...Vitellius A. xv | First printed edition | by Thorkelin (1815) | Genre | narrative heroic poetry | Verse form | alliterative verse | Length | c. 3182 lines | Subject | the battles of Beowulf, the Geatish hero, in youth and old age | Setting | Denmark and Sweden | Personages | include Beowulf, Hygelac, Hrothgar, Wealhtheow, Hrothulf, Æschere, Unferth, Grendel, Grendel's mother, Wiglaf, Hildeburh. | Beowulf (/ˈbeɪ.ɵwʊlf/; in Old English [ˈbeːo̯wʊlf] or [ˈbeːəwʊlf], literally "bee wolf" i.e. "bee hunter", a kenning for "bear") is the conventional title of an Old English heroic epic poem consisting of 3182 alliterative long lines, set in Scandinavia, commonly cited as one of the most important works of Anglo-Saxon literature. It survives in a single manuscript known as the Nowell Codex. Its composition by an anonymous Anglo-Saxon poet is dated between the 8th and the early 11th century. In 1731, the manuscript was badly damaged by a fire that swept through a building housing a collection of Medieval manuscripts assembled by Sir Robert Bruce Cotton. The poem fell into obscurity for decades, and its existence did not become widely known again until it was printed in 1815 in an edition prepared by the Icelandic scholar Grímur Jónsson Thorkelin. In the poem, Beowulf, a hero of the Geats, battles three antagonists: Grendel, who has been attacking the resident warriors of the mead hall of Hroðgar (the king of the Danes), Grendel's mother, and an unnamed dragon. After the first...
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...A true hero is one of distinguished courage, admired for their brave deeds, noble and one who does not fear death. Beowulf, set in the Anglo-Saxon time period, was an epic that told the story of a legendary hero, who seized all obstacles as if he were immortal. Up until the end of Beowulf's life, he constantly wanted to be the hero. However, his mortality was exposed by his death. Beowulf in many ways exhibited all the qualities and characteristics needed to be a true hero. Heroes, whether from the Anglo-Saxon time period or present day, all share the characteristic of their willingness to die, in an effort to accomplish a true act of heroism. Several critics argue that through Beowulf’s superhuman strength, generosity, loyalty, bravery, and...
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...eventual dragon, distanced from the previous two in a span of fifty years, brings the heroic career of aging Beowulf to an end. The unity of Beowulf’s three fights from ease to death, perceived by some researchers like Klaeber (1950), holds the epic together. Others see the epic poem more than a collection of three different fights in a hero’s life, but it is united and intertwined by two parts—the fights with Grendel and his dam and the final dragon fight—signaling “the opposition of hero and king, youth and age, the beginning and ending of a life achievement” (Tolkien 1936). On the basis of this premise, Fisher (1958) conceives the theme of the epic as the “doom of Beowulf”, the integration of “redemption and judgment treated in a way which skillfully blends the Germanic hero with the Christian saint” (p.171). Wrenn (1958) states the similar notion, arguing Beowulf, a Germanic hero, shows his greatest splendor “ not alone in winning glory by victory, but rather by finding his supremely noble qualities especially in the moment of death in battle”. The essay aims to analyze the three fights in detail in Beowulf’s lifetime and, shed light on the heroic fate of him from success to death. Analytical emphasis will be put on distinctions of three monsters, weapons that Beowulf wields in the battle and the consequences ensuing the three battles. The first fight The narrator starts the poem with a brief introduction of Shield Sheafson, a great king of Denmark and his royal line...
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...In the epic poem “Beowulf” the protagonist, Beowulf, portrays a tragic hero in a variety of ways. Although Beowulf was not a perfect being, he embraces many characteristics of a tragic hero. Beowulf’s ego put him into many difficult situations. For example the battles he fought against Grendel, Grendels Mother, and the dragon. Other then his enormous ego along with his cockiness that put him into bad situations, he also embraced the characteristics of a great leader that many looked up to. In many parts of the poem Beowulf performs many courageous tasks that no one else would even try, making him one that should be idolized. To start off, Beowulf plans out his battle with Grendel. In the very beginning Beowulf tells his people and Hrothgar that he wants to battle and kill Grendel with his owns hands. This part shows his over confident ego because he thinks he is so mighty and strong. While Grendel made his way to attack Herot, Beowulf pretended that he was asleep just as Grendel would see. As it says in lines (739-746) Grendel snatched at the first Geat… (Line745) He then stepped to another still body, clutched at Beowulf with his claws. Beowulf suddenly leaned up against Grendel’s arm attempting to get back at him. Grendel was very fearful and at that very moment he didn’t even want to kill, he wanted to get away. Grendel struggled until he was free, but he ran free without his arm. Beowulf ego once again ties into this because he claims that it was “fate” that he got away...
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...basking in the resulting glory, he gives the glory to God. Beowulf is the ultimate hero who put his life on the line for an entire kingdom. Beowulf's heroism can be seen when he takes 14 of the bravest in his land to go help Hrothgar. Hrothgar was Beowulf's father's close friend who had been plagued by attacks for twelve years that threatened an entire kingdom. Beowulf did not have to offer Hrothgar's kingdom help, but does so because he wants to uses his God given strength to the best of his ability. As soon as Beowulf heard of the troubles in this land he set sail immediately. Beowulf continues to show his thankfulness by thanking God for giving them safe travel across the sea. Beowulf is lead to Hrothgar and offers him is services. Beowulf is asked by the warriors to tell of his past defeats while eating in Hrothgar's palace. Beowulf is already a hero to the people of this land for he is about to rid them of their enemy. As an ultimate hero, Beowulf decides, to be far, he will not use weapons in his battle against Grendel since Grendel reputedly does not use them. "I do not consider myself a lesser fighter than Grendel does himself; therefore I will not kill him with a sword, and deprive him of life in that way.... No, this night we two will abstain from swords..." That night, even after hearing of all of Beowulf's heroic defeats, the warriors still feel that no man on earth will be able to stand up to the evil Grendel carries. Beowulf will either defeat...
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...numerous amount of differences within the poem based on our society today. Although the poem and the movie Beowulf share some similarities, the different portrayals of Beowulf’s role as a hero, Beowulf’s last battle, and gender role divulge the values of society in which they are told. To begin with, the first example of similarities and difference in the poem and movie Beowulf is warrior’s role as a mighty and brave hero. In the poem Beowulf; Beowulf was notable for his heroic character, and described as the bravest and strongest of all the geats. When Hrothgar’s herot was attacked by the evil monster Grendel; Beowulf accepted the monster’s terms that...
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...monsters, as well as becomes king, and sails across vast oceans—however, Beowulf’s ultimate purpose to his journey is to be remembered for what a renowned hero he once was, as well as gain recognition from others for his heroic battles. Beowulf can be considered an archetypal hero because he possesses attributes that would be considered heroic, and also goes on a physical as well as spiritual journey. In the story of Beowulf, Beowulf has an ultimate journey that involves a call to adventure, followed by a refusal of the call, as well as reward (seizing the...
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... In the film Beowulf, filmed in 2007, the hero still retains some of his virtuous qualities but in a smaller form. Beowulf still comes to Hrothgar’s to repay his father's debt, however, in the film Beowulf gives lust, and is clearly attracted to Hrothgar’s Queen. In the book, Beowulf does not think twice about the queen. His virtues keep him from drifting off task, as he is simply there to kill the monster, which plagues the Danes. The film may not have meant to, but does portray Beowulf as prideful concerning his achievements. A portion in the story addresses Beowulf’s swimming race with Breca. In the film, Beowulf is matched in strength with Breca and claims he was saving his strength for the last loop. In the book, Beowulf makes note that he and Breca were tied, and neither could beat each other. Unferth challenges whether or not Beowulf can even beat Grendel, because of his loss of the swimming race. Beowulf’s response in the book shows his maturity and a level head. Though he is young he manages to answer very calmly, traditionally Beowulf would have had rights to challenge Unferth, despite having this opportunity Beowulf declines and takes a more mature approach. The story of the two has been exaggerated and instead of shining it on Beowulf corrects Unferth, another example of his virtue and truthfulness. They swam for five nights, not seven as Unferth had claimed. Beowulf seals his spoken words strongly in reminding everyone in the mead hall that Unferth killed his...
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...a collection of Medieval manuscripts assembled by Sir Robert Bruce Cotton. The poem fell into obscurity for decades, and its existence did not become widely known again until it was printed in 1815 in an edition prepared by the Icelandic-Danish scholar Grímur Jónsson Thorkelin.[4] In the poem, Beowulf, a hero of the Geats in Scandinavia, comes to the help of Hroðgar, the king of the Danes, whose mead hall (in Heorot) has been under attack by a monster known as Grendel. After Beowulf slays him, Grendel's mother attacks the hall and is then also defeated. Victorious, Beowulf goes home to Geatland in Sweden and later becomes king of the Geats. After a period of fifty years has passed, Beowulf defeats a dragon, but is fatally wounded in the battle. After his death, his attendants bury him in a tumulus, a burial mound, in Geatland. Story The main protagonist, Beowulf, a hero of the Geats, comes to the aid of Hroðgar, the king of the Danes, whose great hall, Heorot, is plagued by the monster Grendel. Beowulf kills Grendel with his bare hands and Grendel's mother with a sword of a giant that he found in her lair. Later in his life, Beowulf is himself king of the Geats, and finds his realm terrorised by a dragon whose treasure had been stolen from his hoard in a burial mound. He attacks the dragon with the help of his thegns or servants, but...
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... | ANS: C STA: AZ.AZGLA.RLA.R.03.12.2.2.PO1 | AZ.AZGLA.RLA.R.03.12.2.2.PO2 2. Which universal theme do lines 79–85 of this epic suggest? |a. |Mankind’s enemy will always continue his crimes by killing. | |b. |Evil is bloodthirsty, and it constantly tries to conquer kings. | |c. |The existence of evil and good occur simultaneously. | |d. |Evil is part of the darkness, but goodness exists in the light. | ANS: C 3. Why do the swords of Beowulf’s men fail to harm Grendel? |a. |The men have brought dull swords. | |b. |Beowulf refuses to let his men fight. | |c. |The men are too weak to fight Grendel. | |d. |Grendel has put a...
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...throughout the poem. It’s displayed in the battles Beowulf fought to end the monsters’ reign of terror. Also, when Beowulf helps Hrothgar and his men by killing Grendel. Plus, when Beowulf kills Grendel’s mother who killed Hrothgar's closest friend. Finally, when Wiglaf shows his loyalty to Beowulf during his last battle. Overall loyalty and allegiance is a common virtue displayed in Beowulf. At the beginning of the poem, Beowulf wants to repay his debt from when Hrothgar came to his father’s aid. So, he decides to help because Hrothgar’s “country is cursed with some strange, vicious creature that hunts only at night and that no one has seen” (The Coming of Beowulf). Thus, he asks his men to join him in battle, and they agree. That demonstrates loyalty between Beowulf and his men. Beowulf and his men then kill Grendel which ends his reign of terror he instilled on Hrothgar and his men. This proposes Beowulf keeps his words and remains loyal to those who have helped him in the past along with his men. Another example of loyalty in Beowulf was when...
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...The dragon also lies dead on the ground. Slowly, the Geatish warriors who had ran from the battle slowly make there way back to the barrow to find Wiglaf still trying to revive their fallen leader. The men are ashamed, and Wiglaf rebukes them bitterly, stating that all of Beowulf’s generosity has been wasted on them. The cost of their cowardice will be greater than just the life of a great ruler. He suggests that foreign warlords will be sure to attack the Geats now that Beowulf can no longer protect them. Wiglaf sends a messenger with tidings to the Geats, who wait nervously for news of the outcome of the battle. The messenger tells them of Beowulf’s death and warns them that the hostile Franks and the Frisians will most certainly attack them. He expresses concern about the Swedes as well, who have a long-held grudge against the Geats. He relates the history of their feud and tells how the Geats secured the last victory. Without Beowulf to protect them (the messenger predicts) the Geats risk invasion by Swedes. The poet confirms that many of the messenger’s predictions will prove true. The Geats then rise and go to Beowulf’s body. They discover the fifty-foot-long corpse of the dragon and even though it is dead it is still a fearful sight. It is revealed that the hoard had been under a spell, so that no person could open it except by the will of God. Wiglaf recounts Beowulf’s last requests and readies the people to build his funeral pyre. With seven of the greatest Geatish...
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...Beowulf is characterized as being a great warrior, through every battle he prevails. The first battle that we experience is Beowulf taking on a monster that has killed more than 30 men and continued to cause trouble for 12 years until Beowulf slays him. The next battle we see is with Grendel’s mom and in order to reach her Beowulf must go into dark murky, creature infested water to face her. Both of these battles Beowulf was able to defeat the antagonist, however this was not the case when he decides to take on the dragon. This last battle would be the end of Beowulf. When going into the cave he tells his thanes to stay outside, and let him fight this last battle alone. He knew this would be his last battle because he had grown too old to keep fighting monsters. Some might consider Beowulf acting alone as being foolish; I believe it emphasizes his bravery as a warrior. His last few actions would help bring out the bravery in a young thane who will become his successor. The actions of Beowulf cannot be used as reason for his kingdoms hardships after his untimely death. He had no way of...
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...blood). They bear the hero and his booty back to Heorot, where another celebration takes place. Beowulf recounts his battle; Hrothgar praises him and gives him advice on being a king. A grand feast follows, and Beowulf is given more priceless treasures. The next morning, the Geats look forward to leaving Denmark. Before they leave, Beowulf promises aid for Hrothgar from the Danes. Hrothgar praises Beowulf and promises that their lands will have an alliance forever. As the Geats leave, Hrothgar finds himself wishing Beowulf would never leave. In the fiftieth year of Beowulf's reign, a monster arises to terrorize the Geats. A treasure trove was left by an ancient civilization, which guarded it jealously until only one member of the race was left. After the last person's death, a fire-breathing dragon found the treasure and guarded it for three hundred years. One day, a slave stumbled upon the treasure and stole a cup as an offering to his lord. The dragon awakened to find something missing from his treasure, and began his rampage upon the Geats. One day, Beowulf learns that this dragon has destroyed his own great hall. This attack sends him into deep thought. Soon he orders a shield to use for battle, but not without a heavy heart at what may happen to him. He recalls Hygelac's death in battle and his own narrow escape from this battle. He recalls a number of battles he has seen as he travels to the dragon's lair with eleven of his thanes. The servant who stole the cup leads them...
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...giving him the hero status. Beowulf encountered many battles, where he selflessly put his own life on the line to stop evil from tormenting the Danes. But does Beowulf actually fulfill his role in kingship? Although Beowulf traveled across seas to save the Danes did he actually had what it take to be crowned the honor of the king or was it a curse? Was he deceived into becoming something he wasn’t? The main theme of Beowulf is heroism shown through the transformation of Beowulf from a great warrior to a devout King. This involves far more than physical courage. It also means that Beowulf the warrior must fulfill his obligations to the group of which he is a key member as a thane. Beowulf's transformation is portrayed through three separate and increasingly difficult conflicts - with Grendel, Grendel's mother, and the dragon shows a clear division between Beowulf's youthful heroism as a warrior and his mature heroism as a reliable king. There is also a clear-cut network of social duties depicted in the poem. The king has an obligation to behave with generosity. He must reward his thanes with valuable gifts for their defense of the tribe and their success in battle. This is why King Hrothgar is known as the "ring-giver." He behaves according to expectations of the duties of a lord when he lavishly rewards Beowulf and the other Geat warriors for ridding the Danes of Grendel. King Hrothgar's acts as king forsahdow Beowulf's manner of kingship in the second half of the poem. But...
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