Beowulf #4

1. There was an uproar...Grendel's bloodied hand. pg. 91 (1302-1304) This fits into the theme of warrior culture. Grendel's mothers attack on Heorot is appropriate and honorable, for the most part, by the code of warrior culture. All she wants to do is avenge her son's death.

2. Beowulf, son of Ecgtheow, spoke:...be the man I expect you to be. pg. 97 (1383-1396) Paganism vs. Christianity. Throughout almost all of the poem the author uses only Christian views. Then this little speech from Beowulf shows you that perhaps Beowulf and the author is not only pro Christian, but also very pagan. It's like their tied between the two religions. It shows you that perhaps the author's pagan past just had an outburst right here. He pretty much says that you should die before your natural death by fighting for glory. He says nothing about praying for help from the gods, instead he says be a man and fight till you die.

3. It was a sore blow...Aeschere's head at the foot of the cliff. pg. 99 (1417-1421) This is important in the use of trophies. Grendel's mother posts Aeshere's head at the foot of the cliff..while the Danes hang Grendel's arm from the rafters. They keep going back and forth between who can have the greater trophies. It goes from the arm, to Hrothgar's "dearest warrior" and chief advisor, to Grendel's head to prove that he is actually dead. This is also important because to Beowulf the arm wasn't a "great trophy" because technically Grendel himself ripped it off by struggling to get away, possibly hinting that he wasn't dead. So, to boost Beowulf's pride and ego he has to prove that Grendel is actually dead by bringing home the greatest trophy.

4. With Hrunting I shall gain glory or die. pg. 103 (1491) Beowulf doesn't kill Grendel's mother with hrunting, so technically he should die. The hrunting, isn't strong enough to pierce Grendel's mother's skin, so Beowulf has to use a magical sword made by the giants. This foreshadow's Beowulf's eventual death.

5. Droves of sea-beasts...in a ghastly onslaught. pg. 105 (1510-1512) This is important because this is how Beowulf's men were to Grendal..useless. These sea-beasts of Grendel's mothers aren't able to hurt him just as Beowulf's warriors weren't able to hurt Grendel.

6. Yet the water did...because the hall-roofing held off the force of the current. pg. 105 (1514-1516) Could this be a parallel to Heorot? Because the author says that the framework and roof were the only things held firm in Heorot after Grendel made his attacks. And in this instance he is saying that the hall-roofing is holding off the force of the current.

7. You are strong...as their king and defender than you. pg. 127 (1844-1852) This would be a foreshadow to Beowulf becoming king. Hrothgar is saying how Beowulf is fit to be king of the Geats, and that the Geats won't find a man worthier than him.