Boasting in Beowulf

Marie Nelson’s “Beowulf’s Boast Words” evaluates the numerous acts of boasting that occur in Beowulf, dividing them into two subcategories. The choice of categories of boasting are determined by when the events have occurred or will occur; the first type of boasting refers to the speaker bragging about existing or previously occurring successes; the second type of boasting refers to the speaker making a vow towards future heroic accomplishments. The first type of boasting is commonly looked down upon in Modern English, but Beowulf uses both types of boasting efficiently and effectively. He is able to lay a foundation of great valour to himself in order to provide a greater, more powerful introduction to his type two boast of promise. This type of introduction with a type one boast serves to eliminate any cause for doubt among the “Hearers.” This paper goes beyond the boasting of Beowulf to further support the second type of boasting. Wiglaf’s vow to aid Beowulf as well as promises spoken by heroes of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings are examined.

Nelson’s paper does a sufficient job of displaying the existence of the secondary form of boasting that exists in Old English. Well chosen, detailed evidence is provided by multiple cases of boasting in both Old English literature, Beowulf, and literature inspired by Old English, Lord of the Rings. The two types of boasting are distinctly separated, contrasted, and complimented to properly demonstrate their existences in each example cited. The conclusion of the relation of bragging preceding a promise is well developed by the presentation of its use by Beowulf; such speaking is very effective. The paper also demonstrates that although there is a clear correlation between the effective...

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...ir courage as they prepare. Nelson uses the example of Beowulf’s last great battle to show how even with an extensive, powerful boast of bragging and promise, his objective of slaying the dragon was not accomplished. Beowulf did in fact kill the dragon, but the problem with his boasting lies in these lines: “I shall through courage / gain gold, or battle, fierce mortal wound, / will take your king!” (2535-2537). Beowulf’s use of either-or boasting did not save his life. His initial bragging did push him to victory over the dragon, but in his second boast he claimed that he would gain from victory

Beowulf. Sullivan, Alan, and Timothy Murphy, trans. Longman Anthology of British Literature. Gen. Ed. David Damrosch. 2nd compact ed. Vol. A. New York: Pearson, 2004. 32-91.

Nelson, Marie. "Beowulf's Boast Words." Neophilologus vol. 89.2. Springer, 2005. 299-310.