... hands to kill Grendel, not only would Grendel have survived but the brawl would not have such a significance in the history of the Geats. Beowulf would not seem as brave, and even if Beowulf had died, the battle would not have been as legendary. There would be no arm, shoulder, or claw to symbolize Grendel's death or ... also strong enough to kill the monster Grendel, who has been terrorizing the Danes for twelve years, with his bare hands by ripping off his arm. When Beowulf is fighting Grendel's mother, who is seeking revenge on her son's death, he is able to slay her by slashing the ...

• Word Count: 793
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• Grade Level: High School

... 612-6). Wealhtheow then proceeds through the meadhall "offering hall-joy to old and to young / with rich treasure-cups" (ll. 621-2). When Wealhtheow first approaches Beowulf and the Geats, she "bore him a cup / with gold-gleaming hands held it before him / graciously greeted the Geats' warleader" (ll. 623-5). ... this passage that the author's attitude toward Grendel's mother is one of both fear and admiration for her relative success fighting Beowulf. Despite the author's clear favoritism for Beowulf and friends, he creates some sympathy for Grendel's mother by accepting her motive for b...

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... the Grendels, Cain and the devil are used virtually interchangeably in literature. For three different commentators to all find Christian attributes for this character suggests strong connections between Christianity and Beowulf. The character of Unferth has distinct features which suggest it could be classified as a Christian allegoryÆ'xÆ'x. Bloomfield's is a uniqueÆ'x character analysis of Unferth. Bloomfield begins, " ... In the discussion of the Christian elements in Beowulf, it seems to have escaped notice of scholars that the character of Unferth may provide an example of Christ...

• Word Count: 2211
• Approx Pages: 9
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... heroic values for are the ancient Mesopotamia and ancient Anglo-Saxon cultures. The texts I used in the comparison are Gilgamesh for Mesopotamia and Beowulf for Anglo-Saxon. Although they posses many similar heroic characteristics they also differ greatly. Beowulf is the earliest surviving epic poem written in a modern European language. It was written in Old English sometime before the tenth century A.D. The ... then once again when Grendal's mother came for revenge. Fifty years after slaying Grendal's mother a fierce dragon began terrorizing Beowulf's people. Beowulf was old and tired...

• Word Count: 529
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... monsters crowded around me, continually attacking. I treated them politely, offering the edge of my razor-sharp sword," (265-294). However, the poet suggests that his boasts are symbolic of Beowulf's personal insecurity. Beowulf seems afraid of defeat and faliure. His boastful remarks are reminders to himself of his invincibility. In this poem, the poet is both critical and praising of the Anglo ... nature's fickle notions and uncertainty in the belief in the divine. Additionally, the main character's attributes and conflicts would classify him as a "messiah," an archetypal pattern. Lik...

• Word Count: 719
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• Grade Level: High School

... threaten the lands that he was chosen to defend. The poem also contains several diversions, these diversions are short tales not directly related to Beowulf's tale but stories that provide insight on different aspects of Anglo-Saxon life. Beowulf was more than just a hero who defeated the monster and saved the people. He was humble, self- sacraficing, and noble. Grendle was a monster ... the land of the Geats and killing the people. Many warriors had tried to defeat and kill this monster but all of them had ultimately failed and lost their lives. Beowulf, who at that time was a very acc...

• Word Count: 436
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... is a cold, merciless beast who is completely devoid of compassion for others. Grendel's evil nature is explained by the absence of God in his life: " He [Beowulf] never / Dared to touch king Hrothgar's glorious / Throne, protected by God - God, / Whose love Grendel could not know." (lines 82-85). Finally, the ... death, he tells Wiglaf, "You"re the last of all our far-flung family / Fate has swept our race away" (lines 821-822). As Beowulf is setting out to slay the evil Grendel, fate comes into play once again: "The omens were good, / And they urged the adventure on" ... death near; dow...

• Word Count: 794
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... swore to repay him, / kindness for kindness/with our lives- (766-767). This action sums it up; Wiglaf has shown his loyalty towards Beowulf. Loyalty also shows when Beowulf dies by the last dragon and Wiglaf follows his request, which is to build a light tower for the sailors so they can find there way ... has reached a wonderful peak by Wiglaf granting his wish. Anglo-Saxons also believed bravery as an important part of life and a highly respectable trait. When Beowulf, an Anglo-Saxon, goes to fight the final dragon he is one of the only few that stays and fights the dragon. "He strode c...

• Word Count: 531
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... her king the first ale cup" (IX). Wealhtheow then proceeds through the meadhall "offering hall joy to old and to young with rich treasure cups" (IX). When Wealhtheow first approaches Beowulf and the Geats, she " [bears] him a cup . . . with gold gleaming hands [holding] it before him graciously [greeting] the Geats" war leader" (IX). The author then reinforces that she is a member ... that wide kingdom" (XX). It is possible that Grendel's mother chooses this particular warrior deliberately to inflict the maximum amount of damage on Hrothgar. Despite the author's clear favoritism for Beo...

• Word Count: 1175
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... the land of the Geats to help defend the mead-hall against Grendel. After he defeats Grendel and Grendel's mother he returns to his untimely death. Beowulf exemplifies several characteristics of the heroic code such as fair fighting, equal weapons, and showing loyalty to the ones he is in debt to and to his ... this epic poem. Not only is it showing loyalty to one's who have defeated him but showing loyalty to those in need of help as Beowulf does for Hrothgar. Beowulf's loyalty runs deeper then just helping Hrothgar, he is also paying his dues to Hrothgar for taking his father in when h...

• Word Count: 613
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... came to its rescue. They have taken up arms not only to protect their people, their loved ones, but also those who cannot protect themselves. Like Beowulf, they have gone to the aid of a people who could not vanquish the demon alone. They lend themselves to the fight to prove their loyalty to ... to have heroes amongst us. I am of the opinion that heroes can also be those who display characteristics which seem to be opposite of those that Beowulf projects. I believe that the Texas State Democratic Senators are heroes in their own right. Within their power, they took the necessary steps t...

• Word Count: 729
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... This is a polar opposite of an Anglo hero. Heroes of that day took no shame in boasting and bragging of their many successes. Throughout this poem, Beowulf constantly reminds us of his heroism by exulting his every stellar victory. He begins with an interlude of his past successes by telling the great Hrothgar how "The ... days of [his] youth had been filled with glory." To prove his pretentious claim, Beowulf tells Hrothgar how he effortlessly defeated any opponent that stepped his way. His greatest claim is his tale of how he "drove five great giants into chains ... that "destiny was ...

• Word Count: 699
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... -. An epic is defined as a "long narrative poem that relates the great deeds of a larger-than-life hero who embodies the values of a particular society."" Although this is found in Beowulf, the elements of an epic hero poem and an elegiac poem combined, more completely describe this piece of Anglo-Saxon literature. As an epic hero ... was now their hero. "Hrothgar, gray-haired and brave, sat happily Listening, the famous ring-giver sure, At last, that Grendel could be killed; he believed In Beowulf's bold strength and the firmness of his spirit - Not only was Beowulf confident and boastf...

• Word Count: 343
• Approx Pages: 1
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... comes upon are goodness overcoming evil, creation of birth, and human behavior. God's influence of goodness overcoming evil is stated in The Coming of Beowulf. Beowulf declares, "God must decide who will be given to death's cold grip". The interpretation of this statement is God will decide who will triumph in battle ... . Goodness being Beowulf or evil being the evil monster Grendel. Creation of earth comes across the reader during The Coming of Grendel. The Christian monk describes the creation ... trees. The influence of God on human behavior is acknowledged at the end of The Battle w...

• Word Count: 272
• Approx Pages: 1
• Grade Level: High School

... have to do in life. Another important epithet is the one used by the Dane's King while Burgos-Galindo 2 referring to Beowulf, "best of warriors." Right after, in an attempt to call upon Beowulf's attention, the old King uses irony to tell the hero that he will have to return his attributes to the place ... Anglo Saxon culture traits. At the very beginning a clear example of predestination is shown. Only the chosen ones by God will grow famous, rich or powerful. Hrothgar reminds Beowulf "[ ] that it will all end, and too soon?"(1734). And that he, who in human unwisdom, does not care abou...

• Word Count: 643
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... about 600 years. In these years, their beliefs and customs flourished and many of these can be observed through the reading of Anglo-Saxon literature, especially in Beowulf. The presence of the "Other" in Anglo-Saxon literature is noted in three distinct interpretations by which the "Other" is excluded from society, used to ... . In doing this the people can maintain social equality among themselves and keep the outsiders from fitting back into society. When Beowulf came to Hrothgar's mead-hall he was challenged by Unferth's disbelief in his abilities. By condemning Unferth for killing h...

• Word Count: 558
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... especially difficult to relate to. The Anglo-Saxon may reach the same pedestal as a God. It is extremely hard to relate to this sort of person. Who can relate to Beowulf, fighting a dragon named Grendel? It seems impossible. Such seems seem to be pure fiction or folklore. Nobody could apply such a situation to his life. The Greek hero is more of ... of fate expressed in the oracles. His tragedy results from within his character. He sees things only one way-his way, and driven by his uncontrolled emotions, ends up dead. Beowulf is the hands on, brutal type. There is no way he could overc...

• Word Count: 791
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• Grade Level: High School

... has caught the balance of these things brilliantly; he has put together a masterpiece from a masterpiece. Perhaps the most notable aspect of Seamus Heaney's Beowulf is that it can be read almost as if it were prose and at the same time the reader can think deeper for the poetry. Seamus ... Heaney writes in his introduction, "I came to the task of translating Beowulf with a prejudice in favour of forthright delivery. I remembered the voice of the poem as being attractively direct, even though the diction was ornate ... narrative method at times oblique" (Heaney XXVIII). Reading an excerp...

• Word Count: 1162
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• Grade Level: High School

... for certain traits of their leaders. Among many others, some of the most important traits are: bravery, arrogance, and strategic thinking; all of which, Beowulf posses. Strategic thinking is very useful to heroes and the Anglo-Saxon culture. It allows even ordinary people to reason and formulate a plan for their problem ... . Many heroes possessed this trait as it was almost necessary to survive. And Beowulf drew His battle-sharp dagger: the blood-stained old king Still knew what he was doing. Quickly, he cut The beast in half, slit it apart. ... (37. 2701-2705) This citation refers to ...

• Word Count: 654
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• Grade Level: High School

... a common language, Anglo-Saxons shared a heroic ideal and a set of traditional heroes. In the epic poem Beowulf, Beowulf is the epic hero. He embodies the ideals and virtues valued by the Anglo-Saxon culture. Beowulf is a confident warrior. He is sure of himself and boasts frequently. An example would be in lines 253 ... hands Ready." Also, the boisterous customs of the mead house played a major role in Anglo-Saxon culture. The mead house was built to celebrate victories. In Beowulf, the mead hall was called Herot. Mead was a popular liquor that people drank during the banquets. In the po...

• Word Count: 584
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• Grade Level: High School

... interpretation of their fictional heroes. Often authors" portrayals have reflected society's interest of that time. From the Anglo-Saxon time period of Beowulf, to the present day literature of Harry Potter, society's interests have influenced the depiction of fictional heroes. This influence has also created ... traits, heroes of the Anglo-Saxon time period had to be very strong and willing to sacrifice everything. In the epic of Beowulf, the warrior Beowulf risks his life for the people of King Hrothgar. "I mean to stand, not to run from his shooting flames, stand till ... 't interfere...

• Word Count: 1030
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... to the land of the Danes to kill Grendel, he did it not because he wanted money, but because he wanted to help out the Geats. Beowulf felt as if it was the right thing to do since he had been successful in past deeds which he proudly says in lines 321-322, "They had in remembrance ... my courage and might. Many had seen me come safe from the conflict". Beowulf expected no reward for his action, but rather just being able to "put another notch in his belt." Another heroic characteristic, which ... , is bravery. Bravery is being able to go against the odds and possibly risk your life in t...

• Word Count: 572
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... heroic ideals such as revenge and dieing a noble death in order to make your life worth something. In the early tenth century a "new" Beowulf was circulated by the Christian missionaries in their attempts to communicate Christian teachings to the Anglo-Saxons in a way they would listen to and understand. ... The first instance of Christian editorializing we see in Beowulf is in the chapter where he battles Grendel. Before he meets up with Grendel he has a small monologue where he presents himself as larger than ... not pagan. Then he goes on to say, "God will reward whom he chooses!" sh...

• Word Count: 578
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... of a hero's fate is shown through the epic characteristic of Intervention. In the battle against Grendel's mother, Beowulf is "held helpless stretched on his back" by the powerful monster. With defeat imminent, Beowulf miraculously sees a sword, which is "the best of all weapons", only because the "Holy God . Gave ... judgment for truth and right." Reading about Beowulf's exciting and enthralling battle, members of the Anglo Saxon society could experience and witness the power of religion in an emotional rather ... than a didactic way. A society's religious ideals are more comprehensibl...

• Word Count: 332
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... bronze were left. 2. Anglo. were not barbarians, they didn't lead luxurious lives either, or lives dominated by learning or the arts. As Beowulf shows, law and order, were the responsibility of the leader in any given group. Only through loyalty to the leader during war was success ... influence of monasteries existed right alongside the older Anglo. religion. Monasteries preserved the Latin and Greek classics and some great works of popular literature, Beowulf. 2. Monks spent most of their daylight hours copying manuscripts by hand. The building was actually in a covered walkway open to...

• Word Count: 1742
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School