Epic of Beowulf Essay - Armor in the Epic Poem, Beowulf

“Then when darkness had dropped, Grendel went up to Herot, wondering what the warriors would do in that hall when their drinking was done. He found them sprawled in sleep, suspecting nothing , their dreams undisturbed. The monsters thoughts were as quick as his greed or his claws: He slipped through the door and there in silence snatched up thirty men, smashed them, unknowing in their beds and ran out with their bodies, blood dripping behind him, back to his lair, delighted with his nights slaughter (Narrator pg. 42 lines 30-40)”. Beowulf is a folk epic translated by Burton Raffel. Its a story about a hero with the strengths of a bear and a wolf called to a desperate town to defeat vicious monsters who have been tormenting them for the past

Loyalty and bravery are themes that are often found in literature, and Beowulf is no exception. It is one of the reasons I find this poem so interesting. Beowulf is the hero of the poem who decides to sail to Denmark with hope of protecting the Danish people from a creature known as Grendel, who has attacked and devoured many of King Hrothgar’s warriors while they were asleep. Like all heroes, Beowulf exhibits true bravery, courage, and puts the people before himself, which makes him a very likely candidate for king. Even before he faces the terrifying monster, Grendel, Beowulf renounces the uses of weapons when he says “Soon I shall sink him into death-sleep, not with my sword but solely by strength. He is unschooled in skills to strike against

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

Beowulf is an Old English poem written somewhere between the eighth century and the tenth century; the culture of Germanic times is depicted through varying concepts of masculinity that not only describes their capability as a warrior, but also their aptitude as a leader. Beowulf shows of a demon named Grendel attacking Heorot, and the king, Hrothgar, calls Beowulf, a warrior, for help with the slaying of Grendel. Characteristics and qualities of leadership are directly linked to the masculinity of the characters within Beowulf. The leaders in the prologue are demonstrated with the aspects of masculinity through their strength and brutality. In Beowulf, a man demonstrates his essential worth through evidence of masculinity as seen in Unferth’s cowardice, Beowulf’s heroism, and Wiglaf’s bravery.

Another example of weapons in Beowulf references to arms and armor, very accurate to the Anglo-Saxons’ traditional shields and weapons. “Then Hrothgar's thane leaped onto his horse and, brandishing a spear, galloped down to the shore; there, he asked at once: 'Warriors! Who are you, in your coats of mail, who have steered your tall ship over the sea-lanes to these shores? .... Never have warriors, carrying their shields, come to this country in a more open manner. Nor were you assured of my leader's approval, my kinsmen's consent. I've never set eyes on a more noble man, a warrior in armour, than one among your band; he's no mere retainer, so ennobled by his weapons.’... The boar crest, brightly gleaming, stood over their helmets: superbly tempered, plated with glowing gold, it guarded the lives of those grim warriors. ... Their byrnies were gleaming, the strong links of shining chain-mail chinked together. When the sea-stained travelers had reached the hall itself in their fearsome armour, they placed their broad shields (worked so skillfully) against Heorot's wall. Then they sat on a bench; the brave men's armour sang. The seafarer's gear stood all together, a grey tipped forest of ash spears; that armed troop was well equipped with weapons. .... in common we all share sword, helmet, byrnie, the trappings of war.” (Levick, 1)

helmet with rounded surfaces to deflect blows. A removable or hinged visor was fitted to make breathing easier, and padding was riveted for additional comfort” (Hilliam 20). By the middle of the fourteenth century, the chainmail was basically abandoned and plate armor was much more desired. It had “glancing surfaces” and it protected knights from arrows far better than the mail (Hilliam 32). But over time, knights seek more extensive armor and simultaneously, bigger horses were needed in order to carry the weight and bigger lances made from tree trunks (Hilliam 17).

The Authors choice in drawing Beowulf shows how his arrogance and grace has changed from the first book to the last book. Beowulf is so arrogant that he is drawn fighting Grendel without armor to protect himself from any strike made by the beast. He is drawn always attacking the beast and always countering its moves. When Beowulf fights Grendel's mother he has been drawn with armor and a sword to fight her. He

“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.

Beowulf’s first battle that portrayed his supernatural ability was with Grendel, a monster who has been plaguing Hrothgar’s kingdom. He comes at night and wreaks havoc upon the kingdom, killing the men who dare destroy him. Beowulf hears of the stories about Grendel and decides to take a journey to Heorot, to free Hrothgar of the monster. Hrothgar let him in with open arms because he knew of his ancestry and he settled the debts that his father left behind, “he knows your ancestry; also that he welcomes you here to Heorot,” (lines 392-3). That night after Beowulf arrived, he stripped off his armor because he did want to face this battle with Grendel having armor and weapons. He decided that he would fight him bare handed, “And the Geat placed complete

Honor fuels Beowulf in ever battle he goes into he always fought with honor. Beowulf goes into each and every battle looking and fighting with honor “Is so great that he needs no weapons and fears none/…Alone shall Fight for me, struggle for life/against the monster” (line 263-269).Beowulf does not have to go into the battle without his weapons, but he does and make it a far fight. The people hero comes to free the people of Denmark from Grendel evil head “ended the grief’s, the sorrow, the suffering/Forced on Hrothgar’s helpless people/By a bloodthirsty fiend (line 405-407). Beowulf heard the cry of the people that where not even his own but comes to free them anyway. Honor was just one of the many things Beowulf earns fame followed as he continued doing

In this sense, Beowulf represents an Anglo-Saxon warrior; the bravest of pagan soldiers who fight until the death.

This is a tribute to Beowulf's special strength and ability. While the head is one of several items he carries up, "four of them had trouble carrying Grendel's head on spear-shafts to the goldhall" (Norton, 48).

In Beowulf the classic epic, Beowulf, the hero of the epic, and other major characters reflect heroic ideals and beliefs of courage, generosity, unquestioning loyalty and devotion. Courage is most evident throughout Beowulf Beowulf does not back down from any challenge that stands in his way whether it be Grendel, Grendel’s mother, or the dragon. His bravery is most evident in his preparation for his fight with Grendel, Beowulf, “took off his shirt of armour, the helmet from his head, handed his embellished sword, best of irons to an attendant,…” He chose to bravely fight his foe, man to beast without weaponery for he knew it would be “cowardly” to defeat Grendel with a sword and armor when Grendel himself had none. Even in his

“Healfdane´s son gave Beowulf a golden/ Banner, a fitting flag to signal/ His victory, and gave him, as well, a helmet, / tand a coat of mail, and an ancient sword;/.(canto 15, l. 1020)

The epic poem Beowulf, is an Angelo Saxon tale that represents heroism and strength. This poem was written be an unknown poet between around 1000 A.D and showcases the heroic character named Beowulf who comes to save the land of Danes from the beast Grendel. Beowulf kills Grendel and then faces his mother the evil monster who is killed as well and is viewed by all the people of Dane as a hero who can never be beaten. An evil Dragon comes and Beowulf is able to kill the Dragon but sacrifices his own life as he is killed by the Dragon’s poison. Beowulf is about more than heroism this epic poem shows true English narration, represents Angelo-Saxon religion, and depicts women’s roles in Anglo-Saxon society