Literary Analysis Essay On Beowulf

Beowulf Essay

There are many characters throughout the story of Beowulf. They all portray distinctively, different personalities. Most of the men in the town get along well with each other. The monsters have a humongous hatred for the town and the people in it. All the monsters share one thing, enjoyment of attacking the timid town and making everyone miserable. Beowulf has big shoes to fill within the story as the main character. Beowulf has the strength of thirty men in one grip. He fights three bulky battles against the murderous monsters and becomes King of the Geats. Sadly, he passes due to injuries from his last battle. Beowulf looks to Wiglaf as a son and tells him this as he passes: “’You are the last of us, the only one left of the Waemundings. Fate swept us away, sent my whole brave high-born clan to their final doom. Now I must follow them.’ That was the warrior’s last word. He had no more to confide. The furious heat of pyre would assail him. His soul fled from his breast to it’s destined place among the steadfast ones.” (Lines 2813-2820). Wiglaf looks to Beowulf as the father figure in his life.

Beowulf’s final battle has begun. Something with great strength and power must be given to him. Beowulf’s own strength will not be enough to fight the angry mother. He is given a sword named Hrunting. This authentic, ancient sabre carries great aptitude and skill. “And another item lent by Unferth at that moment of need was no small importance: the brehon handed him a hilted weapon, a rare and ancient word named Hrunting. The iron blade with its ill-boding patterns have been tempered in blood. It had never failed the hand of anyone who hefted it in battle, anyone who had fought and faced the worst in the gap of danger. This was not the first time it had been called to preform heroic feats.” (Lines 1455-1458). This sword ultimately stikes down Grendel’s mother to her