October 8th Class Notes

Today was about Beowulf because no one had questions about the college essay.
We recieved questions for the next section of Beowulf we are going to read, Beowulf vs. Grendel's mother.
We discussed more of the Grendel vs. Beowulf section:

What is the signifigance of taking an enemy's treasure, and why would he take Grendel's arm?
Taking treasures means that you have achieved victory, and the signifigance of taking Grendel's arm is that the Danes have been in Grendel's grip and taking his arm is to say Beowulf has freed them from his grip.

Why didn't the Danes ask for help in the 12 years it took Beowulf to arrive?
The Danes didn't ask for help because the Danes pride would be damaged and it would make them appear as weak, but the christian values would suggest you wouldn't have it solved unless you appealed to God for help.

How many men does Grendel kill the first night he attacks?
Grendel kills and eats 30 men the first night.

How many earriors go to help Hrothgar?
14 soldiers venture to help Hrothgar.

What is Hrothgar's queen significant?
The queen is the one who can express thanks to Beowulf, and makes him realize it is about responsbility and the people.

What is a Kenning?
Kennings are "fanciful metaphors" meaning that they substitute words such as:
Sword -> Warbiter
Ocean -> Whale road
the poets would do this in order to add diversity to the stories, these were also usually used with nonhuman things.
Apossitives are used to refer to people such as:
"Son of..."
"Thane of..."
"Hygelac -> Killer of Ungethes"

As Beowulf and his men venture to Grendel's mother what are the 2 stories/songs and what are their signifigance?

One is song is Sigemund which has to do with a dragon slayer.
(Kerenal)
This is a tribute to Beowulf because he has just slayed a monster, and it foreshadows that the end Beowulf will fight a dragon.

The is stoy titled Fight at Finnsberg that has to do with someone else or a group of others...

-Richard Basiaga