Beowulf

Comments on Beowulf

1. Beowulf is a national epic of English

people.

2. It is the representative works of the

early English literature with 3183 lines.

3. Its writer is unknown.

Beowulf

Key Facts of Beowulf1. Author:

2. Protagonist:

3. Point of View:

4. Published:

5. Setting:

1) Time ~:

2) Place ~:

unknown

Beowulf

the 3rd person

about 1000 A. D

around 500 A.D

Denmark & Geatland

6. The Language: Anglo-Saxon

Beowulf

Key Facts of Beowulf1. Author:

2. Protagonist:

3. Point of View:

4. Published:

5. Setting:

1) Time ~:

2) Place ~:

unknown

Beowulf

the 3rd person

about 1000 A. D

around 500 A.D

Denmark & Geatland

6. The Language: Anglo-Saxon

Beowulf

Character List

随从

大乡绅 trouble

Beowulf

1. Grendel’s domination of Heorot

Hall;

2. The vengeance of Grendel’s

mother after Grendel is slain(slay);

3. The rage of the dragon after a thief

steals a treasure that it has been

guarding.

Three Plots

Beowulf

1. Loyalty

1) Beowulf’s loyalty:

Loyalty is Beowulf's guiding virtue.

• Hrothgar, old king of Danes;

• Hygelac, uncle, king of Geats

• Heardred, son of Hygelac

2) Wiglaf’s loalty to Beowulf

Major Themes

Beowulf

2. Reputation

Beowulf’s good reputation:

1) Back with Grendal’s head, not gold or treasure

2) No savage mind, never kills his comrades

3) Defense his people in fighting the fire dragon

Major Themes

Beowulf

3. Generosity

Hrothgar’s generosity:

1) To Beowulf: a golden banner, helmet, and mail-

shirt, a jeweled sword, magnificent horses

2) To warriors: the booty

3) Expressions for “king”: ring-giver, treasure-giver

Major Themes

Beowulf

4. Envy and Revenge

1) Grendel’s envy: mankind’s hope or joy

2) Revenge:

Dam’s (Grendel’s mother’s) revenge

Fire Dragon’s revenge

Beowulf’s revenge

Major Themes

Beowulf

5. Heroism

strength, courage, loyalty, reputation,

generosity & hostipility （好客）

Major Themes

Beowulf

Symbols are objects, characters, figures, or

colors used to represent abstract ideas or

concepts.

Most of the objects mentioned in Beowulf

have symbolic status.

Major Symbols

Beowulf

1. The Golden collar or neckace

The collar or necklace that Wealhtheow

gives Beowulf is a symbol of the bond of

loyalty between her people and Beowulf

Major Symbols

Beowulf

2. The Banquet

The banquet at Heorot after the defeat of

Grendel: symbol of the restoration of order

and harmony to the Danish people, the

rebirth of the community.

Major Symbols

Beowulf

3. Heorot Hall

1) Symbol of the achievements of Hrothgar

2) Symbol of the level of civilization of the

Danish people.

Major Symbols

Beowulf

4. The Cave

1) Symbol of a degree of safety and

privacy

2) Symbol of dark and dank and full of evil .

Major Symbols

潮湿的

Beowulf

5. Grendel's Claw and Head

1) Symbol of Beowulf’s victory

2) Symbol of Dam’s personal loss and

mankind’s death

Major Symbols