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Critical analysis of Beowulf
Beowulf character analysis essay
Critical analysis of Beowulf
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Critical analysis of Beowulf
Beowulf character analysis essay
Critical analysis of Beowulf
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Recommended: Critical analysis of Beowulf
Beowulf explains, “I feel no shame, with shield and sword and armour, against this monster: when he comes to me I mean to stand, not to run from his shooting”(lines 61-63). He acknowledges the fact that if he wants to be brave and not retreat in battle, he must have the right protection.
Trevar Hotaling, C Ms. Morris English 12-1st period 2 December 2016 Weapons of Medieval Romance Literature with the use of “weapons” in medieval romance commonly show a slight of hand, brutal efforts, and mystical power. Stories like Beowulf show brutal strength, almost godly power. All of the stories from the Canterbury tales show many different uses of “weapons” in each of the short tales. From greed to lust, each story has its own personal use for “weapons”. The “weapons” in medieval romance stories all have a unique use with all the stories, some more than one.
In the epic poem Beowulf, the protagonist, Beowulf, faces three “monsters” at different times in his life. The poem begins with Grendel, a monster who attacks only in the dark of night, tormenting the kingdom of Hrothgar. The last two sections of the epic detail the conquering by Beowulf of Grendel’s mother and the dragon. The battle between the monsters and Beowulf represent the theme of good versus evil in the poem, as well as the fusion of pagan and Christian ideals in the changing Germanic society. Grendel’s mother’s actions directly juxtapose the role of a woman in this time period, and the greediness of the dragon with his treasure contrasts with the virtues of what would be considered a good king.
The coast guard said I am so glad you didn’t take my advice and leave. Beowulf said I did take your advice. Beowulf said that because when beowulf came the coast guard said that fighting grendel is like fighting the sea. And when beowulf was going to hall heorot he left his sword on a mound. And when beowulf fought grendel he didn't have his sword because fighting grendel is like fighting the sea and why would you fight the sea with a sword.
Beowulf says, "No Weapons, therefore,/ for either this night: unarmed he shall face me/ if face me he dares"(55. 683-685). This passage shows that Beowulf is fighting Grendel for the pride of killing the greatest monster, instead of fighting Grendel to save the Danes. If Beowulf's top priority is to save the people, he would have known that his best chance would be to wear armour and use weapons, but because he wants the pride and fame he goes into battle without armour or weapons. Beowulf was the best chance for the Danes to be safe again, and if Beowulf went in with no armour and no weapons, and died, then Grendel could continue killing men, women, and children every day until he finally dies.
Even though Beowulf is an ancient epic poem that was written thousands of years ago, it has still remained very well-known and relevant in today's world. It tells the story of a heroic Geatish prince named Beowulf who repeatedly risked his life in order to save the people of Denmark and Sweden from being tormented by malicious monsters. The story of Beowulf reflects the Germanic and Norse traditions, where the warrior culture was viewed as common and an extremely prominent part of the Germanic and Norse people's lives. The Norsemen were not only known for being passionate warriors, but were also attributed with sharing the other aspects of their culture with the various places that they attacked. Beowulf gave the Norsemen a way to be able to
Beowulf sets sail with fourteen of the Geats to battle Grendel. Grendel is so powerful that mere steel cannot injure him. Despite knowing this, Beowulf still chooses to fight him. Not with a sword and a shield, but with his bare hands. “ My lord Higlac might think less of me if I let my sword go where my feet were afraid to, if I hid behind some broad linen shield: my hands alone shall fight for me,” (166-174).
When again his sword snapped in the fight with the dragon, it was said, “It was never his fortune/ to be helped in combat by the cutting edge/of weapons made of iron” (Beowulf 2681-2684). This mindset that Beowulf can achieve as much as Sigmund without the aid of a magical weapon helps to establish the English hero’s dominance over his Nordic
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.
The continued honor shown in Beowulf’s character shines through when Beowulf never mentions that Unferth’s trusted sword was no match for Grendel’s mother. Beowulf could have simply boasted how the sword was useless and ineffective against the female beast, yet he was silent out of respect for Unferth. Finally, during Beowulf’s time as ruler (fifty winters), another beast arrives: a dragon. This time, Beowulf is much older and is in a much weaker state than when he first defeated Grendel and his mother. However, that does not deter Beowulf from going out and defending his kingdom.
Though the sword “had gone through many/ hand-to-hand fights… the fabulous powers of that heirloom failed” to harm his opponent (1524-1528). The sword is not powerful enough nor is it worthy of use by Beowulf, since it came from a man who is too cowardly to fight the monster himself. While Beowulf is unable to wield Hrunting, he uses another sword he finds during the battle to chop off the monster’s head. The latter sword happens to have a cultural connection since it has previously been fought with men of the Danes’ serving Beowulf well in the fight. Compared to the fight against Grendel, Beowulf needs a better way to defend himself because the mother’s strikes injure Beowulf while Grendel could not put up much of a fight.
The epic poem Beowulf is a classic tale of good versus evil. Good, as shown in the story, is any action that fights evil and defends the community and the people of it. The evil intent of Grendel, the story’s antagonist and cannibalistic murderer, who is depicted as a “fiend out of hell” (99), is strongly countered by the heroic actions of the stories main protagonist, Beowulf. The noble King Hrothgar is a role model for young Beowulf at the beginning of the epic, displaying acts of charity and wisdom throughout his life.
Very little is known about the epic poem Beowulf besides that the story was told during the Anglo-Saxon period, specifically between the years 500-1100. The author is unknown, due to the fact that the story was originally told verbally and not documented until much later. Like many stories told throughout the ages, Beowulf consists of many archetypes. An archetype is a recurring symbol found in literature, such as the Hero archetype. In this epic poem, the hero, Beowulf, travels from his homeland to Denmark to save a kingdom from an awful beast that has been attacking men late at night for over twelve years.
Despite Beowulf's age, he remains honorable and will fight the dragon equally meaning, with no weapons because the dragon does not use weapons. Although Beowulf enters the battle sensing that he may not make
Beowulf cares greatly for his honor. When he is fighting Grendel, he decides to not use a weapon since Grendel has none. He doesn’t want anyone saying he won unfairly. When being spoken about his fighting it is said, “He, swiftly banished to mingle with monsters at mercy of foes…” (Part 2)