Beowulf the Poem

By Victoria HelmerAnd

Ryne Holland 9-2-09

Time & Place Set mainly in denmark and geatland Now southern sweden During the sixth century

PurposeIs to entertain and instruct:

Honorable Values Morals Ethics of the culture

Backround First epic poem in english literature Believed to be composed between the

mid-seventh century and the end of the tenth century

May have been passed down orally Probably composed in writing by one

man

Background No known author Very well rounded writer and poet

Background Poet fused early germanic history,

legends, mythology, and ideals with christianity faith and values

People cherish the qualities of beowulf: courage, loyalty, and generosity

Characters Beowulf- ideal warrior of the Geats

and the hero of the poem Dragon- a fire- breathing, snakelike

monster that terrorizes the Geats Grendel- a monster with human

qualities that terrorizes Herot Grendel’s Mother- monster that also

terrorizes Herot

Characters Wiglaf- young warrior and relative of

beowulf Hrothgar- Danish king and builder of

Herot Higlac- king of the Geats and uncle of

Beowulf

Characters Shild- king of danes and great-

grandfather of hrothgar Unferth- warrior in hrothgar’s court

who challenges beowulf Welthow- hrothgar’s wife

Universal themes Transcend cultures and historical

periods Such as life and death Good and evil

Worked Cited www.beowulfepic.com Beowulf Study Guide Handout http://images.quizfarm.com/

1102569922wiglaf.jpg www.lone-star.net/literature/beowulf/ http://www.mcgoodwin.net/pages/

beowulf.html

Worked Cited http://www.newscientist.com/blog/

shortsharpscience/uploaded_images/whitelight-751676.jpg

http://www.novelguide.com/Beowulf/themeanalysis.html