Beowulf #2

1. I have heard moreover that the monster scorns...fight with the fiend. pg. 31 (433-440) This here would be an example of an epic boast coming from Beowulf. He goes on to say that because Grendel scorns weapons, he will show respect and pride by he himself fighting with his bare hands. I don't know if this is right..but would Beowulf's boasting be an example of parallelism because when he does this before a battle it seems to determine his fate in the battle. At the end of the story does Beowulf know that he is going to die when he faces the dragon?

2. So the Helming woman went on her rounds...it was Beowulf's turn to take it from her hand. pg. 43 (620-624) This fits into the theme of the role of women. Wealhtheow is here to provide comfort and be a good host. Her main obligation is to be hospitable. Her job is to make sure all the men, no matter their rank, have a drink. It also seems that another one of her obligations is to be dressed in the finest attire at all times.

3. His father before him was called...here to follow up an old friendship. pg. 27 (373-376) This here would be an example of wergild. You can see that Beowulf comes to fight off Grendel because he wants to up his reputation, but perhaps he really comes because he has an obligation to fulfill. Beowulf has to discharge his debt to Hrothgar.

4. And the troops themselves were as good as their weapons. pg. 23 (330-331) Could this perhaps be a foreshadow. Because against the fight with Grendel the troops try to help Beowulf by using their weapons to cut into Grendel, but it doesn't do anything. In the end it is only Beowulf who defeats the demon by himself, using his bare hands.

5. The coast-guard answered...and bear this hero back to Geatland. pg. 21 (287-298) This fits into the theme of hospitality. It is important because the Danes are showing trust in the Geats even though they don't know that what the Geats speak is the truth. They show honor and their respect by watching their boat and keeping it safe.