Beowulf is one of the oldest poems in history, it was originally written in Anglo-Saxon, and it was told orally with many literary devices so it could be remembered throughout generations. It shows what their society was based on back in the Anglo-Saxon era. Although throughout history the poem has been changed to fit our modern day society. For example, having different values and morals and how we look at religion has all changed. In the Beowulf poem and movie there are many similarities and differences in Religion, Characterization, and Morals it highlights the value and beliefs of each society.
Beowulf is an epic poem being cited as one of the most important works of Old English literature. Beowulf is an Old English epic poem. The poem is set in Scandinavia. Beowulf, a hero of Geats, comes to the aid of Hrothgar, the king of the Danes, whose mead hall in Herot has been under attack by a monster named Grendel. After Beowulf slays him, Grendel's mother attacks the hall and is then also defeated. Victorious, Beowulf goes home to Geatland and later becomes king of the Geats. After a period of fifty years has passed, Beowulf defeats a dragon, but is mortally wounded in the battle. After his death, his attendants cremate his body and erect a tower on a headland in his memory. Beowulf is clearly a hero because of his brave deeds, he is a strong and responsible leader, and his courage. Beowulf is a hero because of his brave deeds. Throughout Beowulf, Beowulf does many deeds which are considered to be brave during the Anglo-Saxon period.“Grendel is no braver, no stronger/Than I am! I could kill him with my sword; I shall not,Easy as it would be. This fiend is a bold And famous fighter, but his claws and teeth.../ Beating at my sword blade, would be helpless. I will meet him With my hands empty-unless his heart /Fails him, seeing a soldier waiting /Weaponless, unafraid. Let God in His wisdom /Extend His hand where He wills, reward /Whom he chooses!”. In his first battle, Beowulf fights Grendel. He fights without any armor. Also, Beowulf kills Grendel’s mother. He then
In the length of the poem, Beowulf goes from abandoned child to gallant warrior to King. This transformation, expressed in the tone and content of the poem, shows the importance of the relationship between lord and thane and expresses the ultimate value of that connection. From the difference in battle scenes to Beowulf’s speeches, it is clear that he has gone from a somewhat self-loving hero to a selfless king. Within this change he also goes from serving a lord to becoming a lord, and in that way the poem shows us the importance of both sides of the relationship.
_Beowulf_ is an epic poem that, above all, gives us a vision of a time long ago; a time when the most important traits to have were courage and integrity. The only thing that could give such fame to somebody was heroic deeds and family lineage. Beowulf, as the example of pagan heroes, exhibited his desire to accumulate fame and fortune; the only way to do so was to avenge the death of others. This theme of retribution that is present throughout the whole poem seems to enrich the identities of its characters.
“Beowulf” is a classic poem because it demonstrates the classic yet memorable characteristics of a certain type of character called a hero. Heroes have always been around in the era this poem took place, The Dark Ages. It seemed to be almost a way of life and not just a bunch of campfire stories. But, in order to become a hero, people had to attain the necessary characteristics. Those characteristics include strength, selflessness, and bravery.
Beowulf, is a poem about Beowulf himself killing monsters, and other humans who are not doing right. This poem is the oldest poem in the English language that is still being used in the education programs today. Beowulf rips people’s arms off, kills five monsters, and goes to save the people of Herot. Throughout the play Beowulf's followers continue to praise him for all his accomplishments In the epic poem Beowulf, Beowulf shows how to get glory from people, how to complete a mission, and how to keep your strenght.
This leaves Beowulf as the monster, when we believe him to be the hero. For the rest of the poem this leaves us an opening to judge him on character. Because of this fault, one can believe that he is a faulty king and ruler, even though he does what a king is suppose to do; he gives gifts to his Geats.
In my opinion, I had the thought of Beowulf being a very boring literature story that I was forced to read because I’m a senior. But overall I enjoyed the poem. Yes it was kind of hard to read and comprehend due to the Anglo-Saxon literature. As far as the movie ‘13th Warrior” I really enjoyed because I’m such a visual learner. Even though the movie was somewhat different in names and kind of out of order I was still able to understand and point out the different events from the poem. So due to this watching this movie really enhanced my knowledge about
“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.
The poem of beowulf is important to us because, it teaches us about Loyalty, and the Anglo-saxon culture. The reason the book of beowulf has loyalty in it is because it has people in the book who are actually loyal. One of these people that are loyal in the book is Beowulf, he shows signs of loyalty in the book when he agrees to Hrothgar to rid his kingdom of the monstrous evil named Grendel who has been terrorizing the mead hall for the past 12 years. Then when grendel's mother attacks the hall for revenge for the death of her son, Beowulf tells everyone that he will stay and fight grendel's mom.
People are the way they are due to many elements. Where they live, who they are surrounded by, and life experiences that they encounter are all factors that plays a role in who they are as a person. Although humans can be very different from one another, humans can also be similar in other ways. No matter what background someone has or how well they are doing financially, there are two things that all humans have. Ambition and desire. Playwright, William Shakespeare, introduces several characters who are willing to take unimaginable risks to obtain success to their desires in his famous play, Macbeth. Characters Scar from The Lion King and Macbeth are fine examples of characters who are unable to stop their ambition and desire from taking impulsive actions. Scar and Macbeth are similar characters as they are both with a corrupt mindset as shown through their treatment of others, and their betrayal towards those who are loyal to them.
The epic poem of Beowulf is a story filled with majesty and mourning. Heroes and villains, struggles and victory. Men die, all the time. Along with all of this there is an underlying theme ever present throughout the script. It is the basis for actions, the reason for such passion behind a man's own bloody sword, the lust in his hungry eyes for revenge and conquers. In this time where the afterlife is uncertain, and familiarity is only known to a name, true heroism is the only assurance of identity and remembrance.
Beowulf is a courageous, strong individual whose honor is show through his many great and valorous deeds. Throughout “Beowulf”, Beowulf shows off the ways that he affects others around him, whether it be through a courageous act, giving details of his honor, or just showing off how strong he is. He shows his traits well and often.
He does not gather a large army for the fight against the dragon. He reminisces about his younger days in which he slayed Grendel and Grendel’s mother single-handedly and therefore does not feel any apprehension toward battling the dragon, even though he is much older now. It is during this part when Beowulf’s morality becomes somewhat ambiguous. Though he is celebrated as a hero and leader by sacrificing his life to slay the dragon, his last fight is also very rash, and the reader wonders if the dragon’s awakening actually poses any real threat to the area. The poem suggests that, by sacrificing himself, Beowulf unnecessarily leaves his people leaderless, exposing them to danger from other regions. The ending of the poem makes the reader wonder if the dragon could also have been defeated despite Beowulf’s death if he hadn’t reacted so
Beowulf is an epic story that relates well to the time that it was introduced by having the stories of the epic battles and the defeats of the treacherous monsters that kept everyone entertained during this era. Not only does Beowulf represent the era well, but it also has very interesting characters, themes and symbols that help teach us lessons that are very much so needed in today's society.