for what they say â although action is more important than wordsimportant than words
For example, Unferthâs challenge to Beowulf For example, Unferthâs challenge to Beowulf centers around the latterâs supposed defeat in centers around the latterâs supposed defeat in a contest at the hands of his rival â a challenge a contest at the hands of his rival â a challenge Beowulf had loudly insisted he would win Beowulf had loudly insisted he would win (justifiably so, as it turns out)(justifiably so, as it turns out) He uses the âcontrastâ between Beowulfâs past He uses the âcontrastâ between Beowulfâs past
actions and words to argue that the Geat is an empty actions and words to argue that the Geat is an empty boaster who is unworthy of fame â and, therefore, boaster who is unworthy of fame â and, therefore, respectrespect
Unferth is eventually mocked because he dared Unferth is eventually mocked because he dared to insult Beowulf to insult Beowulf andand because he refuses to because he refuses to fight Grendma â he loses âfame and reknownâfight Grendma â he loses âfame and reknownâ
Another Battle to FightAnother Battle to Fight
In short, tradition serves as the foundation of In short, tradition serves as the foundation of all social contracts between individuals and all social contracts between individuals and nationsnations
Yet thereâs another battle to explore outside Yet thereâs another battle to explore outside of that uneasy balance between tradition and of that uneasy balance between tradition and change, words and actions, the inevitability of change, words and actions, the inevitability of loss and the desperate need to âfight the loss and the desperate need to âfight the futureâ: the battle between good and evilfutureâ: the battle between good and evil
Unlike the aforementioned comparison, this Unlike the aforementioned comparison, this battle is fairly obvious in the poemâs first halfbattle is fairly obvious in the poemâs first half Beowulf = Good; Monsters = BadBeowulf = Good; Monsters = Bad
This theme returns in a more subtle fashion This theme returns in a more subtle fashion during the second half of the poem, when during the second half of the poem, when Hrothgar delivers a speech about the dangers Hrothgar delivers a speech about the dangers of power and an exhausted Beowulf must of power and an exhausted Beowulf must defend his homeland against a marauding defend his homeland against a marauding dragondragon
Grendelâs Motive for EvilGrendelâs Motive for Evil
Itâs worth noting that Grendel initially attacks Itâs worth noting that Grendel initially attacks the hall (starting his âlonely warâ) because he the hall (starting his âlonely warâ) because he canât tolerate the sounds of happiness or canât tolerate the sounds of happiness or communal celebrationcommunal celebration A seemingly simple âmwa-ha-haâ motive that grows A seemingly simple âmwa-ha-haâ motive that grows
more complex once you realize that Grendelâs being more complex once you realize that Grendelâs being victimized for the sins of othersvictimized for the sins of others
Notice that the songs he hates glorify the being who Notice that the songs he hates glorify the being who punished him â and his family â âunfairlyâpunished him â and his family â âunfairlyâ
Once Grendel finds a formidable opponent in Once Grendel finds a formidable opponent in Beowulf, he only wants to flee homeBeowulf, he only wants to flee home Would he have attacked Heorot again? Did he Would he have attacked Heorot again? Did he needneed to to
die?die? When Beowulf kills Grendel, âhe did not When Beowulf kills Grendel, âhe did not
consider that life of much account/to anyone consider that life of much account/to anyone anywhereâ (792-93); weâre about to see how anywhereâ (792-93); weâre about to see how wrong he waswrong he was
Grendmaâs Motive for EvilGrendmaâs Motive for Evil
Itâs worth noting that Itâs worth noting that Grendma never attacksGrendma never attacks until Beowulf dismembers her sonuntil Beowulf dismembers her son The scop doesnât like her very much, but itâs clear The scop doesnât like her very much, but itâs clear
she wasnât hurting our characters until she wasnât hurting our characters until theythey hurt hurt herher Did she deserve to suffer, or is she a victim?Did she deserve to suffer, or is she a victim?
An overwhelming number of you said you would An overwhelming number of you said you would have gladly killed those who hurt your kin; while have gladly killed those who hurt your kin; while some of you conditioned that, itâs an ethical cheat.some of you conditioned that, itâs an ethical cheat.
If youâre going to insist that family ties overwhelm If youâre going to insist that family ties overwhelm morality (which is how you justified the desire to kill morality (which is how you justified the desire to kill to begin with), youâre talking about a connection to begin with), youâre talking about a connection based on blood, not on actionâŠso why pretend their based on blood, not on actionâŠso why pretend their actions change your ties? How do you âkick actions change your ties? How do you âkick someone outâ when their blood runs through your someone outâ when their blood runs through your heart?heart?
Arenât you being the least bit hypocritical?Arenât you being the least bit hypocritical?
The Reasons We Kill and The Reasons We Kill and the Futility of Revengethe Futility of Revenge
The motives for killing in the poem varyThe motives for killing in the poem vary Some are supposedly ânobleâ (i.e., Beowulf killing Some are supposedly ânobleâ (i.e., Beowulf killing
Grendel)Grendel) Some are decidedly less so (Finn pays for his truce Some are decidedly less so (Finn pays for his truce
with the Danes with his life)with the Danes with his life) Itâs interesting, however, that killing always Itâs interesting, however, that killing always
begets killing for specific reasons â defending begets killing for specific reasons â defending tradition, seeking a way home, wreaking havoc tradition, seeking a way home, wreaking havoc in the name of vengeance â and that thereâs in the name of vengeance â and that thereâs never a clear end to the battles as a resultnever a clear end to the battles as a result Thereâs always another enemy nation on the horizon, Thereâs always another enemy nation on the horizon,
or another monster to fight â and revenge only or another monster to fight â and revenge only perpetuates pain and sufferingperpetuates pain and suffering
ââ[Beowulf] had healed and relieved a huge distress / [Beowulf] had healed and relieved a huge distress / unremitting humiliations, / the hard fate theyâd been unremitting humiliations, / the hard fate theyâd been forced to undergoâ (829-31) â until Grendma comes forced to undergoâ (829-31) â until Grendma comes to make him pay, and it becomes clear that nothing is to make him pay, and it becomes clear that nothing is overover
Some ExceptionsSome Exceptions
Ecgtheowâs murder of Heatholaf Ecgtheowâs murder of Heatholaf doesnât seem to have been motivated doesnât seem to have been motivated by any greater, noble causeby any greater, noble cause
However, all things considered, it However, all things considered, it didnât work out too badly; if didnât work out too badly; if Ecgtheow had never killed the man, Ecgtheow had never killed the man, Hrothgar wouldnât have salvaged the Hrothgar wouldnât have salvaged the situation, and Beowulf may never situation, and Beowulf may never have sailed to Denmarkhave sailed to Denmark As it stands, Beowulf goes seeking glory, As it stands, Beowulf goes seeking glory,
but also to honor his lineagebut also to honor his lineage
Family TreesFamily Trees
Iâve mentioned lineage earlier, and I Iâve mentioned lineage earlier, and I want to stress its importance againwant to stress its importance again
I mainly want to make the ritualistic I mainly want to make the ritualistic nature of honoring oneâs heritage nature of honoring oneâs heritage clearerclearer Sons are always mentioned in the context Sons are always mentioned in the context
of their fathersof their fathers Family heirlooms are significant â Family heirlooms are significant â
especially considering the value these especially considering the value these cultures place on objects and treasurescultures place on objects and treasures
Everything returns to protection and Everything returns to protection and maintenance â continue the line, preserve maintenance â continue the line, preserve the kingdom, etc. â by any means the kingdom, etc. â by any means necessary (marriage, war, gifts, and so on)necessary (marriage, war, gifts, and so on)
Presents!Presents!
Good kings collect treasure in war and Good kings collect treasure in war and tributetribute from their subjects â then redisfrom their subjects â then redistributetribute that that wealth instead of hoarding it (lines 71-73, 80-wealth instead of hoarding it (lines 71-73, 80-81)81) The kings bought loyalty, in a way, but it was The kings bought loyalty, in a way, but it was
considered an honorable practice at the timeconsidered an honorable practice at the time These gifts provided individuals with a way to These gifts provided individuals with a way to
establish concrete ties with others (the torque establish concrete ties with others (the torque Wealhtheow presents to Beowulf, for example)Wealhtheow presents to Beowulf, for example)
Good subjects earn treasure for the ring-Good subjects earn treasure for the ring-giversgivers
Even good allies pay tribute â in gold during Even good allies pay tribute â in gold during good times, and in manpower for armies and good times, and in manpower for armies and defense forces in times of needdefense forces in times of need
Presents, in short, made the world go âroundPresents, in short, made the world go âround
Send It Home, Leave Me Send It Home, Leave Me HereHere
We see a slightly different side of the âpresentsâ We see a slightly different side of the âpresentsâ issue when Beowulf discusses what to do with his issue when Beowulf discusses what to do with his possessions â and his body â if he dies in battlepossessions â and his body â if he dies in battle For example, we mentioned how Unferth gets Beowulfâs For example, we mentioned how Unferth gets Beowulfâs
sword if Grendma kills himsword if Grendma kills him Before Grendel attacks, however, Beowulf tells Before Grendel attacks, however, Beowulf tells
Hrothgar (and later reminds him) that he doesnât Hrothgar (and later reminds him) that he doesnât need or want to be buried or sent home if he diesneed or want to be buried or sent home if he dies Grendel will probably have eaten his body anywayGrendel will probably have eaten his body anyway Most of the Geats donât expect to make it home, and Most of the Geats donât expect to make it home, and
Hrothgar only has to pay the death-price for one of Hrothgar only has to pay the death-price for one of them; contrast this with Grendel, who them; contrast this with Grendel, who onlyonly wants to âgo wants to âgo homeâhomeâ
However, itâs critical that Hrothgar send the However, itâs critical that Hrothgar send the chainmail Hygelacâs smith fashioned for him back chainmail Hygelacâs smith fashioned for him back to Geatland â that Beowulfâs king receive a final to Geatland â that Beowulfâs king receive a final repayment for the âdebt of protectionâ his repayment for the âdebt of protectionâ his subjects owesubjects owe
Death, Fate, and DivinityDeath, Fate, and Divinity
The scop presents an interesting relationship The scop presents an interesting relationship between fate/divine will, bravery, and deathbetween fate/divine will, bravery, and death
Beowulf tries to count on himself at the same time as Beowulf tries to count on himself at the same time as he places all of his faith in the Almighty â can you he places all of his faith in the Almighty â can you even do that, or are the two mutually exclusive?even do that, or are the two mutually exclusive?
Does Beowulf beat Grendel because he deserves to Does Beowulf beat Grendel because he deserves to on his own merits, or because heâs âarmed by on his own merits, or because heâs âarmed by divinityâ?divinityâ? ââBut the Lord was weaving/a victory on His war-loom for But the Lord was weaving/a victory on His war-loom for
the Weather-Geatsâ (696-97)the Weather-Geatsâ (696-97) Is Beowulf brave on his own, or because he convinces Is Beowulf brave on his own, or because he convinces
himself the Almighty will protect him?himself the Almighty will protect him? Does Beowulfâs faith in fate make him wiser? (Check Does Beowulfâs faith in fate make him wiser? (Check
lines 572-73)lines 572-73) We talked about this in âWhat is Choice?âWe talked about this in âWhat is Choice?â
Heâs âdangerous in action/and eager for it alwaysâ Heâs âdangerous in action/and eager for it alwaysâ (629-30)(629-30)
Is it Is it pridepride thatâs Beowulfâs greatest source of thatâs Beowulfâs greatest source of strength and weakness?strength and weakness?
The Meaning of Life The Meaning of Life When Life is ShortWhen Life is Short
Why does Beowulf love risking his life for glory?Why does Beowulf love risking his life for glory? Itâs not that Beowulf sees life as something to Itâs not that Beowulf sees life as something to
be wasted, or as something that isnât his own be wasted, or as something that isnât his own (and therefore trivializes it)(and therefore trivializes it)
Itâs more that Beowulf is keenly aware that life Itâs more that Beowulf is keenly aware that life is meant to be is meant to be livedlived, and that his ability to lead , and that his ability to lead a worthwhile existence is entirely dependent on a worthwhile existence is entirely dependent on his accomplishments his accomplishments What heâs capable of in the future depends entirely on What heâs capable of in the future depends entirely on
his success in the present; failure in the here and now his success in the present; failure in the here and now means the erasure of that wonderful futuremeans the erasure of that wonderful future
Therefore, Beowulf sees life as an unbroken Therefore, Beowulf sees life as an unbroken string of successes, a line of triumphs from string of successes, a line of triumphs from birth to death, one giant celebration until the birth to death, one giant celebration until the last call sounds (see lines 1001-07)last call sounds (see lines 1001-07) When he fails, itâs all over â but heâs enjoying the rideWhen he fails, itâs all over â but heâs enjoying the ride
The Wonderful FutureThe Wonderful Future
After beating Grendel and After beating Grendel and Grendma, Heorot is safe once Grendma, Heorot is safe once more, evil monsters have been more, evil monsters have been banished from the world, and banished from the world, and Beowulf and his company have Beowulf and his company have won renown for themselves and won renown for themselves and their ring-giver. their ring-giver.
The best is yet to comeâŠright? The best is yet to comeâŠright?