The literature of the past can reveal a lot about the lives, culture, traditions, and history of the people who wrote it. Through a story, poem, or any other form of writing, lifestyles, people, and society can be described in great detail. Beowulf is a great example of this. Beowulf is one of the most important works in Anglo Saxon literature, being one of the few surviving works in Old English. It tells the story of a warrior named Beowulf, who travels to Denmark to help the Danes defeat a monster named Grendel. He then goes on to defeat Grendel’s mother and returns home to rule over his people as a great king for many years, until he is forced to fight a dragon attacking his land, dying in the process.Throughout the poem, elements and culture
Beowulf follows the Germanic code, which emphasizes pride, loyalty, and courtesy. Beowulf shows pride when he counters another warrior, Unferth, who claims Beowulf lost a swimming match and will be defeated by Grendel. Beowulf stands up for himself counters this by pointing out that he had actually swam for 5 days and defeated a monster in it. “My good friend Unferth, addled with beer. Much have you made of the deeds of Breca! I count it true that I had more courage, More strength in swimming than any other man. In our youth we boasted-we were both of us boys-We would risk our lives in the raging sea… Nor would I leave him. For five nights long side by side we strove in the waters… But I freed my life from the grip of the foe…” In addition, courtesy is also displayed by Beowulf in how he addresses a messenger by politely describing their king as noble and gracious. He also shows loyalty many times as he remains loyal to his king by following him, loyal to the Danes by defending them, and loyal to his people by sacrificing himself to defeat the dragon. This is important to understanding the culture of the time Beowulf was written because Beowulf was supposed to be the perfect hero. As a result, he would have traits that were looked up to, which shows us that loyalty, pride, and courtesy were very important in Anglo Saxon
In Beowulf, the essence left behind by a true hero is extremely important. In epics such as this one, leaders tend to have the determination and boldness of a hero. On the other hand, the main character, Beowulf, does not display these certain traits. In this heroic poem, respect and trust come naturally. Honor and integrity are present throughout the poem.
Beowulf is among the earliest surviving works of literature. It was written in Old English and dates back sometime before the tenth century A.D. The poem is set in Scandinavia, and tells the story of the heroic warrior, Beowulf. Beowulf was the perfect hero. He fought for his people and defeated evil with his ability to bring on justice. Three of Beowulf’s traits that serve as evidence of this were his remarkable physical strength, his ability to put the well-being of others before his own well-being, and his courage.
Beowulf is an epic poem that was written in the late tenth-century, at the kingdom of the West Saxons. The two main characters are Beowulf, a young man; and Grendel, a furious dragon. Beowulf's world is a very violent society with wars as a dominant part of daily life. Dragons and monsters are a constant threat to the Danes and the Geats. Warriors are a necessity to this war-like society. Beowulf is a hero as well as a great, and honorable, warrior.
Even from an early age, Beowulf took every opportunity he could to show off his strength and fearlessness. When he first introduces himself to King Hrothgar, a Danish warrior by the name Unferth recognizes Beowulf and brings up a story from his youth. He explains to the entire hall how Beowulf had challenged another young man, named Brecca, to a swimming match and lost. Unferth says to him, ¨both of you daring and young and proud… risking your lives for no reason? All older and wiser heads warned you not to, but no one could check such pride¨ (Raffel 23). It is clear that in this story, that Beowulf´s pride consumes him and fuels his reckless actions. He goes on to tell Unferth about how he had stayed behind to fight 9 monsters, while Brecca
Early in the poem, Beowulf hears accounts of Grendel’s destruction of Herot, Hrothgar’s majestic mead hall. Knowing his strength and military prowess, Beowulf immediately devises a plan, recruits men, and orders boats, thrusting himself into a battle that was not necessarily his to fight. Beowulf felt obligated to end Grendel’s reign of terror. Though he knew the death of Grendel would bring him fame and honor, the idealized Beowulf was able to set aside personal ambition in order to end the suffering of the Danes. Shortly after slaying Grendel, Beowulf again displays an awareness of duty when Grendel’s mother extracts revenge upon Herot, killing one of Hrothgar’s best men, Aeshere. Instead of leaving Herot in a state of frenzy, Beowulf comes to King Hrothgar’s side, pledging allegiance and service. Bolstering the defeated king’s moral, Beowulf boldly addresses the older King Hrothgar saying, “So arise, my lord, and let us immediately set forth on the trail of this troll-dam. I guarantee you: she will not get away, not to dens under ground nor upland groves nor the ocean floor. She’ll have nowhere to fall to. Endure your troubles to-day. Bear up and be the man I expect you to be.” Beowulf could not set aside his duty and obligation, though he knew full well the suffering and pain that might result from his actions. Thus, Beowulf is a portrait of
Beowulf portrays the life a warrior turned king who demonstrates the qualities that not only the ideal king should have, but also the ideal warrior should exhibit. This allows the reader to notice how kings in the past were, and the power they possessed over the people of the area.
The epic poem, Beowulf, a work of fiction, offers more insight into Ancient Anglo-Saxon English culture than the work of Bede, who wrote, A History of the English Church and People. The epic poem Beowulf gives an enhanced illustration and clearer understanding of the culture of the Ancient Anglo-Saxon’s. The epic poem gives the audience a picture of what the Ancient Anglo-Saxon English valued; seafaring, warriors, heroes, and paganism.
Beowulf, the mighty warrior who was said to be the biggest and strongest man to ever live. The mortal who slays serpents, and dragons for the fame and glory. He was a man like no other, many warriors concern in battle was to stay alive, Beowulf did not worry about being killed. His main concern was slaying whatever stood in front him, whether it be a monster, dragon, or even a mortal man. Movies and poems were made to help educate people on the great tale of Beowulf; however, how much of the story is what truly happened? The Beowulf poem is really based off change. The story was first told verbally and only off of memory, meaning the Scops could have added and took out parts of the original story based on the society in the time in which they lived in. This would eventually lead to many different versions of the tale of Beowulf, all with many similar and different attributes. Although the Beowulf poem and movie share many similarities, the different portrayals of gender roles, behavior of a hero, and characteristics of an old king reveals the values of
Beowulf is very prideful. He boasts about his tasks as often as he can. He likes to showboat his heroism and bravery. When Unferth challenges Beowulf’s honor and calls him a liar and a loser, Beowulf does not take it well. He calls Unferth a liar and a murderer and immediately tells Hrothgar’s court what really happened during the swimming match that Unferth was referring to. Beowulf is driven by his need to be an honorable and well-respected man. The honor he seeks is not wholly for his King’s glory, but for himself.
When the story begins, Beowulf has gone to the land of the Danes to kill Grendel for the people, not for the glory. Beowulf brings his own hand picked, group of soldiers with him throughout his battles, and refuses to allow help from others. Beowulf also tells the readers he will not use weapons unless necessary. Before the battle against Grendel, a Denmark officer states, “A chosen warrior who bravely does battle with the creature haunting our people, who survives that horror unhurt, and goes home bearing our love” (ln. 210). Also, when Beowulf’s men abandon him in the battle against the dragon, he does not choose to run in fear, but to continue fighting. In this moment much like in his past, Beowulf shows how honorable he really
After reading the epic poem Beowulf, translated by Burton Raffel, one would see culture from the Anglo Saxon civilization. Taking a glance into the American’s pop culture you would see a parallels between the two. You see how they boasts, how the appreciate values, and how they handle their views on the afterlife. When looking at American cultural values, one could find similarities and differences while looking at the Anglo Saxon civilization’s life.
Beowulf is an epic poem that explores many themes and motifs within the Anglo-Saxon society. The Author, who remains anonymous, composed the epic around 1000 A.D. The literature focuses mainly on a Scandinavian warrior named Beowulf, who comes to the aid of Herot, a small town ran by King Hrothgar. Beowulf arises to rid the town of evil forces, such as the demon monster Grendel, and his savage mother who seeks revenge for the death of her son. As he ages, Beowulf presumes his title as king of Geatland, still eager to protect his loyal followers from danger.
Beowulf is one of the greatest surviving epic poems. It was composed by Germanic people more than twelve hundred years ago. Although it is written in Old English, it deals with the Scandinavian forebears of the Anglo-Saxons, the Danes and the Geats. This epic poem concerns itself with Christianity, internal and external evils, and the warriors defeating monsters.
Beowulf is the single greatest story of Old English literature and one of the greatest epics of all time. Ironically, no one can lay claim to being the author of this amazing example of literature. The creator of this poem was said to be alive around 600 A.D. and the story was, since then, been passed down orally from generation to generation. When the first English monks heard the story, they took it upon themselves to write it down and add a bit of their own thoughts. Thus, a great epic and the beginning to English literature was born.
The story is interesting in that many things are named, especially swords, and armor which are especially honored if they had helped their previous owners in battle. Beowulfs sword was named Hrunting. Herot had been plagued for twelve years by a monster named Grendel. In one night, Beowuld conquers Grendel, and the 12 years of Suffering is over with. Unbeknownst to Beowulf, Grendel has a mother who then seeks revenge for Grendels death. Beowulf then fights an amazing underwater battle against her, and is victorious. He then sales back to his native Geatland, and then becomes king. After about fifty years, a dragon begins to start reeking havoc upon Geatland. Beowulf blames himself for the dragon, and goes to fight it. He dies, but in the process, kills the dragon. Beowulf was written roughly around 800BC. This makes it very interesting because it gives you somewhat of an idea of what life may have been like. In the story, life is centered around meadhalls which are large drinking halls. Here, one can sleep for the night, get a meal, and also drink the sweet alcoholic drink called meade. The meadhall was the center of the village. If you were a stranger, you could try and spend the night there. If you were a warrior, you would sleep there. In Beowulf, the King of Denmark lived in a meadhall named Herot. Another large aspect of life was honor. Honor was dependent upon who your father was. If he had no honor, then neither would you.