This character be taken up by later writers of romances who expand his role to that of knight of the round table (before his fateful encounter with Tristan).

a piece of armor that covered neck/shoulders; later, it would extended to mean a "military tunic" made of chainmail.

He completes a key stage in the hero's journey here - he has avenged his father's death.

Do you agree with this final assessment by the narrator?

Why do you think they decide to do this with the treasure?

The presumed fate of the Geats (now that Beowulf is dead).

The raven, eagle and wolf mentioned here are the scavengers who will feed on the slain -- the "beasts of battle" (a common motif in Germanic war poetry).

The messenger describes in greater detail the Battle of Ravenswood (part of the Swedish wars).

Harsh.

I guess this is to be expected. We're talking fire-breathing dragons here.

This is a good example of irony as the same thing happened to the man who first stored the treasure in the barrow.

Literally this means the "cape of whales" - a headland by the sea.

i.e., he avoided the dragon's flame-breathing head.

Do you think his killings were "honorable"?

This is the "name" of Beowulf's sword.

A prominent Swedish clan.

This is a striking poetic euphemism.

Can't win 'em all.

I'm picturing a waterfall of fire (fire-fall?)

a steep cliff.

What does this statement say about the worth of human life in these times? Is it still relateable today?

This is Beowulf speaking....hello, hello...

This again, is referring to ongoing battles between the Geats and Swedes during this period.

This details the feelings of Hrethel, the Geatish king (see note above).

He was killed in a hunting accident by his brother Haethcyn (as told below); this caused his father, the Geatish king, to die of grief.

A young child.

This is an interesting way of referring to Beowulf's emotional state before entering the dragon's den - how do you interpret it?

Remember that this is another way of referring to Beowulf.

A tribe of Franks allied with the Frisians.

He still thinks he's got it. Even though he's probably over 70 by this point.

Another example of foreshadowing Beowulf's death.

"twilight; dusk"

Very interesting double meaning here - which do you think the author intended?

What might be a deeper message here about mortality, clan, and what gives meaning to life?

Lines 2215-31 contain sections damaged by fire. What you are reading is an attempt at reconstructing the meaning based on fragments.

Likely a burial mound in this context.

There are several references, some of them quite lengthy, to the wars between the Geats and the Swedes; these references appear most prominently here in Beowulf (Norse bear only passing reference). For more information, click here.

Beowulf will also (eventually) rule the Geats for 50 years as their king.

This section (lines 1651-1887) is called "Hrothgar's sermon" - in these lines, he foreshadows Beowulf's ultimate death.

Biblical flood?

She has a point...didn't Beowulf himself advise to forego mourning in favor of vengeance? I think she may be justified.

Just as with Grendel, swords are no match for them.

Looks like it's all good now between Beowulf and Unferth.

Interesting advice...what do you think?

The following is taken from the Finnesburg Fragment

This is a reference to a Norse hero whose exploits can be found in the Volsung Saga, a 13th century collection of Icelandic legends.

Tells of Beowulf's deeds in alliterative verse.

A lake or pool; we later learn that it has an outlet to the sea. Grendel's home.

The arm that launched a thousand art projects....

Grendel is protected by a charm against metals.

Foreshadowing

He will fight him unarmed.

Arrogance or confidence? What do you think of this Beowulf fellow so far?

Clap back.

How do you interpret this?

"a man who held land granted by the king or by a military nobleman, ranking between an ordinary freeman and a hereditary noble."

This is Beowulf speaking....

This is Hygelac's father and Beowulf's grandfather.

This is a reference to the boar carvings on their helmets.

This is my favorite kenning so far - "a person's vocabulary"

This is the king of the Geats.

"death price" here refers to the practice of monetary compensation for the life of a slain man as was custom at the time.

descendants of Shield; another name for the Danes.

See: Genesis 4.9-12

caused distress

This is an allusion to a future burning of Heorot.

This might help keep to keep track of the names mentioned:

This is a reminder that Shield came from humble beginnings and was found destitute as a boy.

Note this example of a "kenning" denoting, in this case, a king/overlord (one who gives "rings" or "power" to other men).

"the portion of a ship's bow above water"

What do you think of this statement? Is it still true today?

"to put up with; beared"

For the record: these are the line numbers (not part of the text)

"Sheild Sheafson" is the name of the founder of the Danish royal line.

He references the "jewels" and "gold" on this cross - what might he mean by this? What might this symbolize?

This refers to the cross that Jesus was crucified on.