Rhetorical Analysis Essay On Beowulf

The epic poem “Beowulf”, translated by Burton Raffel, focuses on a hero by the name of Beowulf who goes on a quest to rescue King Hrothgar and his people from an egregious monster by the name of Grendel. This Anglo-Saxon tale gives insight into the values and beliefs of the people from whom the story originated. Their war-centered ideology and views on loyalty and courage were the principles that the Anglo-Saxon culture was founded upon. While warfare was a focal point in their lifestyle, it was far from a savage, barbaric state of fighting. Honor and prestige were bestowed upon those who died during battle and selflessness for fellow warriors was a fundamental belief.

Beowulf: The Final Battle Beowulf, lines 2824-2835, depicts the aftermath of the grand battle between Beowulf, also known as the Geatish hero, and The dragon, a gruesome and vengeful creature. To briefly summarize the occurrence; a slave enters a sleeping dragon’s barrow and steals one of his treasures, a golden cup. The dragon awakes to find his treasure cup missing. Engulfed with rage, the creature flies into the kingdom in order to seek revenge. The dragon spews flames burning down homesteads and ultimately causing distress among the men.

Beowulf was a hero. He was one who has battled what most of us will fear. He won when most of us will fail. But still, like any other person, Beowulf has a weakness; and that weakness is the lack of self control. Lack of self control against greed.

The poem and movie of “Beowulf” are very different and they are also sort of similar. There are a lot more differences between the two than you would expect and while some of them are minor differences others are drastically different. Most movies are very different from the book they are made from. The biggest differences between the movie and poem were the three battles. The three battles have drastic differences.

5 Literary Devices in Beowulf: “the way it all melted as ice melts” (p.52) Beowulf just finished slaying Grendel and his mother; the ancient sword he used to kill them melts. The poet uses a simile comparing the sword to ice cubes as they melt to emphasize. Giving the image/effect of the sword slowly dissolving in a stunning way; emphasizing the incredibility of it. “the shining blade refused to bite” (p.50) Beowulf dives underwater to fight Grendel’s Mother.

In this essay we are going to analyze one of the “side stories” from the poem Beowulf, the lament of the last survivor (Anonymous, 81). This small passage is an important incision in the main body of the poem, one last explanation to mythological facts and founding elements of the world the author opens in front of our eyes, and how they shape its environment. With an incursion into a declamation by an unknown person until that moment, but who, with his last actions is defining the fate of our hero, Beowulf. The passage has to be understood in the main context of the poem, as it is a past action that leads the poem in the present to its definitive ending.

Beowulf embodies many universal societal heroic values that are signified in the modern world like courage, bravery, and strength. In the poem, Beowulf displays courage. “Now, I mean to be a match for Grendel, settle the outcome in single combat” (Heaney 425-426). This quote shows courage because he’s telling them that he can fight Grendel and wants to weather he wins or loses.

A Hero's Journey thru Life Throughout life there will be many challenges that will present themselves some of them will be caused by someone else but others will be caused by yourself. Some people will call these people Foes or Anti-Heros. They can range from a monster called Grendel to just a teacher at your high school or just earning the high school diploma. The “Hero” will need to overcome the foe in whatever way they chose. For a high school student there are many foes that one might need to overcome, one of them is graduating high school.

The heroic protagonist Beowulf, from the epic poem “Beowulf,” can be viewed as a righteous, altruistic hero rather than an egotistic person. One occurrence of his selflessness can be found within the conversation between Beowulf and Hrothgar. Beowulf explains that if he defeats Grendal, then he prefers that the victory news will not be spread throughout the land. Beowulf proclaims,”I beg one favor—refuse me not,/ Since I come thus faring from far-off lands—/ That I may alone with my loyal earls,/ With this hardy company, cleanse Hart-Hall”(333-336).

Throughout the epic poem of “Beowulf” many literary devices are used. Which devices stand out to you? The three that I see from the writing of Roberta Frank are kenning, foreshadowing, and alliteration. These devises are in my opinion the ones that are used the most and stand out from the others. In the epic poem Kenning is used to transform a simple word into something much more Complex or something that may sound better.

Beowulf Impact on Society Beowulf is a brilliant piece of literature that greatly impacted the British society because of the qualities he obtained, his transformation to a mature adult, and his devotion to his society. Even though this story does not have a set author, readers are drawn to the thrilling challenges he conquered. Beowulf was a courageous individual who loved a good challenge. Even in the beginning Beowulf had the reputation of being strong, intelligent, brave, and bold.

In Beowulf, the themes of liberation and sacrifice can be seen in Beowulf’s heroic narrative. Believed to be sent by God to rescue the people of Heorot, Beowulf not only serves as their warrior, but their protector from every evil that threatens their land. Beowulf sacrifices his own life to save the people, accepting his own death at the hands of the dragon. The themes of sacrifice and liberation are major themes in Beowulf, as seen through Beowulf’s willingness to defeat Grendel at Heorot and willingness to die fighting the dragon. Beowulf is first introduced as a liberator when he defeats Grendel and restores Danish power at Heorot.