A Literary Analysis Of Beowulf

Emily Gudino

Ms. Rivers

AP English 12

16 September 2016

Beowulf Literary Analysis

There aren't many instances when you're reading a complex and appealing poem or novel that you look deep into the meaning of said story. In the epic poem “Beowulf,”, translated by Burton Raffel, it is easy to interpret what it shows us as readers. It is a larger-than-life heroic tale of the main character and hero Beowulf. “Beowulf” show us how to go beyond the human experience, battling our own devils and feats. The author of this story shows us that sacrifices need to be made in order to fight against evil.

The quest that is shown in this epic poem is also shown in other heroic tales. In pretty much every story there is a quest and a deeper meaning. Beowulf

experiences this quest and faces challenges through it. Through these trials Beowulf is shaped into the heroic and discovered self he set out to be. During Beowulf’s quest of self discovery and validation of his existence he is trying find the importance in his life. Beowulf shows us this by letting us see the sacrifices that he is making. He sees that he is needed and sacrifices himself for the safety and wellbeing of his people. Beowulf stands as a hero in his life just like we should in ours. He realizes the importance of sacrifice as we to should. This is a significant insight into human experience. We have the same quest within our lives, trying to find our significance and reasons for living.
How to Read Literature Like a Professor, by Thomas C Foster, helps us as readers gain knowledge of a deeper meaning of Beowulf’s quest of self discovery by using literary devices.
In chapter 12 of How to Read Literature Like a Professor, we can see how the quest is an important part of “Beowulf,”.

The novel symbolizes the journey he has to take. His journey includes defeating Grendel and learning what his existence means. Grendel is simultaneously learning what his place is. In chapter 2 of How to Read Literature Like a Professor, the idea of communion is introduced. Foster reveals “In fact, literary versions of communion can interpret the word in quite a variety of ways” (Foster 8). Foster in fact saying that the communion isn’t necessarily religious. It can mean and be at looked at in different ways. For example in Beowulf the communion is having to face Grendel. The unity and close factors of the community is then lost. Communion can be when people eat and drink together. So it has that tie to religion which is a insight into the human experience. In this case it looked at in a variety of ways. It does not always have a religious connotation.

The significance of the feast is that Beowulf would meet Hrothgar met to defeat Grendel and his mother. Symbolism is a device that plays a great role in Beowulf. In chapter 12 of How to Read Literature Like a Professor, Foster describes how symbols are used and states that “in general a symbol can’t be reduced to standing for only one thing” (Foster 55). There are several symbols throughout the poem being used. Examples of these symbols are each and every character. They are used to symbolize an aspect or experience

of human nature.
Beowulf represents the hero inside of ourselves. He shows us as readers the brave aspects we often struggle to find within ourselves. His courage and strength in times of danger and angst are shown throughout the story. He is willing to sacrifice his life to overcome dangerous trials and challenge that he may face. That is what makes him have the invincible traits unlike other characters in this epic poem.
Beowulf tries to achieve fame and respect in his life. This is something that relates back to human experience, we try to achieve the same fame within ourselves. That fame is due to the fact that he needs it to feel accomplished. Throughout the story Beowulf displays characteristics of the epic hero he longs to be. The trials he faces show us as readers a contrast between the rising and setting of a heroic tale. Beowulf stayed facing challenges on his quest. Within the three chapters of How to Read Literature Like a Professor, by Thomas C Foster, we got a easier way of finding the deeper meaning of the epic poem Beowulf. The quest, symbolism, and communion become easier to understand and interpret for us as readers. That helped us understand what the human insight was. Everyone experiences a quest of something through their lives. They question their existence and gain self-knowledge while going on that journey. This means that in the end of our lives given our strengths and weaknesses we should be able to conquer our fears and challenges. It's the climb not the destination.

Works Cited

Foster, Thomas C. How to Read Literature like a Professor. Harper, 2014.
Raffel, Burton, and Seamus Heaney, translators. “from Beowulf.” Elements of Literature, Sixth Course.
Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2009. (pp 23-49).