beowulf
The Anglo-Saxon epic Beowulf is the most important work of Old English literature, and is well deserved of the distinction. The epic tells the story of a hero, a Scandinavian prince named Beowulf, who rids the Danes of the monster Grendel, a descendent of Cain, and of his exploits fighting Grendel's mother and a Dragon. Throughout the epic, the Anglo-Saxon story teller uses many elements to build a certain depth to the characters. Just a few of the important character elements in Beowulf are Wealth & Honor, Biblical & Paganistic, and Man vs. Wild themes. Many of the characters in Beowulf are, like in most epics, defined by their status. But, in addition to status, the Anglo-Saxon culture also adds an element of honor. To the Anglo-Saxons, a character's importance, as well as their wealth and status, where measured not only in monetary terms, but it was also measured in terms of honor, fame, and accomplishments. Hrothgar, king of the Danes, is one example of the Anglo-Saxon measurement of importance in Beowulf. In Canto 1 the story teller describes his wealth and importance, not as mounds of gold or jewels, but instead as his ability to "[lead] the Danes to suc
An example of the Biblical motif in Beowulf is Grendel. The original Epic was obviously Paganistic due to the time period of it's creation. As he fights and defeats Grendel, Beowulf Earns Fame and wealth from his companions, and from the Danes, but more importantly, he earns honor raising him to the level of an archetypal hero. Defeating Grendel, he shows that man, without armor and weapons, can defeat evil in any form including that of his foe Grendel. He has no wealth, no honor, and he in infamous as an evil killer. First off, Beowulf is pure and shows this before his battle when he removes his armor and vows not to use a weapon to defeat Grendel. This motif shows the difference between mankind's ways (good), and evil's wild nature (evil). This lack of wealth and honor defines Grendel as a symbol of evil and corruption. Grendel, on the other hand, is the total opposite of Beowulf. " and as his tendency to "In battle, [leave] the common pasture untouched, and taking no lives. His wild home, "Grendel, who haunted the moors, the wild marshes, and made his home in a hell not hell but earth. Grendel's wilderness is countered in mankind's ways, especially Beowulf's. Beowulf is tame and civilized, the epitomy of goodness and purity. Apart from Wealth, Honor, and Paganistic vs.
Common topics in this essay:
Biblical Paganistic,
Grendel Grendel,
Beowulf Canto,
Honor Paganistic,
Holy Father,
Earns Fame,
Goodness Beowulf,
Beowulf English,
Banishment God,
Defeating Grendel,
wealth honor,
wealth status,
beowulf wealth honor,
throughout epic,
beowulf wealth,
depth characters,
biblical reference,
story teller,
serves symbol,
anglo-saxon culture,
paganistic vs,
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Acceptance Essays
