“The Death of Conchobhar”
“Branwen, Daughter of Llyr” - between Ireland and Wales; king of Ireland wants to marry Branwen (Bendigiefran's sister); wanted peace-pledge; Efnisien decides to mutilate Matholwch's horses because of marriage; Matholwch goes away and leaves Branwen; Bendigiefran repays with gold, horses, and cauldron of resurrection (can't talk though); Branwen has a son after a year, then people of Ireland start complaining; Matholwch decides to punsih Branwen by putting her in the kitchen and having her be boxed on the ear by the baker every day; tells bird to take note to Wales; Bendigiefran upset because his sister has been insulted; walks across water; Matholwch decides to make peace; makes big tent (Bendigiefran had never been inside); Efnisien sees trap and kills all Irish warriors in flour sacks; Matholwch says he is going to make Bendigiefran's nephew king of Ireland; Efnisien throws boy into fire; battle ensues; Irish put bodies into cauldron; Efnisien pretends that he's dead and is thrown into cauldron, then breaks it; Bendigiefran gets poisoned; has warriors kill him; bury his head towards France for protection; everyone died but a few; Manawydan (last surviving brother) becomes a sort of wanderer; everyone in Ireland dead except a few mothers in Ireland who repopulate.
“The Battle of Muldon” - English vs. Vikings, Vikings on island, ask to cross bridge to mainland, English says okay, English die, shows Pride (oftermod).
Hrolf Kraki
Beowulf
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
THEMES: The Corruption of Power, Christianity vs. Paganism, The Role of Women, The Role of Christianity, The Roles of Kings and Warriors, Loyalty, Pride, The Role of Magic, Fate (wyrd), Faith, Blood-Money (wergild), Banishment, Good vs. Evil, Hospitality, Revenge.
Some Definitions you’ll need to remember: Wergild, wyrd, kenning, alliteration, epic hero, epic poem, epic boast, chivalry.
Wergild and Wyrd - Wergild is blood money, paid by the murderer to the family of the slain. You couldn't really pay wergild if you killed someone who was related to you, which is why kin killing was so bad. The paying of wergild, or the lack of wergild, determined the outcome of many feuds. Wyrd means fate, and was believed to cause everything in this culture.
Kenning - a metaphorical phrase or compound metaphor used instead of the actual name of the thing
Alliteration - the repitition of consonant sounds
Epic Hero - a hero in an epic; usually has above-average strength, intelligence, or morals, but also had a tragic flaw
Epic Poem - a poem in which the hero is on a heroic quest and there is some problem they must overcome
Epic Boast - bragging done by an epic hero
Chivalry - a knight's code; needed traits like protecting the weak, being loyal to the king, being a gentleman, must uphold the dignity of all, being an example to the young, respects the religious rights of all, his word is his bond, must know good from evil, never betrays trust, contributes to the betterment of the world.
List of Characters that you will need to know: Conchobhar, Cet, Meis-Geghra, Finghin, Bendigiefran, Branwen, Matholwch, Manawydan, Efnisien, Nisien, Beowulf, Grendel, Hygelac, Hrothgar, Shield Sheafson, Wulfgar, Wiglaf, Unferth, Finn, Sigmund, Wealtheow, Morgan Le Fay, Sir Gawain, King Arthur, The Green Knight, The Mistress, Hrolf Kraki, Bodvar, Hott, Adils, Bera, Bjorn, Svipdag, Elk-Frodi, Helgi, Skuld, Elf Woman, Yrsa, Olof
Conchobar - the stupid king who got hit with a brain ball and died after trying to go avenge Jesus. Role of Kings, Paganism vs. Christianity, Corruption of Power.
Cet - the great warrior who avenged Meis-Geghra by throwing Meis-Geghra's brain ball at Conchobar after stealing it from some warriors. Role of Warriors, Revenge.
Meis-Geghra - the guy whose brain ball kills Conchobar. Revenge.
Finghin - the doctor that sews the brain ball to Conchobar's head.
Bendigiefran - king of Wales; brother of Branwen; a giant. Role of Kings, Revenge, Hospitality.
Branwen - from Wales; married to Matholwch, king of Ireland; failed peace-pledge. Role of Women.
Matholwch - king of Ireland; marries Branwen. Role of Kings, Revenge, Hospitality.
Manawydan - last surviving brother of Wales royalty; becomes wanderer after Bendigiefran's head is buried.
Efnisien - trickster of Wales; gets everyone into trouble. Revenge, Role of a Warrior, Good vs. Evil, Hospitality, Pride (didn't ask him before Branwen was married off).
Nisien - the good brother. Good vs. Evil.
Beowulf - the epic hero. The greatest warrior who ever lived. Saves Hrothgar and his people. A Geat from across the sea. Has a mysterious past involving his father. Has a pride issue. Becomes king after Hygelac, for 50 years, but doesn't do a very good job because he can't let go of the past. Doesn't want to be king, but is kind of forced into it. Dies at the talons of a dragon. Pride, Role of a King, Role of a Warrior, Wyrd, Wergild.
For major characters (or protagonists) make sure you can discuss character flaws and what those flaws are meant to do – or how they inform us of someone larger idea.Grendel - the monster that wreaks Havoc on Heorot that Beowulf kills. A descendant of Cain who is cursed to live the life of an outcast and can't speak coherently (But really, he's just misunderstood...). Still lives with his mom. Paganism vs. Christianity, Good vs. Evil.
Hygelac - king of Geatland before Beowulf; died in an unnecessary raid in Friesland. Role of Kings, Pride.
Hrothgar - king of the Shieldings (Danes). Plagued by Grendel, forever indebted to Beowulf. Descendant of Shield. A good king. Role of Kings, Hospitality, Paganism vs. Christianity, Wergild.
Shield - the long-dead king of the Danes. A great warrior and king. Ancestor of Hrothgar. Parallel to Beowulf. (A good king is a shield to his people.) Role of Kings.
Wulfgar - the herald of Hrothgar. Wise and a good warrior. Hospitality.
Wiglaf - the inexperienced warrior that stays to fight the dragon even after Beowulf is obviously ging to fail. Uses the weapons and armor of his father, Weohstan, an exile, who had killed Eanmund, the son of Ohthere. The last of the Waegmundings, the clan that Ecgtheow blonged to, so he is Beowulf's kin. Helps Beowulf slay the dragon. Predicts the downfall of the Geats. Role of a Warrior, Loyalty.
Unferth - pretty much Hrothgar's court jester. A drunkard who starts fights even though he knows he can't win. A cowardly kin-killer. Loans Beowulf his sword, Hrunting, to defeat Grendel's mom. Role of a Warrior, Hospitality.
Gawain - most pure of King Arthur's knights; follows a strict code of chivalry and holiness; takes bet with Green Knight. Role of a Warrior, Good vs. Evil, Christianity vs. Paganism, Loyalty.
King Arthur - king of England during the Middle Ages; had to hear a story at Yuletide. Role of a King.
Green Knight - goes to King Arthur's court at Yule and makes deal with Gawain; tests Gawain; symbolizes nature, rebirth, Paganism. Paganism vs. Christianity, the Role of Magic.
Gawain's Mistress - tempts Gawain while he is in Bertilak's house; makes Gawain impure; gives him a green magical girdle. The Role of Magic, Paganism vs. Christianity, Loyalty, the Role of Women.
Hrolf Kraki - son of Yrsa and Helgi; becomes king of the Danes; takes in Svipdag and his brothers; tricks Skuld's husband; dies at the hands of Skuld. Revenge, Role of Kings, Role of a Warrior.
Bodvar - the only normal son of Bera and Bjorn; has a spirit bear; one of Hrolf's champions; brother of Elk-Frodi and Thorir. The Role of Magic, Role of a Warrior.
Hott/Hjalti - hides in bone pit in Hrolf's hall; rescued by Bodvar; drink the blood of a beast and becomes strong; one of Hrolf's champions. Role of a Warrior, Role of Magic.
Adils - King of Sweden; marries Yrsa; kills Helgi; gets his butt cut off.
Bera - a freeman's daughter, in love with Bjorn, eats the bear meet and gets the ring, has three strong (weird) sons.
Bjorn - son of Hring, gets turned into a were-bear by Hvit, in love with Bera, impregnates Bera, gets killed by the king and his men.
Svipdag - son of Svip, becomes great warrior, works for Adils and then Hrolf.
Elk-Frodi - lower half of his body is part elk, first son of Bera and Bjorn, becomes an outlaw after taking his less-than-pleasing inheritance, goes on to kill Skuld.
Helgi - son of Halfdan, hides with Vifil, then hides with Jarl Saevil and Signy, kills Frodi, rules Denmark, tries to marry Olof, tricks and rapes Olof, marries Yrsa (his daughter), gives Hroar the magic ring, avenges Hroar by killing Hrok, father of Hrolf, is left by Yrsa, becomes depressed, father of Skuld by an elf, killed by Adils.
Skuld - Helgi's half-elf daughter, half-sister of Hrolf, marries Hjorvard, bad.
Elf Woman - ends up on Helgi's doorstep; mother of Skuld.
Yrsa - daughter of Olof and Helgi, marries Helgi, leaves Helgi, gives Hrolf Helgi's treasure.
Olof - Queen of Saxland, like Modthryth, tricks Helgi, then tricked by Helgi, mother of Yrsa, tells the happy couple of Yrsa and Helgi that they are father and daughter.
Hrothgar - king of the Shieldings (Danes). Plagued by Grendel, forever indebted to Beowulf. Descendant of Shield. A good king. Role of Kings, Hospitality, Paganism vs. Christianity, Wergild.
Shield - the long-dead king of the Danes. A great warrior and king. Ancestor of Hrothgar. Parallel to Beowulf. (A good king is a shield to his people.) Role of Kings.
Wulfgar - the herald of Hrothgar. Wise and a good warrior. Hospitality.
Wiglaf - the inexperienced warrior that stays to fight the dragon even after Beowulf is obviously ging to fail. Uses the weapons and armor of his father, Weohstan, an exile, who had killed Eanmund, the son of Ohthere. The last of the Waegmundings, the clan that Ecgtheow blonged to, so he is Beowulf's kin. Helps Beowulf slay the dragon. Predicts the downfall of the Geats. Role of a Warrior, Loyalty.
Unferth - pretty much Hrothgar's court jester. A drunkard who starts fights even though he knows he can't win. A cowardly kin-killer. Loans Beowulf his sword, Hrunting, to defeat Grendel's mom. Role of a Warrior, Hospitality.
Finn - king of the Frisians. Killed by Hengest, a Dane, in an ambush. Revenge, Role of a King.
Sigmund - The hero of the Volsung Saga. Kills a great dragon and gets a ton of money and fame. Parallels to Beowulf, and foreshadow. A good warrior. Role of a Warrior, Paganism vs. Christianity.
Wealtheow - wife of Hrothgar. Lots o' foreshadow, especially towards her sons. Very intelligent even though she is a woman. Gives Beowulf advice. A working peace pledge. Role of Women, Wyrd.
Morgana Le Fay - old woman in Gawain; Gawain's aunt, Arthur's half-sister. A sorceress who plans out the whole plot. Paganism vs. Christianity, Good vs. Evil, Role of Women.Sigmund - The hero of the Volsung Saga. Kills a great dragon and gets a ton of money and fame. Parallels to Beowulf, and foreshadow. A good warrior. Role of a Warrior, Paganism vs. Christianity.
Wealtheow - wife of Hrothgar. Lots o' foreshadow, especially towards her sons. Very intelligent even though she is a woman. Gives Beowulf advice. A working peace pledge. Role of Women, Wyrd.
Gawain - most pure of King Arthur's knights; follows a strict code of chivalry and holiness; takes bet with Green Knight. Role of a Warrior, Good vs. Evil, Christianity vs. Paganism, Loyalty.
King Arthur - king of England during the Middle Ages; had to hear a story at Yuletide. Role of a King.
Green Knight - goes to King Arthur's court at Yule and makes deal with Gawain; tests Gawain; symbolizes nature, rebirth, Paganism. Paganism vs. Christianity, the Role of Magic.
Gawain's Mistress - tempts Gawain while he is in Bertilak's house; makes Gawain impure; gives him a green magical girdle. The Role of Magic, Paganism vs. Christianity, Loyalty, the Role of Women.
Hrolf Kraki - son of Yrsa and Helgi; becomes king of the Danes; takes in Svipdag and his brothers; tricks Skuld's husband; dies at the hands of Skuld. Revenge, Role of Kings, Role of a Warrior.
Bodvar - the only normal son of Bera and Bjorn; has a spirit bear; one of Hrolf's champions; brother of Elk-Frodi and Thorir. The Role of Magic, Role of a Warrior.
Hott/Hjalti - hides in bone pit in Hrolf's hall; rescued by Bodvar; drink the blood of a beast and becomes strong; one of Hrolf's champions. Role of a Warrior, Role of Magic.
Adils - King of Sweden; marries Yrsa; kills Helgi; gets his butt cut off.
Bera - a freeman's daughter, in love with Bjorn, eats the bear meet and gets the ring, has three strong (weird) sons.
Bjorn - son of Hring, gets turned into a were-bear by Hvit, in love with Bera, impregnates Bera, gets killed by the king and his men.
Svipdag - son of Svip, becomes great warrior, works for Adils and then Hrolf.
Elk-Frodi - lower half of his body is part elk, first son of Bera and Bjorn, becomes an outlaw after taking his less-than-pleasing inheritance, goes on to kill Skuld.
Helgi - son of Halfdan, hides with Vifil, then hides with Jarl Saevil and Signy, kills Frodi, rules Denmark, tries to marry Olof, tricks and rapes Olof, marries Yrsa (his daughter), gives Hroar the magic ring, avenges Hroar by killing Hrok, father of Hrolf, is left by Yrsa, becomes depressed, father of Skuld by an elf, killed by Adils.
Skuld - Helgi's half-elf daughter, half-sister of Hrolf, marries Hjorvard, bad.
Elf Woman - ends up on Helgi's doorstep; mother of Skuld.
Yrsa - daughter of Olof and Helgi, marries Helgi, leaves Helgi, gives Hrolf Helgi's treasure.
Olof - Queen of Saxland, like Modthryth, tricks Helgi, then tricked by Helgi, mother of Yrsa, tells the happy couple of Yrsa and Helgi that they are father and daughter.
Motifs: ambush, birds and horses, the mutilation of horses, betrayal while the king is away, divine protection, the troublemaker, beheading, kin killing, importance of ancestors, reputation, the arming of the warrior, the fairy world, green, Yuletide happenings.
Ambush - the story of Finn and Hengest (Hildeburh was the queen of the Frisians, a peace pledge from the Danes. Her brother was Hnaef, and her husband was Finn, king of the Frisians. Hnaef is killed by the Frisians. Finn's hall is ambushed by the Danes, under Hengest, the new ruler of the Danes, and Finn is killed. Hildeburh is taken back to Denmark. This digression shows the Role of Women and Peace Pledges through Hildeburh, and also Wergild and Kin Killing.), the attempted ambush by the men in the flour bags in "Branwen", and Gawain's test.
Birds & Horses - Efnisien mutilates the horses of Matholwch, Branwen sends a note through a bird.
Betrayal While the King is Away - Gawain and the mistress while Bertilak is hunting, Grendel attacking Heorot while Hrothgar is asleep.
Divine Protection - Odin helps Hrolf and his men when they go to Adils, Beowulf is protected by God (according to the monk), Gawain is protected by Mary (which he forfeits for the girdle).
The Troublemaker - Efnisien, Grendel, Gawain's Mistress, Olof.
Beheading - Beowulf beheads Grendel's mom, the Green Knight and Gawain's deal, Bendigiefran's magic head.
Kin Killing - Unferth, Skuld, Helgi and Hroar kill their uncle.
Importance of Ancestors - Beowulf's father (Ecgtheow), Hrothgar, Helgi (son of Haldane).
Reputation - Unferth, Beowulf, Hrolf and his champions, Matholwch.
The Arming of the Warrior - Beowulf having no armor, Beowulf's swords, Gawain's special armor.
The Fairy World - Gawain and the Green Chapel, Branwen's magic family, Skuld.
Green - The Green Knight, Paganism vs. Christianity, renewal, magic.
Yuletide Happenings - Gawain and the Green Chapel deal, Skuld's war, Hroar and Helgi burned Frodi's hall, Elf Woman visits Helgi, the beast that Bodvar and Hott take care of.
Symbols: the brain-ball, the cauldron of resurrection, Heorot, Grendel, the Dragon, the fiery lake (and Grendel’s mothers’ liar), Hrunting, the giant’s sword, Gawain’s shield, the girdle (remember characters themselves can also be symbols).
Allusions: for each story or book be able to pick out some allusions and link them to a theme.
Beowulf - Cain and Abel, the Bible, Modthryth (bad queen), Heremod (bad king), Sigmund, Finn and Hengest.
Hrolf Kraki - the Bible at the very end. Gawain - the Bible. "Death of Conchobar" - Jesus!
Irony: For each story or book be able to pick out some ironies.
Make sure you keep a list of events from any book or story that backs up a theme. You will need to use examples. Specific examples.
You will need to be able to compare and contrast Battle of Muldon and be able to connect to a theme and used to back up a larger book (such as Beowulf).
Be able to generalize the differences between the following: Anglo-Saxon, Celtic, and Welsh literature, between Old English and Middle English.
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