... wandered why us students are forced to read ancient literary selections? Do they have any connection at all to humanity today? Even though the epic poem BEOWULF takes place in the 6th or 7th century, many critics claim that it contains themes or actions that are relevant to modern life. These are three themes that I think are presented in the epic poem and ... relevant to our times and life, loyalty, good vs. evil, and honor. I chose loyalty as one of my themes because in the epic poem Beowulf's men were loyal to him. They were there for him when he was in a ruff situation and stayed wa...

• Word Count: 577
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... translated, by Burton raffle, is about a warrior who killed monsters and saved a city. In both epic stories there are similarities and differences; primarily these similarities and differences focus on the themes of women, character style, and religion. First off, women play major roles in both epics. In The Odyssey women were treated as slaves. They did not have control of themselves ... by one; death was my errand and the fate they had earned." (Raffel 153-159) The men"s bragging is one of their characteristics. Lastly, religion is one of the major themes throughout these two stories;...

• Word Count: 790
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... much more expressive through literature than through movies or television. One is able to understand the merit better and get deeper into each character's head. When compared to "Beowulf," the literary merit of "The Dream of the Rood," "The Wanderer" and "The Wife's Lament" are that of difficult syntax, expression of life through sad tribulations, and moods of pride. When reading ... is why I am sad." (Page 103). She expresses her sorrows and sadness through stating how her life has gone wrong. Even though the stories were alike due to their sad themes, they also have moods of pride. In...

• Word Count: 961
• Approx Pages: 4
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

Beowulf Beowulf is the first surviving epic written in the English language. Though it is often viewed both as the archetypal Anglo-Saxon literary work and as a cornerstone of modern literature, Beowulf has a peculiar history that complicates its historical position in English literature. The single existing copy of the manuscript dates from the late ... 's fight with the dragon. Finally, the story of King Heremod foreshadows Beowulf's eventual ascendancy to kingship. An important element to writing a piece of literature is to establish one or more themes throughout one's work, and this unkno...

• Word Count: 1089
• Approx Pages: 4

Beowulf clearly encompasses many Christian elements from characters to themes throughout the story. The will of God appear to be aligned if not the alias of fate. Beowulf, the character, is an attempt at adapting Jesus to the Anglo-Saxon ... ." As one can see both Kimble and Klaeber are very much intrigued by the author's emphasis on these very non warrior like qualities in a person who warrior exploits rival many literary figures before him. Thus Klaeber goes on to state, "That the victorious champion, who overcomes this group of monsters, is a decidedly unusual figure of very uncertain hist...

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

... meanings to surface. The feel of the poem, the originality is somehow lost when the said epic is translated to plain English. Heaney does a fine job bringing "Beowulf" and its themes to the less experienced reader, and his words have feel, but it truly lacks the flair of the lost language. Both examples do exemplify and clarify stylistic realities of Anglo ... the Orcs of J.R.R. Tolkien. It is best to come to personal conclusions regarding "Beowulf" and its translation, simply put a version is only as good as its author and his knowledge, a literary critic must judge on personal joy, ac...

• Word Count: 740
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: Undergraduate