Saturday, May 16, 2020

Beowulf The Epic Poem From The Anglo Saxon Period

Beowulf, the longest epic poem from the Anglo-Saxon period, has a protagonist named Beowulf. A hero of the Geats and forthcoming king, the title character comes to the aid of Hrothgar, king of the Danes, whose kingdom was under attack by a monster known as Grendel. Both are great kings, wise and noble, but what truly makes a king great? Is it the accolades or honors that one receives or does it go beyond that? Two different cultures, two different men, but two great kings; Beowulf was described as a hope for the people (l. 13, 36). He was a hope for the Geats in his ability to lead, to fight and to inflict change. Even Hrothgar voiced to Beowulf that he have heard no man of the age that you are utter such wisdom. You are rich in strength and ripe of mind, you are wise in your utterance (ll. 1840-43, 77). After defeating Grendel and his mother, Hrothgar tells Beowulf this. This foreshadows that Beowulf will be a mighty king in the future. Both are men whom people counted on and looked to for guidance. Both exemplifying what a ferocious warrior resembled and what a true hero was. Hrothgar was granted glory in battle, mastery of the field (ll. 63-4, 38). Knowing from experience, the glory of being looked up to as a hero, Hrothgar warns Beowulf of pride and arrogance. He tells Beowulf a story about Heremod, a fighter once known for being brave and destroyed all obstacles that came his way, but turned into a monster himself when he became blood-thirsty. Beloved Beowulf,Show MoreRelatedEpic Poetry and Beowulf Pg1086 Words   |  5 PagesEpic poems have a unique set of characteristics that distinguish them from just an ordinary poem. An epic poem must contain a hero that is male, noble, and of importance to society who gives long formal speeches and travels over a vast setting. In the epic poem, Beowulf, the reader can see distinct Anglo-Saxon political, economic, and religious values in the actions of the characters and the things happening around them. Wealth in the Anglo-Saxon society, as seen in Beowulf, was used as a means ofRead MoreAngloSaxon Literature Essay632 Words   |  3 Pagesthroughout the Anglo-Saxon Period (449-1066), we see that many of their narratives, stories were simply passed down orally due to the lack of education prior to the era of Christianity. During the Anglo- Saxon Era literature initially began to be written down by the monks of the Christ ian Monasteries. The Anglo-Saxons contributed many details to human nature. The Anglo-Saxons named our modern day weekdays after Greek Gods. Heroism within an epic poem was often present during this period. Epic poetryRead MoreBeowulf : The Ideal Anglo Saxon Warrior871 Words   |  4 PagesMaya Rhode The Ideal Anglo-Saxon Warrior Throughout the epic of Beowulf, the differences between the hero of Beowulf and the villain of Grendel are made clear. Taking place during the fifth century, Beowulf is commonly known as the oldest surviving epic poem of Old English. It is also considered one of the most important works of Anglo-Saxon literature. With a different age and time period comes different values. Many of the traits greatly admired during the time of Beowulf may now have much lessRead MoreThe Anglo Saxon Era Of Rich History And Reflected Literature1486 Words   |  6 PagesThe Anglo Saxon Era of Rich History and Reflected Literature The Anglo Saxon Period began in 449 and ended in 1066 AD. This was a time of Viking conquering other nations, patriotism, and Pagan to Christian religious conversion. There are only few recorded authors of this era as a result of literary works such as Beowulf, Wife’s Lament, and The Seafarer being passed down orally through generations of time. The literature serves as a reflection of this ancient time rather than having an impact on thisRead MoreBeowulf: An Analysis1615 Words   |  7 Pages11/26/10 Beowulf Anglo Saxons are Germanic people that lived during the 5th and 6th centuries. This early Anglo-Saxon society was centered on families and clans. The earliest Saxon settlers and families in England were pagans who worshipped a number of gods. Although Anglo Saxons had unalterable beliefs, Christians eventually purveyed their religion upon the pagans. However, the ideals of paganism still perpetuate through the most prominent epic poem of this era called Beowulf. Beowulf embodiesRead MoreBeowulf And The Anglo Saxon Period1740 Words   |  7 PagesBeowulf The original poem, Beowulf, goes back to the Anglo-Saxon period in c. 650 and c.1100. Authors translated Beowulf many times in the Anglo-Saxon period to present day. It displays how a hero should be in the real world. He helps the people in the village and slays monsters. Everyone in the village looks up to him as he acts as if he were a role model. Beowulf, the protagonist in the translated Beowulf by Seamus Heaney, is a hero of his village, stands for bravery, strong will, and noblenessRead MoreEssay about Epic of Beowulf1017 Words   |  5 PagesBeowulf The Anglo-Saxon Culture as Illustrated in Beowulf Beowulf is an epic poem, which takes place in ancient Denmark and Geatland and describes the adventures of Beowulf, a Geat hero. Through their heroes, epic poems usually describe the traditions and beliefs of a certain culture. An Anglo-Saxon author wrote Beowulf about the Danes and Geats. The Anglo-Saxon’s had similar beliefs to that of the Dane and Geat’s, so the poem gives us some idea of what the Anglo-Saxon culture was like.Read MoreCompare and Contrast of Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight600 Words   |  3 Pagesand Contrast of Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Beowulf is an epic poem that was written in the Anglo-Saxon time period where only a few privileged people were able to read and write while Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, which is also an epic poem, was written in the Middle English time period where reading and writing was more wide-spread. While both the epic poem Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight have similar protagonists, the main character of each poem also has differentRead More Beowulf and The Intent of Christians to Convert Pagans Into Christianity 1069 Words   |  5 Pagesthen the Anglo Saxons. The Anglo Saxon’s traveled to England from the northern countries of Germany Norway and Sweden. When they arrived, they brought their gods with them. The Anglo Saxon’s religion consisted of multiple gods and goddesses and their own view of Heaven and what it would be like. The Anglo Saxon’s also loved poetry, and they used it to keep track of the history of their people. Beowulf is an epic poem tha t was past down by the Anglo Saxons from generation to generation. The poem is infusedRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Beowulf And The Genesis Of The Beowulf1321 Words   |  6 Pages During the Anglo-Saxon period, it was considered a dishonor if one failed to avenge the death of a family member. Wergild is a sign of loyalty, which is a recurring theme throughout in Beowulf. In the epic, not only did Beowulf seeks wergild for the death of his friend, but Grendel’s mother looks to avenge her son’s death. The need for wergild is a constant theme in the epic. In order to understand the poem Beowulf and the importance of wergild, one must understand the time period it was written

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.