Reading Notes: Beowulf, Part A

Beowulf by Strafford Riggs

I read Beowulf in middle school, so I chose to read this story because I can't remember a lot from the story but I remember enjoying it (9 or 10 years ago..hah).

This Old English (Anglo-Saxon) epic poem was composed in English around the eighth or ninth century; however, it is based on events that took place hundreds of years earlier in Scandinavia (fifth century possibly).
Beowulf = young, ambition hero
Grendel = monster who is wrecking the lands of Hrothgar, King of the Danes.

 Beowulf and Grendel by John Henry Frederick Bacon

Beowulf comes from "The Land of the Geats" (currently Sweden).

King Hygelac of Geatsland

-->Geatsland:

• Ruler: Hygelac
• he ruled over his people with a stern but kind hand
• his queen, Hygd
• called the Wise and Fair
• "harsh" country
• high mountains and narrow valleys
• long seacoast with many harbors and inlets
• the men were known for their bravery, on both land and sea
• among the men that surrounded the King and Queen (who were called lords), they were fierce warriors:
• yellow hair with deep-set and burned blue eyes (like the sea)
• great circlets of beaten gold encircled their arms and necks
• they wore helmets decorated with bull horns or the black wings of raven on top of their heads  
• their war-cries froze the blood of their enemies
• In times of peace, however, these lords sang, laughed, cuddled with their dogs, and played jokes on one another
• More on Geatsland:
• warlike atmosphere (like their neighbors: the Danes and the Frisians)
• country was in battle a lot because various tribes would enter Geatsland with the intent to steal cattle, destroy the fields of grain, and burn down farms
• Another foe of the country: the evil monsters that lived in the great caves along the coast, as well as the monsters that lived in the forests that only hunted at night
• The monsters mostly kept to their own lairs

The Young Beowulf

• Beowulf's uncle was King Hygelac (he is the son of the King's sister). Beowulf's father was the brave Ecgtheow
• Beowulf is appointed to be a thane of his uncle
• A thane is an aristocratic attendant of the king, a nobleman in the king's service
• At a young age, Beowulf showed great strength, so he went and lived with his uncle to learn the arts of war and the handling of ships
• As he grew to manhood, he became more sullen in his strength
• Referred to as "The Silent" by his companions
• He became clumsy, tripping over his sword and breaking whatever he touched
• He was laughed at because of his awkwardness, but actually envied because of his wide shoulders and his swiftness
• Beowulf was secretly angry that his strength had never been tested until his companion, Breca, challenged him to a swimming race in the sea
• For five days and five nights, both fought the waves until Beowulf reached the shore victorious
• When Beowulf became a man, the King anointed him to be one of the king's earls, who were the most favored and beloved of all the warriors of Geatsland
• In the dinner-hall, the king's earls sat at a special table made just for them at the feet of the King and Queen
• Many of the lords disapproved of Beowulf's new honor and called him sluggish
• only one ancient warrior (with white flowing locks and a gentle sweet voice) defended Beowulf.
• Beowulf longed for wild adventure and the chance to use his strength

The Wanderer's Song

• The Wanderer is a minstrel who sings to King Hygelac about terrible events taking place in Daneland, where Hrothgar is king
• The Wanderer is a tall, rugged man who plays the harp
• He sang of many things including Grendel.
• The monster had come to Heorot, which was the great drinking-hall of Hrothgar, on one cruel night, twelve years before. 
• The monster was part animal, part man, and part bird
• The monster snuck into Heorot and carried away thirty of the greatest earls of the Danes while they were sleeping
• Grendel wreaked havoc upon the land. There were many attempts to kill Grendel, but all of them were unsuccessful
• The young warriors were killed by Grendel, leaving the country full of old men and defenseless women

Beowulf's Resolve

• Beowulf decided that he would slay Grendel
• The King approved and told Beowulf to go help their neighbor and not to return to Geatsland if he was unsuccessful

Beowulf's Journey

• for seven days and seven nights, there were preparations for Beowulf's new sought journey
• Beowulf selected fourteen earls to accompany him (he wanted to go alone, but the king commanded that he bring companions)
• Special shields and armor were made for the warriors
• the shields were made of stout wood covered with thick hides and bound with iron and studded with golden nails
• rich cloaks of scarlet and blue were worn by the warriors as well as massive bracelets of fine gold for their arms and wrists and collars of gold wire for their throats