Paradox
A paradox is a statement that apparently contradicts itself and yet might be true. Most logical paradoxes are known to be invalid arguments but are still valuable in promoting critical thinking. Wikipedia
The major contrasting force in Beowulf is between light and dark it sets the tone in the entire book. The monster Grendel strikes at night taking the lives of the innocent and joyful. He physically embodies evil. When the sun goes down and the darkness fades in the people become terrified that they would be the next in the bloody assault that happens every night. "Darkness and night is associated with evil and Grendel's bloody raids. Hrothgar's warriors face the darkness and the evil, but when the light of day comes, only their blood remains." (Book rags.com) When Beowulf goes in to slay the mother it's dark, she's seems to be everywhere, heart pounding he didn't know where to attack or where she was. He goes into the darkness not knowing what to expect and brave enough to fight the monster on her own turf. The contrasting force between land and see it's shown in many places in Beowulf. The sad is almost a looming force over the people. The people were afraid to go out of their community for lack of knowing what was out there. It's a failed memory of the past, of the many battles they have fought and the fallen bodies that have been sent out to sea. The sea is darkness to the people. The sea carried Beowulf the Heorot as their hero, as someone who can saved them from the monster, the light being carried out of the darkness of the looming sea. They overcome their fear of the darkness and the sea, their courageous and win their battles for the ones who did not.
You May Also Find These Documents Helpful
-
Encyclopedia Britannica(2015), explains the term "paradox" as one that "arises from false assumptions, which then lead to inconsistencies between observed and expected behavior".…
- 167 Words
- 1 Page
Satisfactory Essays -
One of the major juxtaposition presented in the poem is the battle between good and evil. Evil, illustrated in three forms of Grendel, Grendel mother, and the dragon. Nevertheless, the first mentioned of evil is Grendel himself and his behavior. Grendel’s character of the story demonstrates feelings of greed and the sin of man. The poet begins to describe the first evil of the story, Grendel a descendant of Cain and accused, are biblical reference of the genetic curse blood line.…
- 164 Words
- 1 Page
Satisfactory Essays -
The sound of battle echoed from the halls of Heorot to the plains of geatland, Beowulf in all his glory was a conquering hero that was approaching his twilight years as king. As such he faced a new challenge, in his youth he fought and defeated Grendel and his mother to defend the people of Denmark and Heorot, he was now called to defend his land from this dragon. This beast which had awakened from its dormant rest and was now on a rampage to defend its treasure. These monsters shared many similarities that tie together with a unifying message. In Beowulf, the values and views of Anglo-Saxon society are reflected in the idea that both Grendel and the Dragon serve as warning that no man is immortal or god like and that we will all face judgement.…
- 1276 Words
- 6 Pages
Good Essays -
The theme of Beowulf had the good vs.evil theme to the story when the monster is Grendel is the monster and his mother also a threat to herot and Beowulf is the hero to solve the problems of Grendel is making. Beowulf is the hero in the story and Grendel is the villain. Beowulf is the faced with many trials throughout the story with unferth and the Grendel.…
- 502 Words
- 3 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
The struggle between order and chaos in "Beowulf" is a reoccurring rivalry. On one hand you have order and social conduct with in the walls and power of the Herot and the hero Beowulf. On the other hand the cold dark selfish world filled with evil and rule less conduct. The battle of good and evil, order and chaos has been the fight that everyone fights throughout their days. Different people and symbols stand for each side, and their views differ to which side has the defined justice over the other.…
- 446 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
Beowulf’s external conflicts are part of what creates his internal conflict. Beowulf must defeat the monster Grendel whom had been killing men in the middle of the night and taking their bodies. “Beowulf heard how Grendel was filling nights with horror so he commanded a boat so he could go see king Hrothgar.” (Beowulf 23) He had fought and killed monsters before, but none were on the scale of Grendel. He fought Grendel with no weapons leaving only his hands to kill the monster. “Had he met a man whose hands were harder….but nothing could take his talons and himself from that tight grip. Grendel’s one thought was to run from Beowulf, flee back to his marsh and hide there.” (Beowulf 33) Grendel had never been challenged this way before, causing Beowulf’s tactic to pay off. “The sounds changed, the Danes started in new terror, cowering in their beds as the terrible screams of the Almighty’s enemy sang in the darkness, the horrible shreaks of pain and defeat, the tears torn out of Grendel’s taut throat, hell’s captive caught in the arms of him who of all the men on earth was the strongest.” (Beowulf 33-34) Beowulf killed the mighty monster creating an internal battle.…
- 652 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Beowulf uses long sentences, short clauses separated by commas, and gloomy diction while describing how Grendel sees the world. He describes Grendel’s view as a “dark nightmare-history” and states that Grendel sees “time-as [a]-coffin.” His somber description of Grendel’s history and view of time projects a critical and depressing light onto Grendel’s ideas. Additionally, the short clauses that these statements are expressed through do not allow for elaboration on Grendel’s view, discouraging the listener from agreeing with Grendel. These negative and terse descriptors contrast with the lengthy prose Beowulf uses to describe his own views. Beowulf believes that “the world will burn green [and] sperm [will] build again,” and sees “time [as] the mind, the hand that makes.” Beowulf, in describing his own views, employs the positive diction of “green,” “build,” “mind,” and “makes.” All of these words have to do with giving new life and resurgence. Beowulf pairs vivacious language with a longer sentence structure that allows for more elaboration to compel any listener to agree with…
- 599 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
I think that the biggest theme in Beowulf has to be good vs. evil. This theme is stressed very much throughout the book in symbolism. Grendel represents pure evil, while Beowulf represents the exact polar opposite of the monster Grendel. In Beowulf anything evil or bad is related to hell, while anything good is because of their faith in god. The original concept of good and evil can be traced back to the sons of Adam and Eve, Cain and Able. Cain killed his brother because god favored his sacrifice more than his. Cain is the origin of evil and Able is the origin of good. Grendel is a descendant of Cain, and is pure evil he takes pleasure in causing misfortune for others. Beowulf is the definition of good…
- 914 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
Beowulf was mighty as a person and ultimately a hero. Despite this, Beowulf was not perfect. Beowulf shows great traits such as bravery, loyalty, mighty, courtesy, and boastfulness.…
- 620 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Beowulf is a great and courageous warrior of the Geats, a clan in Sweden. In this poem, his life is split into two parts, his youth and his elder years. In both parts of his life he portrays the model traits of a perfect hero and leader who demonstrated the values of pride, loyalty and courage. In his youth, Beowulf attains heroic status by his impressive feats of strength that included the destruction of Grendel, a monster that tormented the people of Heorot, as well as the demise of Grendel’s mother. Beowulf was the epitome of a manly hero. He steadfastly defends his people, risking life and limb for whatever taste of glory he could grasp. Beowulf is no ordinary man, as Hrothgar says here:…
- 1160 Words
- 5 Pages
Good Essays -
Stories fan the flames of fame, and we are all simply burned by them. A story can consist of practically anything but the intention is almost always the same, to spread the word about something. Such as in Beowulf, if one were to read the poem with no prior knowledge, you would easily come to the conclusion that Beowulf is a legend… All because of the tales of his adventure and quests. The archetype of “the quest” is used all throughout the story to, not only drive the story along, but develope Beowulf himself as a character. Without these quests, the story would fall flat because Beowulf would have no reason to come to the foreign Kingdom of Geats, and if he did for some reason, Beowulf would be an incomplete character. The…
- 1770 Words
- 8 Pages
Better Essays -
The Anglo-Saxon people, who ruled England up until the Norman conquest, were composed of warlike Nordic and Germanic peoples. They descended from the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes. They valued courage, strength and desire for fame and glory and commitment to obtaining it (similar to the ideals regarding fame and honor espoused by Homers Achilles). They also valued generosity and the protection of others. The first value, courage, is constantly put to the test in the dark and dangerous world of Beowulf. This world was filled with monsters and obstacles to slay or overcome. Beowulf himself is said to be the strongest man on earth at that time, and the way he wrestled Grendel almost effortlessly, while so many others had failed, proved that he had…
- 440 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
I believe that the poem is a better definition of a true epic. In the poem, Beowulf does more heroic like things, when he rips Grendels arm off with his bare hands, with only using his pure strength, but in the movie Beowulf wraps a chain around Grendels arm, and uses the door of the Mead Hall to repeatedly smash his arm in the door until he rips the arm off completely. In the poem, Beowulf always tries to make himself better known, he goes back to his kingdom to tell all of the Geats of his accomplishments, and whenever he dies Beowulf asks his warrior to build him a tower with his treasures and his best warrior becomes king.…
- 290 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
Hey there Grendel, what have you been up to? Oh I have been stocking up on food for the winter and trying to not be disturbed by those humans having the time of their lives singing and being annoying, what about you Merith? I’ve been trying to settle down and find someplace to live. Wait! Shh. Do you hear that Merith? Ugh this is the fourth time this week that those idiot humans have been partying and disturbing every one! I'm going to go teach them a lesson . I wouldn’t do that Grendel. And why not Merith? Are you not upset that they keep you up and torture your ears with their jolly making? Well it isn’t the best stuff I’ve heard, but they are scary, I am not going near them. Fine suit yourself, I will go alone. Be careful Grendel, don’t do anything rash. Whatever Merith, ill see you later.…
- 933 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
Beowulf is an epic poem written in the Anglo Saxon time period. In this time period, many people were uneducated and had very short life spans. We see a heroic leader who is loved and well respected by his people, help rid the land of danger in the land of the Danes. Beowulf overcomes an impossible task in quest for honor. In the epic poem, Beowulf, three literary devices used are kennings, alliteration, and imagery to make the poem more effective. Although the author uses many literary devices throughout the poem, these three are the most common.…
- 295 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays