Dr.

Sellers—Beowulf (I)—Class plan

I.Beginnings--Hrothgar, Heorot, and Grendel:
1.Context/cultural values—bravery and honor in battle, a worthy leader, God’s
blessings and provisions—page 1
2.Heorot (literal and symbolic)—2
3. Grendel (literal and symbolic)—3
II. Beowulf “on stage”—his mission, Hrothgar’s responses, others’ reaponses:
1.B’s first appearance (4b)—the rescuer who leaves the comfort and security of his
home to embark on a perilous journey with death as the possible outcome—5
2. B—more details—honor code, direct and purposeful (5b and 6) will not tolerate
disrespect (7t)
3. Hrothgar takes the “stage” –graciously praises B and his reputation (7b and 8)—
also H is a big enough man to admit that he needs help—9
4. Others’ responses: Unferth’s jealousy 10 and B’s no nonsense response 11.
Contrasting to this is Queen Wealtheow’s hospitality 12 (matters in this world)
III. Beowulf with Grendel:
1.B’s determination and bravery 13 middle
2. Complexities of G’s nature/ story from G’s point of view 14/ confrontation and
mortally wounded 15
IV. Aftermath of B’s victory over Grendel and temporary reprieve:
1.Honors bestowed on B/ Hrothgar’s gracious responses: 16 m B’s fame; 17 b H
will love B as a son; 18 top ½--God’s providence and B’s responses; 19 m—many
gifts; Queen’s responses—b.22 and top 23
2. Author’s delight in community, feasting, story-telling, and these gifts 19-23
V.Coming of Grendel’s mother—tension and chaos:
1.G’s mother’s desire for revenge: 23b and 24
2. Aeshere’s death 24b and B’s responses, battle, etc. (beginning on 25)
Page 2—Dr. Sellers—Beowulf (I)—Some bigger points
I.Views of God/god (a sampling below out of MANY):
 God comforts, generously gives and provides, is the Lord of Life and the
Ruler of Glory—1
 Almighty Creator and Victorious One—2
 Judges evil and is eternal--3
 Protector of the heavens and Ruler of Glory—4
 Awards fame to the side He deems good—13
 After Grendel’s defeat, God the glorious Protector performs wonder after
wonder and gives men the might to perform—17
 God as the “All Ruler” rewards men with the good—18
 God rules over mankind—20
Notion of fate (that which is beyond human control/ a sampling):
 “sweeps” men from Heorot to dread Grendel—9
 “succors the undoomed warrior when his valour is strong”—11
II. This culture values and honors: be aware that some religious views, which
would have been the Christian poet’s but not the Germanic culture’s, are present in
Beowulf. I do not include these here. Also, many of these ideas persist in the
remainder of this poem.
 Self-sacrifice and loyalty, strong leadership, courage, self-respect based on
worthy achievements, respecting those who merit respect as opposed to
those who have bigger mouths and like to show how “important” they are
 A community that supports and encourages one another, gift giving and
generosity, hospitality, recognition that one must face death nobly and that
some things are worthy dying for, pride based on worthy accomplishments
 Gratitude towards and humility before those who are worthy
 Learning from and listening to those who are older and wiser
 Recognizing that human power, treasures of various types, and achievements
(regardless of how great) are transitory
 Honoring and respecting the dead through communal ceremonies
 The importance of stories to convey the culture’s worthy values and to
entertain