Beowolf

             Beowulf is the earliest surviving substantial work of literature in English. Only about 30,000 lines of Anglo-Saxon verse survive today. The 3,182 lines of this epic poem Beowulf form about 10% of this collection. The poem tells about the story of the hero Beowulf in his fights against supernatural creatures, as well as containing many transgressions into other stories and historical events.
             No one knows who "wrote" Beowulf. Like all early oral poetry, it had as many authors as singers and minstrels who performed it. The singers may have performed it when warriors gathered in meal halls to celebrate their "prowess" at gatherings like those described in Beowulf. It was not until about 1000 AD that official manuscript was written down on paper.
             We can possibly place Beowulf, the hero of the poem, in the sixth century by the name of his Lord and Uncle, Hygelac. Hygelac, the King of the Geats (Scandinavian people living in central southern Sweden in Gotland), for instance is mentioned by the late sixth-century historian Gregory of Tours: he tells us that Hygelac won a battle at Ravenswood in about 510 AD and was killed when he was attacking the Frisians in about 521 AD. Similarly, Hrothgar, Ongentheow, Haethcyn, Onela, and Heardred were all historical characters. Even though Beowulf is a fictitious character, the events of the poem could have possibly been set at very specific times. Beowulf slaying Grendal and his mother would have taken place during the second decade of the sixth century. Beowulf's fight with the dragon would have taken place in the last quarter of the sixth century. Interestingly this coincides with many of the rich ship burials at Vendel and Valsgarde in Sweden.
             The whereabouts of the manuscript during the five hundred years after it was written is unknown. It was heard of in 1563 when the Dean of Litchfield, Lawrence Nowell. It is said that Nowell saved the manuscript from destruc...

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Beowolf. (1969, December 31). In MegaEssays.com. Retrieved 11:13, March 28, 2024, from https://www.megaessays.com/viewpaper/22480.html