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Examples Of Evil In Beowulf

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Evil and the good are concepts that have been around since the beginning of time. These concepts have been conveyed by people through many ages. Without the luxury of modern day means of entertainment and technology, people were forced to rely on live entertainment, provided by men called bards. Typically these bards sang their songs and relayed their stories in social gathering places, such as the famous mead hall, Herot, as seen in the Anglo-saxon epic poem, Beowulf. One such story that had been passed down for generations was finally written down by the monks, becoming the oldest written story. This Anglo-Saxon epic poem Beowulf, displays a constantly changing theme of good versus evil, creating a suspenseful atmosphere throughout. …show more content…

A dragon is something that would typically be viewed as an evil entity. The dragon in Beowulf fulfills this stereotype when you consider the terror and destruction wrought upon the village. After the thief raided the tower for the treasure, it is understandable that in retribution, the dragon fulfilled his duties in attempting to guard his treasure. The dragon, angered and distraught by his recent loss, begins to burn, pillage, and destroy the nearby town, part of Beowulf’s kingdom, angering Beowulf. Angered by this destruction, quick thinking Beowulf ventures to the lair of the dragon. After a fierce battle, the dragon is slain, and our epic hero is mortally wounded. Beowulf said” "I have wrested the hilt from the enemies' hand, avenged the evil done to the Danes; it is what was due." (1668-1670). A face of good-will in the poem, the

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