Kellie Elhai

Grace Kasemeier
Mary Buffaloe
Period 2
Blake Snyders Save the Cat
Opening Image- The story of Shieldings great deeds, giving us insight into
viking culture and the tone of the entire story. It describes the society and sets up a time
and a place.
Set-up- Introduces Hrothgar and the Danes and how because they have fallen
from the warrior code, the monster Grendel has been killing them in their sleep for
twelve years.
Theme Stated- Description of Beowulf based on the warrior code and what he
does to follow it. Things such as the strength of thirty men in each arm and the deeds
hes done for his tribe.
Catalyst- Beowulf and his men set sail to Denmark, arriving after an easy trip to
fight Grendel and repay the debt.
Debate- Hrothgar finally decides to accept Beowulfs help even though hes king
of the Danes and accepting help would almost be like a further defeat of his people and
his pride.
Break into Two (Choosing Act Two)- Beowulf pretends to lie asleep in order to
gain the advantage on Grendel, then fights the monster. Thus begins his journey to
heroism.
B Story- There is no official love story in Beowulf, so instead it is a love story
between Beowulf and his people. It is in this scene he starts to take responsibility for
those he governs, and he learns that it is his fate to guard them his whole life.
The Promise of the Premise-Beowulf fights Grendels mom and its his most
difficult fight. Grendels mom is much more difficult to fight because she is following the
warrior code by only exacting revenge for her sons death, however because shes
inherently evil Beowulf wins. Beowulf also fights her in her home turf which adds to the
difficulty of the fight.
Midpoint- The Honeymoon Period after Beowulf kills both Grendel and
Grendels mother. He receives riches and glory, then sails back to his homeland to give
his winnings to his king. This lasts fifty years, in which Beowulf tends to his land, and
eventually becomes king. He is a good king, and peace lasts until the end of his reign.
Bad Guys Close in- The end of the Honeymoon Period a thief steals from the
dragon and breaks the safety Beowulf has built for fifty years for his people. Once the
cup is stolen from the dragon the dragon awakens to get it back.
All is Lost- The dragon is killing his people, whom he loves, and he realizes he
must go and kill the dragon, even though he himself will die.
Dark Night of the Soul- Beowulf realizes that, in order to kill this dragon, he
himself must die with it. He selects his best men to accompany him and follows the thief
to the dragons cave. All hope is lost, as we expect him to immediately slay the dragon,
but instead, he is bitten by the beasts venomous fangs, making death inevitable.

 Break into Three- It is at this point that Wiglaf comes to Beowulfs aid because
Wiglaf loves his king. This piece brings back the love Beowulf has for his people and the
love they have for him.
Finale- Wiglaf and Beowulf team up to kill the dragon allowing Beowulf to die a
hero to go to Valhalla and making a full circle as Wiglaf takes Beowulfs place as the
savior to a people who have fallen from the warrior code.
Final Image- The final image is Beowulfs funeral, which then ties up his fate and
the story all in one.
Aristotles Poetics

Beginning
Prologue- The narrator tells the story of Shielding, introducing
Viking culture and ideals, as well as the overall tone of the entire epic.
Complications- Hrothgar and the Danes are introduced into the
story, and we learn of their long-lasting problem with Grendel.
Episode- The first episode is when Beowulf travels to Denmark
with his men and kills Grendel to repay his fathers debt.
Choric Song- Hrothgars minstrel sings about Beowulfs
accomplishment and tells the story of Sigmund. He compares the Geat warrior to
the dragon-slayer (this also foreshadows Beowulfs fight with the dragon at the
end of the story).
Parode- Because the story of Sigmund is the first
choric song, in this case side story relating to the plot told by a singing
bard, it introduces the bard.
Stasimon- This choric song is a response to
Beowulfs defeat of Grendel and the song is of a great warrior who
defeated a dragon therefore drawing a comparison between the two men.

Middle
Choric Song- The middle choric song is the tale of Finn, a hero
who went back to save everyone in battle, but then in this was slain. He is put on
a marvelous funeral pyre, which is foreshadowing to Beowulfs own death.
Stasimon Episode- Beowulf kills Grendels mother and learns to accept
responsibility for his people.
Turning Point-The battle completes Beowulfs
transition into heroism and manhood, allowing him to return home to his
fellow Geats and begin the journey into kinghood, and, eventually, death.
End
Choric Song- The last choric song is the tale of Modthryth, a
wicked queen who abused her power but then a new queen came in due to an
arranged marriage and everything was better.
Stasimon- its a reactionary tale because the
people are hoping for a kind queen as well as advantageous marriages.

Episode- Beowulf kills the dragon with the assistance of Wiglaf, a

Swede.
Scene of Suffering-Beowulf lies on his deathbed,
suffering from the dragons venom until his death.
Recognition- We realize that Wiglaf is a noble
warrior, following the warrior code and staying by Beowulfs side
throughout the battle, and is one of the few soldiers fit to be king.
Exode- This final episode that doesnt have a choric song at the
end.
Denouement- This episode wraps up the story by having Beowulf
die a heros death and leave Wiglaf to be king of the Geats as he resembles
young Beowulf and makes the story come full circle.

Character Traits for the Epic Hero

Noble- Beowulf is stronger than the average man.
Hamartia- Beowulf tends to charge into situations without thinking
them through, reliant on fate to carry him either to success or failure.
Problem due to Choice- Beowulf makes the decision to help the
Danes with Grendel, and struggles to fight him. When they learn that Grendels
mother thirsts for revenge, he travels to her cave to kill her.
Growth- Beowulfs fight with Grendels mother thrusts heroism and
manhood upon him, and he returns from it a better man and warrior.
Better man- Beowulfs growth leads him to be a capable leader of
his men.
Consequence- Because of Beowulfs growth he is able to be king
of the Geats once Hygeleac dies.
Catharsis- Beowulf dies due to the dragon and is lain of his funeral
pyre. This had to happen so Wiglaf could be king and heal the land.