...Beowulf: Christian or pagan? The epic poem, Beowulf, which was composed about 850 CE, is a tale of a warrior named Beowulf. The plot of Beowulf primarily revolves around the expeditions and fights that Beowulf undertakes throughout his life. Regarding this poem, one of the essential controversies is whether it is a Christian or pagan poem. In the text, Beowulf is depicted as the one who values his own fame most and is hallowed highly by people due to his violence in battle. These characteristics of Beowulf seem to separate the poem from Christianity. Although the poem appears to be originally pagan, Beowulf is a Christian poem in terms of its historical background, biblical allusions, and the characters’ beliefs and reliance on God. First, the author of Beowulf lived in a period when the transformation from Germanic paganism to Christianity occurred. When Beowulf was written, the old paganism was dying out, and the influx of Christianity from Europe and Ireland had taken place. “This transformation reached every level of society and affected nearly every aspect of daily life” (Streissguth 83). Due to this Christian influence, people had to make a radical change, discarding the old beliefs that value courage, vengeance, and violence in gory battle. The poet of Beowulf was also a part of this drastic change of the era. The “nameless author undoubtedly was a Christian” (Bloom 1). We can observe the author’s Christian quality when he blames people who return to paganism in the......
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...Throughout the story of Beowulf, external battles like the one of Beowulf versus Grendel, not only reflects a sense courage and pride, but also reflects the internal battle of human tendencies Beowulf struggles with throughout the poem. The internal battle between Beowulf and himself reflects every other human being, showing that everyone can be like Beowulf in the way that he is courageous and proud, while some people possess the tendencies of Grendel such as, betrayal, cowardice, and fear. In the beginning, Beowulf’s sole purpose was to gain glory and pride within the Anglo-Saxon community. In order to maintain his glory, Beowulf travels to Herot to destroy Grendel. There are significant differences between Grendel and Beowulf. Beowulf represents courage, strength, and pride. As an Anglo-Saxon warrior, battling during day and with warning is everything a fighter needs to be; whereas Grendel comes at night, and without warning in order to kill the men. As Grendel approaches the Herot Hall once again, in lines 368-371 “All of Beowulf’s band had jumped from their beds, ancestral swords raised and ready, determined to protect their prince if they could…” The purpose of this line was to prove that Anglo-Saxon men are not “wimps” and instead stand up for their Lord and are willing to lose their lives for him. Also, it yet again points out the differences between Beowulf and Grendel. Just as Grendel sees Beowulf, “Grendel’s one though was to run from Beowulf, flee back to his......
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...the evolution of society. In the days of Beowulf and the Vikings, a hero was a man who was strong and courageous, willing and able to protect his tribe and provide for his people. But today, since our culture has vastly changed, so has the meaning of this word; now it is used for the brave and selfless people of the world. Though Beowulf may have acted in ways that were not so heroic, he should be recognized as a hero. Many people recognize Beowulf as the hero of Anglo-Saxon times. Beowulf was the first poem told in Anglo-Saxon England sometime between the 8th and 11th centuries, but it's not actually set in that time and place. It's actually set several hundred years earlier, in the 5th or 6th century. Beowulf does not take place in England, instead, the action happens in the land of the Danes what is known as the nation of Denmark and the land of the Geats which today is known as the nation of Sweden. The main action of the story is set around 500 a.d. Judging by Beowulf’s many feats and strengths, Beowulf’s heroism is not hard to believe. When Beowulf slays the monster Grendal in the classic tale," he was considered a great hero. The slaying of Grendel required courage, bravery, intelligence, perseverance, and mental and physical strength. Certain passages in the story support the opinion that Beowulf has all these qualities. However, in the epic, Beowulf explores the great lengths the character had to go through to succeed. Beowulf did anything in his power to prevail,......
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...of Honor and Success Throughout the entire text of Beowulf, the accumulation and re-distribution of t reassure serves to have symbolism regarding acts of bravery, honor, success, and reward. Treasure is both gained through the brave battles that Beowulf fights against the three monsters he encounters, and his rewards reflect upon his success and honor in victory. Treasure is also redistributed throughout the text form king to warrior and vice-versa, symbolizing the acknowledgement of honor and reward from one generation to the next. Treasure is viewed in each of the battles as proof of victory and with this proof of success, the holder of such treasure proves that he is worthy and deserving of loyalty from and by brave warriors. After slaying Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the dragon, treasure is gained and passed along to the next generation, such as when Hrothgar gives gifts to Beowulf, who distributes it among his people, to show and symbolize the potential sacrifices made to gain the treasure, and thus the bravery, honor, success, and reward that the treasure surely represents throughout the text. After Beowulf slays the monster Grendel, King Hrothgar rewards and thanks Beowulf for his efforts by offering him several objects considered treasure. Among the multitude of objects that he presents to Beowulf: “He gave to Beowulf the blade of Healfdene/ a golden war-standard Roberts: 2 as a reward for victory” (Beowulf 1020-1021) Here the word “treasure” is substituted......
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...Honors English IV 23 August 2010 Beowulf Beowulf is the universal story of life’s journey from adolescence to adulthood and to old age. The hero grows in wisdom about himself and about the world through the pain and triumph of personal experience. Throughout the story, Beowulf is portrayed as the hero of Hrothgar’s people for saving them from Grendel, the monster. Beowulf changes as he advances from adolescence to adulthood to old age; he matures through heroism and courage. As Beowulf becomes older, you can see the maturity that grows inside of him through his acts of heroism. Grendel is the monster that went to Herot (mead hall) and slaughtered many of Hrothgar’s men while they were sleeping by smashing their bodies and devouring them for dinner. Beowulf, who is a follower of Higlac and is the strongest of the Geats, heard about Grendel and decided to take action himself, so he rounded up a few men and “ended the grief, sorrow, [and] suffering forced on Hrothgar’s helpless people” (Raffel, page 55). Beowulf showed heroism as he crossed the sea that led him to Herot to go save these people of Hrothgar, from this savage. He was portrayed as a hero in their eyes because he ended this tragedy with such strength and courage. As Beowulf pretended to sleep, Grendel “clutched at [him] with his claws, and was instantly seized himself, claws bent back as Beowulf leaned up on one arm” and Grendel was sure that he had never met a man so strong that his mind quickly filled with......
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...some type of creature. The Anglo-Saxons epic Beowulf, scribed sometime in the 9th century A.D.,presents the heroic journey of the titular hero. Beowulf serves as the only epic written in Old English and severed a porthole into the values of Anglo-Saxons culture anonymous author utilizes Beowulf as an epic hero to presents Anglo-Saxons values, but he also uses the monster to show that which this culture valued. Whereas Beowulf, like all epic heroes, such as Odysseus and Achilles from the Homeric epics, serves as the epitome a=of his culture values, the monster serve as the outcasts of that society and culture. Through the portrayals of the epic here and the three monster the author reveals the Anglo- Saxons valued super human qualities. The author presents Beowulf as a superman of the 9th century. As the story begins, Beowulf is telling King Hrothgar that he is the best of the best and that he will save his town from this creature they call Grendel. But the big kicker is is when he says if it(Grendel) “is so great that he needs no weapons and fears none. Nor will. After that was said everyone begins to party and give their great praise to Beowulf for coming to the rescue. As Beowulf comes forth, the Danes feel that they will now be able to live in peace for now on. Grendel has haunted the moors for the last twelve years and that will all come to an end when Beowulf shows up. The royal battle between Grendel and Beowulf. Beowulf began to show cases his super human......
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...The Many Discoveries of Beowulf Although this poem isn’t of love or lust, it is filled with epic fights that lead to a great amount of bloodshed and celebrations for the hero. Beowulf’s writer created a great deal of complications when writing this poem. He used many themes and symbols the portray his tragic poem. The characters are very unclear but each have their reasoning for being in the poem, one being revenge on something or someone. Kathryn Hume stated, “ If a good man and the abstraction “ troublemaking” are given heroic shapes and matched in contest, we expect the good man to win, for troublemaking is not a sin likely to overcome him” (10). “ The early history of every nation is full of legend and myth. In literature, people try to record and describe the early history and to honor their heros in poems, epics, and folklores” (Wang 52). Beowulf is the main character throughout the poem, however the author tells us nothing about Beowulf’s past life other than his father was a great warrior as well as Beowulf himself. However, a young age Beowulf was considered cowardly. “ Were the poem centered on Beowulf himself, we would expect to learn something about him as a person” (Hume 2). The little we do know about Beowulf is still a great amount on his courage. He fights three battles and with each one he portrays a little bit of heroism. “Though he was little-known when coming to the Danes, he is full of courage and energy. Though he decreases in his strength in......
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...are loyal to an individual or a cause. The epic poem Beowulf, written by Burton Raffel, depicts the life of Beowulf, the most heroic person during Anglo-Saxon times. Beowulf is fearful of no monster and seems to conquer every obstacle as if he were immortal. He possess many of the characteristics that make up an epic hero including: courage,physical strength, loyalty,confidence, and wisdom. During Anglo-Saxon times, tales were often told about epic heroes who put their own lives in danger for the greater good. These stories about fearless and honorable warriors provided the common people with a sense of security and provided lessons to young men that they should display honor in every act. Beowulf willingly put himself in danger when he accepted the challenge of fighting the monster, Grendel. He did this only to help the Geats and out of loyalty to the Danes. His actions defined his life and are recounted throughout the epic poem. Beowulf was never afraid of death. Before every battle he would explain his death wishes and request that his assets be delivered to his people. "And if death does take me, send the hammered mail of my armor to Hilgar" (Beowulf 18). Beowulf boasts about his courage and how he never backs down from a battle and fears nothing. No monster is too evil or has more strength. Beowulf exhibits his courage by protecting the kingdom and going up against Grendel. During his battle with Grendel, Beowulf shows his super human abilities by deciding to kill......
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...Monster Beowulf perfectly illustrates the characteristics of what it means to be considered a perfect hero. The poem clearly shows his heroism in two completely different eras, Beowulf as a young man and then again when he is much older. This is shown through battles of three monsters, Grendel, Grendel’s Mother, and the dragon; each is progressively more difficult than the last. But as the poem digresses it is easy to see that the biggest monster that Beowulf fights is himself. As a young man, Beowulf is an extremely successful warrior, shown by his ginormous wins of both bravery and strength. He also exemplifies the characteristics of loyalty, respect and most importantly pride. When the poem begins, Beowulf shows little maturity as he has always had his inhuman powers. The great king Hrothgar quickly becomes a father like figure to Beowulf and begins to give wisdom about how to be a great king. This foreshadows the second half of the poem, his impressive past as a undefeated warrior has in some ways prepared Beowulf to take claim of the throne. Years later the Geat King Hygelac dies, this is important because Beowulf doesn’t simply take the throne in which he has rightfully earned instead he chooses to support Hygelac’s son as he is whom should be the king. This act of respect only further proves his characteristics as a hero. Beowulf progresses throughout the poem from a very unrealistic portrayal of a hero to an extremely realistic man. For his first battle Beowulf......
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... now he's an old king and can't seem to protect his people. Fortunately, a young Geat warrior named Beowulf travels to Heorot Hall from his own lands overseas to lend a helping hand – literally. After explaining that he owes Hrothgar a favor because Hrothgar helped out his father, Beowulf offers to fight Grendel himself. King Hrothgar gratefully accepts his offer. The next time Grendel attacks Heorot Hall, Beowulf is waiting for him. Choosing to fight Grendel in hand-‐to-‐hand combat, Beowulf wrestles the demon into submission and eventually tears off his arm at the shoulder. Mortally wounded, Grendel flees into the wilderness and dies. Beowulf, Hrothgar, and their followers throw a wild party to celebrate. Hrothgar also gives Beowulf many presents and treasures to reward him for his heroic defeat of the demon. Unfortunately, Grendel has an overprotective mother who decides to avenge her son. While all the warriors are sleeping off the party, she attacks Heorot Hall. But when the warriors wake up, she panics and flees back to her lair, a cave underneath a nearby lake. Beowulf, his Geatish warriors, and some of Hrothgar's Danish warriors track her there. Beowulf dives into the lake and finds the cave, where he takes on Grendel's mother in another......
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...Beowulf: What Makes Him a Human In Beowulf, the hero Beowulf possesses great strength, which gives him the ability to defeat vicious monsters throughout the story. His strength is not compared with any man, but only with the monsters he faces in battle. Although he possesses a seemingly un-human-like strength, Beowulf is separated from the monstrous by his caring, honorable nature, his ability to think rationally in every battle he enters, and the fact that God is on his side. Beowulf’s caring nature for his people and everyone around him are crucial aspects of his personality when it comes down to whether he is a monster or not. Although Beowulf can be looked at as arrogant and boastful, his honor and love for his people is undeniable. In passage 1 included in this essay (2177-83), Beowulf is described as a man who acts with valor: “Thus Beowulf bore himself with valour; / he was formidable in battle yet behaved with honour.” (2177-78). These lines show that Beowulf is an honorable man in the eyes of many, and that he is highly respected especially in terms of battle etiquette. He never takes advantage of the power he possesses, and he will never enter battle with a man who is drunk because it would be an unfair battle: “and took no advantage; never cut down / a comrade who was drunk, kept his temper…” (2179-80) This shows the aspects of Beowulf’s character that men highly respect because he would rather fight a man who is fully capable of fighting, not one who is at a...
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...Lynn Wells Dr. Brandy Lowery ENGL2322 16 September 2015 Title “Beowulf” is the universal story of life’s journey from adolescence to adulthood and to old age. The hero grows in wisdom about himself and about the world through the pain and triumph of personal experience. In the mythical poem “Beuowulf” the audience is able to see how he grows in wisdom about himself and about the world with each monster he faces. Beowulf is a hero who battles three different monsters, Grendel, Grendel’s mother and the Dragon. Each monster he faces represents different meanings to him. In times of battle, Beowulf experience many hardships and victories. Grendel is a strong evil water-monster who went to Herot Hall and slaughtered many of Hrothgar’s men. When Beowulf is called to fight Grendel he depicts himself as a man with no fear. Beowulf knows that he is a young strong warrior and is the only one who has the strength to defeat this evil monster. He accepts the challenge and announces that he will fight barehanded which concludes that he is fully confident in himself. He announces, “I have also heard the thrust of a weapon no threat to his threws. Thus I foreswear my sword and strong shield. Instead I shall grab and grapple with Grendel, fighting for life with that fearsome foe” (Gardner 40-41). Beowulf proves his expertise to defeat Grendel by keeping Grendel’s arm. As described, “ As a token of triumph, the troop leader hung the shorn-off shoulder and arm by its hand: the grip of......
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...As the narrator of Beowulf describes the hero, he sets up a scene for whirlwind adventure of superhuman abilities. “In his far-off home Beowulf, Higlac’s follower and the strongest of the Geats, greater and stronger than anyone anywhere in this world” (Line 90-93). An epic hero is someone who is a larger-than-life figure who often embodies the ideals of a nation or race. Epic heroes take part in dangerous adventures and accomplish great deeds, many undertake long difficult journeys and display great courage and superhuman strength. In the poem Beowulf, the author describes Beowulf as an epic hero through his actions and adventures that are similar and different to those of a modern day superhero such as Iron Man. Beowulf possess superhuman abilities when he describes his ability to drive five giants into chains and defeats Grendel with his bare hands. “Heard in his home: of heroes then living/ he was the stoutest and strongest/sturdy and noble”(line 8-12). Through these experiences that the author tells about in the epic, it is obvious that Beowulf is more than an ordinary man. His strength is tested by mythical beings that Beowulf has easily defeated. He also has some of the mental characteristics that are common to an epic hero including, his lack of self-righteousness and his perseverance while in battle. In the story Beowulf, Beowulf takes on a responsibility of fighting a dragon, this responsibility resulted in him dying at the end of the story. In Iron Man, Tony......
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...Beowulf In the epic poem “Beowulf”, Beowulf was a hero. Beowulf was a prince. Beowulf was a follower and the strongest of the Geats, greater and stronger than anyone anywhere in this world. Beowulf heard how Grendel filled nights with horror and quickly commanded that he’d go to that famous king, would sail across the sea to Hrothgar, now when help was needed. (Line 110-111, pg.42) Beowulf came from Sweden. Beowulf and his men sailed over the sea to the land Danes to offer help to Hrothgar. They are escorted by a Danish guard to Herot, where Wulfgar, one of Hrothgar’s soldier’s, tells the King of their arrival. Hrothgar knows of Beowulf and is ready to welcome the young prince and his men. I have watched me rise from the darkness of war, dripping with enemy’s blood. I drove five great giants into chains, chased that entire race from the earth. I swam in the blackness of night, hunting monsters out of the ocean, and killing them one by one; death was by errand and the fate, they had earned. (Line 153-157, pg.43) That I alone Beowulf had keep by his men, and may purge all evil from this hall. I hid behind some broad bidden shield; my hands alone shall fight for me, struggle for life against the monsters. God had to decide, who will be given to death’s cold grip. The monsters flight fastened those Claus in his fists till they cracked, clutched Grendel closer. The infamous killer. (Line 283-285, pg.47) Beowulf, Ecgtheow's son, is strong in mind and body. He is born a true......
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... In the epic poem of Beowulf, there are many events where supernatural strength is used by not only Beowulf himself, but as well as Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and a few other characters throughout the poem. The story starts off with the battle with Grendel, and both Beowulf and Grendel have supernatural strength, and so does Grendel’s mother. Beowulf and Grendel are both larger than life and they are both strong, and they have supernatural strength. In this poem, Beowulf does what is best for his people. He defends them and he eventually becomes king and is praised very frequently for his heroic duties. That is mainly what makes Beowulf larger than life, or what some may call famous. He takes care of his people and in exchange they take care of him. Grendel is an enormous, creature that was a decedent of Kane and he had been holding Denmark hostage for 12 years before Beowulf arrived. years. His demeanor is what really made him an outsider and people didn’t accept him. Beowulf’s first battle was with Grendel. The twelve foot beast rudely interrupted a celebration in the Hall that King Hrothgar had built for his people to come and fellowship with each other. Grendel was well known for his terrorism in many different situations. Beowulf’s warriors couldn’t harm the beast because Grendel had put a curse against all weapons to harm him. That being, Beowulf ripped off Grendel’s arm which was the only way to defeat him. King Hrothgar was pleased that Beowulf had defeated Grendel......
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