Have you ever wandered why us students are forced to read ancient literary selections? Do they have any connection at all to humanity today? Even though the epic poem BEOWULF takes place in the 6th or 7th century, many critics claim that it contains themes or actions that are relevant to modern life. These are three themes that I think are presented in the epic poem and relevant to our times and life, loyalty, good vs. evil, and honor. .
I chose loyalty as one of my themes because in the epic poem Beowulf's men were loyal to him. They were there for him when he was in a ruff situation and stayed waiting for him when they had thought they might not see him again while the other men had left. Episode 2 "The Geats, sick at heart, sat down and stared at the lake. Hopeless, they yet hoped to set eyes on their dear lord". In our time loyalty can be shown in many different aspects in life like being loyal to friends, family, partners, and your country. Showing loyalty can be by caring, being there for people in need whether good or bad, and standing by them. And also by being loyal and showing loyalty a person can feel self worth and pride. Without loyalty in our lives there would be negative results.
The second theme I chose was good vs. evil. The reason I chose this theme is that it was basically the whole theme of the story. In this epic poem the good which were the kings, warriors, Beowulf and his men, and also the people who lived there had to face the evil that were monsters. In there time the evil they had to face were monters, creatures, dragons, etc. Episode 1 "And so it remained: for twelve long winters the lord of the Danes was sorely afflicted with sorrows and cares; then men were reminded in mournful songs that the monster Grendel fought with Hrothgar for a long time, fought with fierce hatred committing crime and atrocity day after day in continual". In our times we also face evil whether it's terrorists, rapists, criminals, murderers, or who have no remorse for the human being.
Beowulf has many traits that make him a hero. ... Beowulf is able to kill her with a giant's sword that can only be lifted by a person as strong as Beowulf. ... This would lead to Beowulf's last battle. Beowulf goes to seek the dragon in his lair. ... Beowulf's injuries turn out to be fatal. ...
Beowulf Essay by Denny "The Yellow Dart" Fulton In the next four paragraphs will prove that Beowulf has the qualities of an epic hero. ... This essay will show Beowulf's saga as a hero. ... "Fifty winters pass, Beowulf, now an old man, faces his final task:"(that was not my Quote). " Together Beowulf and the young Miglaf kill the dragon, but the old king (Beowulf) is fatally wounded." ... Beowulf taking his last few words to the young Miglaf, the last of Beowulf's family, the new king. ... Beowulf's tower. ...
Beowulf Essay The epic story Beowulf is the most important of all English epics. ... The reoccurring imagery in Beowulf's battles and in describing his mail shirt help prove that Beowulf is an epic hero. The reoccurring imagery describing Beowulf's chain link mail shirt is an example of Beowulf's huge stature. ... When Beowulf stabs Grendel's mother in the head you hear "The iron sang its fierce song, sang Beowulf's strength". ... This imagery shows Beowulf's superior strength. ...
In the Anglo-Saxon epic Beowulf, there are battles between Beowulf himself and several different monsters. ... Loyalty is present when Beowulf chooses to fight the monster for king Hrothgar who had done Ecgtheow, Beowulf's father, a great favor. ... Fate comes into play here when Beowulf defeats and unknowingly kills her son. ... The glory belongs to Beowulf because he defeats her, too. ... As fate would have it, the previously victorious Beowulf is put to the test one more time. ...
Beowulf: An Ideal Hero Beowulf is an outstanding epic poem set in the Anglo-Saxon period that tells the tale of a hero of the land. ... Beowulf is also a courageous warrior capable of overcoming many obstacles. ... Beowulf was the king of his land for fifty years. ... Beowulf did things that no other man would do. Thus, making Beowulf the greatest, most well known hero of his time. ...
Beowulf's selflessness and bravery are shown frequently when he battles Grendel. Beowulf shows no signs of retreat and accepts death as it may come. ... Another quality exhibited by Beowulf is his bravery. ... Beowulf displays a sense of strength throughout his life. ... Beowulf's intentions are to protect his people, so fear cannot intervene. ...
Beowulf- The Great of the Greats In the 8th century people were looked at by their character. Each person had important traits, which were very important traits that were admired back then. Some of these traits that were intelligible, they also had to be very honorable and do things fair. The wa...
Beowulf is unlike any other epic hero in the manner in which he fights. ... No sword could hurt Grendle so Beowulf would have beat him by hand alone. ... Beowulf shows his loyalty throughout the story. ... Beowulf showed he is the exact opposite. ... It is easily seen how Beowulf is a great leader. ...
Beowulf also has confidence in his skills as a warrior and as a leader. ... It can therefore be said that Beowulf is a classic Anglo-Saxon hero. ... In the epic poem, none equaled Beowulf's skill as a warrior or as a leader of men. ... Such confidence in skill projects Beowulf as a true Anglo-Saxon hero. ... Regardless of the fact that he smote Grendel bare handed, Beowulf admits a dragon is a formidable foe indeed, so a decision is made to unsheathe Hrunting Beowulf's mighty blade. ...