Beowulf Dialectical Journal 1-16

Dialectical Journal 1-16

1. "Shield was still thriving when his time came and he crossed over into the Lord's keeping." Line 30

This line depicts that though Shield had been admired greatly by everyone, even when the time of his death came. And he goes over to God, as described.


2. "They decked his body no less bountifully with offerings than those first ones did who cast him away when he was a child and launched him alone out over the waves." Line 43

This line may imply that Shield was ignored and seen as an enemy more than a hero, during his role his worth increased to the people. He was kind and great, and for that reason after his death he was bidden farewell in ways similar to those who had at first, ignored him; the rulers and powerful people who ruled over the Spear-Danes.


3. "...the harp being struck and the clear song of a skilled poet telling with mastery of man's beginnings, how the Almighty had made the earth a gleaming plain girdled with waters.." line 94

As the celebration and enjoyment of the people went on in the mead-hall, the demon Grendel was annoyed and provoked by it because it signified the same God who had exiled him. And so Grendel carried out the oncoming events following the banquet's sound.


4. "Suddenly then the God-cursed brute was creating havoc: greedy and grim, he grabbed thirty men from their resting places and rushed to his lair..." Lin 120

Grendel's sudden and extreme wrath is described through this line; he grabs as many men as he can and takes their life, ruins their bodies and frightens the people of the hall, leaving them mourning.


5. "So Grendel ruled in defiance of right, King Hrothgar's one against all, until the greatest house in the world stood empty, a deserted wallstead." Line 145

Grendel's objective to destroy Hrothgar's house/family is revealed through this line. Grendel rages against them because they have the Lord's watch over them whereas he's been outlawed.


6. "He took over Heorot, haunted the glittering hall after dark, but the throne itself, the treasure-seat, he was kept from approaching; he was the Lord's outcast." Line 167-170

Grendel took over Heorot, and terrorized the people of Shielding's kingdom. But he couldn't take over the throne hall or the thrones itself because it has been blessed by God, or a holy presence that protects it from outlawed and hated creatures like Grendel.


7. "He ordered a boat that would ply the waves. He announced his plan: 200 to sail the swan's road and search out that king, the famous prince who needed defenders." 206-210

Here, Beowulf's good character and might shows. As he hears of Grendel's wrath taking over Shielding, he jumps into action, considers his own might and strength equal or greater than that of Grendel's. And so he takes the decision to go to Hrothgar's kingdom and defend his people.


8."Nobody on earth knew of another building like it. Majesty lodged there, its light shone over many lands." 316

This line is used to describe Heorot as the Geats enter Hrothgar's kingdom, and also to contrast the fact that Grendel, a symbol of darkness resides in that building.


9. "Most gracious Hrothgar, do not refuse them, but grant them a reply. From their arms and appointment, they appear well born and worthy of respect, especially the one who has led them this far: he is formidable indeed." 365-370

Here Wulfgar, being sure of the Geats' purpose and Beowulf's request, passes the request to Hrothgar in a way that shows that Wulfgar supports Beowulf's purpose and objective in that place.


10. "...my one request is that you won't refuse me, who have come this far, the privilege of purifying Heorot.." 429-430

This line, spoken by Beowulf to Hrothgar shows that Beowulf is considerate in his request but also ambitious and sure of his strength to fight Grendel and purify Heorot from its darkness.


11. "And the minstrel sang, filling Heorot with his head-clearing voice, gladdening that great rally of Geats and Danes." 497-500


This line describes that celebrations have started again at Heorot; which implies that Grendel will feel provoked once again. So it implies that an attack from Grendel may be coming very soon.


12.  "Often, for undaunted courage, fate spares the man it has not already marked. " 572-575

Here, talking about his expert escape from the sea creatures, Beowulf also remarks that he is protected by fate because of his courage. This also points to his oncoming fight with Grendel; and that his chances of winning that battle is better than people think.


13. "One man, however, was in fighting mood, awake and on edge, spoiling for action." 709-710

As Grendel started to approach Heorot to destroy it late at night, everyone was asleep; except Beowulf himself, since he was preparing himself for the battle with Grendel, even though he could not possibly know that Grendel was about to attack that very moment.


14. "And his glee was demonic, picturing the mayhem: before morning he would rip life from limb and devour them, feed on their flesh; but his fate that night was due to change, his days of ravening had come to an end." 730-731

Grendel was at Heorot, imagining how he would rip the place and its inhabitants apart; he had not lost a battle before. But he did not know that that night, his streak of killing might come to an end.

15. "...a God-cursed scream and strain of catastrophe, the howl of the loser, the lament of the hell-serf keening his wound." 785- 787

As Beowulf grabbed a hold of Grendel, he didn't let him go easily. He ripped Grendel's arm off his shoulder with his bare hands, and extremely injured and defeated Grendel expressed his pain through his hellish screams.


16. "The man started to recite with skill, rehearsing Beowulf's triumphs and feats in well-fashioned lines, entwining his words. He told what he'd heard
The tale of repeated in songs about Sigemund's exploits..." 871-875

As Beowulf's win was being celebrated in the hall, a traditional singer sang of his success in the way the legendary warrior Sigemund was sang about. Sigemund was a legend even in terms of Beowulf's might, so the comparison holds him to an even higher standard.