Every year, my medieval history and literature students fall in love with Beowulf. This story captures their imaginations; they love to attempt to draw Grendel and reenact the fight with his mother.
Their enthusiasm is contagious. After a few weeks of trying to draw Grendel, they go to the library for a book about kings but discover that the description of him in that volume is about as accurate as the description of men. So they get excited and start looking at the details of the fight to try to capture what they love about them from their medieval literature courses. This is how I came across this image.
The sword is the king’s. If you look closely, you can see it has the same edge: the crown. It’s quite striking indeed, but the crown is quite obvious. The crown has this stylised, rectangular structure. There is the whole thing, but it never crosses over a man’s face.
They’re not afraid of what is behind and behind them; they’re afraid of what isn’t. This reminds me of the idea that King Custer once said, “If you want to be feared, fight behind me. Don’t worry about what’s underneath you.” Or something like that.
No, he wasn’t afraid of the people below, he wanted to take the fear away from them. When they’re fighting behind the king,
Beowulf is one of the oldest surviving pieces of English literature, and it is clear that religion played a significant role in the story. Christianity is the primary religion mentioned in Beowulf, and it is clear that the characters are familiar with Christian beliefs and practices. However, there are also elements of paganism present in … Read more
Tolkien has experienced a resurgence of interest in the last two decades-in a large part thanks to Peter Jackson’s film adaptations of both The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. However I do not wish to look at the movies, or indeed at any of Tolkien’s more prevalent work. I wish to focus on … Read more
The term “monster” was reportedly applied for the first time to the creature on 2 May 1933 by Alex Campbell, the water bailiff for Loch Ness and a part-time journalist, in a report in The Inverness Courier. [9][10][11] On 4 August 1933, the Courier published as a full news item the assertion of a London … Read more
There can be challenges in bearing your own burdens. You can tell people your problems and let them listen but it doesn’t necessarily mean they will understand. To demonstrate my point I decided to compare the video game, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim to the fable, The Cross Room. Since my comparison is between a … Read more
Beowulf, an epic poem takes place around 500 AD. Many of the characters in the poem, the Swedish and Danish royal family members, correspond to actual historical figures. Originally pagan warriors, the Anglo-Saxon, and Scandinavian invaders experienced a large-scale conversion to Christianity at the end of the sixth century. Though still an old pagan story, … Read more
“One moment of pain is worth a lifetime of glory”(Louis Zamperini as qtd. in goodreads). Many people will read Unbroken and see a story ofa man who survived by power or knowledge which may be true, however, his survival is most likely because of the lessons he learned in his earlier life. Louis Zamperini was … Read more
Characteristics of Jesus in the Hellenistic Culture vs. Beowulf in the Anglo Saxon Culture How would one define a person as a “hero”? Those from different time periods have different cultural beliefs that could contribute to their definition of a hero. Those from the Anglo- Saxon culture, from which the character Beowulf comes, may have … Read more
For the sake of anonymity l’ll keep some names private, and call myself Beowulf. My story happened around two years ago, I was 26 years old when my family and I had noticed that my grandmother was starting to forget our names, couldn’t recall certain events, and at times seemed in a daze and lost … Read more
Felix Adler describes a hero as someone “who kindles a great light in the world, who sets up blazing torches in the dark streets of life for men to see by”, emphasizing that a hero puts others before themselves, as well as doing everything in their power to contribute to the greater good. An important … Read more
Beowulf by Gareth Hinds is graphic novel based on the AngloSaxon epic from 1000 A. D. This work tells the story of a warriorprince named Beowulf, who completes various heroic tasks throughout the epic story. How to Read Literature like a Professor by Thomas C. Foster teaches the reader the real qualities and characteristics it … Read more
Beowulf’s story is somewhat of an allegory in which he is depicted as the Christ figure. The theme of Beowulf is a contrast of good and evil which is manifest in both Christian and pagan elements; Beowulf represents good, while Grendel, his mother, and the dragon represent evil. The first monster our hero, Beowulf, faces … Read more
The epic poem, Beowulf, is one of the oldest European epics in existence. When Beowulf was written, the writer incorporated many of the ideals of the Anglo-Saxons. Some of these ideals included loyalty, bravery, selflessness, and justice and were demonstrated in the hero. Both the characters Beowulf and Grendel represent aspects of both good and … Read more
Every epic hero possesses certain heroic characteristics. The epic poem Beowulf describes the most heroic man of the Anglo-Saxon times. Beowulf is the hero. He shows that he is a great man by always putting other things before his own needs. He is important and needed by his people and is known by many as … Read more
When reading Beowulf, one must carefully consider the time era with which it is associated with. Consider, if you will, a life that has been based upon numerous fictitious Gods and Goddesses. Your life was truly fated to be whatever the Gods wanted it to be, anything could be blamed on, fate. The afterlife could … Read more
In Beowulf, many beliefs had to do with Norse mythology, from the way they buried their dead to their thoughts on war and violence. In Norse mythology, a persons honor depends on the way they die; a hero proves himself by dying while fighting the forces of evil, not by conquering it. (Hamilton, 444). Beowulf … Read more
Apart from Wealth, Honor, and Paganistic vs. Biblical themes and motifs, character is also shown through a certain Man vs. Wild motif. This motif shows the difference between mankinds ways (good), and evils wild nature (evil). Grendel for one, is totally wild and is therefore shown as evil. His wild home, Grendel, who haunted the … Read more
Beowulfs story is somewhat of an allegory in which he is depicted as the Christ figure. The theme of Beowulf is a contrast of good and evil which is manifest in both Christian and pagan elements; Beowulf represents good, while Grendel, his mother, and the dragon represent evil. The first monster our hero, Beowulf, faces … Read more
Over time, things change. Sometimes there is nothing we can do about it, other times we can do something about it, but are too hesitant to do it, so it happens anyways. Change can be for the good, or for the bad, it all depends on what is needed to improve society, and what is … Read more
The hero of an epic poem normally embodies the ideals of conduct that are most valued by the culture which the epic was composed. In the epic poem “Beowulf” Beowulf was the epic hero. He was an epic hero because of his virtues. Three of his virtues are true to his word, he made his … Read more
The development of the male warrior, throughout literature, has a direct relationship with the development of western civilization. The attributes a warrior holds, fall respectively with the attributes that each society held as valuable. These characteristics, started by societies ideals, become the warrior’s only reasons for continuing their heroics. The ideals however do change with … Read more
The epic poem Beowulf, written in Old English by Christian monks around 750 AD, is a wonderful adventure story about a warrior who kills ferocious monsters. The use of description and imagery enlivens the story, making it possible for a reader to really see in his or her mind the characters and events. Metaphors and … Read more
Contrasting points of view in Grendel and Beowulf significantly alter the readers perception of religion, good and evil, and the character Grendel. John Gardners book, Grendel, is written in first person. The book translated by Burton Raffel, Beowulf, is written in third person. Good and evil is one of the main conflicts in the poem … Read more
One of Beowulf’s main characteristics is his ever present pride. To most protagonists their pride is usually explained by a friend or narrator. However, Beowulf is one who likes to show the whole world how important and valuable he is to them. Through out the chapters which we have read it seems as though the … Read more
Beowulf, the story written by an unknown poet, is a contrasting mixture of both Christian and pagan aspects that frequently refer to the Old Testament of the bible. These elements which are intertwined, tell the story of monsters and a tragic hero who has virtues of courage and loyalty, but who also bears sinful morals. … Read more
Heroes today have changed from those of Beowulf’s day. Back in the time of Beowulf heroes were mainly the protectors of the country such as warriors and kings. The roles have changed today were heroes consist of celebrities and sport players. The roles have changed because our society has changed as well. In the time … Read more
Literary history is a history of the major literary traditions, movements, works, and authors of a country, region, etc. (Barber 837). The understanding of literary history allows us insight into the past, a recognition of historical events and tensions written into the works of those who witnessed them. By including societal behaviors, political tensions, and … Read more
Within the first piece of written literature known to man during the early Middle Ages comes a character which exemplifies the characteristics of a hero. A hero possesses certain qualities which include the desire to help others, bravery, courtesy, courage, superhuman feats, and the ability to boast about his accomplishments. According to English tradition, this … Read more
An epic hero is a hero that reflects the value and the ideas of a society. An example of a wonderful epic hero would be Beowulf, but thats from my point of view. Beowulf always had a guide or guides to go with. His way was not always direct or clear. Beowulf is not a … Read more
History can be found through stories, books, poems and other literary works. Examples of the lifestyles, society, aesthetics, philosophical values, politics and economics can be found and are shown in all works and writings. Authors of all times reveal the attitudes around them every time they write. The Anglo-Saxon period dates back to 449 to … Read more
Good vs. Evil as found in Beowulf In the epic Beowulf, there is a constant struggle between good and evil. This poem is an early example of the phrase, Bad guys never win. Examples of this theme include: God versus Cain, Beowulf versus Grendal, and Beowulf versus Grendals mother. The first battle between God (good) … Read more
Beowulf and his men, when they finnally arived, met up with a man named Wulfgar, that the king had sent. Wulfbar sent them to the great king of the Danes. The warriors would tell the king that they would kill the best known as Grendel and save them from this madness. That night they would … Read more
Role of queen in beowulf & gre In both texts, Beowulf and Grendel, the main purpose of the Queen’s are to serve the courts as “weavers of peace”. In Grendel however, Queen Wealththeow is described in much greater detail and serves a further purpose. The reader gains insight to a part Grendel that is not … Read more
Beowulf was written in a time when Christianity was a newly budding religion in England. Throughout the book there are obvious references to both Christian and Pagan rituals. The characters in the epic are newly found Christians who are trying to remain true to their new faith but are weak and hence, in times of … Read more
My body, but for your blood, is barren of worth; And tis I have asked for this folly not fit for a King. These are the words of a true hero. One who is willing to sacrifice his own existence for the life of another. These are the words and actions of Sir Gawain, a … Read more
In various works dwelling throughout British Literature, the main characters obtain individual moral qualities. These qualities are what differentiate the distinctive complexity of the character. In this heroic epic, Beowulf, the famous warrior from the land of the Geats, must carry out his duty by assisting the Danish people, ruled by King Hrothgar, to kill … Read more
After Julius Caesar lay claim to Englisyou do not want to receive this notification, click the Options link on the top horizontal menu bar. On the Options page, click the Preferences link. Scroll down to the Confirm Sent Messages option and select Noh soil, the Britons were subject the Northern coasts remained to become settlers … Read more
Thesis: The Beowulf poet incorporates Old Testament allusions in order to teach the Anglo-Saxon pagans about the new religion. I. Biblical Allusion A. The Definition of Allusion B. The Old Testament II. Descendant of Cain A. Story of Cain B. Grendel 1. Descendant a. Committing Murder b. Living as Grendel III. Allusions to David and … Read more
Thesis: The Beowulf poet incorporates Old Testament allusions in order to teach the Anglo-Saxon pagans about the new religion. I. Biblical Allusion A. The Definition of Allusion B. The Old Testament II. Descendant of Cain A. Story of Cain B. Grendel 1. Descendant a. Committing Murder b. Living as Grendel III. Allusions to David and … Read more
A Twist of Fate for the Great Hero Beowulf Fate seems to be an ongoing theme in the works of Boethius and Beowulf. Whether it is a belief of Christian providence or pagan fatalism, the writers of these works are strongly moved by the concept of fate and how it affects the twists and turns … Read more
