ipl-logo

The Struggle Between Good And Evil In Beowulf

687 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Beowulf critical analysis

The epic poem Beowulf, wrote in Old English and is commonly cited as one of the most important works of Old English literature. A date of composition is a matter of contention among scholars; the only certain dating relating to a manuscript, which was produced between 975 and 1025. The author was an anonymous Anglo-Saxon poet. The poem is set in Scandinavia. Beowulf, a hero of the Geats, comes to the aid of Hrothgar. The poem deals with many aspects in eluding into Anglo Saxon heritage and of its foes, by the aspects of good and evil, how Christianity vs. paganism, and literary elements such as a kenning, a caesura , and a alliteration in the text. First, there is an aspect of good vs. evil, an aspect in witch the epic poem displays many times. It's the conflict between a courageous, mighty, loyal warrior and the demons and dragons of hell itself. Of course, …show more content…

The author of Beowulf uses several techniques in witch they relay kenning, caesura and alliteration, this is only a few in witch the author bestows. A kenning is a phrase or word used to name a person, place or thing indirectly like "life-days and day-count" (lifespan).(817-819) Secondly, the author uses a caesura, the caesura is a big blank space in the middle of a line. In the oral tradition, the caesura is a break in the line where the speaker pauses. line 716- 717)thirdly, the author uses plenty of alliterative devices , The use of alliteration speaks to us. It helps grab our attention, and it holds us captive in the language. The repeating sounds resonate, and with each line we are transported into the action of the piece, keeping the reader reading more. The words, 'Up from his swampland, sliding silently,' allow us to imagine Grendel slipping into the hall unseen. (364-372) This "s" sound keeps the reader swinging into the next line in the sentence or

Show More
Related
346 Words | 2 Pages

Good vs Evil in Beowulf Evil profoundly immoral and malevolent Good to be desired or approved of. Although the two adjectives are the polar opposites from each other complete In the Anglo Saxon poem Beowulf, the reoccurring theme of good versus evil is used to contrast the ideal Anglo Saxon person with its flawed opposite. Anglo Saxon literature was typically written in Latin, which is known as “the language of learning” (Amodio).

Read More
506 Words | 3 Pages

In the story “ The Odyssey “ by Garreth Hinds, we can identify a universal theme of hospitality or “Xenia” in Ancient Greek Culture. For instance, when King Alcinous helps Odysseus when he was shipwrecked we can see the type of culture and manners that are expected by Greeks. Another prime example is when Menelaus welcomes Odysseus in Sparta and offers drinks and food. The author uses these examples throughout the story to reiterate the general theme.

Read More
768 Words | 4 Pages

This poem was first set in Scandinavia, which where Beowulf first became a hero of the geats. Beowulf is the oldest poem in English Language which has been told by Anglo-Saxons and still told by many people today, composed by an unknown Anglo-Saxon poet around 700 A.D. This poem is in the British library but became famous by the name of the story’s protagonist. In 1731, Sir Robert Bruce Cotton was very upset and unpleased by the burning of the Ashburnham House in London by someone.

Read More
448 Words | 2 Pages

In Beowulf, an Anglo-Saxon’s epic poem of a hero fighting to save his kingdom from death and destruction. Good versus evil is the most common theme presented throughout the poem Beowulf. The writer makes it clear that great and malevolence don't exist as just contrary energies, however that both qualities are available in everybody. Beowulf speaks to the capacity to do great, or to perform acts sacrificially and in help of others. Goodness is likewise demonstrated all through this epic as being able to wash down underhandedness.

Read More
570 Words | 3 Pages

Alexander Hamilton once said, “There is a certain Enthusiasm in liberty that makes Human nature rise above itself, in acts of bravery and heroism.” Beowulf is an epic poem in which the main character Beowulf did acts of service, but he fought for those who couldn’t fight. The overall theme of good versus evil in Beowulf had Beowulf dealing with challenges that no ordinary man would be able to handle unless they were a true epic hero. Throughout the poem Beowulf proves to be an epic hero by his strength, bravery, and sacrifice.

Read More
589 Words | 3 Pages

The epic poem Beowulf was a story told in the anglo saxon time period. A time when people believed in dragons, monsters, and curses. Many stories told by people of this time talked about the good and evil forces there are in the world and what happens when they collide in battle. The hero in this story has sailed from his home to fight this evil being named Grendel, a monster that has become a nuisance in Herot.

Read More
1137 Words | 5 Pages

(Beowulf

Read More
1466 Words | 6 Pages

Critically assess the extent of Christian and Latinate influence on Beowulf. When first reading Beowulf it would appear that the Christian references within it superimpose onto the essentially pagan view that makes a huge body of the poem. Therefore, within this assignment, there will be investigations of inconsistencies. Sources clearly show that Beowulf was written by Germanic pagans that had been debauched by some leftist ecclesiastic wordsmith , to the insistence that the author designedly created the Christian allegory along the lines of Book 1 of The Faerie Queen. It is know that Germanic traditions and techniques were used by Anglo-Saxons to frame Christian literature, just as it was with the poet of Beowulf.

Read More
1371 Words | 6 Pages

Most readers often question the concept of queer theory and ask themselves, “Did the author/poet purposely add these homoerotic quotes or did it just happen?” In a close reading of some Anglo-Saxon readings, there is plenty of evidence to support the case of there being queer theory works implemented and how it relates to the overall plot of the story. The poem of Beowulf contains a lot of hidden imagery, symbolism, and other underlying messages throughout and the hidden theme or theory that is most prevalent throughout the poem is the queer theory, or that Beowulf is actually a homosexual. There are multiple situations and circumstances that would give the reader this impression within the text and the use of different literary devices give the poet, who is unknown, the ability to express them. In the poem, the poet utilizes phallic symbols, coding, and heteronormative roles in society to show the possibility that Beowulf was queer in a time where heteronormative roles were what was the social norm in society.

Read More
537 Words | 3 Pages

A battle between good and evil shows apparently in “Beowulf”, the very first epic in our literature, was written way back in the Anglo-Saxon centuries. Character Beowulf is a significant hero, who have supernatural power and was admired by everyone. Meanwhile, Grendel is described as a pure evil monster, a descendant of Cain-the one who was cursed by God, and fed on thousands of human to stay alive. The theme of good against evil is popular and common in the world of literature, and “Beowulf” is believed to be the first great epic with that theme. As I read the epic, and carefully look between the lines, I discovered the interesting hidden stories behind each character.

Read More
1809 Words | 8 Pages

The Beowulf poem and the Poetic Edda A comparison between Norse and Anglo-Saxon literature There are some texts that have changed and formed our view on literary history, and two of the more notable pieces are The Beowulf poem and the Poetic Edda. The two have redefined our view on the literary past of both England and Scandinavia and have laid the foundation for what we acknowledge as literature. J.R.R Tolkien wrote in his Essay Beowulf: The monsters and the critics ”Barely all the censure, and most of the praise, that has been bestowed on The Beowulf has been due either to the belief that it was something that it was not — for example, primitive, pagan, Teutonic, an allegory (political or mythical), or most often, an epic; or to disappointment at the discovery that is was itself not something that the scholar would have liked better — for example, a heathen heroic lay, a history of Sweden, a manual of German antiquities, or a Nordic Summa Theologica.” He continues to debate for the poems importance as literature, instead of as a historical document.

Read More
472 Words | 2 Pages

In “Beowulf,” there are many concepts of good and evil portrayed in the epic poem by an unknown author. Beowulf brings good to the Geats. The people would say he was a gift from the Gods to battle and demolish the evil. The monsters, however, cause trouble to the people and bring out the evil in everything. These elements of good and evil help define this an epic poem.

Read More
451 Words | 2 Pages

Beowulf is an archetypal character within a legendary piece of text. He embodies the conglomerate of many Anglo Saxon values expressed throughout his heroic journey. Contrived by the mighty Northern Anglo Saxons, Beowulf is the manifestation of the Anglo Saxon ideals. This work of art helps us identify and analyze Beowulf’s ideals in a way that lets us deduce the values of the Anglo Saxon society. Examination of this poem lets us familiarize ourselves about a society obsessed with religion, vengeance and war-lust beings.

Read More
1326 Words | 6 Pages

“The battleline between good and evil runs through the heart of every man” as stated by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn comes to mind when thinking about good and evil. Since before the earth was created, the battle between good and evil waged on. The first battle of good and evil that can ever be recorded is God against Lucifer or the Devil. The battle began the moment God casted the Devil out of Heaven. Looking throughout the Holy Bible, we see evidences of good and evil.

Read More
806 Words | 4 Pages

Beowulf is a poem that based in the 10th and 11th century that revolved around the idea of good vs evil. The poem is named after Beowulf who is a supernatural hero that slays any evil that crosses his path but is a real sweetheart when it comes to other people or the king. Beowulf is to be considered an epic poem because the hero in the story creates acts of being courageous and even superhuman in some cases, reflecting timeless values such as courage and honor, and the poem reflects unforgettable values with honor and courage. Typically in an epic poem, one will see a character or “the hero” who has outstanding courage and commit superhuman deeds and show values to other people in that era. “Then he drew himself up beside his shield./The fabled warrior in his warshirt and helmet/trusted in his own strength entirely/

Read More

More about The Struggle Between Good And Evil In Beowulf

Related Topics

Open Document