Beowulf Journal Entry
10/3/12
Eric Kleszczewski
Mrs. Knudson/English 10A
Beowulf (unknown author): chapters 1-17 pg. 21-46
Beowulf Journal Entry #1
Since I was about ten years old, I’ve noticed that small children have no sense of real fear or danger. I have also observed that small children are very possessive and that if a small child is having trouble with something or wants to do something, whether it’s opening a jar, reaching the counter to get something they want, or just opening a new toy, they always want to do it by themselves. After reading Beowulf and comparing it to my observations, I have concluded that Beowulf possesses some traits of a small child. Beowulf is characterized as a medieval Geatish warrior willing to take on any challenge in order to make a name for himself and is faster than a sea monster, stronger than a demon, more powerful than a dragon. Even with all of these heroic traits, he still acts like a child in many ways.
Throughout the story Beowulf is very possessive and takes a prize from every battle. For example, when he is fighting Grendel’s mother he takes a sword as the prize, from Grendel he takes his arm, and from the dragon he wants to take its treasure “And this dragon’s treasure, his gold and everything hidden in that tower, will be mine or war will sweep me to a bitter death!”. Because the story of Beowulf was written down (presumably) by a monk, you can tell that God has been inserted forcefully and does not necessarily fit into the story “Now he discovered-once the afflictor of men, tormenter of their days-what it meant to feud with almighty God: Grendel saw that his strength was deserting him, his claws bound fast, Higlac’s brave follower tearing at his hands.”. Even though Beowulf is read from the point of view of a Christian narrator telling a Pagan tale, insight as to what the characters are thinking and their backgrounds is also given. The setting of the story is around 500 A.D. in Denmark and Geatland (today’s southern
Eric Kleszczewski
Mrs. Knudson/English 10A
Beowulf (unknown author): chapters 1-17 pg. 21-46
Beowulf Journal Entry #1
Since I was about ten years old, I’ve noticed that small children have no sense of real fear or danger. I have also observed that small children are very possessive and that if a small child is having trouble with something or wants to do something, whether it’s opening a jar, reaching the counter to get something they want, or just opening a new toy, they always want to do it by themselves. After reading Beowulf and comparing it to my observations, I have concluded that Beowulf possesses some traits of a small child. Beowulf is characterized as a medieval Geatish warrior willing to take on any challenge in order to make a name for himself and is faster than a sea monster, stronger than a demon, more powerful than a dragon. Even with all of these heroic traits, he still acts like a child in many ways.
Throughout the story Beowulf is very possessive and takes a prize from every battle. For example, when he is fighting Grendel’s mother he takes a sword as the prize, from Grendel he takes his arm, and from the dragon he wants to take its treasure “And this dragon’s treasure, his gold and everything hidden in that tower, will be mine or war will sweep me to a bitter death!”. Because the story of Beowulf was written down (presumably) by a monk, you can tell that God has been inserted forcefully and does not necessarily fit into the story “Now he discovered-once the afflictor of men, tormenter of their days-what it meant to feud with almighty God: Grendel saw that his strength was deserting him, his claws bound fast, Higlac’s brave follower tearing at his hands.”. Even though Beowulf is read from the point of view of a Christian narrator telling a Pagan tale, insight as to what the characters are thinking and their backgrounds is also given. The setting of the story is around 500 A.D. in Denmark and Geatland (today’s southern