How Are Grendel And Grothgar Described As Polar Opposites
Beowulf Reading Check:
This Reading Check is meant to assess your understanding of Beowulf. You are expected to use your text to answer the questions and provide quotes to support your answers. Please answer each question in at least two complete sentences and include an MLA line citation from Beowulf for each answer. (An MLA citation for Beowulf includes line numbers, but does not include an author's name). Attach your answers to this document and then upload the completed Reading Check to this assignment link.
1. How are Grendel and Hrothgar described in ways that suggest a Christian tone?
Grendel and Hrothgar are described as polar opposites of each other. Grendel is described as a demonic beast in his introduction. Demons typically represent …show more content…
the evils within Christian lore. Below is an excerpt introducing Grendel:
“High and horn-crested, huge between antlers:
It battle-waves bided, the blasting fire-demon;” (4. 30-32).
In contrast, Hrothgar is portrayed as a vetted and heavenly sanctioned warrior:
“Then glory in battle to Hrothgar was given,
Waxing of war-fame, that willingly kinsmen
Obeyed his bidding, till the boys grew to manhood,
15
A numerous band. It burned in his spirit
To urge his folk to found a great building,”
…..................................................................
The Lord had allowed him, save life and retainers.” (5. 13-17, 21).
2. When Grendel enters the mead-hall, what item does he leave untouched? Why? When Grendel enters the mead hall, he does not touch the throne. This is because was so evil and unholy that God was against him, and God did not allow him to touch the throne. This is seen in the excerpt:
“Horrible hermit; Heort he frequented,
Gem-bedecked palace, when night-shades had fallen
(Since God did oppose him, not the throne could he touch,5
The light-flashing jewel, love of Him knew not)” (7. 52-56).
3. What reason does Beowulf give for fighting Grendel without a sword. Is this a good idea? How effective is this plan?
Beowulf does not fight Grendel with his sword because Grendel's skin cannot be pierced by blade. Beowulf's plan of fighting with his bare hands is a very effective plan for defeating Grendel because he is so enormously strong.
“Snatched as he slumbered, seizing with hand-grip,
Forward the foeman foined with his hand;
Caught he quickly the cunning deviser,
On his elbow he rested. This early discovered
The master of malice, that in middle-earth’s regions,
’Neath the whole of the heavens, no hand-grapple greater
In any man else had he ever encountered:
Fearful in spirit, faint-mooded waxed he,
Not off could betake him; death he was pondering,” (27. 38-44)
4. During the battle with Grendel's mother, how do Beowulf's men exemplify Anglo-Saxon honor and loyalty?
During the Battle with Grendel's mother, Beowulf's comrades leave him for dead. His comrades assumed that Grendel's mother had killed him and did not go in to avenge their comrade. Beowulf had to swim home. They did not exemplify the Anglo-Saxon principles of honor and loyalty because they did not search for Beowulf nor attempt to avenge his death.
“Then many concluded the mere-wolf had killed him.1
The ninth hour came then. From the ness-edge departed
The bold-mooded Scyldings; the gold-friend of heroes
Homeward betook him. The strangers sat down then
Soul-sick, sorrowful, the sea-waves regarding:
They wished and yet weened not their well-loved friend-lord” (55. 41-46)
5. Name three ways in which Beowulf exemplifies a hero according to Joseph Campbell's monomyth.
Call to Adventure: The hero starts off in a mundane situation of normality from which some information is received that acts as a call to head off into the unknown.
“They egged the brave atheling, augured him glory.
With fourteen carefully chosen companions, he sets out for Dane-land.
The excellent knight from the folk of the Geatmen
Had liegemen selected, likest to prove them
Trustworthy warriors; with fourteen companions
The vessel he looked for; a liegeman then showed them,” (8. 15-19)
Beowulf exhibited acceptance and surrender to the fates, and then contradictorily speaks of the creator's glory. Both of these contradictory themes speak of freedom of fear of death.
“Thou art latest left of the line of our kindred,
Of Wægmunding people: Weird hath offcarried
All of my kinsmen to the Creator’s glory,
Earls in their vigor: I shall after them fare.” (95. 60-63)
The Rescue from Without is seen in the story of Beowulf when Wiglaf defends Beowulf and calls them to arms when he needs them. Wiglaf staunchly rebukes his comrades by reminding them of his liege's generosity, and then turns to avenge Beowulf after he passes away from the Dragon's poison.
“Stirred us to glory and gave me these jewels,
Since he held and esteemed us trust-worthy spearmen,
Hardy helm-bearers, though this hero-achievement
Our lord intended alone to accomplish,
40
Ward of his people, for most of achievements,” (89. 36-40)
The Ultimate Boon of Jason Campbell's monomyth is satisfied when Beowulf emerges victorious over Grendel's mother. The passage that I included below reflects how Beowulf's world is “righted” after singlehandedly defeating the last of the evil within his liege's vicinity:
“A year in its course, as yet it revolveth,
If season propitious one alway regardeth,
World-cheering weathers. Then winter was gone,
Earth’s bosom was lovely; the exile would get him,
He devises schemes of vengeance.
The guest from the palace; on grewsomest vengeance
He brooded more eager than on oversea journeys,
Whe’r onset-of-anger he were able to ’complish,
The bairns of the Jutemen therein to remember.” (40.
10-17)
6. What makes Wiglaf stand out as a character? What is his reward?
Wiglaf stands out as a character because he most likely represents the perfect sidekick to the reader. He possesses a “relic of Eanmund” (89. 11), which indicates that he was a fortuitous warrior who was greatly trusted by his family or superior prior to meeting beowulf. He speaks of Beowulf's behalf and implores his cowardly comrades not to give up on Beowulf. Excerpt from the text:
“Who gave us these ring-treasures, that this battle-equipment,
Swords and helmets, we’d certainly quite him,
Should need of such aid ever befall him:
How we have forfeited our liegelord’s confidence!” (89. 31-34)
Wiglaf receives a golden ring, his gold-flashing helmet, collar, and war mail for his loyalty. Beowulf giving the ring to Wiglaf also indicates that Wiglaf possibly is now the King of the Geats.
“The bold-mooded troop-lord took from his neck then
The ring that was golden, gave to his liegeman,
The youthful war-hero, his gold-flashing helmet,
His collar and war-mail, bade him well to enjoy them:” (95. 56-59)
7. What role does wyrd play in …show more content…
Beowulf?
Wyrd plays an intrinsic role in the progression and ultimate lesson of the story of Beowulf. Wyrd is defined as fate, and is typically viewed as something that cannot be changed regardless of the circumstances. Most likely due to a meddlesome monk tampering with the integrity of Beowulf, most passages that reference the concept of wyrd also include references to the “Creator's glory”, as seen in the passage below:
“Thou art latest left of the line of our kindred,
Of Wægmunding people: Weird hath offcarried
All of my kinsmen to the Creator’s glory,
Earls in their vigor: I shall after them fare.” (95. 60-63)
and also within this passage:
“Weird hath offcast them to the clutches of Grendel.
God can easily hinder the scather” (18. 22-23)
8. What is the significance of gold and gift-giving? Who gives gifts and why?
Gold and gift giving was significant because it was believed to instill a sense of loyalty in the ruler's subjects to the ruler. In the story of Beowulf, Beowulf is loyal and does Hrothgar's biding because Hrothgar has given many gifts to Beowulf and his family. Later in the story, when Beowulf becomes the King of the Geats, Beowulf gives many gifts to his last remaining loyal comrade.
“Then the offspring of Healfdene offered to Beowulf
A golden standard, as reward for the victory,
A banner embossed, burnie and helmet;
Many men saw then a song-famous weapon
Borne ’fore the hero. Beowulf drank of
The cup in the building; that treasure-bestowing” (36. 29-34).
9. What motivates Grendel's mother to attack Heorot? What does she do?
Grendel's mother attacked Heorot because she sought vengeance for the death of her son. After she breaks into Heorot, Beowulf pursues her and kills her in her sea cave. Before he manages to kill her, however, she breaks Hrunting.
“For the death of her son. She came then to Heorot
Where the Armor-Dane earlmen all through the building
Were lying in slumber. Soon there became then
Return2 to the nobles, when the mother of Grendel
Entered the folk-hall; the fear was less grievous” (46. 26-33).
10.
In terms of motivation and damage, how does the dragon differ from Grendel?
The reason why Beowulf attacked Grendel and his mother was because they were a danger to society and so unholy that they could not touch the throne within Heorot. Beowulf walks out of both skimishes relatively unharmed and is hailed as a hero. In contrast, the Dragon was wronged because Beowulf's slave had stolen from him. As a result of this indecency, the Dragon is awoken from his slumber and burns the Geats' lands. While Beowulf fought the Dragon on the premise of protecting his people, the Geat slave still wronged the Dragon in the first place. It was not as holy of a mission as defeating Grendel, so therefore he lost and was fatally poisoned. In summation, the Dragon was relatively innocent and represented the Christian deadly sin of Greed, whereas Grendel was clearly evil and an abomination before their God. Beowulf's reason to kill the Dragon was not as pure and holy as his motivation to kill Grendel and his mother. Below is an excerpt that illustrates the severity of the damage that the Dragon inflicted upon him:
“The latest of world-deeds. The wound then began
Which the earth-dwelling dragon erstwhile had wrought him
20
To burn and to swell. He soon then
discovered
That bitterest bale-woe in his bosom was raging,
Poison within. The atheling advanced then,” (92. 18-22)
This Reading Check is meant to assess your understanding of Beowulf. You are expected to use your text to answer the questions and provide quotes to support your answers. Please answer each question in at least two complete sentences and include an MLA line citation from Beowulf for each answer. (An MLA citation for Beowulf includes line numbers, but does not include an author's name). Attach your answers to this document and then upload the completed Reading Check to this assignment link.
1. How are Grendel and Hrothgar described in ways that suggest a Christian tone?
Grendel and Hrothgar are described as polar opposites of each other. Grendel is described as a demonic beast in his introduction. Demons typically represent …show more content…
the evils within Christian lore. Below is an excerpt introducing Grendel:
“High and horn-crested, huge between antlers:
It battle-waves bided, the blasting fire-demon;” (4. 30-32).
In contrast, Hrothgar is portrayed as a vetted and heavenly sanctioned warrior:
“Then glory in battle to Hrothgar was given,
Waxing of war-fame, that willingly kinsmen
Obeyed his bidding, till the boys grew to manhood,
15
A numerous band. It burned in his spirit
To urge his folk to found a great building,”
…..................................................................
The Lord had allowed him, save life and retainers.” (5. 13-17, 21).
2. When Grendel enters the mead-hall, what item does he leave untouched? Why? When Grendel enters the mead hall, he does not touch the throne. This is because was so evil and unholy that God was against him, and God did not allow him to touch the throne. This is seen in the excerpt:
“Horrible hermit; Heort he frequented,
Gem-bedecked palace, when night-shades had fallen
(Since God did oppose him, not the throne could he touch,5
The light-flashing jewel, love of Him knew not)” (7. 52-56).
3. What reason does Beowulf give for fighting Grendel without a sword. Is this a good idea? How effective is this plan?
Beowulf does not fight Grendel with his sword because Grendel's skin cannot be pierced by blade. Beowulf's plan of fighting with his bare hands is a very effective plan for defeating Grendel because he is so enormously strong.
“Snatched as he slumbered, seizing with hand-grip,
Forward the foeman foined with his hand;
Caught he quickly the cunning deviser,
On his elbow he rested. This early discovered
The master of malice, that in middle-earth’s regions,
’Neath the whole of the heavens, no hand-grapple greater
In any man else had he ever encountered:
Fearful in spirit, faint-mooded waxed he,
Not off could betake him; death he was pondering,” (27. 38-44)
4. During the battle with Grendel's mother, how do Beowulf's men exemplify Anglo-Saxon honor and loyalty?
During the Battle with Grendel's mother, Beowulf's comrades leave him for dead. His comrades assumed that Grendel's mother had killed him and did not go in to avenge their comrade. Beowulf had to swim home. They did not exemplify the Anglo-Saxon principles of honor and loyalty because they did not search for Beowulf nor attempt to avenge his death.
“Then many concluded the mere-wolf had killed him.1
The ninth hour came then. From the ness-edge departed
The bold-mooded Scyldings; the gold-friend of heroes
Homeward betook him. The strangers sat down then
Soul-sick, sorrowful, the sea-waves regarding:
They wished and yet weened not their well-loved friend-lord” (55. 41-46)
5. Name three ways in which Beowulf exemplifies a hero according to Joseph Campbell's monomyth.
Call to Adventure: The hero starts off in a mundane situation of normality from which some information is received that acts as a call to head off into the unknown.
“They egged the brave atheling, augured him glory.
With fourteen carefully chosen companions, he sets out for Dane-land.
The excellent knight from the folk of the Geatmen
Had liegemen selected, likest to prove them
Trustworthy warriors; with fourteen companions
The vessel he looked for; a liegeman then showed them,” (8. 15-19)
Beowulf exhibited acceptance and surrender to the fates, and then contradictorily speaks of the creator's glory. Both of these contradictory themes speak of freedom of fear of death.
“Thou art latest left of the line of our kindred,
Of Wægmunding people: Weird hath offcarried
All of my kinsmen to the Creator’s glory,
Earls in their vigor: I shall after them fare.” (95. 60-63)
The Rescue from Without is seen in the story of Beowulf when Wiglaf defends Beowulf and calls them to arms when he needs them. Wiglaf staunchly rebukes his comrades by reminding them of his liege's generosity, and then turns to avenge Beowulf after he passes away from the Dragon's poison.
“Stirred us to glory and gave me these jewels,
Since he held and esteemed us trust-worthy spearmen,
Hardy helm-bearers, though this hero-achievement
Our lord intended alone to accomplish,
40
Ward of his people, for most of achievements,” (89. 36-40)
The Ultimate Boon of Jason Campbell's monomyth is satisfied when Beowulf emerges victorious over Grendel's mother. The passage that I included below reflects how Beowulf's world is “righted” after singlehandedly defeating the last of the evil within his liege's vicinity:
“A year in its course, as yet it revolveth,
If season propitious one alway regardeth,
World-cheering weathers. Then winter was gone,
Earth’s bosom was lovely; the exile would get him,
He devises schemes of vengeance.
The guest from the palace; on grewsomest vengeance
He brooded more eager than on oversea journeys,
Whe’r onset-of-anger he were able to ’complish,
The bairns of the Jutemen therein to remember.” (40.
10-17)
6. What makes Wiglaf stand out as a character? What is his reward?
Wiglaf stands out as a character because he most likely represents the perfect sidekick to the reader. He possesses a “relic of Eanmund” (89. 11), which indicates that he was a fortuitous warrior who was greatly trusted by his family or superior prior to meeting beowulf. He speaks of Beowulf's behalf and implores his cowardly comrades not to give up on Beowulf. Excerpt from the text:
“Who gave us these ring-treasures, that this battle-equipment,
Swords and helmets, we’d certainly quite him,
Should need of such aid ever befall him:
How we have forfeited our liegelord’s confidence!” (89. 31-34)
Wiglaf receives a golden ring, his gold-flashing helmet, collar, and war mail for his loyalty. Beowulf giving the ring to Wiglaf also indicates that Wiglaf possibly is now the King of the Geats.
“The bold-mooded troop-lord took from his neck then
The ring that was golden, gave to his liegeman,
The youthful war-hero, his gold-flashing helmet,
His collar and war-mail, bade him well to enjoy them:” (95. 56-59)
7. What role does wyrd play in …show more content…
Beowulf?
Wyrd plays an intrinsic role in the progression and ultimate lesson of the story of Beowulf. Wyrd is defined as fate, and is typically viewed as something that cannot be changed regardless of the circumstances. Most likely due to a meddlesome monk tampering with the integrity of Beowulf, most passages that reference the concept of wyrd also include references to the “Creator's glory”, as seen in the passage below:
“Thou art latest left of the line of our kindred,
Of Wægmunding people: Weird hath offcarried
All of my kinsmen to the Creator’s glory,
Earls in their vigor: I shall after them fare.” (95. 60-63)
and also within this passage:
“Weird hath offcast them to the clutches of Grendel.
God can easily hinder the scather” (18. 22-23)
8. What is the significance of gold and gift-giving? Who gives gifts and why?
Gold and gift giving was significant because it was believed to instill a sense of loyalty in the ruler's subjects to the ruler. In the story of Beowulf, Beowulf is loyal and does Hrothgar's biding because Hrothgar has given many gifts to Beowulf and his family. Later in the story, when Beowulf becomes the King of the Geats, Beowulf gives many gifts to his last remaining loyal comrade.
“Then the offspring of Healfdene offered to Beowulf
A golden standard, as reward for the victory,
A banner embossed, burnie and helmet;
Many men saw then a song-famous weapon
Borne ’fore the hero. Beowulf drank of
The cup in the building; that treasure-bestowing” (36. 29-34).
9. What motivates Grendel's mother to attack Heorot? What does she do?
Grendel's mother attacked Heorot because she sought vengeance for the death of her son. After she breaks into Heorot, Beowulf pursues her and kills her in her sea cave. Before he manages to kill her, however, she breaks Hrunting.
“For the death of her son. She came then to Heorot
Where the Armor-Dane earlmen all through the building
Were lying in slumber. Soon there became then
Return2 to the nobles, when the mother of Grendel
Entered the folk-hall; the fear was less grievous” (46. 26-33).
10.
In terms of motivation and damage, how does the dragon differ from Grendel?
The reason why Beowulf attacked Grendel and his mother was because they were a danger to society and so unholy that they could not touch the throne within Heorot. Beowulf walks out of both skimishes relatively unharmed and is hailed as a hero. In contrast, the Dragon was wronged because Beowulf's slave had stolen from him. As a result of this indecency, the Dragon is awoken from his slumber and burns the Geats' lands. While Beowulf fought the Dragon on the premise of protecting his people, the Geat slave still wronged the Dragon in the first place. It was not as holy of a mission as defeating Grendel, so therefore he lost and was fatally poisoned. In summation, the Dragon was relatively innocent and represented the Christian deadly sin of Greed, whereas Grendel was clearly evil and an abomination before their God. Beowulf's reason to kill the Dragon was not as pure and holy as his motivation to kill Grendel and his mother. Below is an excerpt that illustrates the severity of the damage that the Dragon inflicted upon him:
“The latest of world-deeds. The wound then began
Which the earth-dwelling dragon erstwhile had wrought him
20
To burn and to swell. He soon then
discovered
That bitterest bale-woe in his bosom was raging,
Poison within. The atheling advanced then,” (92. 18-22)