... 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...

• Word Count: 1088
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... they worshiped many gods. Anglo Saxons worshiped Germanic gods, and The Greece worshiped Greek gods. Both of their civilizations were based on war and battle. Beowulf and Hercules are also the same in many ways but are different at the same time. These two heroes have many things in common like how they ... and will do anything to protect their people. They both have to face evil monsters and kill them. Hercules has to face twelve deadly challenges, and Beowulf only has to face three monsters. Hercules has to kill the Nemean lion and bring back its skin, kill the Lernaean Hydra, catch the...

• Word Count: 1010
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• Grade Level: High School

... . While many pagan influences appear in the poem, Christian overtones dominate. Many of the characters exhibit Christian characteristics. Beowulf has a Christ-like behavior in his good-heartedness and charity. Beowulf understands the plight of the Danes that are being oppressed by the evil monster Grendel just as Christ knew of ... the poem of living right, of loyalty, and of being a good leader can all be seen as traits of Christ. Just as Beowulf exemplifies Christ, Grendel mirrors Satan. Beowulf and Grendel represent the Christian beliefs of good verse evil. Grendel is referred to as a ...

• Word Count: 1145
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• Grade Level: High School

... men to his lair" (Bloom 10). Grendel eats the flesh and blood of men and enters their houses by way of doors (Nicholson 74). Before Beowulf attempted to rid the land of Grendel, men tried to slaughter him, "but their points could not hurt him, the sharpest and hardest iron could not ... was "the space of a day," before he could see the bottom of the mere (Burlin 121). The hero's physical powers grow far beyond human dimensions. Beowulf is about to attempt to use a weapon although they were useless against her; "then he saw, hanging on the wall, a heavy sword...but so massive ... and con...

• Word Count: 1070
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• Grade Level: High School

... would take a small gasp, his plan would be ruined, and Grendel would realize he was awake the whole time. The battle begins, and instantly Beowulf's strength is apparent to both his followers and Grendel as he takes hold of the creatures arm and proceeds to tear it away from Grendel's body ... in mind, revenge. She begins to pick up where Grendel left off, killing numerous Danes with the blink of an eye, until Hrothgar beckons Beowulf to save his people once again. His superhuman skills are first apparent when he goes to find Grendel's mother, in her underwater cave. Normal ... is the D...

• Word Count: 1010
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• Grade Level: High School

... poem leaves the reader with a lasting impression and usually contains theme of the poem. In Howell D. Chickering, Jr's translation of the anonymously written epic poem Beowulf the poet uses the end and beginning to describe the funerals of two important kings. Scyld is the King and founder of the Danes and represents everything a ... commoners feel due to the death of their previously flawless king. The Geatish people are also concerned about the future of the kingdom. The one thing Beowulf did not do for the Geats was to arrange for a predecessor. This leaves the Geats with no one to tur...

• Word Count: 1146
• Approx Pages: 5
• 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
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... in his way he would defeat. Like other epic poems someone or something had to have a problem with something that they couldn't handle themselves. This is where Beowulf comes in. the Danes where in the hall where they drank and had a good time. After that they were all a little tipsy and they went to sleep ... sword and while walking he found Grendels body, laying there lifeless. He took one swing and chopped off Grendels head off. Once again Beowulf had won in victory. After kill both monsters, Beowulf much that he became kind of the Danes fifty-years. But the threat was still not over. ...

• Word Count: 819
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• Grade Level: High School

... it hurts." " He was Yrmenlaf's elder brother and a soul-mate to me, a true mentor, my right hand man-(61, line 1334-1336). This time when Beowulf attacks he must use a weapon, a sword, to slay Grendel's mother. This fight is described as a much more difficult battle. In line 1534, the epic speaks about ... and strength and he was so successful in defeating Grendel, he must continue to protect the Danes against evil. The third and final monster that Beowulf must attack does not appear until the end of the epic. The dragon is much fiercer and meaner then Grendel and Grendel's mother put t...

• Word Count: 924
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• Grade Level: High School

... of good versus evil is evident in the story but one is the victor over the other. Good prevails over evil in Beowulf, and it is evident in the fights between Beowulf and Grendel, Grendel's mother, and the dragon. Before a person can see that good prevails over evil, they must see ... Parks 4). He was a powerful monster, living down in the darkness/ Growled in pain, impatient (lines 1-2). Beowulf comes as a God sent deliver to cleanse Herot (Goldsmith 85). Beowulf represents the good while Grendel represents the evil. Beowulf is here to save the people of Herot while Grendel is here to t...

• Word Count: 722
• Approx Pages: 3
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... against monster opponents. In the English tradition, a perfect hero displays courage, generosity, and loyalty. Similarly, throughout the course of the epic poem, Beowulf presents himself as the ideal English hero, as someone who "has bridged the gap between foolhardiness and true courage" and "has become an embodiment ... (Renoir 1). He does not make cursory decisions, and has carefully planned out strategies, to carry out his attacks against his foes. Ultimately, Beowulf's main strength is his physical stature, but his discerning actions complement him as he ends up victorious in his b...

• Word Count: 795
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• Grade Level: High School

... and helps him through the battle. His constant struggle for victory and heroism is a crucial part that is constantly brought up by the intervention of fate. Beowulf wants the kingdom of Herot to be able to sleep in comfort and no longer have a fear of Grendel, the evil monster who lives in a ... very gloomy and dark lair. During his first battle against Grendel, Beowulf knows his challenge and understands how difficult it will be to beat Grendel without the use of a weapon. To show his bravery, he challenges Grendel without a ... be known as a hero, and so he did so. Although he died at...

• Word Count: 663
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... in the conflict with Grendal and the Troll Wife, but because of his self-serving intent, he is definitely not a hero. The heroic characteristics expressed by Beowulf in these two conflicts are fearlessness and courage in dangerous situations, as well as determination and loyalty for his people. Unlike a true hero, who would work ... his hardest for the good of the people in need, Beowulf's motives for fighting are very self-serving. A celebration was held in the mead-hall to recognize the help the Danes were going to receive from ... but he was the king and he fought the dragon. The dra...

• Word Count: 607
• 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

... 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 ...

• Word Count: 1101
• Approx Pages: 4
• 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 ...

• Word Count: 1101
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• Grade Level: High School

... great sense of duty. This is clearly illustrated by the way both men put their own lives at risk to protect their people from evil. Beowulf becomes excited about the opportunity to protect his people. "They have seen my strength for themselves, have watched me rise from the darkness of war ... Even during his death, he wishes for a tall lighthouse to be builit in order to help the people find their way back from sea. Also, Beowulf seeks reputation and fame for his brave endeavors. He seeks revenge on Grendel. " Heard how Grendel filled nights with horror and quickly commanded a boat ... ...

• Word Count: 1003
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• Grade Level: High School

... devour a few Danish men during their sleep, eventually the others get the message and flee. Soon after the fiend claims their land as his lair. When Beowulf arrives to defeat this creature, he is doubted and challenged by the Danes, yet he convinces them of his strength and courage with stories of his past ... time he feels overly assured that he can save the day once more. Because his uncle was once the king, the throne had been passed down to Beowulf and life for him had been peaceful until a man stole treasures from an avaricious dragon. The dragon shot out fire from his mouth and bur...

• Word Count: 536
• Approx Pages: 2
• 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

... die. The severed arm is hung high in the mead-hall as a trophy of victory. After Grendels defeat, Grendels mother comes to Heorot and seeks revenge for her son's death. Beowulf dives into the swamp and fights Grendels mother. He kills her with a sword, and cuts her head off and brings it as a trophy ... . Beowulf ascends to the throne of the Geats. He rules wisely for fifty years, bringing prosperity to Geatland. When Beowulf is an old man, however, a thief disturbs a barrow, or mound, where a great dragon lies guarding a horde of treasure. Enraged, the dragon ... emerges from the barro...

• Word Count: 350
• Approx Pages: 1
• Grade Level: High School

... many references and images of good and evil that are trough out this story that was intended for a pagan culture. In the beginning of the story, Beowulf hears about the many killings that plague the Danes and how an unknown monster, later referred to as Grendel, is coming about and causing havoc at ... sent brave warriors to fight Grendel but to no avail. The Danes were not successful because they were part of the corrupted society and that is why Beowulf, the outside interference, comes in and in one battle kills the descendent of Cain. Then the second brawl, with Grendel's mother, show...

• Word Count: 1092
• Approx Pages: 4
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... is against people or against ourselves. People can seem to have a handle on the outside while the inside can be a different story entirely. Beowulf is the story of a dual ordeal: an external battle with vicious opponents and an internal battle with human tendencies of pride, cowardice, betrayal, and ... self-concern. In the story, Beowulf faces many obvious external battles but his internal battles are harder to notice. The issue of pride during Beowulf's confrontation with Unferth is a prime example. Unferth slanders and almost curses him by speaking great ... . Later on in the story, w...

• Word Count: 364
• Approx Pages: 1
• Grade Level: High School

... an otherwise serious work into a story for children which in my opinion, it's not a story for children. First of all, the monsters in Beowulf such as, Grendel, Grendel's mother and the dragon are all made of fiction and they symbolize fear. Children believe everything they read or watch. Also, children can't differentiate between reality ... mouths, that's why I think it was a perfect idea from the author for choosing a dragon as a guard. Also, the violence in the story is not suitable for children. For example, when Beowulf fought Grendel he cut his arm and his head off, also the auth...

• Word Count: 343
• Approx Pages: 1
• Grade Level: High School

... to be frightened by these imaginary creatures. Similar to the things that parents say to children about those monsters hiding underneath their bed, the monsters of Beowulf, translated by Seamus Heaney, are not real, but fictitious creatures representing evil because of their attacks on the Anglo-Saxon societies. Grendel, his mother ... , and the dragon are the imaginary creatures that originate from Cain, which causes Beowulf, the Geat hero, to come to the rescue. Cain is the source of all evil and monsters. Ever since he was born, he was insincere ... face up to his opponent bravely whe...

• Word Count: 1062
• Approx Pages: 4
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School