... Grendel. Eventually, however, a young Geatish warrior named Beowulf hears of Hrothgar's plight. Inspired by the challenge, Beowulf sails to Denmark with a small company of men, determined to defeat Grendel. Hrothgar accepts Beowulf's offer to fight Grendel. During a feast, one which Beowulf is attending, Grendel shows up and challenges Beowulf. Beowulf fights him unarmed, proving himself stronger than the demon, who is terrified. As Grendel struggles to escape ... , Beowulf tears the monster's arm off. Mortally wounded, Grendel slinks back into the swamp to die. The ... ...

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• Grade Level: High School

... fused it with Christian beliefs to create a poem that would still interest the people of the time while showing them the Christian ways. The Beowulf poet was put to the task of successfully blending these religious beliefs in an effective plot that appealed to his audience. Therefore, I agree with ... there is little reason to read it as a survival from the heathen age that came to be marred by monkish interpolations" (137). Although Beowulf most likely began as a pagan epic, it eventually was expanded to include Christian elements. Drawn from the Bible and some fictional texts as ... h...

• Word Count: 1142
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• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... one from a community consistently has the same effect. Those exiled feel lonely, angry, and jealous of those that banished them. In both Beowulf and The Wife's Lament, characters are the victims of exile. It is these character's reactions to being exiled that influence both works with ... feelings of jealousy, anger, depression and loneliness. In Beowulf, Grendel, the monster, had "dwelt for a time in misery among the banished monsters" (line 105). Despite Grendel's existence as a demon, he is still effected by his exile, his emotions eventually leading to uncontrollable ... ) and jeal...

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... the hands of a monster, finally have a small glimmer of hope to cling to. "So arise, my lord, and let us immediately set forth on the trail of this troll-dam. I guarantee you: she will not get away, not to dens under ground nor upland groves no the ocean floor. She'll have ... bit " and be the man I expect you to be."" That seems almost patronizing; I certainly wouldn't talk like that to someone supposedly ordained by God. However, Beowulf speaking to Hrothgar as if he's a petulant child seems to snap the king out of his melancholy state of mind. I thought this speech was very important,...

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• Grade Level: High School

... is one of the things that drove Grendel to his madness. Two examples from the listening include "the crowd was happy," and "Beowulf's doings were praised." Beowulf is praised for protecting Herot, leading the crowd to be happy. Sorrow is displayed directly in the book, "the living sorrow of Healfdane ... Other examples of savagery include, "showed no remorse," and "ruthless killings." The final theme was Good vs. Evil. This was seen several times throughout Beowulf. A direct quote would be, "hail to those who will rise to god." This just shows appreciation for god and for good. Other ex...

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• Grade Level: High School

... the reader the extent of his bravery. Secondly, Unferth's challenge gets Beowulf angry, which provides Beowulf with more motivation to fight Grendel. Beowulf exclaims, ""And when the sun/ Comes up again, opening another/ Bright day, anyone in Denmark/ May enter this hall: that evil [Grendel] will be gone!"" (336-39). Thus, Unferth unknowingly gives Beowulf drive to kill Grendel. All points considered, Unferth's argument with ... Beowulf reveals the accomplishments of Beowulf and inspires him to kill the monster too. Wiglaf's character adds loyalty and tradition to the epic. He proves hi...

• Word Count: 498
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... a "powerful monster," "shepard of evil" and "guardian of crime," all describing Grendel. The characteristics of true epic poem are present in the story of Beowulf. The society of this time is shown in this splendid piece of literature. There would be no story if it were not for the envy that Grendel has ... was not able to make friends with the Danes, so he attacks them instead. All epic poems have a description of the hero's weapons and armor, and Beowulf is no exception, "His war-shirt, hand-fashioned, broad and well-worked, was to explore the mere: it knew how to cover his body-cave ...

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... is why his attributes of excessive determination and motivation lead him to glory and fame. Yet this attribute proves to be problematic and engenders Beowulf's fate. Though Beowulf's impulsive and instantaneous actions were successful when he goes to meet Hrothgar, pursue Grendel, and kill his mother, he later fails to kill ... not stop there, "he'd go to it aloneHe saw nothing to fear, thought nothing of the beast's claws, or wings, or flaming jaws" (2346-2349) Beowulf is blind to his enemy's claws, teeth, wings, and fiery breath, but instead sees himself gaining glory and fame. It says...

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... His undying struggle for justice against the oppressors of free will and life make him one of the greatest epic heroes of all time. Mainly, though Beowulf is an epic hero because of his ability to overcome the great obstacles that faced him, he is blessed with courage and superhuman strength, and he receives ... deeds that he carries out. An epic hero often is found carrying out tasks and overcoming obstacles that a normal human being would not be able to do. Beowulf is faced with a beast that is terrorizing the warriors of Heorot. This beast is known as Grendel, he was the purest form o...

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... 's great king and request that I may purge all evil from this hall." Accomplishing the seemingly impossible task and fulfilling the promise to Hrothgar, Beowulf proves he is loyal and worthy of his classification as an epic hero. Beowulf also exemplifies yet another universal heroic trait: selflessness. He fought valiantly against Grendel and his mother with little regard to his own life. In ... his men. He continues this selflessness even in his old age, as he once again risked his life for the security of his kingdom in his battle against the dragon. Beowulf, despite his decrepit condi...

• Word Count: 623
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• Grade Level: High School

... the opposite of a good king because it guards the treasure but can do nothing with it. It represents malice, destruction, and greed; the dark side of kingship. While Beowulf is reining, the dragon " kept watch over a hoard, a steep stone-barrow." Under it lays a path concealed from the sight of men. Over centuries no one ... (almost an admission of weakness). In this bragging warrior culture it is easy to see why Beowulf is willing to go in alone (Wiglaf does stay with Beowulf to serve his lord and to fight the dragon along beside Beowulf). Beowulf is bitten during the battle, and dies fr...

• Word Count: 843
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... Anglo-Saxons idealized many of the qualities in men that we should still idealize and honor today. In the epic poem Beowulf, Beowulf possesses most, if not all, of these qualities. Beowulf was a great warrior who was honored by the Anglo-Saxons for his extraordinary abilities and the possession of his idealistic ... Few people would even think of offering someone else their prized possessions when they are alive and well, much less on their death bed. Beowulf should be commended for having this attribute, it is something most people will never posses. Strength is something that either c...

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... the eyes of the Anglo-Saxons because of his amazing almost super-human physical strength. He fought in many battles and returned victorious from all but his last. Beowulf's strength is put on display, as he is able to kill Grendel with his bare hands by ripping off his arm. The author describes by saying, "hell ... amount of strength. After chopping off the she-beasts head he travels deeper into the lair in search of Grendel's lifeless body. After he finds the body Beowulf removes Grendel's head and carries it to the top of the water with him, but it takes four men to lift and carry the b...

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... story. In "Ice Age" the main characters are animals. The main characters are Mattie the mammoth, Sid the sloth, and Diego the Saber Tooth. Also, in "Beowulf" the humans are the ones that speak. In "Ice Age" the animals are the only ones that talk. Even when there are humans in the movie, they ... groin, making weird noises. There are many differences in the main characters of the movie but there are more differences with the enemies. In "Beowulf", Hrothgar calls on Beowulf to come and defeat Grendel. Beowulf knows Grendel is a bad gremlin. He knows he has to defeat the evil characters. W...

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• Grade Level: High School

... in the battle but has to face another one with Grendel's mother who wants to get revenge for the death of her son. Beowulf finally defeats Grendel's mother. In the third battle Beowulf has to fight a dragon that has wreaked havoc on the Geats society due to a servant that had stolen a golden goblet from ... his home. The dragon was defeated with the help of a young kinsman, Wiglaf, but not before biting Beowulf in the neck and eventually destroying him. Although dying, Beowulf was glad that he had won the treasure for his people. The second poem is Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, which ...

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• Grade Level: High School

... in the battle but has to face another one with Grendel's mother who wants to get revenge for the death of her son. Beowulf finally defeats Grendel's mother. In the third battle Beowulf has to fight a dragon that has wreaked havoc on the Geats society due to a servant that had stolen a golden goblet from ... his home. The dragon was defeated with the help of a young kinsman, Wiglaf, but not before biting Beowulf in the neck and eventually destroying him. Although dying, Beowulf was glad that he had won the treasure for his people. The second poem is Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, which ...

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... In fact, Grendel himself didn't think he was that bad, just a little misunderstood. Grendel is portrayed as a horrifying creature in the epic poem of "Beowulf", translated by Burton Raffel. Where as, in the movel Grendel, written by John Gardner, Grendel is portrayed as a witty monster with a sick sense of ... humor. This is just one of the many contrast between the two great literary works. There are also the contrasts between religion and heroism. "Beowulf", which was written down by monks, contains many religious passages. Whereas Grendel isn't told from a religious point of view, but...

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... . It would keep the bone-cage of his body safe: [His helmet] was of beaten gold, princely headgear hooped and hasped by a weapon-smith who had worked wonders. . . . (1442-1452) Beowulf knows the battle will be dangerous; however, the act of "donning his war-gear- seems to prepare him psychologically (as well as physically) for battle against his enemy. The description ... blade or javelin from the air or repellent age. Your piercing eye will dim and darken; and death will arrive, dear warrior, to sweep you away. (1758-1768) Hrothgar advices Beowulf to seek "eternal rewards- instead of fa...

• Word Count: 847
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... journey finding a magic sword called the hrunting, so heavy no man or woman in the world could pick it up, except Beowulf who picked it up with ease. Also to be an epic hero you need to be brave, and Beowulf fits that description perfectly. Swimming in the ocean for seven days battling monsters along the way, he goes on search for ... . Being called out by King Hrothgar, he finds Grendel and battles him, ripping off his arm leaving him to bleed to death in his cave. Bravery is in Beowulf's blood. What makes Beowulf an epic hero from being any other hero is Beowulf is mortal. Every battle...

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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...

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... / or death will hurry me from this earth! " / "As his words ended / he leaped into the lake / would not wait for anyone's answer"" (1490-94). Beowulf later talks to Hrothgar about his courageous efforts fighting Grendel's mother saying, "Hrothgar! / Behold Healfdane's son / this glorious sign of victory / brought you joyful Geats. / My ... and blessed with their magic / but so massive that no ordinary man could lift its carved and decorated length. / He drew it"" (1557-61). Beowulf's great strength proves here to be a heroic quality because he is able to pull the magic sword from its sh...

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... reflects upon the virtues of loyalty, courage, and honor that are embodied in the Anglo-Saxon way of life. This heroic adventure tells the tale of Beowulf, a powerful and brave knight, whose fame is known throughout the land. His character exemplifies the Germanic hero, and consequently the Anglo-Saxon ideal: strong, ... his acceptance of fate. With the absence of humility, yet his important role in society and his ideals of chivalry, Beowulf was the definition of a hero in his own time. When Beowulf heard of Grendel, the powerful monster that had been disemboweling people for over twelv...

• Word Count: 761
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... 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...

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... arrive in Denmark, "they thanked God that the sea voyage had been easy for them," (pg 5) but later, Beowulf's want for material rewards, and fame are connected with the Pagan nonreligious ways. Beowulf receives material gifts when he defeats Grendel's mother. "Then the brave man, the son of Ecglaf, bade him bear Hrunting ... pg 33) Though material posses are important to him, he also wants to please God. Christian virtues are expressed in Hrothgar's speech to Beowulf, he says "may holy God in his graciousness send him to us, to the West-Danes as I hope, against the terror of Grendel." (p...

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... him. Hrothgar resorts to setting a guard at the front of the hall as a "hall-guardian." 4. What is Beowulf's motive for traveling to Hrothgar's Country? What does he and his men so upon their arrival? Beowulf has heard about Grendal and wants to help Hrothgar defeat it. Upon their arrival to the kingdom ... offered his help. Hrothgar accepted his help, and prepared a feast for him and his warriors. 5. How is Beowulf taunted by the jealous Unferth? How does Beowulf reply to these taunts? Unferth begins to taunt Beowulf by claiming that he once lost a swimming match against Breca , and say...

• Word Count: 688
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• Grade Level: High School