T2 Beowulf’s death

T2

BEOWULF

T2 The fight with Grendel

Beowulf’s death 4

In the following text you will read the last words spoken by Beowulf. Mortally wounded, the hero has collapsed and Wiglaf, his kinsman, brings water to refresh his master.

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That was so tragic, so noble, so sad: to see my lord Beowulf burn, to collect his weapons, to hear his last words, still full of love for us, his people. But he died in honour, and that is what we live and die for: fame.

“To the everlasting Lord of All, to the King of Glory, I give thanks that I behold this treasure here in front of me, that I have been thus allowed to leave my people 5 so well endowed on the day I die.

Now that I have bartered my last breath to own this fortune, it is up to you to look after their needs. I can hold out no longer.

Order my troop to construct a barrow 10 on a headland on the coast, after my pyre has cooled.

It will loom on the horizon at Hronesness and be a reminder among my people— so that in coming times crews under sail will call it Beowulf’s Barrow, as they steer 15 ships across the wide and shrouded waters.”

Then the king in his great-heartedness unclasped the collar of gold from his neck and gave it to the young thane, telling him to use it and the war-shirt and the gilded helmet well. 20 “You are the last of us, the only one left of the Waegmundings. Fate swept us away, sent my whole brave high-born clan to their final doom. Now I must follow them.”

That was the warrior’s last word. 25 He had no more to confide. The furious heat of the pyre would assail him. His soul fled from his breast to its destined place among the steadfast ones.

“All’eterno Signore di ogni cosa, al Re della Gloria, io dico grazie perché posso ammirare questo tesoro, qui davanti a me, che mi è stato concesso di lasciare alla mia gente così che io ne fossi dotato il giorno della mia morte. Ora che ho barattato il mio ultimo respiro con il possesso di questa fortuna, sta a te provvedere ai loro bisogni. Non posso resistere oltre. Ordina alle mie truppe di costruire un tumulo su un promontorio della costa, dopo che la mia pira si è spenta. Si leverà alto su Hronesness e sarà a memoria per il mio popolo –così che in futuro gli equipaggi sotto le loro vele lo chiameranno il Tumulo di Beowulf, mentre spingono le navi per le acque vaste e nebbiose.”

Poi il re, nella sua magnanimità, si tolse dal collo la collana d’oro e la diede al giovane seguace, dicendogli di farne buon uso, insieme alla cotta e all’elmo adorno.

“Sei l’ultimo della nostra stirpe, il solo rimasto dei Waegmunding. Il fato ci ha spazzati via mandando tutta la mia coraggiosa genia d’alto rango al loro destino finale. Ora tocca a me seguirli.” Queste furono le ultime parole del guerriero. Altro non aveva da confidare prima che la furia delle fiamme della pira lo assalisse. La sua anima volò via dal petto verso il suo destino tra i giusti.

LITERARY COMPETENCE

UNDERSTAND

1. Complete the text with the words from the box. There are two extra words you do not need to use.

death • dragon • treasure • Wiglaf • collar • helmet • hero • fate • build • die • Barrow • funeral

Beowulf is about to (1) . With him

is Wiglaf, a young kinsman who has helped him in the fight against the (2) . Although he is dying, the (3) thanks God for allowing him to leave his people the (4) found in the dragon’s den. Then he asks Wiglaf to (5) a great burial mound for him as a reminder of his glory, which people will call Beowulf’s

(6) . Finally the king hands Wiglaf

his golden (7)

, his battle shirt and (8) in a sort of investiture ceremony. In his last words he reminds (9) that he is the last of his breed and accepts his

(10) in resignation.

ANALYSE

2. Answer the questions. 1. (Lines 1-5) Who does Beowulf thank? What for?

2. (Lines 6-15) a. Who is Beowulf speaking to? b. What does he ask him? c. What place will be called “Beowulf’s Barrow”? By whom?

3. (Lines 16-27) a. Who will Beowulf’s successor be? Why? b. What does the king give him? c. What will remain of this great hero? 3. Underline and write the lines that express the following elements.

Gratitude

Self-sacrifice

Material and moral legacy

Power

Memory and glory

Fate

4. Look at the first 5 lines and find other examples of

a. alliteration b. consonance

5. The passage is highly dramatic. What elements help create this dramatic tension?

6. What feelings do Beowulf’s last words and fate arouse in the reader?

INTERPRET

7. There are elements in Beowulf that have been associated with Christianity. Can you find any traces of them in the extract?

8. Discuss What values does the poem promote and how does it promote them?

9. Write creative Consider the following statement.

One of the reasons that Beowulf is such a popular example of the heroic ideal is his willingness to risk anything of his own in order to help others. His courage, which is displayed early in the poem, and his determination never abandon him. He fits the definition of an epic hero until his very end. What about today’s heroes? What are the main features of a modern hero, what values does he/she represent? Are they similar to or do they differ from Beowulf? Write a text of about 100 words and give an example of a person/character that you consider a hero.

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EXPLAINED