Preparing for Class: November 1

Beowulf, pp. 2-81

Before you start answering reading questions about the poem, I'd like you to take a quick look at the manuscript, which was produced in approximately 1100 AD. The burned edges are proof that it survived the Great Fire of London in 1731, when the Cotton Library, in which it had been kept, was in the fire's path. This is the first page, and you should be able to see some of the Old English words quite clearly and compare them with your modern translation. Note particularly the word "Hwaet," used by the scop--or storyteller--to get the attention of the people he wanted to entertain. Maybe you should try using it yourself sometime: it's a good, explosive sound and should be projected loudly. OK, here's the manuscript, page 1.

Let's start with a reminder that you need to be familiar with and able to explain the relationship of the following words and concepts to Beowulf: comitatus; gift giving; wergild; peaceweavers; Wyrd; immortality; and monsters as forces of nature.
The poem begins with the founding of a dynasty: that of Shield Sheafson. Where did Shield come from? What did he achieve in his lifetime? What made his funeral particularly appropriate to his life story?
Describe Heorot, Hrothgar's mead hall. What will be its final fate?
What do we know about Grendel? Why is he so offended by the sounds of human happiness? If Shield is Hrothgar's ancestor, who is Grendel's, according to the poet?
After a few nights of Grendel's raids, what change in sleeping arrangements do Hrothgar's thanes make? How might this be a violation of their duty to him under the comitatus system?
On p. 11, we are told, "So Grendel ruled, in defiance of right . . ." How long does he rule?
To whom do the Danes pray for relief from Grendel's raids? What does your author think about that strategy?
Describe Beowulf (whose name means bee wolf, a kind of bear). How do he and his 14 men make the trip to Heorot? How long does the trip take? How is it described?
Why is Hrothgar's watchman suspicious of Beowulf and his men when they land? How does Beowulf convince him of their good intentions?
You might note, by the way, the boar-shapes on the Geatish men's helmets, described on pp. 21-3. How does the description compare to the picture you saw from the finds at Sutton Hoo on last week's links page?
The detailed description of the Geatish armor, shields and spears should give you a good sense of the importance of these arms to the thane. What does the quality and abundance of these men's arms tell their Danish hosts?
Beowulf is met at the door of Heorot by Wulfgar, Hrothgar's herald (press secretary, in our terms), who convinces Hrothgar to admit them. The Danes do not fully trust the Geats yet, however, since Wulfgar makes one requirement of them before they can come before Hrothgar. What do they have to do?
On pp. 29-31, Beowulf makes his first boast, the accepted way of presenting his credentials as hero in this society. How does he prove he is already a hero? What does he promise to do in the coming fight with Grendel that also reinforces his heroic stature?
Who is Weland and why is it good to have a coat of his forging?
In response to Beowulf's boast, Hrothgar inserts his own recollection of Beowulf's father. What story does he tell and how is it related to Beowulf's offer to help rid Hrothgar of Grendel?
After the ceremonial boasts, everyone settles down to some serious drinkig and storytelling, which is rudely interrupted by Unferth, who "unbound a battle rune" (uttered fighting words). How does his story of the swimming match with Breca differ from Beowulf's? Are there similarities? What's Unferth trying to do here?
Beowulf's response to Unferth starts with the accusation that too much beer is making Unferth talk too much. He concludes with another insult to Unferth, on pp. 39-41. What does he say about his adversary? Unferth will show up again later in the poem, so it's a good idea to keep this interchange in mind when he does.
What's the role of Wealhtheow, Hrothgar's queen, in the mead hall?
Before going to bed, Beowulf repeats his boast on p. 43, and again on p. 47; why should this Geat hero sound so Christian at this point?
Grendel's attack is described quite graphically, as he stops to snack on one of Beowulf's men. Why doesn't Beowulf stop Grendel from killing Handscio?
As Grendel starts to lose to Beowulf, he finally "was driven under the fen banks, fatally hurt, to his desolate lair." How does the poet suggest some sympathy for his suffering?
What does Beowulf do to signify the cleansing of Heorot?
When we left our villain, Grendel, he had just died and gone to hell (in which, by the way, we're told earlier neither he nor Beowulf believed). It's a day for rejoicing, and the major characters do it in typically Old English fashion: they feast and give gifts--in great detail. First they tell stories. Beowulf himself becomes the subject of a poem as the local scop "wrought a new lay," "rang word changes" that "framed rightly the deed of Beowulf." What does this description of the composition of a new lay, or poem, tell you about the nature and role of poetry in this culture?
The next song contrasts Sigemund, who won his fight with the dragon and becomes a hero, and Heremod, who did not protect his people and who died in shame. One was a good lord, while the other failed to live up to the code of the comitatus. How are these two tales particularly tailored to Beowulf and to the occasion?
If we know (as the audience in Heorot would have) that Sigemund's treasure, won from the dragon, was cursed and finally caused his death, how might that link this section to the poem's ending? (This, clearly, is a question for those who've already finished the poem.)
After Hrothgar and Beowulf exchange compliments, promises of loyalty and reminiscences of the fight, they get down to business. Starting on p. 69, we have a list of the gifts bestowed on Beowulf. You should note what he's given, particularly in terms of the kind of gifts most prized. Note also that Hrothgar's generosity also extends to Beowulf's men.
Since Hrothgar has just told Beowulf he will always think of him as a son, and they have sworn friendship, it's appropriate that the scop tells the story of the Danish princess Hildeburh, wife of Finn the Swedish king. What makes this story a good one now? At the next celebration, we hear another unhappy story of daughter who's given to an unfriendly king as a wife. Remember this story when you get to Beowulf's comments on the effectiveness (or lack thereof) of using daughters as peaceweavers to cement alliances.

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