Commentary/ Analysis/ Explanation
Plot Summary = Retelling the Story = WRONG
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 = CORRECT
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: In this moment, Beowulf takes a risk by deciding to fight Grendel without a weapon-especially 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?
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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?
What are some things I can explain?
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Character traits: What traits are revealed through the quote and how do they help prove the theme?
– Example: “I’ll play the hero.” This shows Beowulf desires heroism, showing that he is motivated by being famous and not
by helping others.
– Start with: “This shows the character is…”
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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?
– Example: “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.
– Example: “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.”
– Start with “The word choice shows…”
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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:
– Imagery
– Point of view
– Satire
– Plot points (exposition, climax, etc.)
– Literary techniques (allusion, personification, paradox, metaphor, assonance, rhyme scheme, etc.)
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