ESSAY CEMETERY

Page numbers from Norton Anthology of English Literature, 4ed. THEMES/MOTIFS Money and treasure                 Many references.                 Page 48: Dead warriors are burned with their war gear on At the fire it was easy to see many a blood-stained battle shirt, boar-images all golden Page 50: Gifts given to Beowulf in thanks Twisted gold courteously bestowed on him, two arm-ornaments, a mailshirt and rings, the largest of necklaces of those I have heard spoken of… Good kings as associated with money and gifts Page 29 [Scyld] prospered in honors… until every one… had to obey him, pay him tribute. That was a good king. Loyalty associated with money  Page 30                 By giving splendid gifts… later in life beloved com...

[PROLOGUE] Beowulf begins with the description of the genealogy of the Danes. Scyld arrives in Denmark alone on a treasure ship as a young child. He goes on to become a great king. He is given a splendid burial in a ship filled with treasure. He has a son Beow who is also a glorious king. Beow has a son Healfdene who is a great warrior who has four children amongst whom are Heorogar, Hrothgar and Helga. [BEOWULF AND GRENDEL] [THE HALL HEOROT IS ATTACHKED BY GRENDEL] Hrothgar is king, and has a huge hall built called Heorot. He is successful in ruling and battle, until his hall and the kingdom is attacked repeatedly by the monster Grendel, a descendent of Cain's, to complete wreckage. They pray to the Devil, as heathens do but they ought to have prayed to god. [THE COMING OF BEOWULF TO HEOROT] Beowulf, the bravest of the Geats, heard of Grendel's deeds. He organized a team of good soldiers and crosses the ocean to Hrothgar's kingdom. Thanks to their splendid wa...