Richard Wilbur Beowulf Analysis
Our original vision of this culture and society at the time of Beowulf was one of honor, loyalty, strength, and pride in oneself. Richard Wilbur’s depiction of Beowulf however, contained far less stories of heroic actions, and far more derogatory terms rebuking the people for their actions and mindset. Apparently Wilbur has no love for the Anglo-Saxon people. However, one cannot say the same for Beowulf. As Wilbur repeatedly mocks the Anglo-saxons, he creates a contrast between what he thinks of them in light of Beowulf’s heroic nature. For example, Wilbur’s first descriptions of these people contained the phrase, “It was a childish country” (Wilbur 13). With this, Wilbur sets up Beowulf in an almost parental position above these people. Beowulf