A s c r a p b o o k a b o u t

The Story of
Beowulf21st Century Literature

Gian Esperanza 11-Abm

Acknowledgement
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to my
family for their unwavering support fueled the creation
of this scrapbook about the Story of Beowulf. To my
friends, your encouragement and camaraderie made
this masterpiece memorable. A special thank you to my
21st Literature teacher, Mrs. Alyssa Mae Dacusin, for
imparting knowledge and inspiration. Lastly, I extend
my appreciation to my school for providing a nurturing
environment for creativity and learning. This scrapbook
is dedicated to all of you who have been a part of my
story.

i.
 Table of Contents
Acknowledgement............................................................................................. i
Table of Contents.............................................................................................. ii
Biography............................................................................................................ 1
Summary............................................................................................................. 2
Elements of the story....................................................................................... 3
a. Title and Author........................................................................................ 3
b. Characters................................................................................................. 3
c. Settings....................................................................................................... 4
d. Theme......................................................................................................... 4
e. Plot.............................................................................................................. 5
f. Conflict........................................... ........................................................... 6
g. Point of view............................................................................................. 6
h. Moral.......................................................................................................... 6
Literary Devices................................................................................................ 6
Symbolism.......................................................................................................... 7
Literary Criticism.............................................................................................. 8
Graphic Fiction.................................................................................................. 9
Autobiography..................................................................................................
ii.

Biography
The story of Beuwolf is a really old story from a time when people in England had
different ways of living. Even though we don't know exactly who wrote it, we can
imagine what their world was like.

In this special story, they really admired heroes – people who were incredibly
strong and did really brave things. It was a big deal to be loyal and show off how
brave you were, like having a favorite superhero but from a long time ago.

Before "Beowulf" became a book, it was like a secret that families and friends
shared by talking. It was their way of passing down exciting tales to the next
generation, like playing a fun game of telephone.

The story has a mix of old ideas and some newer ones, sort of like having different
flavors in a recipe. Even though we don't know the name of the person who wrote
"Beowulf," it was more about everyone getting together to tell stories – like a big
story party!

Even though the things in the story didn't really happen, they were based on what
people knew about their past and the world they lived in.

So, "Beowulf" is like a magical time machine that takes us back to a time when
people told stories about heroes and monsters in a very special way.

1
 Summary
Beowulf is a really, really old story about a super strong hero named Beowulf.
He hears about a big problem in a kingdom ruled by a king named Hrothgar.
There's a mean monster named Grendel causing a lot of trouble in the king's
special castle called Heorot

So, Beowulf decides to help. He brings his friends and they sail to Hrothgar's
kingdom. Beowulf is so brave that when Grendel attacks Heorot, Beowulf fights
him with just his hands! He wins and even pulls off Grendel's arm! Everyone is
happy, and Beowulf becomes a hero.

Then, Grendel's mom, who is also a monster, gets really mad. Beowulf doesn't
back down. He dives into the water and fights her in her underwater home. It's a
tough battle, but Beowulf wins again! Now, he's a big hero in two kingdoms.

Time passes, and Beowulf becomes the king of his own people, the Geats.
Everything seems peaceful, but then a scary dragon shows up, guarding a big pile
of treasure. Beowulf, being the brave hero he is, faces the dragon in a big, fiery
battle. He wins, but sadly, he gets hurt a lot and doesn't make it.

Even though Beowulf is gone, people remember him as a super brave hero. Even
when heroes like Beowulf aren't around anymore, their bravery stays alive in the
stories we tell.
2

Elements of the story

Title / Author: The Story of Beowulf / Unknown Author
Characters: 1. Beowulf : The main protagonist and hero of the story. He is a Geatish
warrior known for his strength, bravery, and loyalty. Beowulf battles
Grendel, Grendel's mother, and a dragon over the course of the epic.
2. King Hrothgar: The Danish king who initially faces the threat of the
monster Grendel. He appreciates and welcomes Beowulf's assistance.
3. Grendel: A monstrous descendant of Cain, Grendel terrorizes the
Danes by attacking the mead hall, Heorot, at night. Beowulf confronts
and defeats Grendel in a one-on-one battle.
4. Grendel's Mother: Seeking revenge for her son's death, she is another
adventurous fight whom Beowulf faces. He confronts her in an
underwater cave and emerges victorious.
5. Wiglaf: A loyal warrior and relative of Beowulf, Wiglaf plays a crucial
role in the final battle against the dragon. He stands by Beowulf's side
when others hesitate.
6. Unferth: A Danish warrior who initially doubts Beowulf's abilities
but later lends him his sword to fight Grendel's mother.
7. The Dragon: The final adversary Beowulf faces. The dragon guards a
hoard of treasure and poses a significant threat to Beowulf and his
people.
3
Settings:

Geatland Danish Kingdom Heorot

Grendel's lair Grendel's Dragon's lair

Mother's lair

Theme The main themes of Beowulf are about being a hero, staying loyal, and
the battle between good and evil. It tells the story of a brave warrior,
Beowulf, facing tough challenges like defeating monsters. The epic also
talks about fate and how life doesn't last forever. Beowulf's bravery
and honor show what it means to be a hero in the story. In short, the
main theme of the story is COURAGE, HEROISM, VENGEANCE,
LOYALTY, and GENEROSITY.
4

Plot: Introduction
The story begins with the introduction of the Danish kingdom and the
troubles faced by King Hrothgar and his people due to the monster
Grendel's attacks on the mead hall, Heorot.

Rising Action
Beowulf, a Geatish warrior, hears about the problems in Denmark and
decides to help. He arrives at Heorot, presents himself to Hrothgar, and
offers to confront Grendel. The rising action includes Beowulf's battles
with Grendel and Grendel's mother, establishing his heroic reputation.

Climax
The climax occurs during Beowulf's battle with the dragon. Despite his
victory, Beowulf is fatally wounded in the process, marking a turning
point in the story

Falling Action
The falling action follows Beowulf's mortal injury. His loyal followers
mourn his impending death, and Beowulf reflects on his life and
legacy. The narrative shifts towards the consequences of the dragon-
slaying and the potential threats to the Geats
Resolution
The story concludes with Beowulf's death and the funeral
preparations. The Geats express grief for their fallen hero, and there
are hints of potential conflicts in the future. The epic ends with
Beowulf's legacy and the uncertainty of the future for the Geats. 5
Conflict: Man versus supernatural forces. Beowulf versus
Grendel, Grendel's Mother, and the Dragon.

Point of View: Beowulf is written in the third-person omniscient

point of view.

Moral: Beowulf teaches us to be brave and loyal, like the hero

Beowulf. It shows that doing the right thing, even in
tough situations, is important. The story also talks
about how everyone faces challenges and, eventually,
everyone passes away. It reminds us to think about the
legacy we leave behind and the choices we make in life.

Literary Devices

Simile: His glee was demonic, picturing the mayhem: before

morning / he would rip life from limb and devour them, /
feed on their flesh.

Metaphor: Grendel, who haunted the moors, the wild marshes, /

and made his home in a hell
6

Personification: Fate will unwind as it must!

Assonance: With God's good grace, I ended that feud / with my

sword, so no razor's edge, no sword / would have to
endure a desperate contest for life.

Alliteration: Grendel, who haunted the moors, the wild marshes.

Symbolism

7
 Literary Criticism
Mythological: Beowulf talks about mythical creatures and heroes,
following stories from Germanic and Norse traditions.

Social: It shows the values and norms of Anglo-Saxon society,

like loyalty and honor.

Biographical: Some people look at Beowulf to see if it tells us

anything about the poet's life or the time it was written.

Psychoanalytic: Figuring out why characters act the way they do and
what it tells us about their thoughts and feelings

Formalist: This is about how the words, style, and structure in the
poem are used, helping us see why the poet made
certain choices.

Graphic Fiction