6 beowulf - important quotations
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The document contains several important quotations from the epic poem Beowulf that illustrate key themes. One quotation emphasizes the importance for a young prince to be generous while his father is alive so that warriors will support him later in battles. Another quotation stresses the heroic code of avenging fallen friends rather than indulging in mourning. A third quotation describes Beowulf preparing for his final battle by donning his armor, including a golden helmet, accepting whatever fate may come.
![ï‚¡ Beowulf got ready,
donned his war-gear, indifferent to death;
his mighty, hand-forged, fine-webbed mail
would soon meet with the menace underwater.
It would keep the bone-cage of his body safe:
. . .
[His helmet] was of beaten gold,
princely headgear hooped and hasped
by a weapon-smith who had worked wonders. . .
.
(1442–1452)](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/6-beowulf-importantquotations-151109201807-lva1-app6892/85/6-beowulf-important-quotations-6-320.jpg)
6 beowulf - important quotations
- 2.  And a young prince must be prudent like that, giving freely while his father lives so that afterwards in age when fighting starts steadfast companions will stand by him and hold the line. Behaviour that’s admired is the path to power among people everywhere. (20–25)
- 3.  Prudency, sensilibity, generosity are required of a king  Reason :To maintain the support of warriors  Give and take relationship, acceptable  Loyalty – emphasized  Warrior culture, heroic code...
- 4.  Wise sir, do not grieve. It is always better to avenge dear ones than to indulge in mourning. For every one of us, living in this world means waiting for our end. Let whoever can win glory before death.When a warrior is gone, that will be his best and only bulwark. (1384–1389)
- 5.  Compressed statement of the heroic code  To indulge is unacceptable  Vengeance – real response, sign of true love  Reputation is what matters upon death  Race for it (Let whoever can...)  Courage, honour...
- 6.  Beowulf got ready, donned his war-gear, indifferent to death; his mighty, hand-forged, fine-webbed mail would soon meet with the menace underwater. It would keep the bone-cage of his body safe: . . . [His helmet] was of beaten gold, princely headgear hooped and hasped by a weapon-smith who had worked wonders. . . . (1442–1452)
- 7. ï‚¡ Preparation for battle ï‚¡ Armor : Both family (make) and performance (safety) ï‚¡ Fate : talks about what will happen ï‚¡ Fate is accepted.
- 8.  O flower of warriors, beware of that trap. Choose, dear Beowulf, the better part, eternal rewards. Do not give way to pride. For a brief while your strength is in bloom but it fades quickly; and soon there will follow illness or the sword to lay you low, or a sudden fire or surge of water or jabbing blade or javelin from the air or repellent age.Your piercing eye will dim and darken; and death will arrive, dear warrior, to sweep you away. (1758–1768)
- 9.  Hrothgar’s sermon  Dangers of success are emphasized  Warns Beowulf not to give way to pride (hubris)  Eternal reward : Afterlife (Christian)  Beowulf : A flower (Life’s not eternal)  Repellant age :You’ll not live forever