Frankenstein vs. Beowulf Oxford dictionary defines monster as‚ “Originally: a mythical creature which is part animal and part human‚ or combines elements of two or more animal forms‚ and is frequently of great size and ferocious appearance. Later‚ more generally: any imaginary creature that is large‚ ugly‚ and frightening. (Oxford English Dictionary)” This definition is basic in nature. What must be added is whether it is nature that makes the monster what it is or is it nurture that makes it
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Epic poems have a unique set of characteristics that distinguish them from just an ordinary poem. An epic poem must contain a hero that is male‚ noble‚ and of importance to society who gives long formal speeches and travels over a vast setting. In the epic poem‚ Beowulf‚ the reader can see distinct Anglo-Saxon political‚ economic‚ and religious values in the actions of the characters and the things happening around them. Wealth in the Anglo-Saxon society‚ as seen in Beowulf‚ was used as a means of
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“Then from the moor‚ in a blanket of mist‚ Grendel came stalking” (ln. 710). So begins what I consider to be the most powerful passage in Beowulf: the first appearance of Grendel. Even from this first line‚ readers are getting a sense of the foreboding that follows where he walks. The description that follows as Grendel reaches the mead hall to kill the human men he finds there is full of powerful language‚ subtle alliteration and vivid imagery that make this important passage even more alive on
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The story of Grendel‚ written by John Gardner‚ tells the tale of Beowulf‚ but from a slightly different angle. Instead of talking of Beowulf as being the hero‚ the story is told from Grendel ’s perspective. During the course of the book‚ Grendel attempts to explain many of his misguided attempts at friendship and other ways that he tried to make Beowulf understand that he was a living creature as well. He was treated as a monster‚ but he was not as hateful and horrible as he was made out to be in
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Beowulf’s Immortality Epics have been written and told orally for hundreds of years. A typical epic usually contains challenges‚ journeys‚ adventures and most importantly‚ a hero. An epic hero has several characteristics that make him unique. First of all‚ he or she usually comes from a noble family‚ which means‚ a noble birth. Also‚ they tend to have superhuman strength and accomplish beyond human deeds. A must in all Epic stories is that this hero must go on a quest in search of something. This
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Grendel – Sympathy When Beowulf is retold from Grendel’s point of view many different assumptions can be made when evaluating and comparing Grendel to Beowulf. The sympathy‚ which Grendel withholds‚ represents his innocence and how he isn’t just a “monster.” Due to this reason‚ readers feel very sympathetic towards Grendel compared to Beowulf due to the fact that he is incoherent to the many actions humans perform. Readers who have read Beowulf notice the different in Grendel’s character
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Beowulf Through Symbols Beowulf‚ the first written story (that we know of)‚ was written during a time of social tension. There was a shift in religious beliefs‚ as well as constant wars. The shift‚ as well as other themes‚ are seen in Beowulf. Beowulf follows the story of a fellow named Beowulf‚ who strived to be the best hero of all‚ by killing sea monsters‚ gremlin-like creatures‚ and even a dragon. Beowulf was such a great hero (originally anyways) since he followed the Grace of God and
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Early on in the poem we learn that Beowulf has already preformed many feats that demonstrate his unusual strength and courage. The poet‚ in fact describes Beowulf as “the mightiest man on earth” (line197). In a swimming contest with an acquaintance named Breca‚ Beowulf demonstrates his endurance by finishing the five day race and killing several sea monsters along the way. Beowulf’s honesty is also put to the test when the swimmers encounter a storm and Beowulf chooses to stay beside Breca‚ the weaker
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Boom! The vicious‚ metal monster clasped down on its next victim‚ drawing the helpless people further into the depths of its massive body. The monster slithered like a ravenous snake as it pulled its prey along. The beast flew high above the clouds nearly touching heaven and then bolted like lightning towards the ground faster than the speed of light. As it peered over the edge of the cliff‚ I saw the monster look me in the eyes and scream much louder than any noise I had heard before. In my mind
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The protagonist‚ Beowulf‚ is introduced to us in the poem as a young man with an eager sense of heroism-as is evident by his volunteering himself to help Hrothgar-complete with unparalleled strength. Therefore‚ his ultimate defeat of Grendel could be attributed to his physical strength. However‚ a force much more prominent than miraculous gifts of strength is an inbred sense of conquest that permeated the culture Beowulf lived in. Ultimately‚ a more overpowering sense of duty than his talent. to
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