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Beowulf Rhetorical Analysis

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Everyone has a perspective on good and evil; the battle line between good and even runs through the heart. “Beowulf” illuminates characters that come from dark and deep backgrounds that construct their dauntless actions. In the heroic tale “Beowulf,” the author’s tones strongly demonstrates themes of loyalty, honor, and courage. Raffel’s tones remotely displays the act of loyalty within multiple characters. “Hail to these who will rise to God, drop off their dead bodies” (101). The follower of almighty Beowulf, is “hailing” and praising his leader, to pronounce his true companionship and respect for the “Beowulf.” This exhibits secure loyalty to Beowulf. “My tongue grows heavy and my heart, when I try to tell you what Grendel has …show more content…

“I treated them politely, offering the edge of my razor-sharp sword”(293). Beowulf will fight with all his might with the edge of his “razor-sharp” sword to display his bravery and his passion in order to save the day and fight for his people. He presents himself with politeness but also with strength and fearlessness to display his courage to fight with his razor-sharp sword. “When we crossed the sea, my comrades and I, [we] already knew that all [our] purpose was this: to win the good will of your people or die in battle”(365) They knew a battle was coming, and they were prepared and ready to fight. They had confidence and courage to win the battle in the name of Beowulf. The author’s perception of courage displays that good will always outperform evil. In conclusion, “Beowulf” illuminates characters and their dauntless actions. In the heroic tale “Beowulf,” the author’s tones strongly demonstrates themes of loyalty, honor, and courage. Good and evil are always present but practices like honor, courage, and loyalty are examples of good and will outweigh the sinful evil. The ideas in “Beowulf” are reflected in the real world; courage, loyalty, and honor, will bring good, such as highs and newcomers. These practices will bring wonders. Happiness and joy will always outmatch evil. Moral practices bring and end to

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In the epic poem Beowulf, the theme good vs. evil guides Beowulf through his many endeavors and conquests. This theme shows the different values of Beowulf and helps supplement the reasons for Beowulf’s actions throughout the poem. The author uses situational, symbolic, and character archetypes to enhance the plot of the poem and to provide justification for the themes of the epic poem. The situational archetype and theme good vs. evil is a major driving force behind Beowulf’s actions in the poem.

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“Heroism is not without sacrifice, for it is in the face of personal loss and adversity that the true measure of one's courage and strength is revealed.” The epic poem Beowulf and the memoir Other Side of the Sky may appear to be vastly different literary works, yet they share a common thread that ties them together. Both texts explore the theme of the hero's journey. Beowulf, an anonymous Anglo-Saxon poem, is a tale of a heroic warrior who battles monsters to save his people.

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Focusing the reader’s attention on the great epic poem Beowulf, an unknown author, introduces the image of the tremendous Anglos-Saxon epic hero,Beowulf. Attributed with the 7 main characteristics that make him competent to fit in such category, for the purpose of bringing to their literature a mythical figure, destroying supernatural foes, with the craving of justice and honor for his own culture. Noble birthed, capable of deeds of great strength and courage, a great warrior, Beowulf, travels over a vast setting, being recognized as a hero, keeping his humility, in a story where this incredible character confronts every supernatural adversary, to defend his kingdom. So, to be worthy of this title, Beowulf along the poem has to show the different characteristics.

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The story Beowulf contains many different rulers that people follow. Among the various characteristics these men share, a few great qualities shine through, these being generosity, loyalty, and bravery. The leader Beowulf portrays these qualities multiple times throughout the story, which define him as a model of leadership for all times. One of the reasons is that Beowulf always acts decisively and courageously to combat evil, and he is also noble in his actions. He knows how to create peace as well as to wage war.

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Hrothgar also provides many unpleasant hyperboles and metaphors to display the evils in which the environment attains. As “the lake burns like a torch,” “waves splash toward the sky,” and creatures “prefer to die on the shores,” Hrothgar uses this figurative language to assert that Beowulf must understand the evils and overcome his immodesty. Hrothgar attempts to create the most vivid image of Grendel’s environment, to emphasis the difficulty and danger of coming out this area alive. Although uses unpleasant diction to create a sense of fear, he also provides emotional appeals to demonstrate the significance of Beowulf’s actions in “saving” Herot. Due to menacing, hellish, and evil image that this area upholds, the “heavens weep” due to their antipathy of Grendel’s area.

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The poem remarks a biblical reference as “Grendel … A kindred of Cain” first surfaces. Moreover, the poem often alludes to God as well as the worlds of Heaven and Hell further elucidating the Anglo Saxon views. Beowulf clearly demonstrates his acknowledgement of God countless times: In fact, Beowulf could well have been slayed by Grendel’s fiendish mother had “God not saved him [Beowulf].” The presence of religious influences are reinstated by the glut of glorifications and innuendos of Christianity and the concept of God within the Anglo Saxon society. Even the mighty King Hrothgar depicts these values showing his scarce concern for material objects “Sharing the gifts God had bestowed on him” signifying his compassion, a requisite for Christian

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Beowulf was determined to kill Grendel, whether it was with a weapon or just bear hands. He knew that it wasn’t going to be easy, but he continued to show his courage by going through with the fight. Determination plays a big part in taking a stand. Having determination when taking a stand shows what kind of person someone is. "The fact is, Unferth, if you were truly as keen and courageous as you claim to be Grendel would never have got away with such unchecked atrocity, attacks on your king, havoc in Heorot and horrors everywhere."

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Beowulf embodies many universal societal heroic values that are signified in the modern world like courage, bravery, and strength. In the poem, Beowulf displays courage. “Now, I mean to be a match for Grendel, settle the outcome in single combat” (Heaney 425-426). This quote shows courage because he’s telling them that he can fight Grendel and wants to weather he wins or loses.

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The epic poem “Beowulf”, translated by Burton Raffel, focuses on a hero by the name of Beowulf who goes on a quest to rescue King Hrothgar and his people from an egregious monster by the name of Grendel. This Anglo-Saxon tale gives insight into the values and beliefs of the people from whom the story originated. Their war-centered ideology and views on loyalty and courage were the principles that the Anglo-Saxon culture was founded upon. While warfare was a focal point in their lifestyle, it was far from a savage, barbaric state of fighting. Honor and prestige were bestowed upon those who died during battle and selflessness for fellow warriors was a fundamental belief.

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Questions of Honor: Beowulf Beowulf’s honor and integrity can be questioned throughout the entirety of the epic poem, Beowulf. Whether or not his actions are inspired by his own pompous arrogance or confidence, one can argue that he is a hero nonetheless. Evidence and experience prove that Beowulf is more of a fearless hero than an excessively prideful man, and his hubris is more than justified due to the formidable duties he is able to execute. Throughout the poem, Beowulf expresses his intense strength and courage to the fearful people in the poem. His daring sense of self-assurance is backed by his victories against all three monsters, (even though he suffers a tragic death after facing the dragon, it is a defeat nonetheless).

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From diseases to terrorist organizations, the evils of the world will meet their match with the same bravery and charitable attitude as Beowulf and King Hrothgar in the epic poem of

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