Beowulf's Heroic Journey

My son and I haven’t had the best life, his father has not been around for a very long time, and ever since people found out that he is the “seed of Cain,” they treated him horribly and did not see how good of a boy he was. I could tell Grendel was getting tired of the way he was being treated because all the goodness that was once in him was no longer there, he soon started lurking in the shadows, like you might consider a “monster” to do. I always wanted more for him, more friends, and to be well liked. Although Grendel and I never had the best life I always tried to be kind to him and show him what he may have to do to survive our way of living and what it would take for people to stop looking down on him. Nobody can understand what it is like to be us, and I would not want them to feel

Jared Lamorte 10/11/17 English 4 Mrs.Schroeder A hero can be depicted as a person that embodies perfection and godly traits. Beowulf is able to fight off monster and dragons when the odds are not in his favor. This depiction thought his journey of departure, initiation, and return portrays him as a hero to all. The monomyth of the traditional hero’s journey can be seen in literature across many time periods.

What this exhibits about Beowulf is that his actions and his past with helping others in need is the nature of good. Beowulf appears to be the people’s only hope to be free from this horror caused by

Beowulf is about an epic tale of heroism overcoming adversity and demonic forces. There is only one existing copy of the manuscript that dates back to the tenth century, the manuscript has endured many years and is badly charred due to a fire [2]. This tale has a mixture of pagan cultural aspects as well as Christian influences, likely due to the author being a Christian himself. The protagonist of our story Beowulf was reigned as a hero, coming from his native Sweden to Denmark to banish the demonic forces from King Hrothgar’s hall otherwise known as Heorot [2].

Beowulf, the epic poem written between the 8th and 11th centuries, stands as a timeless testament to the enduring appeal of heroic tales. The narrative unfolds in the realm of the Getas and Danes, introducing Beowulf, as a powerful hero who embarks on a series of quests to prove his valor. As we delve into the layers of this ancient masterpiece, a personal analysis reveals not only the heroic attributes of Beowulf, but also the profound exploration of human nature, morality, and the timeless struggle between good and evil. Beowulf's character is defined by a set of heroic attributes that elevate him to the status of a legendary figure. His physical strength, unparalleled courage, and unwavering loyalty are evident as he faces Grendel, Grendel's

Beowulf remains one of the most important works of English literature though it was written centuries ago. One reason for this fact is that many of the themes that it touches on are still pertinent in today's extremely different society. One of the most prevalent themes found in Beowulf is the importance of the heroic code. Much of this epic poem is dedicated to conveying and exemplifying the heroic code which values such attributes as strength, courage and honor. Conflicting with this ideology are other factors such as Christianity, and these tensions affect the lives and decisions of the narrative's characters.

Beowulf is an epic poem that, above all, gives the reader an idea of a time long past; a time when the most important values were courage and integrity. The only factors that could bestow shower fame upon a person were heroic deeds and family lineage. Beowulf, as the paradigm of pagan heroes, exhibited his desire to amass fame and fortune; the only way to do so was to avenge the death of others. This theme of retribution that is ever present throughout the poem seems to color the identities of its characters.

    There is considerable debate as to whether the poem Beowulf is an epic narrative poem or an heroic elegy. Which is it. This essay intends to present both sides of the story.

The Anglo-Saxon poem “Beowulf” takes the reader back into a time long past; one of family, fate, and fealty. Beowulf offers a glimpse of a society struggling between two different paths, one path being the assimilation into the new Christian traditions and the other is the fast fading past of glorified warriors and family ties. In the poem, the reader can see the attempts of the poet to convey the values and stories of Judeo-Christianity in a society of Anglo-Saxon paganism. The poet illustrates the infiltration of the Christian teachings and how they might have appeared within the lives of the people through the literary devices of symbolism, allegory, and allusion.

Overwhelmingly pagan at its core, the great epic Beowulf is built on ancient values and is deeply rooted in pre-Christianized Anglo-Saxon culture, yet still contains a lingering, albeit essential, air of Christianity’s influence. Although the great epic Beowulf is comfortable amidst its Christian backdrop, the essential pagan elements have caused a debate amongst English literary critics over its intended religious appeal. Some may argue that the epic’s core values are decidedly Christian, constant worship of an omnipotent God riddled with biblical references; yet, even these remarks are decidedly vague.

As I sit at home waiting for my son to arrive home, I think about how much he has grown up these past ten years. When Grendel was a young boy he would never go out of our lare. Anything and everything would scare him even a small snake slithering on top of the green muckey water. Seeing him overcome his fear of things makes me an extremely proud mother. Being a single mother has been difficult. I have stayed up a million nights making sure he is sleeping and is save. Also, I know my son needs guidance as he starts his journey in the world. It is my job to give him that guidance and help him when he needs some.

Beowulf speaks volumes about the ways of life during the Anglo-Saxon period. It is to England what Homer’s Odyssey and Iliad are to Greece. It is, as some call it, the mother poem of England. This mother poem has been passed down through oral tradition for numerous years and scholars believe that an educated Christian monk transcribed the poem, preserving it in written form. Beowulf has survived for nearly 1,300 years due to how well it conveys the Anglo-Saxon culture and the unique characteristics of the poem in its imagery, tone, style and diction.

Beowulf has stretched throughout time starting from as early as the 8th (or 11th) century, and continues to give a vivid and gruesome, yet exceptionally entertaining story on what made the character such a godlike figure in his time, giving him that title of a “godlike figure”. From his chivalristic approach on everything, to his bravery with fighting against the biggest and most vile monsters in his time, and his trustworthy connection with the Gods. It only sums up on why he is deemed the greatest soldier. But what if the characteristics that bring together the Beowulf story, is at fault? What if, by chronological means, the story, the worshipping, even phrases and names of people and things spoken of, all were misconstrued? Creation and originality is a stir when it comes to the famous British literature tale, and theorizing can only help us answer the questions of whether or not it is original, and can also help on when this story was made (years by radius).

The Importance of Beowulf in Modern America By Jennifer Carley Modern culture and literature include many stories of great heroes and fictional adventures. Many people grow up reading about these great adventures and looking up to the heroes of the stories. Heroes are great roll models because they are portrayed as courageous and trustworthy individuals, two very admirable qualities. Despite numerous cultural and technological advancements, life in modern America continues to bear resemblance to the Anglo-Saxon world of the hero Beowulf. The poem Beowulf, though written many centuries ago, still contains the same universal themes of any great action-adventure story in today's society. The poem is about a great hero who overcomes seemingly

“No better king had ever lived, no prince so mild, no man so open to his people, so deserving of praise.” This is an ultimate description of the heroic events of Beowulf, an old Anglo-Saxon poem about a warrior who battles and destroys three horrifying monsters. Although written long ago, the emotions expressed within this work, emotions of bravery, valor, and ethics still speak to us centuries later. The anonymous author of the poem convinces us through the masterful use of various literary elements that emphasize its meaning and message. Conflict, imagery and setting are three literary elements that contribute to the effectiveness of the poem.