Symbolism is used many times throughout the epic poem Beowulf. Key symbols are used to represent a variety of objects, people, and places. For instance Heorot Hall, swords, the sea, the mere, and the water are some of the most commonly used symbols throughout Beowulf . The use of symbols provides the readers with a more visual idea of the epic poem. Establishing the importance of each symbol allows readers to understand the behaviors of the characters. The author uses symbols to show that Anglo- Saxons have embedded it’s original theme of high ideals and heroes in the epic poem.…
Grendel enters Beowulf's land, determined to kill the people. With all of his effortless kills, he expected an easy victory. Grendel wouldn't fight King Hrothgar because he was said to have God on his side. Having said this, Grendel planned to fight, and kill Beowulf (prince) without and struggle. As Grendel proceeded to the meet hall, he saw all of the soldiers resting in one, laughing he decided to feast on one body and wait until the next day to attack fully. When he does prepare to fight Beowulf, he expected a fast and easy win. What he didn't expect was a harsh, and long battle. As Grendel and Beowulf fought, Grendel learned that Beowulf had the strongest hand on anyone he'd attacked yet. Beowulf pulled back at Grendel's claws with force,…
Thomas Jefferson became one of the wealthiest men in America through the “ownership of land and slaves”(Takaki 56). The value of slaves and land doubled in approximately twenty years due to the “multiplication of [his] slaves...the extension of culture, and increased demands for lands”(Takaki 56). The main source of Thomas Jefferson’s wealth was derived from being an active slaveholder and landowner.…
Beowulf: Archetypes Beowulf, has numerous archetypes ranging from the battle between good versus evil, light versus dark, the hero and the outcast. The main character, Beowulf, is the hero of the epic on a journey to defeat an evil incarnate. Travelling with Beowulf on the quest is King Hrothgar and his men which represent the light. The task at hand is to kill Grendel, representing darkness as well as an outcast, which ultimately brings peace back to the land. Throughout this journey, Beowulf will prevail against many enemies in the battle between good and evil, even though they get stronger as the quest continues.…
Beowulf is an intense and suspenseful epic poem and what makes it worth reading is the use of imagery. What would the world be like without imagery? Imagery is used in everything read today. Books, magazines, even the backs of movie cases. The world of reading would be different without imagery. And Burton Raffel made sure that Beowulf was full of said imagery, especially during the first, second, and third climaxes of the poem.…
Beowulf's battle with Grendel is seeking vengeance for the Danes and He after Grendel attacked Herot many nights in a row and caused havoc among the Danes. Beowulf heard about the attacks on Herot by Grendel and came to seeking vengeance for the Danes as well as glory and riches for himself and his people. It is obvious vengeance is sought by Beowulf for the Danes when Beowulf says “Let your sorrow end! It is better…
Beowulf has a number of battles throughout the story. These battles consist of fighting with the demon Grendel, the demon that was Grendel’s mother, as well as a great battle with a giant green dragon. All of these battles ended with the beast dying, but the final battle ended with beowulf having a greater battle with the dragon than with the others. Beowulf approached these battles differently, but some of them have similarities.…
Grendel was descendent of Cain, who heartlessly murdered innocent Danes because he felt shame for himself. When he heard of the Dane’s problem, Beowulf quickly left to go help the Danish. Although he did have backup, he started a battle with Grendel and chose to do this with no armor or weapons. Nevertheless, Beowulf would still be crowned the winner, as the arm of Grendel would symbolize his trophy. Beowulf would continue to attempt to kill Grendel’s bitter mother and a dragon, who thought the Geats had gone against him. The victory with the dragon would prove to be his last, as it took a lot out of him.…
Beowulf seems to be living a similar life as the Anglo-Saxons because of the constant war, or battles, that he finds himself in. Grendel's mother is on a mission seeking revenge against Beowulf. "The warrior determined to take revenge for every gross act Grendel had committed for killing her son" (Beowulf 1577-1578). At this point it is shown that Grendel's mother is ready to fight and doesn't care what she has to do to get revenge. It is stated, "then suddenly the vehement mother avenged her son and wreaked destruction. Death had robbed her" (Beowulf 2117-2119). Grendel's mother was infuriated that Beowulf had taken her son’s life, and it was her turn to try and make him pay. Beowulf, who would be achieving lof decides to battle against her and wins. It was present that the Geats had appreciated the great work by Beowulf and gave him the fame and praise that he had deserved for once again being a hero and defeating a monster in Grendel's…
during the fight then that is just as God plans it to be. He tells the King that “my hands Alone shall fight for me, struggle for life Against the monster. God must decide Who will be given to death’s cold grip”(lines. 267-269). Beowulf will accept death if it is his fate. Beowulf does fight Grendel and wins. Then Beowulf must fight Grendel’s mother who is seeking revenge for her son’s death. These battles are described in detail as brutal and savage. Beowulf kills both monsters despite their…
The first battle Beowulf is faced with is against Grendel. Grendel decides to attack because he is jealous and hates the joy and happiness he hears from the mead-hall; he decides to attack out of jealousy and annoyance. Beowulf decides to fight Grendel to not only gain glory for himself and to create himself a good reputation, but also to serve as assistance to the people of Herot. At the time of this battle, Beowulf was youthful and proud; he bragged on how he would be able to defeat Grendel and save the people. Beowulf chose to fight Grendel without any weapons in order to be on the same “playing field” as Grendel who was also weaponless. Beowulf asks the king to fight alone, with the help of his men only. He stays awake, awaiting the…
"A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself" -Joseph Campbell. The story I'm writing about is the Epic poem call Beowulf, which was translated by Burton Raftel. Beowulf is a hero who defeated many monster that are killing innocent people. In his life, as a hero, Beowulf shows that he is bossy, independent, and fearless; which are all the qualities of a real Epic hero.…
Grendel’s mother gets angry when she knows about Grendel’s death. She wants to kill Beowulf. Beowulf has difficulties killing the most powerful monster grendel’s Mother. “Then she carried him, armor and sword and all, to her home; he struggled to free his weapons, and faild” (582-584). This quote shows Beowulf has difficult to killing Grendel’s Mother. Grendel’s mother caught Beowulf very tight and brings him to the battle hall. He is tried to free from her weapons, but he can’t free from her weapon. After so many problems finally he was able to kill Grendel’s Mother. “Caught her neck and cut it through, Broke bones and all. Her body fell to the floor, lifeless, the sword was wet with her blood, and Beowulf rejoiced at the sight” (642-645). Beowulf fights with Grendel’s mother for long time. Finally he able to kill Grendel’s Mother. He use magic sword to kill Grendel’s Mother.Her body fell down the floor. Her blood is all over the floor. Finally Beowulf won the battle. This is the high point of the story. Beowulf fights and defeats the most powerful…
According to Beowulf, the start to all the killing is when Beowulf emerged from the "swampy lowlands" and killed everyone in the mead-hall. From this night on he continued to come into the mead-hall, which Hrothgar had his people build, and kill everyone who was in it. "So Hrothgar's men lived happy in his hall till the monster stirred, that demon, that fiend, Grendel, who haunted moors, the wild marshes , and made his home in a hell not hell but earth." It is said that he was angered by the Shaper's song and that was his initiative for attacking but the Danes were unsure. "How Grendel's hatred begun, how the monster relished his savage war on the Danes, keeping the bloody feud alive, seeking no peace, offering no truce ." This is just one of the differences in how Grendel is portrayed in the two stories. Another difference is Grendel's purpose.…
Beowulf is an epic poem, which tells the fictional story of a Scandinavian hero for which the poem is named. It is written in the Anglo-Saxon language and is thought to be the oldest surviving long poem in history. Its author is unknown and although the tale itself is fictional, the poem holds many historical, pagan and Christian elements. In this close reading of lines 702-836, Grendel, the terrifying, man-eating monster, pays a visit to Heorot with the intention of attacking and feasting on the men, having a strong dislike for their happiness and celebrations.…