Sigemund Vs Beowulf Essay

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Digressions and episodes are the finest literary devices utilized in Beowulf. Each digression and episode tells a different story apart from Beowulf’s main plot, however contributes to plot development. The Sigemund episode is one such episode. It talks about gallant King Sigemund who earned honor and glory through his possession of hoard and by killing the dragon. The king became honorable and experienced, however he was betrayed and he eventually fell. Sigemund and Beowulf were similar; they were both heroes. The Sigemund episode presents a comparison with Beowulf, augurs Beowulf’s downfall and parallels the satire in Beowulf’s shortcomings.
Discussion
As seen in these lines: “Sigemund’s name was known everywhere. / He was utterly valiant and venturesome, / a fence round his fighters and flourished therefore” (897-898), (Orchard, 2004) here, Sigemund is introduced as an exceptional comparison to Beowulf. The Sigemund episode sets up a finer understanding …show more content…

Hygelac’s court is described before Beowulf arrives and the digression begins. This passage is dedicated to the comparison between Hygelac’s queen, queen of Offa, Hygd, king of Angles and Modthrythbefore migrating to England. Initially Modthrth seems like Heremod, and is merely a wicked character introduced to promote the values and virtues of Hygd by creating contrast (Bjork, 1997). However, Modthryth is more complicated. Initially she is a tyrannous and cruel princess, but she changes herself on the Anglican throne. This opposition avers a correlation between the episode and Heremond’s tragedy. Conversely, the respective carriers of Modthryth and Heremod run opposite courses. This digression has the role of: serving as a foil to Hygd; correlation to Heremod stresses abuse of power and Modthryth’s beginning is viewed parallel to Beowulf’s ignominious youth; an unpleasant beginning that blossom into a magnificent

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