Fire, although not inherently malicious or benevolent, takes on the intent of whatever force is wielding it. In Beowulf, translated by Seamus Heaney, the use of fire is shown in three opposing lights: the incineration of the sword used to kill Grendel’s mother, the cremation of Beowulf’s body, and the dragon’s fiery consumption of the land. A different connotation accompanies each appearance of flames in the epic. These three instances of fire in the poem, despite their differences, all illustrate the desire to see the supposedly wicked, pagan ways of the past turn to ash and are replaced by a new society
The common connection made between fire and wickedness does not hold a position of credibility throughout the majority of the poem; however,
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it does retain a sense of validity in the death of Grendel’s mother. After Beowulf slays her, the blood of Grendel’s mother begins to eat away at the magnificent sword, “Its blade had melted / and the scrollwork on it burnt, so scalding was the blood / of the poisonous fiend who had perished there.” (trans. 1615-1617). Nevertheless, that admirable sword which once aided giants in conquest, was reduced to the same fate of an icicle on a blistering day, by the lifeblood that ran through the veins of Grendel’s mother, It was a wonderful thing, the way it all melted as ice melts when the Father eases the fetters off the frost and unravels the water ropes. (trans. Heaney 1607-1610). As the sword represents the glorification of violence in pagan society, the rate at which it dissolves into nothingness correlates to the diffusion of this mindset once those who have opposing beliefs come into positions of influence. In this epic, Beowulf’s stance on power and control are reduced to cinders after his body is cremated on a funeral pyre, symbolizing an end to pagan rule.
After his death, the memory of Beowulf and his rule could not be forgotten, rather his legacy would grow and become more legendary than it ever was before, “It was their hero’s memorial; what remained from the fire / they housed inside it, behind a wall / as worthy of him as their workmanship could make it.” (trans. 3160-3162). Despite this illustrious and immortalization of his reputation, the death of Beowulf marks a definite turning point in the evolution of the pagan communities. Beowulf was one of the last major pagan kings and exemplified every heroic trait which was held in high esteem, “They said that of all the kings upon the earth / he was the man most gracious and fair-minded, / kindest to his people and keenest to win fame.” (trans. Heaney 3180-3182). The Geats loved Beowulf and even in death they honored him by providing him a large funeral pyre to finally lay to rest. With the burning of Beowulf’s body, the old traditions and beliefs symbolically burn with him, leaving only a clean expanse for a new civilization to be built …show more content…
upon. Without a doubt, the acts of the dragon were vicious and extreme, however, they cleared the land, both literally and figuratively, of the impurities of the past. The dragon fills the land with flames and death that supplants fear in the hearts of the Geats, The dragon began to belch out flames and burn bright homesteads; there was a hot glow that scared everyone, for the vile skywinger would leave nothing alive in his wake. Everywhere the havoc he wrought was in evidence. (trans. Heaney 2312-2316). Despite the fear and death that came as a result of the dragon’s fury, the fire allowed for the lands to be reconstructed and have the chance to begin again. This destruction of the lives of the past, “The fire-dragon / has rased the coastal region and reduced / forts and earthworks to dust and ashes,” (trans. 2333-2335) made way for the generations of the future. The dragon’s fire illuminates the themes of purification and regeneration strewn throughout the epic poem. Although the three manifestations of flames in the poem have very little outward connection, all three cultivate the same picture of the traditional, pagan ways being reduced to nothingness.
Albeit, the destruction of this widespread culture was done because of foreigners’ desire for these pagan civilizations to evolve . In the same fashion, the incineration of the sword, of Beowulf’s body, and of Geatland elucidates the prevalence and power which pagan culture once had in this society, yet lost as time went on. In the poem, everything that comes in contact with flames are consumed, regardless of the actions associated with
it.
In Tolkien’s lecture, “Beowulf: The monsters and the Critics,” he argues that Beowulf has been over analyzed for its historical content, and it is not being studied as a piece of art as it should be. He discusses what he perceives the poet of Beowulf intended to do, and why he wrote the poem the way he did. Tolkien’s main proposition, “it was plainly only in the consideration of Beowulf as a poem, with an inherent poetic significance, that any view or conviction can be reached or steadily held” (Tolkien). He evaluates why the author centers the monsters throughout the entire poem, why the poem has a non-harmonic structure, why and how the author fusses together Christianity and Paganism, and how the author uses time to make his fictional poem seem real. He also discusses the overall theme of Beowulf and other assumptions of the text. To support his viewpoints, Tolkien uses quotations and examples from the poem, quotations from other critics, and compares Beowulf to other works of art. Tolkien discusses several statements in interpreting Beowulf as a poem.
Bradbury first depicted fire as a hurtful force through Montag, a fireman, who burn books. With the converted mentality of his culture, “it was [Montag’s] pleasure to burn. It was a special pleasure to see things eaten, to see things blackened and changed” (3). Montag’s culture sees burning as an enjoyment; however, the fire portrayed here demonstrates the destruction of knowledge and personality. While Montag’s profession brings him joy he does not understand that burning is the most permanent form of destruction. He is oblivious to his governments’ strong desire to eliminate the ideas and knowledge that books hold. In this society, where ignorance is bliss and their phobia of unhappiness controls all aspects of life, people believe that their destructive fire “is bright and…clean”, as it is used as a means to keep themselves oblivious and happy (60). In addition, Bradbury establishes the difference in the symbolisms of fire by naming part one of his novel “The Hearth and the Salamander”. The hearth is the fireplace of the home and is the most positive image of fire. This fire contributes warmth and restores relationships between people. The salamander, the symbol of the firemen, and who personify fire’s destruction is contrasted with the hearth, which represents restoration.
Beowulf is an epic poem telling the story of Beowulf, a legendary Geatish hero who later becomes king in the aforementioned epic poem. While the story in and of itself is quite interesting, for the purpose of this paper it is important to look at the character more so then his deeds, or rather why he did what he did.
The Old English epic poem Beowulf poses something for an enigma for scholars. The poet was surely a Christian, but the poem depicts a pagan society, so what sort of religion is being expressed. Most recent scholars have argued for a Christian reading, but others still hold out for a pagan one. Some have suggested Christian-pagan syncretism. Pagan beliefs involve sacrifices to the old stone Gods, making heathen vows, hoping for Hell’s support, the devil’s guidance in driving their affliction off. This was their way and the Heathen’s only hope.Some suggest Christian-pagan syncretism. Anglo-Saxon epic heroes are willing to put their own lives in danger for the greater good. Beowulf highlights the code’s points of tension by relating circumstances
Damrosch, David, and David L. Pike. “Beowulf.” The Longman Anthology of World Literature, Compact Edition. New York: Pearson, Longman, 2008. 929-970. Print.
...slaying Grendel’s family and a dragon. Needed by the Geats and the Danes, Beowulf is central to the poem, however it is impossible for him not to be an outsider when he is superior to every single character in every single aspect.
Beowulf. Norton Anthology of World Masterpieces. Expanded Edition Volume 1. ED. Maynard Mack et al. New York: Norton, 1995. 1546-1613.
Beowulf is a great tale but as a person, he isn’t that all that people make him out to be. In his older years his need for attention and glory ended up with the death of him. He fought the dragon alone and in return, ended up killing the dragon, but also sacrificed himself. Even as he died he asked for one thing, his people to build him a memorial near the sea so everyone could see the person that he was. His need for attention, lack of planning, and need for glory caused him to be just a prideful man, not a
Osborn, Marijane. “Translations, Versions, Illustrations.” In A Beowulf Handbook, edited by Robert Bjork and John D. Niles. Lincoln, Nebraska: Uiversity of Nebraska Press, 1997.
The author creates a realistic picture during the battle between Beowulf and Grendel. Throughout the scene, light and dark portray events according to their corresponding characters. Beowulf, the hero, symbolizes light and goodness while Grendel symbolizes darkness and wickedness. The poem describes him as demonic, “While a baleful light, flame more than light, flared from his eyes” (726-27). Beowulf continues to represent
In the the epic poem Beowulf, several contrasting symbols and pieces of imagery contribute to the overarching theme of the fight between good and evil. Whether comparing the characters in Beowulf, their respective environments, or their motives, it becomes very clear that an immense separation between the worlds of good and evil characterizes the story.
For the most part, Beowulf’s characteristics describe those of a triumphant warrior who played a major role in defending the lives of his fellow citizens, while leading a thriving country. Although Beowulf soon became king, he died for his people, and was remembered as a victorious fighter. Beowulf is at least in part a study of kingship because it discusses the qualities that produce a good king, the disadvantages during his rule and how he overcame them, and the problems that arose upon his death.
The pessimism of the poor Danes was palpable. They had even despaired of appealing to the Christian God and had reverted to offering sacrifice to their heathen idols. Grendel had killed 30 warriors the first night and had taken even more the next night. But their pessimism is dispelled by one Beowulf who is ready and willing to sacrifice himself to repay the debt of Ecgtheow, Beowulf’s father, to Hrothgar. This Geat warrior possesses almost miraculous qualities: “He was the strongest of men a...
The reader gets a vivid image of a huge industrial city built in “valleys huge of Tartarus”(4). This reference to Tartarus is saying that the city is virtually in a hell-like area. The image of hell is further exemplified by the line “A flaming terrible and bright”(12), which conjures up thoughts of fire and heat. The reference to hell and flames adds to the theme because it brings to light the idea of destruction and nature burning away. Similar to what happens when there is a forest fire. The fire is not just coming out of nowhere though, it is coming “from out a thousand furnace doors”(16), which furthers the idea of industrialization. There are no longer humans in this city which is evident because when talking about the beings in the city Lampman wrote “They are not flesh, they are not bone,/ They see not with the human eye”(33-34). This part of the poem is important because if there are no more humans left it is easy to assume that the only driving force of these “Flit figures that with clanking hands”(31) is work. They work to make the city bigger and to build more than they already
One of the first literary work studied by our class was “Beowulf,” the longest and greatest surviving Anglo-Saxon poem. The poem is packed full of Christian and Pagan elements that are constantly fighting for the dominant position. In order to understand these thematic elements portrayed throughout “Beowulf,” we must first discover