Beowulf
Introduction
• Beowulf hears about
Grendel.
• He was willing to go to
Hrothgar and “save the
day.”
• Beowulf brought 14 of
the strongest men and
brought them to help
the Danes.
Beowulf
Introduction
• Beowulf and his men sail
over the sea to the land of
the Danes to offer help to
Hrothgar.
• They are escorted by a
Danish guard to Herot, where
Wulfgar, one of Hrothgar’s
soldiers, tells the king of their
arrival.
• Hrothgar knows of Beowulf
and is read to welcome the
young prince and his men.
Beowulf
Introduction
• Beowulf explains that they have been hearing
about Grendel living in the mead hall.
• He brags about all of the wonderful and
courageous things he has done.
– Fighting great giants
– Hunting monsters
– Killing death like an errand
Beowulf- Vocab
Purge– 165
• That I, alone and with the help of my men,
may purge all evil from this hall.
• Purge v: to cleanse or purify
• Sentence?
Beowulf
• Why do you think it is so important to Beowulf
to fight Grendel without a sword?
Beowulf- Vocab
Gorge
• …His plan will be what it has been before, to
invade this hall and gorge his belly with our
bodies…
• Gorge v: to stuff with food
• Sentence?
Beowulf
• What service did Hrothgar perform for
Beowulf’s father?
• Lines 190-206.
Beowulf
• What service did Hrothgar perform for
Beowulf’s father?
• Edgetho, Beowulf’s father, killed a Wulfing.
• He was kicked out of his country because his
country was afraid of war.
• The king sent riches to the Wulfings to end the
dispute; henceforth, saving Beowulf.
Beowulf
• They cheers and have a banquet in Beowulf’s
honor because he is going to save the day!
The Battle with Grendel
Introduction
• After the banquet, Hrothgar
and his followers leave Herot,
and Beowulf and his warriors
remain to spend the night.
• Beowulf reiterates his intent
to fight Grendel without a
sword and, while his
followers sleep, lies waiting,
eager for Grendel to appear.
Battle with Grendel– Vocab
• Threshold– the strip of wood or stone at the
bottom of a doorway.
Battle with Grendel- Vocab
Talon
• …Nothing could take his talons and himself
from that tight hard grip…
• Talon n: a claw
• Sentence?
Battle with Grendel- Vocab
Infamous
• The infamous killer fought for his freedom…
• Infamous adj: having a bad reputation;
notorious
• Sentence?
Battle with Grendel
• Why might he be trying to run away from
Beowulf?
Battle with Grendel- Vocab
Writhing
• That trip to Herot was a miserable journey for
the writhing monster…
• Writhing adj.: twisting and turning in pain
• Sentence?
Battle with Grendel- Vocab
Cowering
• … in new terror, cowering in their beds as the
terrible screams of the Almighty’s enemy
sang…
• Cowering adj.: Cringing in fear
• Sentence?
Battle with Grendel- Vocab
Taut
• The tears torn out of Grendel’s taut throat…
• Taut adj.: pulled tight
• Sentence?
Battle with Grendel
• Why do you think no weapons can hurt
Grendel?
Battle with Grendel
• Why do you think Beowulf hangs Grendel’s
arm from the rafters?
Battle with Grendel- Vocab
Murky
• … hidden deep in murky darkness his
miserable end, as hell opened to receive him.
• Murky adj.: cloudy; gloomy
• Sentence?
Battle with Grendel- Vocab
Pilgrimage
• … Turned back from that happy pilgrimage,
mounted their hard-hooved horses, and rode
them slowly toward Herot…
• Pilgrimage n.: A journey to a sacred place or
with a lofty purpose
• Sentence?
Battle with Grendel
• What role do poets seem to play in Beowulf’s
society?
Reminder
• Bring your literature book to class tomorrow.
• Don’t forget craft supplies!