Seminar 2; The Literature of the 7th and 11th centuries. Anglo-Saxon Literature

 
Task 2. Working on new words and expressions 
 
Task 3. Answer the questions: 
 
 
 
1. When the poem “Beowulf” was 
composed?
2. Who is the author of the poem? What 
can you say about the author of the 
poem?
3. What is the connection between the 
poem “Beowulf” and the Great Tang 
Dynasty?
4. What do you know about the 
manuscript of the poem “Beowulf”?
5. What can you say about the structure 
of the poem?
Glossary of unknown words: 
Scribe = a book seller 
To be descended = to be related to a person or animal that lived long ago 
Hoard = a large amount of something that someone has hidden somewhere 
To loat = to steal things from a house or shops during a war or natural disaster 

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The story of Beowulf: 
 
Task 4. Questions before reading.
In this task students should
answer questions by predicting the story. They should give their own
opinions by using the information given above. Students can make up their
own stories too. After reading the story of Beowulf, students can check
their predictions. 
№ 
Questions 
1 
What do you think why and how Beowulf fights against Grendel and
Grendel’s mother? 
2 
How do you imagine the appearance and character of Beowulf ? 
3 
What about monster Grendel? 
4 
What do you think how kings should be?
Task 5. Now read the story and check whether you were right
or not. 
Once upon a time, many – many centuries ago, there lived a king of
Danes named Hrothgar. He had won many battles and gained great wealth.
He built a large and beautiful palace (Heorot) and he presented costly gifts
to his warriors and gave splendid banquets. But the joy of the king did not
last long. In the dark fens nearby there lived a fierce sea – monster
Grendel. He wanted to destroy the palace Heorot as he disliked noise.
Grendel looked like a man but was much bigger, and his whole body was
covered with long hair, so thick and tough that no weapon could harm
him.

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One night when the warriors in Heorot were asleep, Grendel rushed
in, seized thirty man and devoured them. The next the monster appeared
again. The men defended themselves bravely, but their swords could not
even hurt the monster. From that time no one dared to come to Heorot.
For twelve years the palace stood deserted. The news of the disaster
reached Beowulf, nephew of Hygelac, king of Jutes. Beowulf was the
strongest and the bravest of all the warriors. He was said to have the
strength of thirty man. He decided to help Hrothgar. With fourteen chosen
companions he sat sail for the country of Danes. 
Hrothgar gladly welcomed Beowulf and gave a banquet in his honor.
Late at night, when the feast was over, all went to sleep except Beowulf.
Beowulf knew that no weapon could kill Grendel and decided to fight bare 
– handed. Suddenly the man – eater rushed into the hall. He seized and
devoured one of the sleeping warriors, and then approached Beowulf. A
desperate hand – to – hand fight began. At first Beowulf’s courage fled: 
 
The demon delayed not, but quickly clutched 
A sleeping thane in his swift assault, 
Gulped the blood, and gobbled the flesh, 
Greedily gorged on the lifeless corpse,
The hands and the feet. Then the fiend stepped nearer, 
Sprang on the Sea – Great lying outstretched, 
Grasping him close with his monstrous claw. 
But Beowulf grappled and gripped him hard, 
Struggled up on his elbow; the shepherd of sins 
Soon found that never before had he felt 
In any man other in all the earth 
A mightier hand – grip; his mood was humbled. 
His courage fled; but he found no escape! 
 

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But soon, remembering the boast he had made at the banquet and his
glorious duty, Beowulf regained his courage, sprang to his feet and went
on fighting. It was so terrible that the walls of the palace shook. Beowulf
managed to tear off Grendel’s arm, and the monster retreated to his den
howling and roaring with pain and fury. He was fatally wounded and soon
died: 
Each loathed the other while life should last! 
There Grendel suffered a grievous hurt, 
A wound in the shoulder, gaping and wide; 
Sinews snapped and bone – joints broke. 
And Beowulf gained the glory of battle. 
Grendel, fated, fled to the fens, 
To his joyless dwelling, sick unto death. 
He knew in his heart that his hours were numbered 
His days at an end. For all the Danes 
There wish was fulfilled in the fall of Grendel. 
The stranger from far, the stalwart and strong, 
Had purged of evil the hall of Hrothgar, 
And cleansed of crime; the heart of the hero 
Joyed in the deed his daring had done. 
 
The next day Grendel’s mother, a water – witch, came to Heorot to
avenge her son’s death. While Beowulf was asleep she snatched away one
of Hrothgar’s favorite warriors. Beowulf decided to kill the water – witch
too. He plunged into the water and found the water – witch in her den
beside the dead body of her son. A desperate fight began. At first Beowulf
was nearly overcome, as his sword has no power against the monster. But
fortunately his glance fell upon a huge magic sword hanging on the wall.
Beowulf killed the monster with its help. Then he cut off the heads of

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Grendel and of the water – witch and carried them to the surface. Heorot
was freed forever. Hrothgar poured treasures into Beowulf’s hands. 
At last the day came for Beowulf to sail home. Everybody regretted
his departure. When Beowulf arrived in his own land, he gave all the
treasures he had brought to Hygelac and the people. Beowulf was admired
and honored by everybody. After the death of Hygelac, Beowulf became the
king of the Jutes. For fifty years he ruled his country wisely and well until
one day a great disaster befell the happy land: every night there appeared
a fire – breathing dragon came and destroyed the villages. Remembering his
glorious youth, Beowulf decided to fight and save his people, but of all his
earls only Wiglaf, a brave warrior and heir to the kingdom, had the
courage to help him. In a fierce battle the dragon was killed, but his
flames burnt Beowulf. Beowulf ordered Wiglaf to take as much treasure as
he could carry and give it to the Jutes. In his last hour he thought only
of his people, for whose happiness he had sacrificed his life. Beowulf’s
victory over the monsters symbolized the triumph of a man over the powers
of darkness and evil.