Essay On Symbolism In Beowulf

Impending Doom The language and usage of various traditional Anglo-Saxon literary elements in “Beowulf,” translated by Charles W. Kennedy, help the reader to understand the purpose of the folk epic. When Beowulf arrives to kill Grendel’s mother in an underwater hall, he and his men see “on the rocky sea-cliff,/…slaughtered Æschere’s severed head./ The water boiled in a bloody swirling/ With seething gore as the spearmen gazed” (931-934).

The two works used in this essay are the story of Beowulf, by Seamus Heaney, and the movie of King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, directed by Guy Ritchie. Some things that appear in the King Arthur movie are included due to Hollywood effects that are not mentioned in the real story of King Arthur. Other than that, most of the information in the movie contains the same information as the mythical story. The two heros in both works play major roles in the storyline and have a huge effect on many different things that happen throughout the plot. Two major things that these two are remember for are their heroic acts and that they were both kings.

The protagonist in the story is Beowulf. He was known for his courage and many triumphs. He is a member of the tribes of the Geats, son of Ecgtheow, who was a famous man and noble warrior-lord known by many all over the world. Beowulf antagonists are Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the dragon. Grendel is a banished monster from Cain’s—same Cain who killed his brother Abel, both sons of Adam and Eve from the story of creation¬—clan whom the Creator had outlawed and condemned as outcast.

This way of thinking is reflected in Beowulf in the

Meghana Sunder Mr. Wachtor English 12 31 August 2015 Beowulf Character Analysis In the poem Beowulf, we see the Anglo-Saxon hero. It is an epic of a hero who embodies the honor of the Anglo-Saxon culture and tradition. The poem in itself is an elegant script of Anglo-Saxon times. Composed in 8th or 9th century the epic was passed down from generation to generation orally and has no known author.

Being an epic hero, Beowulf was very brave and battled many immortal creatures. One monster he came across was Grendel. “Conceived by a pair of the monster born of Cain, murderous creatures banned by God..,”(44), Hrothgar’s men would say. This is a reference from the Bible, showing the evil portrayed in the monster Grendel. This monster went to Herot and killed thirty men just because he was hungry.

Beowulf possessed the poised demeanor necessary to defeat all evils by the arrogant swing of his sword. The commitment shown by lending his life to the welfare of his people was imperative in order to be called a flawless warrior. Beowulf embodied the determination that Anglo-Saxons saw as unmeasurably valuable. If nothing more than just fiction, Beowulf is the ideal hero of the people from who he originated. “They said that of all the kings upon the earth he was the man most gracious and fair-minded, kindest to his people and keenest to win fame.”

If someone were to read Beowulf straight through and not think into any of the deeper meanings or symbolism in the story, the whole tale would come off as fairly superficial and typical. It would seem like just another story of a powerful hero slaying monsters and receiving lavish rewards in return. Going through the story in that fashion would be doing it a great disservice because there is so much more to Beowulf underneath all of the grandeur of the basic story. There are many recurring themes that hint at much deeper messages and even some darker, more nihilistic themes. As if ripping the arm off of a creature and then hunting down and killing its mother wasn’t already dark enough.

As one can see all of these reasons shown can make a direct correlation between Beowulf and Jesus

Beowulf is a strong heroic hero who shows honor,selfless,courage. Beowulf is a strong heroic hero in a way because heroes are protectors and he protected his people of his town. So he is a hero in fact a strong one and a loyal one. There is lots of ways he shows loyalty one i can show is “I had a fixed purpose when i came to sea as i sat in the boat with my band of men I meant to perform to the uttermost what your people wanted or perish in attempt in the fields clutches i shall fulfill my purpose prove myself of proud deeds or meat my death her in the mead-hall”(pages 632-639).I chose this quote because it shows that beowulf would give his head for his people. I think that beowulf wanted to die for his king after all that is the reason

Beowulf is telling us that he doesn’t value the lives of his citizen, but instead values glory and is willing to fight for it. In the end, Beowulf slays the dragon but paid his life as the price. In conclusion, Beowulf would be considered a great warrior, but not a hero. Although Beowulf accomplished many heroic deeds he never did any of them for the right reasons. Therefore, Beowulf is not a hero, but only a warrior who values renown and rewards.

Imagery is something that is constantly being used since the beginning of time in multiple ways. The book writers, music artist, and everyday people use it to create an image in someone's head. Throughout Beowulf, there is a lot of imagery being used. In the beginning of Beowulf’s last battle, even before he fights, he says farewell to his followers for the last time and he chooses his words. He creates an image in the reader’s heads.

Thesis: The role of the Anglo-Saxon Hero in Beowulf represents and defines the values of strength, intelligence, selfness, and courage. Beowulf himself models the culture of the Anglo-Saxon hero, as he is willing to face any odds, and fight to the death for their glory and people I. Strength and physical appearance A. Strength is clearly an important characteristic of heroes in Anglo-Saxon culture and heroic code. 1. The beginning of the story Beowulf is described as having the strength of "thirty men" in just one of his arms. 2.

The epic poem Beowulf is a classic tale of good versus evil. Good, as shown in the story, is any action that fights evil and defends the community and the people of it. The evil intent of Grendel, the story’s antagonist and cannibalistic murderer, who is depicted as a “fiend out of hell” (99), is strongly countered by the heroic actions of the stories main protagonist, Beowulf. The noble King Hrothgar is a role model for young Beowulf at the beginning of the epic, displaying acts of charity and wisdom throughout his life.

Throughout the epic poem of “Beowulf” many literary devices are used. Which devices stand out to you? The three that I see from the writing of Roberta Frank are kenning, foreshadowing, and alliteration. These devises are in my opinion the ones that are used the most and stand out from the others. In the epic poem Kenning is used to transform a simple word into something much more Complex or something that may sound better.