Extra Credit Reading Notes: Beowulf, Part A

 Stories reference below were from The Story of Beowulf by Strafford Riggs

King Hygelac of Geatsland 

• Started off the story with a common introductory sentence, "Once upon a time, ... "
• Is this too overused? Tacky? Why do so many fairy tales and accompanying myths start off with this introduction?
• At the beginning of the story, before the characters were introduced, the author illustrated the setting of the story -- the monsters that resided in the oceans, the beasts that were in the forests
• For many of them, the author included ghastly details -- something to intrigue the reader into continuing with the story
• There was also a lot of discussion about the cultures of the lands and their surrounding lands as well. About how they were warring constantly
• At first, I thought this story wasn't as fantastical as it was made out to be. When I came upon the fact that there were monsters was where the story got a lot more interesting for me and my mind was filled with the possibilities of these imaginary beasts.
• Not once in this story was there dialogue. Maybe because it was more of an introductory story?

The Young Beowulf

• One of the main conflicts of the story was how Beowulf was already considered powerful, and even he knows that. However, there were no wars that could test the strength of Beowulf, since the kingdom was at peace with the neighbors
• Maybe this was set up for foreshadowing?
• There were many instances of supporting characters showing their emotions and testing Beowulf in order to create more hype about the character, including one of the men of the kingdom who was held in very high regard as wise.
• Every description of people was very vivid, describing the hair, eyes, and even stature for the reader to fully be immersed
  
  (Beowulf in his Younger Years. Source: Henry Pitz)