Beewulf : An Analysis Of The Legend Of Beowulf

First, it is important to know the story Beowulf. Beowulf is a story about a monster named Grendel who goes around murdering the people of Herot run by the king Hrothgar. The character Beowulf is informed of what Grendel has been doing and decides to go stop/kill him. Beowulf is described as the strongest and bravest of all the geats. “”The strongest of the Geats-greater and stronger than anyone anywhere in this world”

Although Beowulf had the strength of thirty men put together but he still took the men to battle with him. No armor or weapons could hurt him so he defeated Grendel with his two bare hands by ripping off his shoulder. Grendel hurt and dying then retreated to his lair to die. He then later takes on Grendel’s mother by chopping off her head with a great big sword hanging on the wall. It was made by giants and no man’s strength can carry it except the Great Beowulf. He willingly went against a creature that no man could ever defeat so the Danish people could live fearless from the undefeatable Grendel. He was praised for the great deeds he had accomplished. Beowulf later on became a great King after his uncle Hygelac died. Hygelac had a son but he was too young to rule the kingdom. Beowulf didn’t take the throne at first and said he would monitor the young boy and protect him.

Beowulf: A New Telling by Robert Nye is a story of horrendous monsters of legends Beowulf has to face. But, Beowulf is not your ordinary hero, and this story isn’t your ordinary hero legend of Good Vs. Evil. In Fact, the story shoes things aren’t so black and white. You will hear again and again, about light and darkness being in the same being, a kind of a yin and yang concept. That is one of many themes throughout this story, and the longer you read the more you see the deeper, overarching theme of the entire story.

Beowulf: A New Telling by Robert Nye is about a character named Beowulf who has to fight evil by using strength, but by also using cleverness. Beowulf’s name means “bee hunter” and Beowulf loved bees. In the story a hall is built it is called Hall Heorot. “By day it towered above men’s heads like a second sun, so bright were it’s walls and roofs”(p. 5). Once the hall is made, a monster comes and eats people at night.

Beowulf-A New Telling by Robert Nye has a theme that runs deep in the blood of fantasy works:The millenia old battle between light and darkness. Although not directly mentioned, in many books including this one, Darkness and Light are portrayed as physical, however rather explaining conflict within humans, or even conflict between humanity and the mysterious outside. Robert Nye does amazingly well portraying this through many events and physical objects.

As the Martian Manhunter once said, “The future is worth it. All the pain. All the tears. The future is worth the fight”. This modern day superhero mentality, that fighting the good fight is worth it because it is the right thing to do is seen everywhere today. Movies, comic books, and videos games come out yearly featuring superheroes who fight for justice using their superhuman abilities. They possess characteristics such as bravery, strength, a stong moral compass, and loyalty. Interestingly, these modern day superhero traits can be traced all the way back to the Anglo-Saxons were the first hero ever, Beowulf lived. It is Beowulf who not only exemplifies modern day hero traits, but he more importantly shows the ideals of an Anglo-Saxon hero. Without a doubt, Beowulf demonstrates the traits of an Anglo-Saxon hero.

Beowulf also ripped off Grendel’s arm and hung it from the ceiling in the Herot so his legend would beremembered.One of the most persuasive parts of Beowulf that makes him seem heroic is after many years another monster would arise terrorizing the Geats. It was a great fire breathing dragon, Beowulf aftermany years of not fighting and at a much older age would return to battle against a much greater opponent than Grendel, the beast was so massive and powerful that Beowulf would break his sword on the dragons massive scales. In this battle Beowulf would kill the great beast and he would be forever remembered as a hero. In the quote “ The brave geats build me a tomb when the funeral flames have burned me , and build it here, at the waters edge, high on this split of land so sailors can see this tower and remember my name, and call it Beowulf’s tower and boats in the darkness and mist crossing the sea will know it.” This is a good example of his legend being carried on and him being remembered furthering his reputation as a hero and insuring him being remembered.In conclusion Beowulf was a great hero and a great protector of his people. Beowulf always looked to further his reputation as a hero and insure that he would be remembered. So to finalize my thoughts I feel like that Beowulf was a true

Strength is without a doubt one of the most important traits which a hero should possess and the Anglo-Saxon’s felt the same way. Beowulf’s strength can be compared to that of the American comic book heroes, Superman and Batman, for he is deemed the “strongest and greatest of the Geats”. The first time that his strength is witnessed, not just spoken of, is when he kills Grendel by ripping the monstrous villain’s arm off. But his most notable display of strength occurs when he enters into combat with Grendel’s mother. When everything seems to be going all wrong for Beowulf, he spies a “heavy” sword hanging on the wall of her lair. With all his power and might, Beowulf drew the sword, “hammered by giants...and….so massive that no ordinary man could life it”, from its scabbard. He “lifts it high over his head”, the sword clasped

What do Achilles, King Arthur, Harry Potter, and Beowulf all have in common? They all demonstrate the qualities of epic heroes. Beowulf represents several characteristics of an epic hero and demonstrates the values of the Anglo-Saxons. He is the main character of his story, he has a main goal, he travels and fights with a group of people, and he accomplishes many valorous deeds; the values of the Anglo-Saxons are also shown through the actions of Beowulf, such as courage, loyalty, and fame. For example, when Beowulf heard a cry for help in a far off land, he answered. He fought larger than life monsters, and won. His exceptional strength proves his epic courage and heroism.

Comparatively, another particular attribute that sets Beowulf and Harry Potter apart from the typical norm is their special attention to the importance of loyalty and friendship. Beowulf is perceived as a strong man capable of holding his own, but even heroes need help from time to time. Therefore, it is the support that Beowulf receives from his soldiers that makes him great. During the final scene right before his dying breath, Beowulf engages in battle against the dragon that has been terrorizing the kingdom after a thief stole a golden goblet from the dragon’s lair. Beowulf, now old and frail, is adamant that he alone must kill the dragon, “I risked my life often when I was young. Now I am old, but as king of the people I shall pursue this fight for the glory of winning, if the evil one will only abandon his earth-fort and face me in the open… Men at arms, remain here on the barrow, safe in your armour, to see which one of us is better in the end at bearing wounds in a deadly fray. This fight is not yours, nor is it up to any man except me to measure his strength against the monster or to prove his worth. I shall win the gold by my courage, or else mortal combat, doom of battle, will bear your lord away” (Beowulf 2510-37). However, while doing battle with the dragon, Beowulf becomes mortally wounded. Amidst the turmoil, all of Beowulf’s men flee in fear except for Wiglaf, the son of a Shylfing warrior named Weohstan related to Aelfhere, who comes forward to aid his lord:

The first half of the poem which outlines the genealogies of Beowulf, Hrothgar, and Grendel as well as Grendel’s assaults on Hrothgar’s people which leads to Beowulf’s journey to Heorot. Finally the first half covers Grendel’s mother’s failed attempt to avenge her son’s death. After Beowulf returns to Higelac’s kingdom, Grendel fades away into Beowulf’s lore. But only in the poem, for Grendel that continues to live beyond the boundaries of the poem as a shadowy figure on the edges of humanity.

The 2007 film adaption of Anglo-Saxon text Beowulf naturally takes its liberties to make changes to the plot, but unlike most other Hollywood adaptations, this one brought more depth and plot to the otherwise simple epic. As a consequence, the underlying theme of the film shifts from the blind glory seeking of the text, towards a theme of lust for wealth and power. The events that showcase this contrast are heavily rooted within the three iconic fights of the epic.

The Anglo-Saxons’ cultures and traditions are rooted in their beliefs of the perfect hero. Their ideal hero has many key characteristics influenced by their culture including courage, strength, bravery, thick skin, loyalty, humbleness, and the ability to create strong trustworthy friendships. Beowulf is an epic poem that exhibits the ideal Anglo-Saxon hero. The Anglo-Saxon traditions illustrated in Beowulf accurately represent the Anglo-Saxon traditions of the time period. This is accomplished through the distinct correlation of heroic characteristics between Beowulf and the culture’s traditional depiction of an Anglo-Saxon hero.

In the beginning, Beowulf decides to help the people of Denmark defeat a supernatural monster to build his reputation of a successful warrior. At the welcoming feast, held by Hrothgar and his people, Beowulf is met with destructive remarks by Unferth who mentions his “loss” at a swimming contest. However, Beowulf argues he was attacked by “some ocean creature [who] pulled [him] to the bottom”(553-554) and explained that “through [his] own hands, the fury of battle had finished off the sea-beast” (557-558). Through this battle with the sea creatures, Beowulf is able to add credibility to his name after Unferth tried destructing the little reputation he has. The poet includes this to reveal Beowulf’s desire to have a great reputation no matter if it deals with a silly swimming contest or an epic battle between monstrous creatures. The fact that he successfully defeated the sea monsters while having a swimming contest amplifies the strength and skills Beowulf possess which can help him destroy the gruesome monster that crawls in the shadows. In the same manner, before the great fight with Grendel, Beowulf tells his men and the people of Denmark that he shall defeat the monster descended from hell to “prove [himself] with a proud deed” (637). Beowulf’s words reveal the sole purpose in which why he made the trip across the sea to help out Hrothgar and his people. To build his reputation, to begin creating a name for himself, and to be recognized by the King of Denmark himself through the act of defeating a monster no one else has been able to kill

Treasure not only appeals to pirates but to knights and townspeople who appear in the epic Beowulf. It is something that has undoubtedly been at the core of communities for ages and ages. In fact, even today, it is still a substantial part of towns, cities and communities. Treasure is something that has been given value by a culture, person, or town. Certain things one person may find valuable and someone else may feel that it is trash. This goes for moral values also, which religion has a large impact on, since it sets standards of how one should behave. Therefore, when a person mentions the word “treasure” they may or may not be referring to the treasure that pirates spend their lives seeking after. This is also the situation in Anglo-Saxon culture. While the text does not always come out and say it, there is proof of the different things they put their value on. Many examples can be found in text to be used as evidence that they loved treasure. There is even a great battle that is where the main character ends up dying over treasure. Anglo-Saxon culture relies on treasure in three forms; moral values, physical treasure, and treasured heroes.