Notes October 22nd

Today we continued talking about the last set of review questions.

What happened to the people to whom the treasure originally belonged?
-They all died from war, the lone survivor locked away their treasure.

To what does the poet allude in the lines 2309-11?
-Rough times are coming for Beowulf, he will die.

What bad news does Beowulf receive in the aftermath of the dragon’s attack?
-The village has been burnt down along with his own home.

How does Beowulf interpret the meaning of the dragon’s attack?
-Beowulf thought he must have disturbed ordinance and god is punishing him.

How does Beowulf’s preparation for this coming battle differ from either of the previous two?
-He has prepared weapons like a shield ironed to guard him from the dragon’s fire unlike the other battles, he fought them with his bare hands and with weapons he was unfamiliar with.

What is Beowulf’s attitude about the coming battle? Why is this significant?
-Beowulf thinks he can beat the dragon and forgets Hrothgar’s words of wisdom about Hubris.

How does Beowulf take vengeance for the death of Hygelac?
-He carries 30 battle dresses and swims across the channel and killing all the Swedes and coming out victorious.

What happens when Beowulf returns home from his battle with the Frisians?
-He is offered the throne.

Why doesn’t Hygd offer the Geat throne to Heardred, her son?
-She doesn’t believe her son is capable to be a King.

Why does Beowulf refuse to accept her offer? What does he offer instead?
-He couldn’t take accept the throne because he wanted to keep the throne in family line. Instead he offers to act as a counselor to Heardred.

How does Beowulf end up becoming king?
-Heardred was killed and Beowulf took his place as the Geat King.

How does he arrange for vengeance for the death of Heardred?
-He supports Eagdils and kills Onela.

What happened when Beowulf was 7?
-He was fostered by his father.


How does Hrethel feel after his son’s death? What eventually happens to Hrethel?
-Hrethel feels miserable after his son’s death and dies because of grief.

How did Beowulf handle the threat of Dayraven the Frank?
-Beowulf leads a campaign to fight and kills them.

-Matt Frank