Themes, symbols, and motifs are valuable aspects of any literary work, and they add richness to stories. Part of the Common Core ELA standards is to introduce and explain these complex concepts. However, abstract ideas are often difficult for students to analyze without assistance. Using a storyboard, students can visually demonstrate their understanding of these concepts, and master analysis of literary elements. For best practices, see our supplementary article with specific lesson plan steps on setting up your classroom and activities to teach themes, symbols, and motifs.
In the classroom, students can track the rich themes in Beowulf to gain a deeper understanding of the story.
Beowulf is saturated with the importance of customs and following them. These fierce medieval warriors had strong laws and customs to reduce bloodshed and keep the clans together. Beliefs about hospitality, loyalty, and valor were particularly strong. See if your students can find examples of each in the text.
In the epic, the battle between good and evil is made very literal. The good is represented by the brave warriors, both Danes and Geats, while the evil is represented by the threatening monsters in the form of Grendel, his mother, and the dragon.
A prominent theme in many epic stories is the use of wit over brute strength. In Beowulf's case, although he possesses the strength to win battles, his cunning is an invaluable asset. A prime example is when he tricks Grendel and tears off Grendel's arm.
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Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that identifies recurring themes in Beowulf. Illustrate instances of each theme and write a short description below each cell.
The title of the poem is an important part of the poem. Teachers should ask students to analyze the title and try to understand why the writer decided to use this title for the poem. This activity should be done before reading the poem so the students can get a perspective only based on the title.
Ask the students to read the poem multiple times. Every time they read the poem, they will get more insights and understand different perspectives and nuances.
Students can try to convert complex words into simple ones and change the sentence structure to change the verses into a paragraph structure. Then they can try to understand the central point being made in each paragraph.
Research on the origins and historical background of the poem can help the students get a deeper understanding of the poem and another insight into the writer’s perspective.
After gathering all the information, students can highlight the central ideas of the plot such as the main characters, the plot twists, and the turning points in the story. They can also try to understand what kind of lessons the author is trying to impart to the audience through the story.
Students can generalize all the main points and categorize them into respective themes.
Themes in "Beowulf" include valor, loyalty, fate, kindred, the conflict between good and evil, the passage of time, and the concept of legacy. This piece of literature also includes basic elements such as heroism, bravery, and fighting for one’s honor.
The issue of legacy is linked to the passage of time. Characters in the poem strive to build a lasting reputation via their actions, which is an essential component of the warrior ethos. Beowulf's acts demonstrate his desire to leave a lasting legacy. It can also mean that the character showed bravery through his skills and wanted the people to follow in his footsteps and remember his name.
"Beowulf" highlights Anglo-Saxon warrior culture characteristics like bravery, honor, loyalty, and the importance of kinship relationships. The poem also discusses the importance of charity and the king's position as a protector of his people.