Wade Wells Shawn Swain English 12 20 March 2012 Beowulf: An epic poem Beowulf is the first and best example of Anglo-Saxon or English literature to withstand the test of time. The epic poem of Beowulf was thought to have been written by a Northumbrian monk between the eighth and eleventh century. The genre of the epic poem was originally passed on solely through the oral tradition. Serving as a basis for poetic meter‚ alliteration is used to help enhance the oral presentation of an epic
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Anglo-Saxon values shown in Beowulf. Thousands of years ago‚ in the period of the Anglo-Saxons‚ there were certain values that were really important to the people. They would tell stories about great‚ brave warriors‚ and the battles they fought. Although they had writing systems they mainly used it for inscriptions on coins and monuments. The stories were transmitted orally in mead halls of kings and nobles were the Anglo-Saxons gathered to eat‚ drink‚ and socialize. One of the stories they told
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Beowulf Compared to Sir Gawain and the Green Knight For the past three months‚ the class has read many great works of literature from the book The Longman Anthology of British Literature. The book contains many intriguing stories‚ poems‚ and even lyrics from the Middle Ages. The Middle Ages was a period of various rulers‚ most of whom were Anglo-Saxon‚ and many different pieces of literature came from this period. According the book The Longman Anthology of British Literature‚ the literature in
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In Beowulf‚ the concept of a monster is universal and is anything that causes the threat of death and uncertainty. Specifically in the Anglo-Saxon culture of Beowulf‚ anything that can potentially take your life or provokes the primal compulsion to survive is the definition of a monster. Also‚ bravery can be exhibited to show that these monsters can be dealt with and how threatening the monstrosities of Beowulf are. Out of the three monsters Beowulf fights‚ the dragon threatens Beowulf the most
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The poem “Beowulf” the author is unknown‚ about an epic hero named Beowulf. He goes on a journey motivated by revenge in order to protect his people. The poet’s theme is “revenge” in “Beowulf” was displayed through the characters of Grendel‚ Grendel’s mother‚ and Beowulf by motivating them to seek revenge due to envy‚ love‚ and heroism. Therefore all three characters had their own reasoning for seeking revenge. Grendel is upset because he knows he couldn’t join the Danes in their party
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Why ’Beowulf?’ That English lit mainstay ’extends our horizons‚ stretches the imagination’ By Rose McIlveen | | |For leisure reading the epic poem Beowulf is probably a tough sell. Alfred David‚ an Indiana University| | |Bloomington professor emeritus of English‚ is a believer‚ but a realist as well. He even has a sense of| | |humor about the general reaction to the required reading for generations of college English majors. | | |David recalls a Woody Allen movie‚ Annie Hall‚ in which
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Stew Dent October 12‚ 2013 Exposotary Writing In the epic poem titled “Beowulf”‚ Beowulf‚ the hero‚ has three battles against three different monsters. In each of these battles‚ our hero has different motives and he uses different strategies. Beowulf’s motives for his battles each have distinct differences‚ and his success in each is acquired differently from each other. I will explain the battles in their chronologic order. Starting with the monster Grendel‚ then to his mother‚ and lastly to the
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Beowulf: Epic Hero An epic hero‚ an Anglo-Saxon hero‚ a modern-day hero; A hero is is often defined by certain qualities‚ looked upon traits. We have heroes amongst our lives everyday‚ from saving a life to simply helping someone out. In the epic poem‚ “Beowulf”‚ Beowulf was the most heroic man of the Anglo-Saxon times. The Anglo-Saxon code reflects much of the code of Chivalry‚ the code of the Samurai‚ to the modern-day code of just doing good. He embodied courage‚ honesty‚ loyalty‚ and much
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Beowulf is one of the greatest surviving epic poems. It was composed by Germanic people more than twelve hundred years ago. Although it is written in Old English‚ it deals with the Scandinavian forebears of the Anglo-Saxons‚ the Danes and the Geats. This epic poem concerns itself with Christianity‚ internal and external evils‚ and the warriors defeating monsters. The first passage of this story basically describes the building of Heorot. Hrothgar‚ decides to build a Valhalla-type of sanctuary
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Beowulf exemplifies the traits of a perfect hero.The poem explores his heriosm in two separate phases-youth and age and through difficult conflicts-with Grendel‚Grendel’s mother‚and the dragon.In the begiining of the play the audience sees a great warrior in his youth‚characterized predominatly by his feats of strength and courage ‚including his fabled swimming matches with Brecca.In addition‚he brillantly embodies the value dicated by the Anglo Saxon heroic code‚including pride‚loyalty‚and courtesy
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