Category: Beowulf
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Western Civilization: Beowulf as a Hero
Table of Contents Introduction Analysis Strengths Weaknesses Conclusion Works Cited Introduction It is believed that Beowulf can be considered the oldest existing English epic poem, that was written somewhere around the 7th or the 8th century. Beowulf is about the grand Scandinavian hero known as Beowulf’s expedition to gratis Denmark by killing the monster, Grendel.…
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“Beowulf” Poem and Old English
Table of Contents Background Beowulf Plot Linguistic and Historic Premises of Beowulf References Background The English language is rightfully considered one of the most complex languages in terms of its genesis, derivation, and creation throughout the years. The history of the language, while unavoidably intertwined with the physical history of the land and people, reflects…
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Beowulf as a Tragic Hero of the Old English Warrior Culture
Beowulf is an old English story drawn from their native oral literature. Though the author is anonymous, its influence is still felt up to today in many of the works of contemporary writers. The protagonist exhibits all the character traits of a tragic hero as defined by Aristotle. According to Aristotle’s arguments, such a hero…
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Fate vs. Free Will in Beowulf, The Wanderer, and The Seafarer
Nowadays, it is being commonly assumed that name, the Christian worldview defines the essence of Western civilization, as we know it. However, the close reading of the earliest Scandinavian and Anglo-Saxon poetical pieces, such as “Beowulf”, “The Seafarer”, and “The Wanderer”, provides us with insight into the spiritual foundation of this civilization as being rather…
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Themes in Beowulf: Annotated Bibliography
Table of Contents Introduction Main body Conclusion Works Cited Introduction Bravery – Beowulf is the most famous poem among the works of the Old English literature. It is the epic creation telling the readers about the strongest and the bravest of the English warriors of all times. The plot of the poem is concentrated around…
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The Inclusion of Cain in the “Beowulf”: Understanding Grendel’s Actions
Scholars have long debated whether or not Beowulf is a Christian allegory or a wholly pagan work with only a smattering of Old Testament allusions. This debate has lasted for the entire length of the epic. In biblical analysis, Cain’s image is often utilized as a metaphor to denote disorder and the presence of evil.…
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“Beowulf” & “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” Comparison
As for epics of the oral tradition, Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight never appeared in writing until many years after the story originated. Through the many retellings of the tale, it probably changed significantly over time; however, the essences of the society and the culture of each have survived. In many ways,…
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“Beowulf”: Character Analysis of the Epic Poem
When people think of the ancient world before written history, most get the image of a world of barbarians engaging in terrible pagan beliefs systems and fighting against evil supernatural forces that seem strangely more prevalent than they are today. This characterization might be the legacy of a highly Christian later society imposing its judgments…
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The Battle with Grendel’s Mother in the Beowulf Poem
The monster’s mother is one of the three main antagonists of the Beowulf poem, along with Grendel himself and the dragon: different versions have referred to her as both a “female monster,” a “warrior-woman,” and even “the monstrous bride from hell.” This paper examines the episode of the battle between her and the protagonist, Beowulf,…