ipl-logo

The Most Surviving Epic Poem Beowulf

579 Words3 Pages

The oldest surviving epic poem in the English language and the earliest piece of European literature, Beowulf. The story begins in the 8th and 11th century, by an anonymous writer. However, there are many stories about the supernaturals, actions, and the hero that are revealed in this epic him. Grendel Poem. This poem traces the skills, courage, and the greatest adventures of Beowulf, the hero.
First, we have the supernaturals of Beowulf. We have the villains that made Beowulf 's battles, which is Grendel, Grendel 's mother, and the dragon. He also fought the creatures in the lake, the sea monsters, and just about anything who picked a fight with Battles, Grendel being the first monster he story, which was known to be able to take out thirty men at once. Grendel 's mother however put up a fight for Beowulf, Grendel 's mother came for revenge against Beowulf killing her son. Beowulf cut her neck off with the giant sword that only he could lift, everyone else was too weak. Beowulf 's last battle was against the mighty dragon, …show more content…

Lastly, we have the Kennings which made a great part of the story.This is a story written in 1000 A.D. which also means old english, and some formal language that we do not use in the year 2000. Some examples from the text,’ Gold shinning hall” from Heorot, “shepard of evil’ for Grendel,’ those who are thrust into danger, clutched at by trouble, yet can carry no solace in their hearts, cannot hope to be better’. Definitely not the language we use today, but is something very interesting to learn. Its great to use tricky sentences like that to leave the reader thinking about what just happened and why it did.
The supernaturals, The speeches and styles, and the kennings are all very important views on the story, and puts it together perfectly. The oldest surviving literature in the 1000A.D. is still one of the greatest action stories, yet. heroes of life will soon come to an end, and Beowulf realized that during his last battle with the mighty

Show More
Related

  • Literary Elements In Beowulf

    287 Words  | 2 Pages

    Impending Doom The language and usage of various traditional Anglo-Saxon literary elements in “Beowulf,” translated by Charles W. Kennedy, help the reader to understand the purpose of the folk epic. When Beowulf arrives to kill Grendel’s mother in an underwater hall, he and his men see “on the rocky sea-cliff,/…slaughtered Æschere’s severed head./ The water boiled in a bloody swirling/ With seething gore as the spearmen gazed” (931-934).

    Read More

  • Examples Of Archetypes In Beowulf

    633 Words  | 3 Pages

    Grendel commits heinous acts against people who have done nothing wrong. Grendel shows how evil he is when he “snatched at the first Geat he came to, ripped him apart, cut his body to bits with powerful jaws” and he even “drank the blood from his veins” (Beers II. 262-265). Beowulf also fights two other evil creatures. He goes into battle against Grendel’s mother. She is also very evil, seeing as she raised Grendel.

    Read More

  • Beowulf's Accomplishments

    1108 Words  | 5 Pages

    This story has lived on by people who have told the story to other people. They are fascinated by the story of Beowulf a brave and noble hero who fights to protect others. This story is unlike any other story because it is about a man who faces his fears head on. People loved him because he was courageous and he succeeded in his actions. Beowulf was not the

    Read More

  • Beowulf Journal Essay

    1092 Words  | 5 Pages

    The main characters in the story are Beowulf, Grendel, Grendel’s mother, the dragon, and Hrothgar—king of the Danes

    Read More

  • Theme Of Monsters In Beowulf

    665 Words  | 3 Pages

    Rachna Shah Critics have proposed that Beowulf’s “lofty...beauty” and dignified tone are inconsistent with its whimsical choice of incorporating monsters. Yet rather than being incompatible, the monsters actually contribute to the poem’s poise by capturing Beowulf’s grim theme. Critics who dissect Beowulf through “historical or scientific lens”, do not analyze the poem “as a whole”, where the true significance of Beowulf is found. The same critics decry the universal - myths and doom - and laud human tragedies and “heroic legend” in their place. The monsters of “folk-tale” belong to myth.

    Read More

  • Examples Of Alliteration In Beowulf

    445 Words  | 2 Pages

    Beowulf is an epic poem about supernatural and heroic characters. An epic poem is a long narrative poem that celebrates a hero’s deeds. Beowulf has a lot of twists and turns that make it entertainment. The poem is full of alliteration, action, and supernatural events. Alliteration is shown all throughout the poem.

    Read More

  • Grendel ': Retelling Of The Epic Poem Beowulf'

    1059 Words  | 5 Pages

    John Gardner’s Grendel is the retelling of the epic poem Beowulf from the point of view of the antagonist, Grendel. The main difference between the two literary works is represented by the values behind their writing. The ancient epic poem is the perfect example of the tales of a hero, Beowulf, the storyline is flat and characters are static because they are constructed around the heroic code to fulfil a specific role. Grendel, in the homonym novel, is a dynamic character with a post-modern, existentialist vision of the world in the constant search for his sense of life. Despite some similarities with humans that make him in some way relatable to us, Grendel present some significant differences with human beings.

    Read More

  • Beowulf Good Vs Evil Essay

    806 Words  | 4 Pages

    Beowulf is a poem that based in the 10th and 11th century that revolved around the idea of good vs evil. The poem is named after Beowulf who is a supernatural hero that slays any evil that crosses his path but is a real sweetheart when it comes to other people or the king. Beowulf is to be considered an epic poem because the hero in the story creates acts of being courageous and even superhuman in some cases, reflecting timeless values such as courage and honor, and the poem reflects unforgettable values with honor and courage. Typically in an epic poem, one will see a character or “the hero” who has outstanding courage and commit superhuman deeds and show values to other people in that era. “Then he drew himself up beside his shield./The fabled warrior in his warshirt and helmet/trusted in his own strength entirely/

    Read More

  • Examples Of Diction In Beowulf

    762 Words  | 4 Pages

    Beofwulf’s structure, events, diction, and the story of a complete warrior depict what a true epic poem looks like. The poem shows the reader many events and tragedies that create a long line-filled poem. Beowulf endures many journeys throughout the narrative that solidify as heroic and truly legendary. Many unlikely and superhuman abilities are displayed throughout Beowulf as well. Structure, heroics, and superhuman abilities in the narrative Beowulf, which tells of Beowulf’s journeys, provide a great example of an epic.

    Read More

  • The Jealousy: The Epic Of Beowulf

    643 Words  | 3 Pages

    Beowulf is an epic from the Anglo-Saxon period about a hero who takes on great challenges and adventures. The character Beowulf embodies the virtues of the Anglo-Saxon culture and beliefs. He embodies the traits of Anglo-Saxon society: strength, bravery, honor, and the desire to help the helpless. He takes on three monsters in which he is announced for his heroic deeds defeating two out of the three fights. In the end, Beowulf is the mighty legend that everyone will not forget.

    Read More

  • Comparing Grendel's Mother And The Dragon In Beowulf

    603 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the epic poem Beowulf, the protagonist, Beowulf, faces three “monsters” at different times in his life. The poem begins with Grendel, a monster who attacks only in the dark of night, tormenting the kingdom of Hrothgar. The last two sections of the epic detail the conquering by Beowulf of Grendel’s mother and the dragon. The battle between the monsters and Beowulf represent the theme of good versus evil in the poem, as well as the fusion of pagan and Christian ideals in the changing Germanic society. Grendel’s mother’s actions directly juxtapose the role of a woman in this time period, and the greediness of the dragon with his treasure contrasts with the virtues of what would be considered a good king.

    Read More

  • Beowulf Values

    512 Words  | 3 Pages

    Though the author has remained nameless for over a thousand years, Beowulf remains a famously popular story to this day. Since the first tale, epics have often reflected the values of the society at that time. Beowulf was a strong warrior fighting evil (though sadly we don't know what his original story was, as its original was an oral story passed down by people) and in that time era, that's what the people wanted. Beowulf fits the traditional box of an epic for a multitude of reasons, most notably: The story includes a vast setting of real and unreal locations and the values of the society at the time of the story is reflected well in this Viking-age story.

    Read More

  • Good Vs. Evil In Beowulf Is An Epic Hero

    570 Words  | 3 Pages

    The story of Beowulf isn’t just any ordinary story, but a story that has been told for centuries. A story of a hero who’s legacy has been told for so long. Beowulf’s life shows the characteristics of a true epic hero. He showed bravery, he used his strength against his enemies and in the end gave the ultimate sacrifice for his people.

    Read More

  • Evil In Beowulf

    866 Words  | 4 Pages

    Beowulf is a fantastic representation of an Anglo-Saxon epic poem. The poem starts out like a typical epic poem. The call to arms of the struggling Danes which is shown in both the movie as well as the poem. The hero endures resistance and deals with adversity before he finally triumphs over evil and rescues the Danes. It demonstrates many aspects such as the fight between good and evil as well as a hero, the hero also typically recites a geilp and the monotheistic influence.

    Read More

  • Why Is Beowulf An Epic Hero

    703 Words  | 3 Pages

    Christopher Reeves once said, “A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” Although Beowulf was human, he was not an ordinary individual, hero, or king, for he was a man who displayed superhuman qualities in his efforts to protect the Danish and Geatish people. Beowulf, who was established Geatish warrior that spent his life in battle, showed these extraordinary characteristics that made him an epic hero, one who possesses superhuman, almost god-like qualities. Being constantly on a quest, risking his life for glory and the greater good of society, and being superiorly intelligent, courageous and strong are the three most important reasons why Beowulf deserves such a notable

    Read More

More about The Most Surviving Epic Poem Beowulf

Open Document