Beowulf #5

1. The building was...face of the earth. pg. 131-133 (1925-1957) The role of women. Once again, women are supposed to be peace-keepers. In this part the poet compares two different queens. The good (Hygd) and the bad (Modthryth). Hygd is shown as behaving properly and performing her duty as a women, while Modthryth isn't quite fulfilling her role. Modthryth is a wicked queen who actually kills people if they look her in the eye! In one part it states that a queen should weave peace, not punish the innocent. This is contrasting the two queens.

2. Think how the Heathobards...with the Danes. pg. 139-141 (2031-2068) Right here is Beowulf's prediction about how Freawaru won't work as a peace-pledge this time. This ties back to what happened in the Finnsburg episode, where the marriage-tie was quickly violated and the bride returned back to her kinsman. Beowulf predicts that this will happen once again.

3. I therefore suspect...alliance with the Danes. pg.141 (2067-2069) This would be a good example of a litote. Beowulf is using irony to say that the good faith Heathobards will keep there trustworthy alliance with the Danes. When he actually knows that it won't happen because the Heathobards are going to want wergild.

4. Then an old spearman...on that final day? pg. 139 (2041-2050) This fits into the role of women, but also ties with treasure. Normally treasure is something great to receive from the more noble for doing a heroic act. For example, Wealhtheow gives Beowulf some swords and a necklace that contain a lot of memorable significance. Well, treasure in this instance according to Beowulf is going to revive some bad memories and thus going to end up starting a huge feud. This also shows how a woman is regarded as much less worth than treasure and won't be able to fulfil the role of peace-keeping.

5. He had been poorly regarded...him in the mead-hall. pg. 149 (2183-2186) This tells you that Beowulf use to be very undervalued. Although this does seem odd considering how Beowulf bragged to Unferth about how his swimming contest with Breca during previous days. This is an important step for Beowulf. He is stepping up from a warrior to a ruler. Perhaps this advancement is because of his anger and rage from being regarded as of little worth to the Geats.