Commentary
Analysis & Explanation
Plot Summary = Retelling the Story
Beowulf comes to Hrothgar’s kingdom to kill the evil
monster Grendel. When he arrives, he meets with the king
and convinces Hrothgar to allow him to fight the monster.
Hrothgar agrees, and Beowulf fights the monster, tearing
off its arm. After killing Grendel, Grendel’s Mother seeks
revenge by killing Hrothgar’s wise friend. As a result,
Hrothgar challenges Beowulf to kill Grendel’s Mother also.
Beowulf agrees and swims down to her lair below the
water and kills her with a giant’s sword. Beowulf then cuts
off Grendel’s head and brings it back to Hrothgar. 50 years
later, Beowulf is the king of the Geats. An evil dragon
attacks the people after his goblet is stolen, so Beowulf
defends his people by attacking the dragon. However, it
would be Beowulf’s last battle, and he is killed by the
dragon.
Commentary = Analysis = Explanation
Thesis/ Topic Sentence: The story Beowulf shows that risky
behavior can at first lead to great accomplishments but
eventually leads to downfall.
First Evidence/ Quote: First of all, Beowulf finds victory
against Grendel even though he tells Hrothgar that “‘[his]
hands/ Alone shall fight for [him].’”
Commentary: This shows that in this moment, Beowulf takes
a risk by deciding to fight Grendel without a weaponespecially since he has never seen nor faced this foe before
and does not have any context for understanding his
adversary. Instead, Beowulf knows that the greater the
risk, the greater the glory, which substantiates his decision
to risk his life in this fight against a foe that he has not seen
nor researched. Fortunately for Beowulf, he defeats the
evil monster, and his risk proves victorious after all.
So, how do I know what to say in the
commentary?
• Begin with the words “This shows that” following the
quote
• This will force you to explain the quote without
summarizing.
• What does the quote show?
• Try this now on your paragraph draft. If you have
already used a “This shows that” format, cross out
those words.
• If you have NOT used this format, rewrite the two
sentences beginning with “This shows that…”
What are some things I can explain?
• Character traits: What traits are revealed through the
quote and how do they help prove the theme?
– Quote: “I’ll play the hero.” This shows Beowulf desires
heroism, showing that he is motivated by being famous
and not by helping others.
• Try this now. After the second quote, write two
sentences explaining what character trait is shown by
the quote and how that helps explain the theme.
– Start with: “This shows the character is…”
What else can I explain?
• Diction: What are the key words/ phrases of the quote? Are there
any devices (simile, metaphor, personification, etc.) How do those
words/ phrases/ devices help prove the theme?
– Quote: “I’ll play the hero.” The word choice of “play” shows that
Beowulf recognizes he is playing a part in the story and recognizes that
there is evil to be defeated and likewise his duty to defeat it.
– Quote: “That shepherd of evil, guardian of crime” The epithets show
the extent of Grendel’s evil nature by emphasizing what he values
most in life- “evil” and “crime.”
• Try this now. Select one of the two quotes and explain word choice
at the bottom of the page.
– Start with “The word choice shows…”
What else can I explain?
• Irony: What type of irony is it? How does the irony help convey the
theme?
• Conflict: What is the primary conflict shown in the quote? How
does conflict help convey the theme?
• Symbolism: Is there a symbol shown in the quote? What is it?
Explain how and why it’s symbolic. How does that symbol help
convey the theme?
• Setting: Does the quote show setting? How does the setting help
convey the theme?
• Tone: Are there strong tone words/ phrases in the quote? What’s
the tone towards what is being described? How does that tone
help convey the theme?
• Other Literary elements to consider explaining:
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–
–
–
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Imagery
Point of view
Satire
Plot points (exposition, climax, etc.)
Literary techniques (allusion, personification, paradox, metaphor,
assonance, rhyme scheme, etc.)
Try it out.
• Select one of the elements/ techniques from
the previous slide and use it as a means of
analyzing one of your quotes.
• Explain the quote in terms of that element on
the back of your paragraph. (at least two
sentences)
Revision.
• Exchange papers with a classmate and check for
the following:
– Topic sentence with theme/ context
– Two blended quotes with TCS
– At least two sentences of commentary following each
quote
– Concluding sentence with theme
– Paragraph format
• Make revision notes as needed.