"[Beowulf,] the Anglo-Saxon epic is the most important work of Old English literature" (Brittany). As people from Denmark and Sweden invaded England they brought several of their stories and legends to England. Beowulf is the oldest English epic that was neither written in England nor written about England. The epic was originally passed from person to person through the oral tradition, and sang by bards and scops. These bards and scops used a strong beat and alliteration to help them remember the songs easier. It is believed that the actual story of Beowulf took place two hundred years before it was permanently copied on to paper, and the author us unknown. The story was originally pagan, however, then it was written by a Christian monk, trying to convert Paganism to Christianity. There is only a general idea of when the poem was written, however, there are several historical factors have help to establish the general period of time during which the poem was probably written. The date that Beowulf was written in ranges from the eighteenth century to which the epic was originally composed, to the end of the tenth century, a period during which the manuscript that is posses today was copied down. It is believed that the original manuscript was in a monastery until Henry VIII decided to dissolve all but a few of the monistic orders. This story was saved it is "a story of dreams and legends, of a community threatened by evil of supernatural monsters, supernatural weapons and supernatural heroes" (Pera). "[The] Beowulf poet manages to include a great deal of radiation in his poetic style, especially through the use of thesis and antithesis; he also makes good use of balance and parallelism" (Strong Skilled11). In the story characters are defined through their status, in addition, .
an element of honor is recognized in the Anglo-Saxon culture. "[In the story] Beowulf performs great deeds of valor and things happen to him, but we see no psychological change - other than normal, chronological development from youth to adult" (Strong Skilled 37).
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. ...
