...heroic fate of Beowulf Introduction The narrative of epic poem Beowulf consists of three episodes in which the hero is engaged in the peculiar mission of fighting with three fabulous monsters (Fisher 1958, p.173). The first monster Grendel is quickly defeated; the second, Grendel’s dam is depicted with greater elaboration but also ends in demise at the hands of Beowulf; and the 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...
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...The story of Beowulf is the story of a seemingly invincible hero written by an unknown monk sometime in the 11th century. In the story, Beowulf completes multiple quests; however, despite there being multiple quests, all of them follow multiple archetypes commonly seen in epic poetry. The first quest that Beowulf must complete is slaying Grendel, a hostile monster that is terrorising the Danes. Second, he must kill Grendel’s mother who took the head of one of Hrothgar’s closest friends. Finally, Beowulf is tasked with slaying a dragon that is aggravated that someone stole his treasure. In Beowulf’s first quest, he is tasked with killing Grendel, a monster said to have the strength of thirty men. Beowulf takes the quest to show that he is one of the...
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...thinking of a hero include: superhuman abilities, courage, and selflessness. In the epic poem Beowulf, Beowulf displays all of these heroic traits. While some could argue that Beowulf is not a hero due to his desire for glory, his heroic qualities outweigh this one fault. Overall, Beowulf’s effectiveness as a hero can be seen through his courage and selflessness to take on extraordinary monsters and his superhuman ability to take on these creatures. The story begins by introducing a community and a monstrous creature that plagues the citizens. The creature, Grendel, is exceptionally power as he is able to kill thirty warriors with little effort: “He slipped through the door and there in the silence snatched up thirty men, smashed them unknowing in their beds and ran out with their bodies” (4). This would surely scare most men but not Beowulf. Beowulf welcomes the challenge and prepares to fight him as soon as he hears about the creature: “In his far-off home Beowulf, … heard how Grendel filled nights with horror and quickly commanded a boat fitted out” (6). Beowulf’s readiness to fight Grendel exemplifies his courage and selflessness. The fact that Beowulf lives in a far-off land further...
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...The Many Battles of Beowulf An epic is a poem written in the form of a poem that usually contains most, if not all, of the heroic requirements to be considered an epic. Beowulf encloses many of the traits, but most prevalent are: the hero has supernatural abilities, characters deliver long speeches, and the actions of the hero determine the fate of a nation or group. The Danes struggle with Grendel’s terrorizing on Herot nightly for twelve winters. The Danes were so petrified of Grendel that they abandoned the great hall for the time that Grendel reigned terror on them. Beowulf hears about the complications the Danes are having and sets out on a voyage across the sea to profit from the fame and fortune for his people. Beowulf slaughters Grendel and Grendel’s mother before returning to his homeland; Geatland, where he resides until he is crowned the king. Fifty years later, a dragon plagues the Geats when a cup is stolen from his lair and given to Beowulf. He kills the dragon at the expense of his own life. These all assist to deem this poem as one of epic tendencies and lead on to the conclusion of Beowulf being the greatest epic ever written. The superhero qualities present themselves in many ways. One of the broadest honorary elements is when Beowulf shows off greater endurance than any other human as he “Swam along / The sea paths” (lines 514-515) against Brecca while “Crea / tures / [sic] Who sleep deep in sea stirred / into life.” The most challenging part...
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...What does Beowulf say about himself and what he intends to do? When Beowulf enters Hrothgar's presence he tells him of his past courageous victories. He tells Hrothgar that he intends to fight Grendel without weapons, using only his hands. 12. How did Hrothgar help Beowulf's father in the past? Hrothgar told Beowulf that he helped his father in the past by ending a feud that he had started between him and the Wulfing tribe, by sending them ancient treasures. 13. What does Unferth say to Beowulf, and why? Unferth reminds Beowulf about a swimming race that Beowulf competed in against Brecca, and lost. He tells Beowulf that he will surely be defeated in the battle against Grendel. Unferth says this because he is envious of Beowulf's accomplishments, and jealous of all the fame and glory he earned, and the courage that he had. 14. How does Beowulf respond to Unferth? Beowulf is unshaken by Unferth's taunts, and after saying that Unferth is drunk, he tells them what really happened with the swimming race against Brecca. He explained that after five nights in the freezing sea, he was attacked by nine sea monsters, and slayed them all. Beowulf said that neither Brecca nor Unferth could have survived in that...
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...Beowulf quiz master Pg. 36 - 71 Teacher document coordinated with Beowulf student document. Student document may be altered to fit teacher needs. 1. One reason that the Danes have such a difficult time fighting Grendel is that |a. |the Danes’ warriors are too old | |b. |Grendel hunts only when it is full dark | |c. |Grendel does not fight according to men’s rules | |d. |the warriors do not have enough gold for swords | 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...
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...While watching movies does one ever wonder why so many events the protagonist experiences reflect such dramatic similarities ? Probably not. Likewise, in literature, the books make one wonder about the consistencies in the plot. This redundancy can be most readily understood if one were to view these works through the lens of archetypal analysis, or through patterns within the “Monomyth,” as revealed in The Hero with a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell. In Beowulf, for instance, Beowulf is the hero; meanwhile Grendel is his nemesis until his death. In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Gawain is also the hero, but he is not the trickster in the story. Therefore, similarities both of these works do have, but contradictions also exist. . Certain similarities and differences, however, stem not from age-old Monomythic patterns, but rather from differences in worldviews, varied paradigms held by cultures separated by roughly 350 years of development. Thus, some values...
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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 hero...
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...Epic Poem of Beowulf show the brutality and shear power of the great warrior Beowulf. The battles are individually significant but are also equally connected in many ways. The arrival of Beowulf from his home tribe of the Geats in the tribe of the Danes is due to a cry for help from the king of the Danes, Hrothgar. This great king has done everything in his power to defeat the beast named Grendel who ravages there mead hall at night. The second battle is between Beowulf and Grendel’s bloodthirsty mother who is out for revenge. The epic poem of Beowulf ends with the final battle between Beowulf and the Dragon who lives in the remains of a forgotten tribe. These battles will show the attributes of courage, sacrifice, leadership and honor displayed through Beowulf’s actions. The first battle takes place between a beast named Grendel and Beowulf in a quick but gruesome battle in the mead hall. The mead hall is the central meeting places of tribes during this time period. The mead hall that this battle takes place in, the mead hall of the tribe of the Danes, is the greatest mead hall of the time. Named Heorot, it was grander and more magnificent than any other. It is a sacred place to the tribe of the Danes, a place of celebration and sanctuary. Grendel made it a place of death and with the strength of killing 30 men, Grendel is a force of destruction. The king of the Danes, the Great King Hrothgar, has tried to defeat the beast but his forces were unsuccessful. Beowulf hears of Grendel...
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...distorted. As the most valued, strongest, ablest warrior around Beowulf is looked up upon. He is a Geatish warrior who fights not only the monster Grendel, but also Grendel’s mom and a fire breathing dragon. Achilles was an important hero in The Iliad. As a regnant warrior, he leads soldiers from his hometown to seek revenge towards Agamemnon. Beowulf and Achilles were both superior warriors in similar and different ways. Beowulf and Achilles are two well-known heroes who fought agelong and hard. Beowulf...
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...Good Vs. Evil In Beowulf, the conflict between good and evil is the poem's main and most important aspect. The poet makes it clear that good and evil doesn’t exist as only opposites, but that both qualities are present in everyone. Beowulf represents the ability to do good or to perform acts selflessly and in help of others. Goodness is also showed throughout this epic as having the ability to cleanse evil. Even though evil is presented by Grendel, Grendel's mother, and the dragon, who are filled with a desire to act against people and ultimately destroy them, even pride, a human quality, is presented in Beowulf as a sign that evil exists. This story might even be considered a classic because it mainly talks about the old fashion good vs. evil, hero vs. villain. Beowulf and the three monsters show the significant difference between good and evil, and why god will always prevail. At the beginning of the play, one reads about Grendel, who is a man eating monster who is feared by everyone. Grendel represents sin and evil throughout the story in various ways. Evil is first shown by the monster Grendel when, “Suddenly then the God-cursed brute was creating havoc: greedy and grim, he grabbed thirty men from their resting places and rushed to his lair”. (Beowulf 120-124). Grendel lives in the darkness and has absolutely no remorse on human life. This shows a very big quality of an evil being and how the Anglo-Saxons viewed evil in forms of monsters. Evil is also thought to be greedy...
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...Hero A hero is one who places himself or herself at great risk while performing acts of courage. Not only is Beowulf a hero because of his physical strength, but rather than 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...
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...Shield dies in the prime of his life and is buried at sea in a ship loaded with wealth and treasures, according to the custom of the Spear-Danes. It sails off and nobody knows what happens to it. • Beow becomes king and rules long and well. He is succeeded by Halfdane, a warlord who has three sons, Heorogar, Hrothgar, and Halga, and one daughter. Halfdane's daughter isn't given a name in the poem, although we assume that she had one, but we do learn that she marries Onela, the king of the Swedes. • Halfdane's son Hrothgar is fortunate in battle and gradually amasses the most followers and wealth of any of the princes, so he becomes king after his father. • To consolidate his power, Hrothgar builds a grand mead-hall, Heorot Hall, which does dual duty as a throne room and a hangout for the powerful members of his "court." Okay, we say court, but it's really just a bunch of tough barbarians in grimy, blood-smeared armor sitting around a rough wooden table drinking mead and talking about battles. • When Heorot Hall is finished, Hrothgar gives out treasures to his followers to celebrate and thank them for their help. The narrator knows, however, that the hall is doomed to burn down in the midst of a bloody battle. So much for suspense, right? But don't worry; it's still going to be...
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...hero was found in the literary piece “Beowulf”. An epic hero is defined as a larger - than - life figure, who pits his courage, skill, and virtue against opposing, often evil forces. Beowulf is clearly the epic hero in “Beowulf” because he displays bravery and strength, as well as demonstrates that he is a smart Anglo-Saxon leader. The first trait that Beowulf showcases that makes him an epic hero is bravery. Driven by honor, Beowulf confronts Hrothgar with a proposition to fight the monster...
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...of monsters. The hero, Beowulf, came from a distant land where he was very famous for slaying sea monsters. He had heard of a beast that was troubling a town far away. This beast was called Grendel. Grendel was a terrible monster who loved to terrorize the town and had a thirst for blood. Beowulf is then able to slay him along with his mother and a dragon. The first main problem that occurs in the poem is the fight with Grendel. In the poem, Grendel had terrorized the town and killed many people in the mead hall. Grendel returned to the mead hall to kill many times. He also had a weakness toward loud noises. When Beowulf finally fought him , he was able to kill Grendel by breaking his arm which caused him to bleed to death. In the movie, Grendel came to the mead hall only two total times. He also had an over exaggerated sensitivity to loud noises. His main weakness in the movie was his ears, and that is how Beowulf killed him. Beowulf made loud noises to distract Grendel. He then stabbed and punched Grendel’s ears until they popped. In the movie, Grendel’s mom was a beautiful girl made of gold. She had past relations with the town’s king . The gold horn that was the symbol of the king’s monarchy was actually given to him by Grendel’s mother. She then stole the horn and Beowulf went to retrieve it and attempted to kill Grendel’s mother. This is where the movie really takes a twist and makes it even more different from the poem. Beowulf finds Grendel’s mother very...
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