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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The author of Beowulf uses literary devices such as symbolism‚ hyperbole‚ and personification to help characterize and reveal Beowulf’s identity. By his acts of courage‚ bravery‚ and arrogance‚ he became a great hero. In Beowulf‚ the author uses symbolism to reveal Beowulf’s character because when Beowulf arrived in Herot‚ he felt like he was at home and Hrothgar couldn’t thank him enough for traveling far to help him defeat Grendel. The reason Beowulf would feel that Herot seems like home is
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READING GUIDE: BEOWULF “At the dawn of English literature stands Beowulf.” Background (pages 38-39) • The action takes place in ___________-century _____________________. • The poem is written in ____________ English. • The poem contains ______ mortal battles: 1) 2) 3) • Beowulf belongs to the oral tradition‚ carried on by traveling minstrels called ________________. • The poem was finally recorded in
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a hero? Throughout this poem Beowulf reflects the culture of Anglo-Saxons by showing bravery‚ and loyalty‚ he shows the courage he has in battle‚ and his people pay tribute and glorify him. Beowulf shows he is a true hero in this poem by fighting to his tragic death in the end to save his people. Beowulf shows the true meaning of the Anglo-Saxons throughout this poem‚ he shows that he has defeated other horrible things and that he will have no mercy against Grendel. He shows his people that he
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epic poem Beowulf‚ translated by Charles W Kennedy‚ Beowulf illustrates how he and other characters in the story contradict the Christian ideal of forgiveness by using revenge. In this epic poem‚ the characters seem to always use revenge in their life. Constantly‚ either Beowulf or the gruesome monsters are exacting revenge on one another. All of this can be shown in the story of Beowulf. The first act of revenge in the poem is when Beowulf goes to king Hrothgar’s kingdom and slays Grendel. When
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Beowulf In every culture‚ there are elements that define the way its society walks‚ talks‚ and acts. In Anglo-Saxon culture‚ there are four main beliefs. These beliefs are expressed in every day life as well as through poetry. Beowulf is an epic poem that was sung in a hall‚ it brings us back to the 4th century and is exemplary of the past. Beowulf brings a greater overall understanding of Anglo-Saxon culture. The Anglo-Saxons found these values very important‚ if a soldier embodied all of these
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The epic‚ Beowulf‚ has a setting of around 400 A.D. which was before the establishment of Anglo-Saxon civilization. Beginning in 449 A.D. after England’s first invasion of Germanic tribes‚ the Anglo-Saxon period was a time of cultural customs and beliefs. The Anglo-Saxons were Pagans‚ or practiced a polytheistic religion‚ until Pope Gregory sent Augustine to convert them to Catholicism. They had a democratic government with an elected chief who was typically the strongest warrior in the tribe. The
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British Literature Steven Garita B04091 Using Mythological and Archetypal Criticism Approaches to Beowulf A Synthesis of Mythic Approaches to Beowulf Beowulf; the most important of Old English epic poems‚ focuses on the Germanic heroic code which so far has been well marked in the mythological world. Therefore‚ a mythological and archetypal literary approach is applied to Beowulf since the poem hints certain elements that belong to these two methods of analysis. In fact‚ mythological
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old lady. Beowulf believed himself to be blessed by the Lord‚ and the narrator makes a plain case throughout the epic that Beowulf is indeed blessed by God in all manners due to his courageous nature and great personal faith. Was Beowulf truly blessed by God? This is a difficult question to answer‚ but the narrator certainly seemed to believe that he was. To examine any good hero‚ a good place to start would be to examine their antagonist. In this case‚ we have Grendel. Grendel‚ the creature
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Epics exhibit qualities that make them distinct when compared to other genres of literature. Beowulf exhibits characteristics that allows the piece of literature to remain an epic of great proportions. The poem exhibits the epic characteristics of supernatural force‚ superhuman courage‚ and the hero is a figure of great national importance. Beowulf meets the requirements for an epic poem through the exhibition of supernatural force. In the poem‚ the power of God is sometimes present; meaning
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