Beowulf: Beowulf: I’m Like a I’m Like a Paper Bag, But the Paper Bag, But the Bottom’s WetBottom’s WetFeracoFeraco

Search for Human PotentialSearch for Human Potential

11 January 201311 January 2013

CharactersCharacters AeschereAeschere

Hrothgar’s most trusted and valuable advisorHrothgar’s most trusted and valuable advisor Beheaded by Grendma (no one is safe); avenged by Beheaded by Grendma (no one is safe); avenged by

BeowulfBeowulf BeowBeow

Son of Shield SheafsonSon of Shield Sheafson Takes over after Shield dies; foreshadows Beowulf’s Takes over after Shield dies; foreshadows Beowulf’s

reluctant inheritance of the Geatish throne (best-case reluctant inheritance of the Geatish throne (best-case scenario)scenario)

BeowulfBeowulf Main character; son of EcgtheowMain character; son of Ecgtheow Slays Grendel, Grendma, and dragonSlays Grendel, Grendma, and dragon Courage, divine will, and honor…but everything is never Courage, divine will, and honor…but everything is never

enough enough BrecaBreca

Competed against Beowulf in a swimming contestCompeted against Beowulf in a swimming contest Used by Unferth to question Beowulf’s capabilitiesUsed by Unferth to question Beowulf’s capabilities

CharactersCharacters The DragonThe Dragon

An ancient evil who guards a lost race’s cursed treasure An ancient evil who guards a lost race’s cursed treasure hoardhoard

Disturbed by a slave’s recklessness; destroys Hygelac’s Disturbed by a slave’s recklessness; destroys Hygelac’s Great Building; defeated by BeowulfGreat Building; defeated by Beowulf

EadgilsEadgils Son of Ohthere and Onela’s nephewSon of Ohthere and Onela’s nephew Oddly, befriends Beowulf while in exileOddly, befriends Beowulf while in exile

EanmundEanmund Son of Oethere; killed by Weohstan, who is awarded his Son of Oethere; killed by Weohstan, who is awarded his

gear by Onela gear by Onela EcgtheowEcgtheow

Beowulf’s father; kills Heatholaf, the Wulfing prince, and Beowulf’s father; kills Heatholaf, the Wulfing prince, and cannot pay the death-pricecannot pay the death-price

Exiled by the Geats, Ecgtheow is rescued by Hrothgar, Exiled by the Geats, Ecgtheow is rescued by Hrothgar, who pays for Heatholaf and averts war (indebting who pays for Heatholaf and averts war (indebting Ecgtheow in the process)Ecgtheow in the process)

CharactersCharacters EoforEofor

Hygelac’s thane; he avenges his king’s death by killing Hygelac’s thane; he avenges his king’s death by killing OngentheowOngentheow

He gets to marry Hygelac’s daughter as a reward; they He gets to marry Hygelac’s daughter as a reward; they produce no childrenproduce no children

FinnFinn Long-ago Frisian king; Hildeburh’s husbandLong-ago Frisian king; Hildeburh’s husband Betrayed and killed after reaching a truce with the Betrayed and killed after reaching a truce with the

invading Danes that prevents them from going home invading Danes that prevents them from going home (betrayal foreshadow’s Beowulf’s thanes running away)(betrayal foreshadow’s Beowulf’s thanes running away)

FreawaruFreawaru Hrothgar’s and Wealhtheow’s only daughter; betrothed Hrothgar’s and Wealhtheow’s only daughter; betrothed

to Ingeld, the Heathobard princeto Ingeld, the Heathobard prince Beowulf worries their marriage is doomed, with the Beowulf worries their marriage is doomed, with the

ensuing conflict dragging the Shieldings into a war they ensuing conflict dragging the Shieldings into a war they cannot affordcannot afford

CharactersCharacters GrendelGrendel

A descendent of Cain’s clan, and the poem’s main villain; lives A descendent of Cain’s clan, and the poem’s main villain; lives with his mother in the burning, haunted merewith his mother in the burning, haunted mere

Cursed by genetics, not by action; wages “lonely war” on Cursed by genetics, not by action; wages “lonely war” on Heorot for twelve yearsHeorot for twelve years

Impervious to human weapons; Beowulf fights him hand-to-Impervious to human weapons; Beowulf fights him hand-to-hand and tears him aparthand and tears him apart

““Grendma”Grendma” Along with Grendel, the last in Cain’s cursed line; slain by Along with Grendel, the last in Cain’s cursed line; slain by

Beowulf with a giant’s weaponBeowulf with a giant’s weapon Attacks Heorot and kills Aeschere after her son’s deathAttacks Heorot and kills Aeschere after her son’s death

HaethcynHaethcyn Hrethel’s second son, and Hygelac’s older brother/predecessor Hrethel’s second son, and Hygelac’s older brother/predecessor

as kingas king Never meant to be king, but accidentally kills Herebeald with Never meant to be king, but accidentally kills Herebeald with

an arrow; thrust into power too soon and is quickly kills, an arrow; thrust into power too soon and is quickly kills, destabilizing Geatlanddestabilizing Geatland

HalfdaneHalfdane Beow’s only son and Hrothgar’s fatherBeow’s only son and Hrothgar’s father A good and wise king who has many children before dyingA good and wise king who has many children before dying

CharactersCharacters HalgaHalga

Hrothgar’s younger brother; provides him with an heir, Hrothgar’s younger brother; provides him with an heir, Hrothulf, outside the typical line of succession (middle-Hrothulf, outside the typical line of succession (middle-case scenario re: foreshadowing Beowulf’s ascension)case scenario re: foreshadowing Beowulf’s ascension)

HeardredHeardred Hygelac’s only son; forced into power when Beowulf Hygelac’s only son; forced into power when Beowulf

rejects the throne after Hygelac’s deathrejects the throne after Hygelac’s death Tutored by Beowulf, but quickly killed by the Swedes Tutored by Beowulf, but quickly killed by the Swedes

(avenging Ongentheow), leaving the former as king (avenging Ongentheow), leaving the former as king (worst-case scenario)(worst-case scenario)

HeatholafHeatholaf The Wulfing prince; killed by EcgtheowThe Wulfing prince; killed by Ecgtheow War between the Wulfings and Geats is averted when War between the Wulfings and Geats is averted when

Hrothgar pays the death-priceHrothgar pays the death-price HengestHengest

In olden times, a young Dane who assumes a battlefield In olden times, a young Dane who assumes a battlefield kingship once Hnaef is killed in the fight against Finn’s kingship once Hnaef is killed in the fight against Finn’s forcesforces

His forces rise up against Finn after a year in exile and His forces rise up against Finn after a year in exile and head homehead home

CharactersCharacters HeorogarHeorogar

Hrothgar’s older brother; precedes him on the throne following Hrothgar’s older brother; precedes him on the throne following Halfdane’s death, but dies fairly quicklyHalfdane’s death, but dies fairly quickly

His war-gear and sword are given to Beowulf rather than to His war-gear and sword are given to Beowulf rather than to Heoroweard, his son; according to Wikipedia, Heoroweard Heoroweard, his son; according to Wikipedia, Heoroweard (who doesn’t merit anything more than a single line as a (who doesn’t merit anything more than a single line as a “loyal” person here) kills Hrothulf in later works because he “loyal” person here) kills Hrothulf in later works because he feels he has a greater claim on the thronefeels he has a greater claim on the throne

HerebealdHerebeald Hrethel’s eldest son and intended heir to the throneHrethel’s eldest son and intended heir to the throne Accidentally killed by Haethcyn before he can take power; the Accidentally killed by Haethcyn before he can take power; the

loss eventually kills Hrethel as wellloss eventually kills Hrethel as well HeremodHeremod

An olden Danish king, the opposite of Beowulf and Shield An olden Danish king, the opposite of Beowulf and Shield SheafsonSheafson

Started fine, but corrupted by power; threw away lives Started fine, but corrupted by power; threw away lives needlessly and hoarded treasure until his subjects betrayed needlessly and hoarded treasure until his subjects betrayed and exiled himand exiled him

Shield’s arrival and ascension, as well as Beow’s birth, undoes Shield’s arrival and ascension, as well as Beow’s birth, undoes the damage he causedthe damage he caused

CharactersCharacters HildeburhHildeburh

The olden Frisian queen, and a Dane by birthThe olden Frisian queen, and a Dane by birth In the war between the Frisians and Danes, she loses her In the war between the Frisians and Danes, she loses her

brother (Hnaef, the Danish king), her son (unnamed, a Frisian brother (Hnaef, the Danish king), her son (unnamed, a Frisian prince), and her husband (Finn, the Frisian king); the Danes prince), and her husband (Finn, the Frisian king); the Danes kidnap her and drag her back to Denmark after murdering her kidnap her and drag her back to Denmark after murdering her husband (parallels Hygd’s devastating losses)husband (parallels Hygd’s devastating losses)

HnaefHnaef The olden Danish king; Hildeburh’s brotherThe olden Danish king; Hildeburh’s brother Dies while leading an invasion against Finn and the FrisiansDies while leading an invasion against Finn and the Frisians

HrethelHrethel A great Geatish king who sits at the head of the poem’s A great Geatish king who sits at the head of the poem’s

version of the Geat family treeversion of the Geat family tree He had three sons, but Haethcyn kills Herebeald, and Hrethel He had three sons, but Haethcyn kills Herebeald, and Hrethel

died of grief soon thereafterdied of grief soon thereafter HrethricHrethric

Hrothgar’s eldest son; not ready for the throneHrothgar’s eldest son; not ready for the throne Wealhtheow suggests protecting him and his younger brother Wealhtheow suggests protecting him and his younger brother

by naming Hrothulf as a temporary successorby naming Hrothulf as a temporary successor

CharactersCharacters HrothgarHrothgar

Danish king who assumes the throne at a young ageDanish king who assumes the throne at a young age Wise, kind, and generous; saves the Geats in the Ecgtheow Wise, kind, and generous; saves the Geats in the Ecgtheow

incident (inadvertently tying Beowulf to him)incident (inadvertently tying Beowulf to him) Provides for his kingdom (two sons and a daughter; distributes Provides for his kingdom (two sons and a daughter; distributes

treasure; builds Heorot), but relentlessly attacked by Grendel; treasure; builds Heorot), but relentlessly attacked by Grendel; only saved by divine protection on the throneonly saved by divine protection on the throne

HrothmundHrothmund Hrothgar’s youngest son; not ready for the throneHrothgar’s youngest son; not ready for the throne

HrothulfHrothulf Halga’s son; Wealhtheow asks Hrothgar to use him as a Halga’s son; Wealhtheow asks Hrothgar to use him as a

temporary heir, a scaffold until Hrethric or Hrothmund proves temporary heir, a scaffold until Hrethric or Hrothmund proves ready for the throneready for the throne

In other works, apparently killed by HeoroweardIn other works, apparently killed by Heoroweard Hygd Hygd

Hygelac’s wife, a beautiful, wise, and extremely young Geatish Hygelac’s wife, a beautiful, wise, and extremely young Geatish queen (Queen Modthryth’s opposite)queen (Queen Modthryth’s opposite)

Loses everything; her husband dies, and Beowulf’s refusal to Loses everything; her husband dies, and Beowulf’s refusal to listen to her costs her Heardred as welllisten to her costs her Heardred as well

CharactersCharacters HygelacHygelac

The Geatish king, taking over at a young age following The Geatish king, taking over at a young age following Hrethel’s and Haethcyn’s deaths (shades of Hrothgar’s Hrethel’s and Haethcyn’s deaths (shades of Hrothgar’s ascension, and Beowulf’s)ascension, and Beowulf’s)

Dies in a war with the Swedes and othersDies in a war with the Swedes and others IngeldIngeld

The prince of the Heathobards, an old Danish foeThe prince of the Heathobards, an old Danish foe Set to marry Freawaru, the Danish princessSet to marry Freawaru, the Danish princess

ModthrythModthryth Hygd’s and Wealhtheow’s opposite; in some ways, Hygd’s and Wealhtheow’s opposite; in some ways,

Heremod’s parallelHeremod’s parallel Arbitrary and cruel ruler; mollified by marriageArbitrary and cruel ruler; mollified by marriage

OhthereOhthere Son of Ongentheow; father of Eanmund and EadgilsSon of Ongentheow; father of Eanmund and Eadgils Poem’s history differs from other portrayals where Poem’s history differs from other portrayals where

Ohthere takes the throne for a whileOhthere takes the throne for a while

CharactersCharacters OnelaOnela

Son of Ongentheow; takes over the throne following his Son of Ongentheow; takes over the throne following his father’s deathfather’s death

““Ignores the blood-feud” when Weohstan presents Eanmund’s Ignores the blood-feud” when Weohstan presents Eanmund’s armor to himarmor to him

Eventually slain by Beowulf, ending the Swede/Geat wars (for Eventually slain by Beowulf, ending the Swede/Geat wars (for now)now)

OngentheowOngentheow Swedish (Shylfing) king; killed by Eofor Swedish (Shylfing) king; killed by Eofor

Shield SheafsonShield Sheafson An orphan from overseas, Shield essentially reunites and An orphan from overseas, Shield essentially reunites and

restores Denmark, kicking off the Shielding royal linerestores Denmark, kicking off the Shielding royal line His funeral parallels Beowulf’s, providing one half of the His funeral parallels Beowulf’s, providing one half of the

poem’s bracketed structurepoem’s bracketed structure He dies young, still in the prime of his life – but provided for He dies young, still in the prime of his life – but provided for

his people with Beowhis people with Beow SigemundSigemund

A figure mentioned in song by the scop; a legendary A figure mentioned in song by the scop; a legendary dragonslayerdragonslayer

Fights the dragon alone and triumphs; foreshadows Beowulf’s Fights the dragon alone and triumphs; foreshadows Beowulf’s future battlesfuture battles

CharactersCharacters UnferthUnferth

A member of Hrothgar’s circle (not family) who is wise and somewhat A member of Hrothgar’s circle (not family) who is wise and somewhat respected, but “under a cloud for killing his brothers”respected, but “under a cloud for killing his brothers”

He mocks and challenges Beowulf when he arrives at Heorot out of He mocks and challenges Beowulf when he arrives at Heorot out of jealousy, but Beowulf refutes his story and puts him in his placejealousy, but Beowulf refutes his story and puts him in his place

Unferth isn’t brave enough to fight, but he does gain some small Unferth isn’t brave enough to fight, but he does gain some small measure of redemption by giving Beowulf his ceremonial sword, measure of redemption by giving Beowulf his ceremonial sword, Hrunting (which Beowulf eventually returns) Hrunting (which Beowulf eventually returns)

WealhtheowWealhtheow Hrothgar’s wife, the Danish queenHrothgar’s wife, the Danish queen Wise and generous, she presents gifts and distributes treasure; serves Wise and generous, she presents gifts and distributes treasure; serves

as an extension of ruleas an extension of rule WeohstanWeohstan

Wiglaf’s father, he killed Eanmund Wiglaf’s father, he killed Eanmund Tried returning his armor to Onela, who was so impressed that he Tried returning his armor to Onela, who was so impressed that he

allowed Weohstan to return with the war-gearallowed Weohstan to return with the war-gear WiglafWiglaf

The last of the Waegmundings, and Beowulf’s only loyal thaneThe last of the Waegmundings, and Beowulf’s only loyal thane He turns back and goes to fight by Beowulf’s side against the dragonHe turns back and goes to fight by Beowulf’s side against the dragon Avoids the curse on the treasure hoard because his intentions are pure Avoids the curse on the treasure hoard because his intentions are pure

(wants to reassure Beowulf before he dies)(wants to reassure Beowulf before he dies) Wulfgar Wulfgar

A Danish retainer who greets Beowulf ritualistically, then introduces A Danish retainer who greets Beowulf ritualistically, then introduces him formally to Hrothgarhim formally to Hrothgar

Settings and SymbolsSettings and Symbols BoastingBoasting

Reputation/TraditionReputation/Tradition OpportunityOpportunity

Burial / Funeral PyresBurial / Funeral Pyres The end of thingsThe end of things Burning and PassionBurning and Passion

The Coast and the Whale-RoadThe Coast and the Whale-Road Borders (keep in, keep out)Borders (keep in, keep out) Permanence vs. ImpermanencePermanence vs. Impermanence

The Dragon / The HoardThe Dragon / The Hoard Sin/Wickedness/RecklessnessSin/Wickedness/Recklessness InevitabilityInevitability

Settings and SymbolsSettings and Symbols Grendel’s MereGrendel’s Mere

Cursed by God (burning water)Cursed by God (burning water) The Underworld/FearThe Underworld/Fear

Heorot Hall / DenmarkHeorot Hall / Denmark The things we buildThe things we build Defending what we loveDefending what we love Ritual and traditionRitual and tradition

Hygelac’s Great BuildingHygelac’s Great Building Burned to the GroundBurned to the Ground The Iron AgeThe Iron Age

Swords (Hrunting/Naegling)Swords (Hrunting/Naegling) Ritual and TraditionRitual and Tradition The Past’s Failure, the Uncertain FutureThe Past’s Failure, the Uncertain Future

Concepts and ThemesConcepts and Themes Courage and WisdomCourage and Wisdom

Beowulf / Wiglaf / Shield / Weohstan / Beowulf / Wiglaf / Shield / Weohstan / WealhtheowWealhtheow

Grendel / Unferth / Modthryth / HaethcynGrendel / Unferth / Modthryth / Haethcyn DangerDanger

The Danger You Bring Upon YourselfThe Danger You Bring Upon Yourself The Dangers You Cannot AvoidThe Dangers You Cannot Avoid

Degeneration and DeathDegeneration and Death Everything Ends; Everything FadesEverything Ends; Everything Fades The Great Building; The Old King; The Dragon’s The Great Building; The Old King; The Dragon’s

BarrowBarrow Divine Will and FaithDivine Will and Faith

The ThroneThe Throne The WarriorThe Warrior The SonThe Son CourageCourage

Concepts and ThemesConcepts and Themes Fleeing and ExileFleeing and Exile

Grendel / Grendma / CainGrendel / Grendma / Cain HeremodHeremod Ecgtheow / Eadgils / Finn and the DanesEcgtheow / Eadgils / Finn and the Danes

Good vs. EvilGood vs. Evil Beowulf vs. Grendel/Grendma/DragonBeowulf vs. Grendel/Grendma/Dragon The Changing Face of EverythingThe Changing Face of Everything

Grief vs. HopeGrief vs. Hope The Hopeless ShieldingsThe Hopeless Shieldings Salvation from the SeaSalvation from the Sea The Wailing GeatThe Wailing Geat

Hate and RevengeHate and Revenge Finn / Ongentheow / Ingeld / Beowulf / Finn / Ongentheow / Ingeld / Beowulf /

Aeschere / GrendmaAeschere / Grendma A Thousand Years of WarA Thousand Years of War Geatland GoneGeatland Gone

Concepts and ThemesConcepts and Themes Heirlooms and MarriageHeirlooms and Marriage

National Ties + Family TiesNational Ties + Family Ties Averting Catastrophe, Preserving the Past, Averting Catastrophe, Preserving the Past,

Ensuring the FutureEnsuring the Future Heroism, Honor, and SacrificeHeroism, Honor, and Sacrifice

Beowulf as a Youth vs. Beowulf as a KingBeowulf as a Youth vs. Beowulf as a King Why Would Anybody Want to Be King?Why Would Anybody Want to Be King? The Thanes, Grendel, and the Olden DanesThe Thanes, Grendel, and the Olden Danes The Motivations: Glory, Family, and Everything The Motivations: Glory, Family, and Everything

In BetweenIn Between Identity and ReputationIdentity and Reputation

How Much Can One Control?How Much Can One Control? Opportunity Knocks…Opportunity Knocks…

InevitabilityInevitability Fighting the DragonFighting the Dragon Someone Starts Fighting AgainSomeone Starts Fighting Again

Concepts and ThemesConcepts and Themes Lineage and HeritageLineage and Heritage

Without Family, We Are NothingWithout Family, We Are Nothing Without a Past, We Have No FutureWithout a Past, We Have No Future Cementing IdentityCementing Identity

Loyalty and FriendshipLoyalty and Friendship Beowulf and Wiglaf / Hrothgar and Beowulf and Wiglaf / Hrothgar and

AeschereAeschere National TiesNational Ties Love is the Source of HateLove is the Source of Hate

Names, Family, and CommunityNames, Family, and Community The Only Things One Can Count OnThe Only Things One Can Count On Families Torn ApartFamilies Torn Apart

Concepts and ThemesConcepts and Themes PowerPower

That Which We SeekThat Which We Seek That Which Kills UsThat Which Kills Us

Royalty and SubjectsRoyalty and Subjects Ring-Givers vs. HoardersRing-Givers vs. Hoarders Hrothgar and Hygelac vs. Heremod Hrothgar and Hygelac vs. Heremod

and Modthrythand Modthryth VulnerabilityVulnerability

Beowulf/Sigemund; Beowulf/Sigemund; Beowulf/Grendel/GrendmaBeowulf/Grendel/Grendma

The Death of New KingsThe Death of New Kings

History and TranslationHistory and Translation One copy, partly toastedOne copy, partly toasted

Used as “Rosetta Stone”Used as “Rosetta Stone” People used to ignore the “mythical” elements People used to ignore the “mythical” elements

in favor of its historyin favor of its history J.R.R. Tolkien changed our reading of the J.R.R. Tolkien changed our reading of the

poempoem ““The Monsters and the Critics”The Monsters and the Critics” Saw it less as linguistic touchstone and Saw it less as linguistic touchstone and

amalgamation of historical references and amalgamation of historical references and more as a vibrant legend in its own rightmore as a vibrant legend in its own right

Believe it or not, that used to be all we Believe it or not, that used to be all we used this beautiful poem for: history and used this beautiful poem for: history and scansionscansion Thanks, Tolkien!Thanks, Tolkien!

Beowulf’s Last WordsBeowulf’s Last Words

““Fate swept us away , / sent my whole Fate swept us away , / sent my whole brave high-born clan / to their final brave high-born clan / to their final doom. Now I must follow them.” doom. Now I must follow them.”

That was the warrior’s last word. / He That was the warrior’s last word. / He had no more to confide. (2814-18)had no more to confide. (2814-18)