Beowulf

Plot
Exposition
The exposition introduces King Hrothgar who is plagued by the monster Grendel, which is
apparently invincible and shows whats at stake for the Danes if the demon is not defeated.
Beowulf, hears about the problem with Grendel and seeks to pursue the challenge.
Initial Incident
The story is set in Scandinavia, and it opens by introducing King Hrothgar and his lineage.
Hrothgar and his descendants have been plagued by the monster Grendel invading the mead-hall
each night and killing the soldiers, who try in vain to fight him.
Rising Action
Grendels attack on Heorot, Beowulfs defeat of Grendel, and Grendels mothers vengeful
killing of Aeschere lead to the climactic encounter between Beowulf and Grendels mother.
Climax
Beowulfs encounter with Grendels mother constitutes the moment at which good and evil are in
greatest tension.
Falling Action
Beowulfs glorious victory over Grendels mother leads King Hrothgar to praise him as a worthy
hero and to advise him about becoming king. It also helps Beowulf to transform from a brazen
warrior into a reliable king.
Conclusion
The funeral of Shield Sheafson, with which the poem opens, foreshadows Beowulfs funeral at
the poems end; the story of Sigemund told by the scop, or bard, foreshadows Beowulfs fight
with the dragon; the story of King Heremod foreshadows Beowulfs eventual ascendancy to
kingship.
Figurative Languages
1. The wind in the grasses...held its breath. Personification - It is giving the wind the
human-like quality of being able to breathe and/or hold its breath.
2. The dragon roared with anger. Onomatopoeia - roar is a sound word
3. Unferth gnawed at his knuckles like an animal trying to rid itself of a wounded and
unwanted limb. Simile - comparing Unferth to an animal
4. Her arms winding and unwinding about him like sinewy, swollen snakes. Simile comparing her arms to snakes and alliteration - repetition of the "s" - sinewy, swollen
snakes
5. He crept inside a narrow crack in the rock...Teeth tore at him as he wriggled along.
Metaphor - comparing the cave walls to teeth without using the words like or as

6. Men said that Fitela would run away from him own shadow if Sigemund was not
with him. Hyperbole - Fitela may have been scared without his uncle, but it's an
exaggeration to say he would run away from his own shadow.
7. The sun seemed to dance over the land of the Danes. Personification - giving the sun
the human-like ability to dance
8. Then there was a hissing, gasping, panting sound outside the door Onomatopoeia
- hissing, gasping,etc. are sound words
9. His golden breastplate shone like a holy light in all that dark. Simile - comparing the
reflection of the light off of Hrothgar's breastplate to that of something holy.
10. You sound like my toothache... Simile - Beowulf comparing the raven's singing to his
own toothache, meaning it was painful
Symbols
1. Heorot - Heorot represents the achievements of the Scyldings, specifically Hrothgar, and
their level of civilization.
2. The Cave- The cave where Grendel and his mother hide from the world is symbolic of
their lives as outcasts. They certainly are not welcome at Heorot, and they know it.
3. Grendel's Claw and Head - Beowulf had hoped to have an entire Grendel body to
present to King Hrothgar after his battle with the ogre in Heorot. He has to settle for the
right arm or claw, ripped from its shoulder socket, when the mortally wounded adversary
flees to the swamp. The claw is hung high beneath Heorot's roof, as a symbol of
Beowulf's victory.
4. The Dragon's Treasure-Trove - The dragon's treasure-trove poignantly represents the
vanity of human wishes as well as the mutability of time.
5. The Golden Torque - The collar or necklace that Wealhtheow gives Beowulf is a symbol
of the bond of loyalty between her people and Beowulfand, by extension, the Geats. Its
status as a symbolic object is renewed when we learn that Hygelac died in battle wearing
it, furthering the ideas of kinship and continuity.
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What is the problem of the story?
Beowulf's hero-king status, I believe, is the main problem in the story. As a young man,
Beowulf travels to save another kingdom of the man-eating monster Grendel; but as an old man,
he tries to live up to his hero-king status at a time when his own kingdom has finally enjoyed a
fair and just king. His insistence of attempting to be the hero again, as part of his belief that it is
his obligation to his people, turns out to be the wrong decision, because he dies. His death
forfeits the future of his people to a certain doom, whereas had he attempted to seek young men
to come to his cause, his kingdom may have enjoyed a long-lasting peace under his leadership.
Themes
There were several themes that are exposed in the epic poem of Beowulf, to name a few
these are the good and evil theme, strength and skill theme and the religion theme.
In many ways, Beowulf is the simplest kind of epic there is. It's about the conflict
between a courageous, mighty, loyal warrior and the demons and dragons of hell itself. The
forces of good battle the forces of evil again and again, knowing that one day they will be
defeated, but at least they'll die fighting. Of course, "good" in Beowulfmeans "strong, generous,

and proud," and "evil" means "demonic creatures from the marshes." This particular battle
between good and evil isn't as much about morals as it is about fate and reputation.
Strength is a constant obsession of the world of warriors and demons in Beowulf.
Warriors are willing to go to extreme lengths to find opportunities for displaying their physical
might, from pointless swimming competitions to ridding another country of the local demon
menace. Even the blackest of enemies seems a little more sympathetic in this epic when he (or
she) can demonstrate immense physical strength, and even the best of kings or counselors seems
a little more pathetic if he can't defeat his foes himself. It's worth pointing out that strength is
more important than skill here; skill smacks of deviousness, while strength is simple,
straightforward, and pure.
Religion is a touchy issue in Beowulf, because the story is told in late medieval AngloSaxon Britain, which has been Christianized, but it's about early medieval Scandinavia, which is
pagan. The narrator of the poem compromises by making constant references to God's decrees in
general terms, but never discussing Jesus or the specific tenets of Christianity. Although the poet
can't get away from the fact that his hero, Beowulf, would have been a pagan, he can suggest that
Beowulf's trust in God translates easily into a Christian context. The only specific references to
Christian stories are some shout-outs to the Old Testament story of Cain and Abel.
Social Implication of the Story in the present society
Beowulf is one of the oldest poems of an unknown Anglo-Saxon poet is usually cited as
one of the most important works in English Literature. The poem has become so influential that
it has been depicted in theatre, film and even comics, board and video games.
These adaptations focus mainly on Beowulfs strength, bravery and loyalty. These traits
most especially loyalty is something that modern society must look up to. His heroism if applied
in modern times need not require going to war but being someone who wants to make a
difference.