Transcript Beowulf Graphic Novel

Graphic Novel
By Matt Jones
Grendel
Grendel ruled over all, killed many, and left
Herot empty for years, leaving Hrothgar twelve
winters of grief and sorrow. Grendel sought no
peace, offering, or truce, only bloodshed to
fuel his never-ending thirst to kill (Beowulf
Lines 59-70).
When darkness fell, Grendel went
up to Herot, bloodthirsty and
curious of what the warriors would
do in the hall after they had
finished drinking. He crept through
the door, finding them all soundly
asleep, then snatched up 30 men,
slaughtering
them
with
no
hesitation (Beowulf Lines 30-40).
“He was spawned in that slime, conceived by a pair of
those monsters of Cain, murderous creatures banished
by God, punished forever for the crime of Abel’s death”
(Beowulf Lines 19-23).
-Grendel is a spawn of Cain, the very first murderer,
and is punished for eternity for what Cain had done.
“Though he lived in Herot, when the night hid him,
he never dared to touch king Hrothgar’s glorious
throne, protected by God-God, whose love Grendel
could not know” (Beowulf Lines 81-85).
-No matter how evil and powerful Grendel is, he is
afraid of God and cannot kill Hrothgar for he is
protected by God
Beowulf’s wisest people said that it was his duty to go
to the Danes’ great king. They have witnessed
Beowulf's strength, seeing him arise from the
darkness of war, dripping with the enemy blood. He
has faced great giants, hunted monsters out at sea
during pitch black nights, killing them all. Death was
his errand and the fate his foes earned. Now Beowulf
and Grendel are called together, and Beowulf has
stood up to the challenge (Beowulf Lines 149-160).
“I have heard, too, that the monsters scorn
of men is so great that he needs no
weapons and fears none. Nor will I”
(Beowulf Lines 166-169).
-Grendel fights with no weapons, so
Beowulf decides neither will he. Beowulf
wants it to be a fair fight and is
determined to win.
Beowulf
Far away from Hrothgar and the Danes, was a
warrior in Geatland by the name of Beowulf.
The strongest of the geats, greater and
stronger than anyone in the world, heard
how Grendel filled nights will fear and blood,
and quickly set out for sea to Hrothgar, now
when help was most needed (Beowulf Lines
110-116).
“And if death does take me, send the hammered
mail of my armor to Higlac, return the
inheritance I had from Hrethel, and he from
Wayland, Fate will unwind as it must!” (Beowulf
Lines 186-189).
-Beowulf is not afraid of death, or of facing
Grendel. He believes in fate, that it will unwind
as it must, between him and Grendel.
Final Battle Between Beowulf and Grendel
Grendel snatched up the first Geat he came to,
biting and ripping him to shreds, drinking his blood
and began to step towards a sleeping Beowulf. Just
as Grendel’s claws clutched at Beowulf, he had
returned the favor and seized the monsters arm,
trapping him (Beowulf Lines 262-272).
“The monster’s mind was hot with the
thought of food and the feasting his belly
would soon know, But fate, that night,
intended Grendel to gnaw the broken
bones of his last human supper”
(Beowulf Lines 255-259).
-The story is foreshadowing Grendel’s
death when saying he will gnaw on the
broken bones of his last human supper.
Beowulf twisted Grendel’s arm
with all of his might, as
Grendel’s power was all gone
and turned into fear. Beowulf
tore Grendel’s arm off with his
bare hands, splitting the bone.
Beowulf had won the battle,
and a wounded Grendel fled to
his marsh to die (Beowulf Lines
336-345).
“The infamous killer fought for
his freedom, wanting no flesh
but retreat, desiring nothing
but escape; his claws had been
caught, he was trapped”
(Beowulf Lines 285-288)
-Grendel had never met an
opponent equally matched to
himself, and was afraid of what
Beowulf may do. Grendel
wanted to escape.
Beowulf’s Last Battle
While fighting the dragon, Beowulf’s shield
begins to melt from the dragons fire breath, and
his sword then breaks once striking the dragons
rough scales. His weapons failed him when he
needed them most. The Dragon then came at
Beowulf, spitting its hot flames that wrapped
around Beowulf. An once great king had been
defeated (Beowulf Lines 667-691).
“I’d use no sword, no weapon, if this
beast could be killed without it, crushed
to death like Grendel, gripped in my
hands and torn limb from limb. But his
breath will be burning hot, poison will
pour from his tongue” (Beowulf Lines
613-617).
-When saying he will use weapons and
armor against the dragon, it seems like
Beowulf is not confident in himself or
determined, and also seems like less of
an epic hero.
“And Beowulf uttered his final boast: “I’ve never
known fear, as a youth I fought in endless battles. I am
old, now, but I will fight again, seek fame still, if the
dragon hiding in his tower dares to face me” (Beowulf
Lines 606-611).
-There is foreshadowing of Beowulf’s death when it
is said that he utters his final boast, and also he is old
and fighting for different reasons, such as fame and
gold.
As Beowulf suffered fatally
from the dragons flames,
none of his comrades came
to help him, to save him,
but one. One soldier by the
name of Wiglaf remained,
and he came to Beowulf’s
aid. Wiglaf was the only
soldier who remained
faithful to the king, Beowulf
(Beowulf Lines 691-705).
The Death/Mourning of Beowulf
The last of the bravest Geats then rode
their horses around Beowulf's tower, tell
stories of their dead king and his
greatness. They praised him for all that
he had done, and given them. They rode
off, mourning their beloved king, the
best king that had ever lived (Beowulf
Lines 885-895).
As Beowulf dies, he thanks God
for the treasure he has received,
and then tells Wiglaf to take all he
rest and then lead his people.
Beowulf wants Wiglaf to be the
new King. Beowulf wants a tomb
built for his funeral, to be burned
in, high enough for the sailors to
see. Beowulf is leaving his legacy
in Wiglaf’s hands (Beowulf Lines
805-825)
“Wiglaf, go, quickly, find the dragon’s
treasure: we’ve taken its life, but its gold is
ours, too. Hurry. Bring me ancient silver,
precious jewels, shining armor and gems,
before I die. Death will be softer, leaving
life and this people I’ve ruled so long, if I
look at this last of all prizes” (Beowulf
Lines 756-763).
-When Beowulf tells Wiglaf to find the
treasure for himself before he dies, as a
“last of all prizes”, he is being very selfish
in doing this, and doesn’t even thank
Wiglaf for what he is doing, but only
wants to see treasure. He is less of an
epic hero.
“And the riches he and Wiglaf had won from the
dragon, rings, necklaces, ancient, hammered armorall the treasures they’d taken were left there, too,
silver and jewels buried in the sandy ground, back in
the earth, again and forever useless to men”
(Beowulf Lines 877-883).
-The treasure was left with Beowulf’s buried body,
because it was his final prize, and Wiglaf and his
people did not desire it or have the need Beowulf
possessed.