| speaker: Beowulfperson spoken to: Hrothgarsituation: When the soliders are preparing for Grendel’s attack | “I have heard moreover that the monster scorns in his reckless way to use weapons; therefore to heighten Hygelac’s fame and gladden his heart, I hereby renounce sword and the shelter of the broad shield, the heavy war- broad: hand to hand is how it will be, a life- and- death fight with the fiend.” |
| speaker: Beowulfsituation: After battling Grendel’s mom | “It is always better to avenge dear ones than to indulge in mourning. For everyone one of us, living in this world means waiting for our end.” |
| speaker: Beowulfperson spoken to: Hrothgarsituation: During the time when Beowulf and other warriors arrive to the kingdom | “If ever I hear from across the ocean that people on your borders are threatening battle as attackers have done from time to time, I shall land with a thousand thanes at my back to help your cause.” |
| speaker: Wiglafperson spoken to: the warriors who didn’t help Beowulf while defeating the dragonsituation: After Beowulf is killed by the dragon, becasue the other warriors didn’t join in | “Everyone of you with freeholds of land, our whole nation, will be dispossed, once princes from beyond get tidings of how you turned and fled and disgraced yourselves. A warrior will sooner die than live a life of shame.” |
| speaker: Wiglafperson spoken to: Geats (warriors)situation: When Geats do not help Beowulf | “Often when one man follows his own will many are hurt.” |
| speaker: Beowulfperson spoken to: Wiglafsituation: Beowulf’s last words after he killed the dragon (last words with Wiglaf) | “You are the last of us, the only one left of the Waegmundings. Fate swept us away, sent my whole brave highborn clan to their final decision. Now I must follow them. |
| What is the order of the Plot Diagram? | exposition, rising action, conflict, climax, falling action, resolution |
| Hrothgar’s wife | Wellthou |
| Hrothgar | King of the Danes whose mead hall and men are menaced by Grendal |
| Unferth | Hrothgar’s retainer; (insults Beowulf) |
| Beowulf | The mighty warrior who later becomes king of the Geats |
| Grendel | Descendant of Cain who terrorizes Heorot |
| Danes | Hrothgar’s thanes/ warriors |
| Hyde | Hygelac’s wife |
| Headred | Son of Hygelac and Hygd, who becomes king after his father’s death; supported by Beowulf until death |
| Hygelac | King of the Geats |
| Wiglaf | Young thane who remains loyal to Beowulf and later becomes king of the Geats |
| Dragon | Angered by a theft from his treasure trove, he plagues the later years of Beowulf’s region; kills Beouwulf |
| Grendel’s mother | A formidable foe who seeks revenge for her son’s death |
Beowulf- Characters, Quotes, etc.
February 24, 2020