Familial Lineages In Beowulf

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.

My father was a famous soldier, known far and wide as a leader of men. His name was Edgetho. His life lasted many winters. Wise men all over the earth surely remember him still (Beowulf pg.46 lines 174-179)”. This is Beowulf speaking to a lieutenant from the Herot. He was responding to the question, “Who are you”? He included his father in his response because it shows where he came from. This not only shows his bloodline, it shows that he is mighty, victorious, and he had great leadership just like his father who was a valiant warrior. What desperate town wouldn't want someone like Beowulf who comes from a line of warriors to defend

Beowulf, an epic hero, is significant and glorified because of the heroic endeavors that he performs in. The poem stated, "They extolled his heroic nature and exploits and gave thanks for his greatness, which was the proper thing for a man should praise a price whom he holds dear and cherish his memory..." (II. 442-445). After defeating both Grendel and Gendel 's mother Beowulf was praised for it and defined as a true hero. The character, Beowulf, terminated a dragon who was woken by a goblet and was later wounded, threatening his life. For his everlasting bravery, the people of Geats and Danes admired him for his superhuman actions. Beowulf was noble to his people, so everyone set him out to be a

Noticeably present, in fact, are references to each important character's ancestors and lineage. With each mention of a character, the father is also interjected (Beowulf, son of Ecgtheow or Wiglaf, son of Weohstan). Destiny initially comes into play when Beowulf arrives at the shores of Denmark and is unknown to the guards. King Hrothgar proclaims, “I used to know [Beowulf] when he was a young boy. / His father before him was called Ecgtheow” (lines 372-3). Clearly, family ties are necessary to succeed in the world of kings. Beowulf is immediately given leave to enter the country and to “follow up an old friendship” (line 376) because the King is certain that the young man is destined to be a great warrior in Denmark. Certainly, past conquests and victories play a part in Beowulf's renown, but ancestry is initially more impressive. Beowulf's destiny is, therefore, partly determined by his father's feats and legacy. The opportunities given to the now famous warrior are a result of the powerful family that he comes from. Thus, destiny plays a prophetic part in shaping Beowulf's future.

Within the pages of the well-known epic poem are many extraordinary and warring narratives of the Middle Ages. Beowulf is important because it is one of the most ancient European epics written in the vernacular, or native tongue. The seemingly super natural heroes of this exciting and famous writing have a great impact on the typical roles of their women. As declared through out the many lines of the astonishing poem, the women have many purposes and serve a variety of roles. Wealhtheow, Hygd, Hildeburh, Freawaru, and Grendel’s Mother give examples of the historical roles that are expected of the women of this ancient time. The women in “Beowulf” have the significant roles of hostess, peaceweaver, and mother.

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.

In Beowulf, one germanic feature that is depicted is the importance of Lineage. The epic begins by showing the lineage of Kings in Denmark. This lineage begins with “How Shild made slaves of soldiers from every Land,...” (Line 4), and is continued with his son Beo, who “was the glory of Denmark…” (line 19). Beo’s death brings Healfdane, his fierce fighting son, to the throne.

Today finding your ancestors is a struggle. In Beowulf your Lineage can either make or break you. Having a good linage could cause people to like you. A bad lineage would make it so difficult to live and you would most likely get deemed as an outsider. Beowulf doesn't have a author because it was written so long ago that no one knows who created it. But it does have someone that translated it by the name of Seamus Heaney, and a editor gone by Daniel Donoghue. Lineage is desider of people in the Anglo Saxon period because it can be hurtful, Helpful and demonstrate how it can make a outsider.

When a hero accomplishes something great, he or she will be remembered for that tremendous action, which is what every hero strives for. For Beowulf, the thought that he will be remembered is what gives him that extra push to help him accomplish those great things. It is not enough to achieve glory in a lifetime, to Beowulf, but he must also be remembered for that glory. In the conclusion of the poem, Beowulf is fatally murdered in his final battle with the dragon. It is described “He carried that terrible trophy by the hair, brought it straight to where the Danes sat drinking, the queen among them.”

Beowulf killed Grendel, and his mother to save the Geats. “Beowulf carried the head of Grendel / to King Hrothgar and the returns gift laiden / to the land of the Geats, where he succeeds to the throne” (Beowulf 666-668). Beowulf successfully saves the Geats from monsters terrorizing them, and he was throned for his accomplishments. Ultimately Beowulf was killed in his last fight against the dragon, saving his people one last time, and he is forever honored for that. “ Then twelve of the bravest Geats / rode their horses around the tower / ,telling their sorrow, telling stories / of their dead king and his greatness, his glory / ,praising him for his heroic deeds, for / a life as noble as his deeds” (Beowulf 830-835). Beowulf’s legacy will forever live with his people. Beowulf’s accomplishments molded his everlasting legacy he has among his people.

According to the World Youth Alliance, “A person’s understanding of their own cultural identity develops from birth and is shaped by the values and attitudes prevalent at home and the surrounding, noting that the cultural identity, in its essence, relates to our need to belong” along with personal experiences shaping every person into who they are. (https://www.wya.net/op-ed/does-culture-shape-our-identity/). Reaching the highest potential of one's identity is influenced by factors that begin as early as birth; starting from the family in which you are born into, to the decisions affected by one’s surroundings. Displaying certain characteristics, eventually helps create the person one is destined to be. Going back to the “heroic age” in which the epic poem Beowulf was set it, the Anglo - Saxon society set valuable expectations as to what made up a hero, and how to live up to them. Men who displayed traits such as bravery, loyalty, and even being religious were looked up upon. Living by these were essential to live up to the “heroic code”, the ultimate test to one’s place in this society. These ways of life were being pressured into men of this era, such as Beowulf. Through Beowulf’s pride and heroic characteristics, he is able to own up to the man he was held accountable to be, through living by these codes of morality.

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.

An epic is a long, episodic narrative poem that recounts the adventures of a historical or mystical hero. Episodic narratives have a larger story broken down into closely connected, but individual and separate sections. Some important qualities that distinguish an epic are unrealistic antagonists, the Gods and Goddesses playing important roles, and a story involving the re-establishment of a proper leader. “The Odyssey”, by Homer, is an epic because Odysseus (the hero) faces supernatural antagonists, the gods and goddesses play an important role, and Odysseus is being restored as a rightful leader.

An epic is an extended narrative poem in elevated or dignified language, celebrating the feats of a legendary or traditional hero.   The main characteristics of an epic as a literary genre is that it is a long poem that tells a story, it contains an epic hero, its hero searches for immortality (but doesn't find it physically, only through fame), gods or other supernatural beings are interested and involved, and it delivers an historical message.  The Epic of Gilgamesh is classified as an epic because it fits all the characteristics of an epic as a literary genre.

The Anglo-Saxon period had an unique social structure that is portrayed from pieces of literature from this time period. One such piece is Beowulf, which has an anonymous author and was written around 700 AD. The main character of this epic poem, Beowulf, models predominant Anglo-Saxon traits such as selflessness, physical strength, respect for elders, religious structure, bravery, boasting, and truth to word. Physical Strength is a predominant theme in the epic poem, Beowulf. The common Anglo-Saxon had to be strong in the area he lived in due to the simple technology of the time and the constant feuding in between clans. Beowulf proves his strength to his lord by the inhuman feats he performs in the epic poem. Beowulf defends himself against