Beowulf

Beowulf is a courageous hero who has come to a kingdom to defeat an evil, “inhuman,” monster because it is unstoppable. The story is not chronological because it starts from the middle. The story starts with Beowulf already arrived and then is told about the monster named Grendel. The only type of repetition is when Beowulf is boasting. Beowulf is very confident and likes to acknowledge how great he is. A third person omniscient narrator tells the story. This narrator knows all of what is going and knows of what will happen. Since this is a heroic epic the foreshadowing of this story is how good will always prevail over evil.

The time when this story was written was probably during the Norman conquest of England. Since this story was told before it was written, it is unknown when the story was first told and by who. “Beowulf” is the first epic poem ever written in English. The poem might have been written in the time between the Anglo-Saxon conversions in the late five hundreds and the Norman conquest of 1066. The place where “Beowulf” takes place is in middle England. The kingdom is Hrothgar’s, who wants Beowulf

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The style of the poem is very symbolic. Augustine’s conversion of the Anglo-Saxon’s to Christianity. Beowulf is successful in defeating the monster and is then crowned king of the kingdom. The two characters are both described in the story their descriptions are very different. Grendel is not very realistic but he is symbolic to the evil of the world. Beowulf also is very likeable and confident. Beowulf is a stereotype for all heroes because he is confident and he isn’t afraid of anything. Grendel is described as a monster that is very powerful, and Beowulf is described as a very wise and powerful man. Since this is a translation there isn’t that much of a stanza pattern. The virtuous Beowulf represents the good and the remorseless Grendel represents the evil. The characters are Beowulf and Grendel. That is also ironic because either way if he lost or won the kingdom would have different kings. It is serious because Beowulf has to destroy this monster, if he doesn’t the kingdom will suffer and be overtaken. Most heroes I would say are based on this type of character.

Approximate Word count = 764
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

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