Once you are done with your assigned theme/symbol type them into the word
document on the projector.
This will be on Thursday’s test so TAKE NOTES AND STUDY!!!!
Part 1:
For the following themes come up with a thematic statement for each.
Once you have the thematic statement in 2 sentences explain how the thematic
statement is shown in Beowulf. You should be able to expand on this for the test.
1. Loyalty
Thematic statement:
Loyalty is prominently shown in Wiglaf even though some may say that he
was in it only to gain fame for himself.
Loyalty to oneself can lead to a character’s downfall.
Explanation:
Wiglaf stays loyal to Beowulf, even when the situation gets grim and all the
other men that came to help slay the dragon run. Wiglaf is the only man to
stay with Beowulf, and helps Beowulf kill the dragon, and is then tasked
with carrying on Beowulf’s legacy.
Beowulf is loyal to himself in the beginning and only concerned with fame
and glory.
2.
Revenge
Thematic statement: Revenge can show the extent someone will go to to
prove how much someone means to them.
Explanation: Grendel’s mother goes to fight Beowulf when she finds out he
killed her son and she goes to seek vengeance for him. Grendel’s mother
kidnaps and kills Hrothgar’s closest friend and carries off the claw that
Beowulf tore from her child.
3.
Christianity and Paganism
Thematic statement:
Religion is applied to Beowulf during the transition from Paganism to
Christianity.
Religion can be used to show good and evil.
Explanation:
Christianity and Paganism represent the light and faith of the story.
Beowulf represents Christianity and all that is good.
Grendel paganism and all that is evil.
4.
Courage
Thematic Statement: Courage is a necessary quality for all hero’s to possess.
Explanation: Beowulf is the hero in the story. He makes many choices that
required him to be courageous. For instance, he decided that he was going to
kill Grendel. After defeating Grendel, Grendel’s mother is seeking revenge
against Beowulf. Beowulf makes the courageous choice to battle Grendel’s
mother.
5.
Reputation
Thematic statement:
Reputation is attained by positive or negative actions can reflect the
way someone is looked at.
UNIVERSAL IDEA
Explanation:
Beowulf was known as a fearless fighter by everybody surrounding him. He
went into battles with the confidence that he can beat anybody. As he got
older, he knew he wasn’t as strong as he once wa but still had to give it his
all against the dragon.
6.
Fame and pride
Thematic Statement:
The thirst for fame and pride can lead a person to do great deeds
Explanation:
Beowulf sought after fame and pride, so he went to Hrothgar. When
Beowulf arrived he fought off Grendel and his mother and received the fame
and pride he wanted. Later on when a dragon attack Beowulf puts his life in
danger and kills the dragon, but at the expense of his life.
The following are symbols found in Beowulf. For each of the following explain
the symbol as it is used in Beowulf. For each you should have 2-3 sentences.
7.
Herot
Herot Hall represents the success of Hrothgar’s kingdom and more broadly
civilization. It serves as both a place to live in and as a place to conduct
government. Those within are typically safe and happy, showered with gifts
from Hrothgar. It symbolizes light, warmth, and joy.When Grendel invades
Herot, it represents a disruption in civilization and even a reversion from it
by an outside force. The warriors are forced to run throughout the land to
escape Grendel, descending from a civilized state to one of chaos.
Represents safety and a place of celebration
8.
The Cave
The cave where Grendel and his mother hide from the world is symbolic of
their lives as outcasts. Hidden beneath a treacherous mere in the middle of a
dark, forbidding swamp, the cave allows them a degree of safety and privacy
in a world that they view as hostile. They certainly are not welcome at
Heorot, and they know it. It also represents their heritage as descendants of
Cain, they are associated with sorcery, black magic, demons, ancient runes
and hell itself.
Cave represents evil and hell
9.
Grendel’s Claw and Head
The symbol of Grendel’s claw and head was the trophy for Beowulf that
showed the end of Grendel’s wrath against the Geats. Grendel’s claw
was a symbol of Beowulf’s victory as it was hung high above the Herot’s
roof. Beowulf wants the full body to present but he has to settle for just
the arm. Grendel’s mother sees it as a personal loss and is filled with
rage by it.
10. The Dragon’s Treasure-Trove
The dragon’s treasure trove represents the futility that lies within greed.
The treasure trove holds an abundance of wealth, held by the dragon who
holds it just for the sake of holding. The dragon can not use the treasure for
anything, so he holds it for no reason. While attempting to take the treasure
Beowulf loses his life, meaning that the treasure that he inevitably gains can
not be used by him either.
Treasure -represents wealth as well.
Symbol-what something represents. Think about the themes and consider what
each item may represent in the culture i.e. social status, wealth, safety, etc.