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This is a good portrayal of the battle between Grendel's mother and Beowulf. In this picture, Grendel's mother is portrayed with long claws. Likewise in the text says, "She welcomed him with her claws, /Clutched at him savagely but could not harm him" (429-430).

Alances

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Erin

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Recurring themes throughout the battles -Deacan Spierling theme theorizer

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Recurring themes throughout the battles -Deacan Spierling theme theorizer

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In Beowulf our hero has fought two battles so far. One with the demon Grendel and one with the demon's mother the wicked water witch. during both battles a few common themes are present. in both battles strength is key to success. as seen before the first battle "(Beowulf's) hands alone shall fight for (him)" (Raffel 251-252)
showing how his strength and hands alone will overcome evil. the same can also be found during the second battle when "he saw, hanging on the wall, a heavy sword, hammered by giants, strong and blessed with their magic, the best of all weapons but so massive no ordinary man could lift its carved and decorated length. He drew it from its scabbard"(485-490) This again showcases Beowulf's great strength overcoming evil. the theme of loyalty also is shown throughout the battles such as when Beowulf and his men first encountered Grendel one of the men was loyal enough to be willing to sacrifice himself in the essence that he allowed himself to be eaten by Grendel. Beowulf's men also demonstrated great loyalty while Beowulf fought Grendel's mother "The Geats stayed, sat sadly, watching, Imagining they saw their lord..." (531-532) this shows how the men truly care about their leader.

Deacan

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What did Grendel feed on when he didn't eat the men in Herot?

Is Beowulf the man affiliated with any specific religion?

Did the Anglo Saxons just give glory to themselves or did they give  glory to their God or gods?

What did the Anglo Saxons think of women fighting?

Alances

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Beowulf has many characteristics in common with an epic hero. Here is a list of a few of the characteristics:
- Great Warrior
Beowulf has demonstrated this by killing Grendel and Grendel's mother
- Travels from afar
Comes all the way from the land of the Geats.
- A noble birth
He is a prince of the Geats.

Alances

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Beowulf contains many elements of poetry within the text. For instance, alliterations and kennings are used frequently throughout this epic.

Examples of Alliteration:
- "Up from his swampland, sliding silently /Toward that gold shining hall." (274-275)
This example describes Grendel coming out of his lair to attack Herot. Besides being more descriptive, the alliteration is also easier to remember.
- "In his (Beowulf's) fists till they (Grendel's claws) cracked, clutched Grendel /Closer" (320-321). This scene describes the moment before Beowulf ripped Grendel's arm off.
Alliteration was frequently used for two main reasons. It was used to make the story sound more rhythmic and was also used to help with memorization of the story when the bard told the story.

Examples of Kennings within the text:
- "Midnight Stalker" - Grendel
- "Prince of the Wdeders" - Beowulf
- "Sky Candle" - Sun

Kennings in the text are used for description and for a break in the constant repetition. They add more color to the text.

Alances

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Good vs. Bad
Grendel being the bad, Beowulf being the good.
In the anglo-saxon culture, it is important to boast so you do well in battle and have to prove yourself. Because they don't believe in afterlife, the importance of boasting and being brave in battle is how they will be remembered. After the battle with Grendel the narrator states, " Now, with that night's fierce work; the Danes Had been served as he'd boasted he'd serve them" (387-388) Grendel's mother, who felt the need to get revenge for what happened to her son is another example of pagan influence.

Erin Scott-Williams

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The idea that "man survives through the protection of god".
Being selfless/brave in battles
-fighting without weapons
-Sacrificing his life for lives of others
"Now he discovered-once the afflictor of men, tormentor of their days-what it meant to feud with Almighty God." (368-370, Raffel)
"someone's battle-hall" described as a fiery pit almost creating the imagery of hell.
"God, who sent him victory, gave judgement for truth and right, Ruler of the heavens, Once Beowulf was back on his feet and fighting." (482-484, Raffel)
Many of the references describe god protecting him and helping him though his battles. He has the power and characteristics of God.

Erin Scott-Williams

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Writhing: adj. twisting, as in pain

talons: the sharp, hooked claws on birds of prey and some other animals
Erin

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In this Epic story there is many battles. Two battles that are important to the story. The battle between Beowulf and Grendel have an influence on who Beowulf is as a warrior. He protects or tries his best to keep his townspeople safe and protected. "Grendel came, hoping to kill Anyone he could trap on this trip to high Herot." (271-272 Raffel). As Grendel started his massacre of the town of Herot, the warrior Beowulf took action. Grendel was frightened at the sight of Beowulf. He thought to run but did not want to cower away. Grendel soon fell to the hands of the mighty warrior Beowulf. As a trophy Beowulf took the arm of the monster Grendel. To prove that he is a warrior that is to be reckoned with.
Eric