Beowulf Analysis

Key Points:From plot to theme

Plot analysisProtagonist:

BeowulfAntagonist:

Complications: Unferth, Grendel

and MG :

Crisis: Battles and anticipation of

finalClimax: page 43

Resolution: sections 16 and

17

Climax/Turning Point of Beowulf

“Quickly the dragon came at him, encouraged/ As Beowulf fell back; its breath flared,/And he suffered, wrapped around in swirling flames—a king before, but now a beaten warrior.”

Conflict

GOOD VS EVILThe Danes and Geats; Grendels; swamp

home Herot

Beowulf’s failure: reasons

1. Less capable—old2. Motives—less pure3. Greed4. Less inspiring

What role does greed play?

Remember…

After Beowulf’s death, “an aged woman with unbound locks lamented for Beowulf, wailing in woe…she uttered her dread of sorrow to come, of bloodshed and slaughter, of terror of battle, and bondage, and shame.”

How significant is the role of loyalty?

Loyalty, bravery and altruistic behavior allhelped to create the Anglo-Saxonsociety; without it…

Dragons and Treasure

Dragons (serpents) were symbolic of evil

Treasure was symbolic of damnation

Once greed entered Beowulf’s kingdom, Beowulf’s people were spiritually damned. By turning away from ethical behavior, they doomed their society.

Subject to theme

• Subjects are 1 or 2 words: love, youth, jealousy

• Themes answer this question: What does the author have to say ABOUT the subject.

For example: William Shakespeare tells us in Othello that distrust and jealousy destroy relationships.

Themes are…

• Universal in nature• A complete sentenceRomeo and Juliet demonstrate that youthful impetuousness can be very dangerous.Gatsby shows us that the desire to recapture one’s past is rarely successful.

Themes for Beowulf

• Subject: LoyaltyTheme: Beowulf proves that without loyalty, all relationships eventually collapse.• Subject: GreedTheme: The story Beowulf suggests that….• Subject: BraveryTheme: