Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Comprehension Questions

Prologue
1. The way Shield became ruler of the Danes was unusual because he was an orphan that was adopted by the king of the Danes. Shield's funeral was legendary because he was laid to rest on his ship covered in treasure. Shield is Hrothgar's great grandfather.
Heorot is Attacked
1. Hrothgar took the responsibility to construct the magnificent Heorot, a mead-hall. Grendel attacked the hall every night for 12 years. The Danes felt great grief and sorrow and lost hope in God, praying to rid Grendel from their land.
The Hero Comes to Heorot
1. When Beowulf heard of Hrothgar's problems with Grendel, he gathered soldier and set sail to Heorot.
2. When the Geats first arrive in Denmark they meet the sea-guard of Danes. The sea-guard warns the Geats not to raid the Danes, however, Beowulf tells him he has come to help defeat Grendel.
3. Hrothgar's herald is Wulfgar. Wulfgar tells Beowulf and his men that he has seen braver strangers as them. He tells Hrothgar to exchange words with Beowulf because of his bravery. Hrothgar then tells Wulfgar to bring Beowulf to him so that they can discuss Grendel. I am surprised Hrothgar knows so much about Beowulf.
4. When he enters, Beowulf tells Hrothgar that he will slay Grendel if Hrothgar in return provides shelter and food to his men. Hrothgar paid off Beowulf's father's feuds and now Beowulf has returned to repay an old favor.
Feast At Heorot
1. Unferth accuses Beowulf of vanity and losing to Breca in a contest. Beowulf explains that he was busy killing 9 sea monsters, and declares his strength. Beowulf then accuses Unferth of being responsible for the death on his family. This shows Beowulf's confidence and his will to prove himself to others.
2. During the feast, Queen Wealhtheow greeted everyone including Beowulf, and thanked God that he had come.
The Fight With Grendel
1. Instead of arming for battle, Beowulf disarmed, taking off all of his armor and putting away his sword.
2. When Grendel enters Heorot, he kills a man and then goes after Beowulf. Beowulf grabs Grendel and while trying to break free, Beowulf rips off Grendel's arm. Grendel escapes, but his wound is fatal.
Celebration at Heorot
1. Beowulf is like Sigemund because he is a hero who saved others from a monster. Beowulf isn't like Heremod because Heremod was a selfish king who never protected his people.
2. Hrothgar considers Beowulf to be his son and gives him a sword, shield, a golden set of armor, and a helmet. Unferth has nothing more to say as Beowulf is clearly a hero.
3. Finn's step-brother, leader of the Scyldings, dies in battle and his second in command makes truce in the war with the Frisians. With the truce, the Scyldings stayed with Finn over winter, eventually killing him and leaving back with his sister Hildeburh. Using a woman as bride to heal enmity between tribes is not a good idea.
4. Wealhtheow asks Hrothgar not to give the throne to Beowulf.
5. The necklace Beowulf is given, he eventually gives to his uncle Hygelac. Wealhtheow asks Beowulf to look after her sons.
6. Many men remain in the hall because they don't know the danger that is coming-Grendel's mother is coming for revenge.
Another Attack
1. Grendel's mother has come to Heorot because she is angry about the death of her son. It is not for the same reason that Grendle had, she has come in anger and vengeance for her son.
2. Hrothgar is in great sorrow after Grendel's mother takes the kings advisor, Aeschere. Hrothgar offers Beowulf chests of gold to slay the monster and set them free again from evil.
3. The mere is like a lake with boiling water and full of sea serpents and dragons. No man has ever reached the bottom and very few have ever gone near it. This is where Grendel's mother's den is.
Beowulf Fights Grendel's Mother
1. Beowulf tells Hrothgar to respond to Grendel's mother by sending Beowulf and his men to slay her so that they can be free from demons.
2. Before Beowulf enters the mere, he shoots one of the serpents with an arrow that lives within the dark waters of the mere.
3. Beowulf prepares for battle by dressing in noble garments. Unferth gives Beowulf the sword known as Hrunting. This sword has never failed a man in battle.
4. When Beowulf enters the mere, he spends the majority of the day swimming to the bottom. When he finally reaches the bed of the mere, Grendel's mother feels his presence and grabs him. Where Grendel's mother lives, it is engulfed with blood and gore of humans that the giants have killed.
5. The sword Beowulf borrowed from Unferth becomes unless when trying to penetrate Grendel's mother's skin.
6. Grendel's mother cannot penetrate Beowulf's armor which allows him to escape her knife.
7. Beowulf then kills Grendel's mother by slicing her neck with a sword made for giants. When she first dies, a light appears, guiding Beowulf out of the cave. Beowulf cuts the head off of Grendel and brings it to the surface. The blood of Grendel melts the sword he used to kill Grendel's mother. The hilt of the sword is still intact however, so he brings that to the surface as well.
8. Beowulf finds his small group of surprised Geats awaiting his return.
Further Celebration
1. Beowulf gives to Heorot the head of Grendel and the sword hilt.
2. Hrothgar tells Beowulf that he will provide protection for him and his people. Hrothgar tells us that Heremod was a horrible king who searched only for death and destruction. He tells us this so that Beowulf understands how to be a just leader. Heremod dies alone because of the pain he has put on his people. Hrothgar teaches us the example of how to lead when given an overwhelming source of power.
3. Unferth receives the sword he let Beowulf borrow when trying to kill Grendel's mother.
Beowulf Returns Home
1. Hrothgar predicts that Beowulf will be the king of Geats, received many treasures, and make peace with other nations.
2. Hydg is young and beautiful. She is wise while Modthryth is very evil and merciless.
3. He wants to end the feud between the Danes and Ingeld. Ingled will devoice the daughter and attack Hrothgar. An old warrior will convince Ingeld to fight. No because hero’s are supposed to be always act with honor.
4. He reports his adventures in a very exaggerated way. He's honest about the story but he explains it in a way that builds himself up more. It’s not that expected because he’s supposed to a noble hero but he is concerned about glory so it makes sense.
5. Beowulf gives most of his treasure to Hygelac and Hygd and in return Hygd gives him treasure and land for himself.
The Dragon Wakes
1. Part 2 takes place 40 winters (40 years) later.
2. Thief has stolen his gold. The man was poor and hungry and it was left there by a man from an ancient race who realized he, like his ancestors, would die and therefore buried the treasure.
3. The dragon rampaged through the land trying to find the thief and destroys his throne hall.
4. Beowulf thinks his home was burnt because he believes he has angered God. He makes a new shield to fight the dragon. He will fight it alone. He will die.
5. Hygelac dies against the Frisians. Beowulf was able to get away but he mourned for his death. He was offered the throne, but did not accept out of respect for Hygelac.
6. Heardred is killed while fighting the Swedes. Beowulf avenges him by killing Onela, the Swedish king.
7. Beowulf brings 11 men with him to meet the dragon.
8. Hygelac's oldest brother Herebeald was killed by a relative. An arrowed missed its target and hit Herebeald, devastating King Hrethel. There is a lengthy portion detailing his lamentations. War breaks out between the Swedes and the Geats. Beowulf avenges Hygelac's death by defeating Daeghrefn in front of the legions.
Beowulf Attacks the Dragon
1. Beowulf tells his companions to wait back while he fights because he is the only one that has any hope of killing him.
2. The first time Beowulf faces the dragon. his shield, helmet, and sword fail him and he is wounded. His companions all flee the dragon except for Wiglaf who stays to help. He tells the others that Beowulf chose them as his coompanions because he believed them to be great warriors and that they should not abandon him now in his time of need. He rushes to aid Beowulf.
3. The second time Beowulf meets the dragon, he bites him in the neck, leaving a mortal wound. Wiglaf impales the dragon.
4. Beowulf tells Wiglaf to bring the dragon's treasure to him. Beowulf thanks God for the treasure. He wants to be buried in a tower on a high cliff by the water where sailors can see the tower and remember his name.
Beowulf's Funeral
1. The warriors see Wiglaf trying to revive Beowulf and Wiglaf gets mad at them for leaving Beowulf. Wiglaf expects the Geats to be attacked and their nation destroyed. 
2. The messenger announces that Beowulf is dead. Ongentheow and his men make fun of the Geat. Hygelac comes to the Geats with reinforcements. Ongentheow retreated once he saw more men, but was cornered by Hygelac and was killed. The messenger says that the treasure is cursed. Beowulf can't be cursed because he had never been greedy. The final image is of a dragon.
3. Wiglaf tells the crowd how great Beowulf was at fighting.
4. The dragon was pushed off the edge of the cliff into the ocean because it was evil.
5. The Geats mourned and sung and everyone was sad during the 10 day burial.
6. The Geats say that Beowuf was a kind man. It is not something you would usually call a war hero who is killing a lot of people.

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