Preview

Intellexual Analysis Of The Epic Poem 'Beowulf'

Satisfactory Essays
Open Document
Open Document
264 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Intellexual Analysis Of The Epic Poem 'Beowulf'
Skylee Jones
ENG IV
Mrs. McGowan
Oct. 7, 2016

Beowulf is an epic poem that is known for being the oldest epic to have survived. Because it is dated, Beowulf is written in Old English and there has been many translations of its script and its’ themes can be taken multiple ways. Intellexual individuals argue what this historic piece is trying to teach its’ readers, and out of the many options that are given, there is only one that seems to be the most sensible. This theory proposes that Beowulf is a blending of Christian traditions in a folk story that praises loyalty, courage, and faith in the face of danger - modeling a human willing to die to deliver others from evil.
This epic shows its’ Christian values in the introduction of the story

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Many works of literature from the same era often have similar story lines and themes. In the epic poems of Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, both of these epic poems seem to have much in common. Each story seems to emphasize truth, honor, and heroism are the most important qualities a person can demonstrate. While both stories seem to have the similar qualities there are also many differences. All the qualities emphasized are exhibited differently. It seems that although heroism is emphasized in the two epic poems, the times and places shape the way heroism is perceived.…

    • 709 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf is an epic poem from the medieval time that depicts the traits of an epic hero and his journey. He demonstrates good and evil throughout his quest. The imagery helps the reader understand the events throughout Beowulf’s battle over evil and his struggle through life. The images reveal the epic tradition as well as Christian themes and Pagan beliefs.…

    • 417 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf is a blending of Christian traditions and folk story that praises loyalty, courage, and faith in the face of extreme danger and even death. It presents a model of a human being willing to die to deliver others from terrifying evil forces. Beowulf shows a strong Christian influence that the monks left as they recorded the story, giving the story a new meaning.…

    • 568 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The epic poem Beowulf translated by E. Talbot Donaldson has a great sense of heroism and bravery throughout. Though the main character Beowulf is a noble warrior, his motives are questioned as to whether he is “keenest for praise” or “deserving of praise”. Beowulf is idolized in the poem which speaks of his great courage. However, are his acts of valor for his own glory and well-being, or for the safety of others? As the audience reads Beowulf, the more indecisive we become on whether the Geat hero is acting out of want of fame or desire to do genuine good.…

    • 741 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Beowulf's Quest for Glory

    • 1618 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Before the story of Beowulf was written down, the tale was spoken through the oral traditions characteristic of Anglo-Saxon Literature. This oral ritual was mindful not only of the particular event and time in which it was recited, but also of the receptive nature of its audience. Moreover, these stories contained repetitions of key elements and themes as a way to stress their significance. Ultimately, however, all the stories told through the oral tradition usually mirrored the principles and ideals of the Anglo-Saxon culture at the time they were told. This tradition remains ever-present within the modern text of the medieval poem of Beowulf. Two notable tales of character in the poem gain deeper nuance when placed in Beowulf’s particular context. The stories of the honorable warrior Sigemund and the dishonorable King Heremod during the celebratory feast of Herot reflect the sensitive nature behind Beowulf’s pursuit for glory, serving as an admonition for those who fail to employ loyalty and modesty in their pursuits.…

    • 1618 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    The 8th century epic poem Beowulf illustrates a loss of community, cultural values and tradition. On the other hand, an elegiac passing of an extraordinary hero and the relationship between the themes of mortality and heroism are well discussed in Beowulf. Beowulf’s character exemplifies the Germanic and the Anglo-Saxon ideals of the hero: strong, fearless, bold, loyal, and stoic in the acceptance of fate. Despite his lack of humility, Beowulf was the definition of a hero in his own time by his demonstration of chivalry and his important roles in society.…

    • 1130 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Retribution in Beowulf

    • 1111 Words
    • 5 Pages

    _Beowulf_ is an epic poem that, above all, gives us a vision of a time long ago; a time when the most important traits to have were courage and integrity. The only thing that could give such fame to somebody was heroic deeds and family lineage. Beowulf, as the example of pagan heroes, exhibited his desire to accumulate fame and fortune; the only way to do so was to avenge the death of others. This theme of retribution that is present throughout the whole poem seems to enrich the identities of its characters.…

    • 1111 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf Vs Today

    • 780 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Beowulf's traits, good and bad, define him as a hero by Anglo-Saxon standards. But his arrogance, greed and selfishness contradict the modern, humanistic image of a hero. When it comes to Beowulf getting what he wants, nothing will stand between him and his goal. No amount of lives lost is too many for Beowulf, and the high cost to others only contributes to his glory. In his own time and culture, he was the ultimate hero of legend because he saved his people from monsters attacking them. But he falls far short when compared to today’s standards of selflessness, in which heroes are defined by risking their lives for others, and thus valuing their own less. Today’s heroes know that he may not make it out of the…

    • 780 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    How important is the role of the Human Resources Sergeant in the Profession of Arms? In the following paragraphs I will discuss what a profession is, what it means to be a professional, what it is to be a human resource specialist, and the Human Resource Sergeant's role in the Army Profession.…

    • 526 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Beowulf, the Old-English epic poem, is characteristic of its Nordic-Germanic roots as a tale of a great Scandinavian hero Beowulf, who saves a neighboring kingdom from the wrath of the destructive, blood-thirsty monster, Grendel, and eventually becomes the king of his own people, the Geats. Closely related to modern day tribal and gang customs, it is questioned as to whether Beowulf should be considered a hero. He proves to be a great warrior and protector by killing three terrorizing beasts, a provider by bringing back great treasures from each of his exploits, and faithful by always looking out for his tribe and fighting in their honor. The true question…

    • 1028 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Beowulf

    • 318 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Beowulf exemplifies the traits of the perfect hero. The poem explores his heroism in two separate phases and through three separate and increasingly difficult conflicts with Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the dragon. Although we can view these three encounters as expressions of the heroic code, there is perhaps a clearer division between Beowulf’s youthful heroism as an unfettered warrior and his mature heroism as a reliable king. These two phases of his life, separated by fifty years, correspond to two different models of virtue, and much of the moral reflection in the story centers on differentiating these two models and on showing how Beowulf makes the transition from one to the other.…

    • 318 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Beowulf paragraph

    • 954 Words
    • 4 Pages

    In the tale Beowulf translated by Burton Raffel, Beowulf is an ancient story about one man who matches all the qualities of an epic hero. Beowulf does not fear death or pain, but risk’s his life to save and prove to others that his ambitions are selfless and moral. Although Beowulf may seem immortal in surmounting difficulty, his humanity is shown through his death. Most epic heroes are easily identified because they all have the same eagerness to give up everything in order to do what is right. And because of that Beowulf is proven to be the basis for most epic heroes.…

    • 954 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Epic Hero

    • 503 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The tale of an epic hero unlike any other thrives on in Beowulf, who is a powerful warrior and leader. By definition, a hero is typically a man who is greatly admired or idealized for their noble, courageous and notable qualities, exceptional achievements and brave feats. Beowulf, warrior of Geatland and King of the Swedes, battles monsters and accomplishes, no doubt, heroic deeds in this centuries-old text. In this essay, I argue the qualities of a true hero and that Beowulf possesses each of these and utilizes them in this ancient and epic tale.…

    • 503 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Analysis Swot Burger King

    • 273 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The Burger King Corporation - SWOT Analysis company profile is the essential source for top-level company data and information. Burger King Corporation - SWOT Analysis examines the company’s key business structure and operations, history and products, and provides summary analysis of its key revenue lines and strategy.…

    • 273 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    What is the perfect person? Someone who is tall, thin, muscular with blonde hair and blue eyes? That is what we were brought into this world to believe. In 2006, girls ranging from the age of five and a half to seven and a half had lower body esteem and dissatisfaction after being exposed to the Barbie doll (Croll 155). “In 2012, more than 236,000 cosmetic procedures were performed on patients between 13 and 19” (Zuckerman 1). Is this the kind of world we want to live in? Body Image is an issue that begins around the age of five. This is when children are exposed to Barbie and Ken dolls which they idolize. The media has created an illusion of the perfect person and people go to…

    • 1587 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays