Structure of Beowulf

Reminiscences Cain & Abel Hrothgar remembers B.’s father & the feud Hr. helped to end B’s swimming contest brief references to Sigemund, Heremod poet sings of fight at Finnsburh the sword he brings back depicts the destruction of the giants in the Flood Hrothgar warns Beowulf not to be like Heremod story of (Mod)Thryth dragon’s motivation story of the people who gathered the treasure · recalls his successes at Heorot · Hygelac’s death in Frisia, how Beowulf escaped by swimming · Heardred’s reign & fighting with Swedes · B’s youth in Hrethel’s reign, fighting with Swedes · B killed Daeghrefn in the fight in Frisia Weohstan killed Eanmund recounts story of earlier part of feud with Swedes

Narrative Present Prologue: story of Scyld, genealogy up to Hrothgar & Heorot Grendel’s attack Beowulf arrives Unferth taunts B. B. Kills Grendel Celebration gifts given to Beowulf Wealhtheow hopes B will have hoard of treasure and be role model of loyalty for her sons Grendel’s mother attacks B kills her B. returns home B. tells his story fast forward--brief references to Hygelac’s death, subsequent fighting dragon attacks B. goes to fight dragon Others run away, but Wiglaf stays dragon & Beowulf both killed warrior takes news of death back to people

Foreshadowing/Prophecy Heorot will later burn down brief reference to later troubles among Danes the necklace will be lost when Hygelac fights Franks expects trouble when Freawaru marries Ingeld expects trouble from Franks and Swedes