Beowulf, By William Shakespeare - 1512 Words

There is so much more at play in Beowulf than just heroism and monstrousness (for lack of a better term) and their interrelation; however, a great deal of the poem’s meaning derives from the parallels between them. It is clear from his depiction in the poem Beowulf that the titular hero is clearly drawn as a parallel to the very monsters he fights. To today’s reader, the poet’s attempt to create this similarity may be off-putting. After all, the meaning of ‘monster’ is likely different than that of ‘hero’ to a contemporary reader. In the context of reading Beowulf, and attempting to understand how a hero could be ‘monstrous,’ is difficult. This is because the term ‘monster’ is generally associated with an ‘evil’ disposition; while the term ‘hero,’ is generally appointed the moral ‘good.’ But in the culture Beowulf was written in, it was possible for a hero to possess monstr ous qualities, yet separate himself from the monster’s evil purposes to pursue a social good for his community. One could compare Beowulf with a character like the Marvel comic books superhero The Thing from Fantastic Four. Both utilize supernatural capacities of monster into a mission for the greater good. From reviewing the many parallels drawn by the poet between the heroic and the monstrous, supernatural capacities are not necessarily evil. The intent behind the ability to terrorize, intimidate and destroy something determines whether or not an action is heroic or monstrous, good or evil. Beowulf, inShow MoreRelatedThe Epic Of Beowulf By William Shakespeare1549 Words   |  7 PagesBeowulf is one of the earliest and most famous works of English literature, and is still widely read today. However, over a thousand years has passed since it was written down in England, and even longer since it was originally spread by word of mouth in the old norse lands, and our values and concepts of the world are radically different than the people of Beowulf’s age. Although the epic Beowulf shows their concept of simplistic duality, in which there is only black and white, good and evil, theRead MoreThe Epic Of Beowulf By William Shakespeare932 Words   |  4 Pageshave the values of being kind and modest. Before Beowulf arrived to Herot he was known for his heroism, which was shown again and again during the fight with Grendel, the fight with Grendel’s mother, and his final battle with the dragon. While his heroism was shown at each of these events, there were changes in his heroic nature over time. Regardless of these changes, he was still seen as the mighty hero throughout the epic poem of Beowulf. As Beowulf was making his voyage to Herot from Geatland toRead MoreThe Epic Of Beowulf By William Shakespeare939 Words   |  4 Pagesanother through verbal communication and were based around different aspects of life for a someone of Anglo-Saxon descent. The story Beowulf is a perfect example of how Anglo-Saxons based their stories around their beliefs on how a hero should behave. Around the time the story was first told, people were often terrified of the horrible things in the world. The character Beowulf was built around how a hero would be represented in these times by having honor in battle and gives self-sacrifice for the goodRead MoreThe Epic Of Beowulf By William Shakespeare977 Words   |  4 Pagesthat are noble to them. Beowulf, as an epic hero, is a direct representation of the ideal man as seen through Anglo-Saxon eyes. In looking at the poem Beowulf and analyzing the characteristics of the epic hero, it will become evident the desired attributes that were desired in the Anglo-Saxon culture: physical strength, pride, bravery, selflessness, and loyalty. An epic hero is a person that is admired for great achievements and inspires great events. Beowulf certainly fits into both ofRead MoreThe Epic Of Beowulf By William Shakespeare953 Words   |  4 PagesBeowulf is one of the most well known pieces of literature in history. Written between 700 and 1000 AD, this poem has captured the minds of scholars, historians, and readers across the globe. However, despite the fact that it has been passed down for numerous centuries, perhaps one of its most fascinating characteristics are the intriguing battles that Beowulf, the protagonist, takes on. Throughout this epic poem, Beowulf takes on many battles, all of which are practically unwinnable. Each battleRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Beowulf And The Genesis Of The Beowulf1321 Words   |  6 Pageswhich is a recurring theme throughout in Beowulf. In the epic, not only did Beowulf seeks wergild for the death of his friend, but Grendel’s mother looks to avenge her son’s death . The need for wergild is a constant theme in the epic. In order to understand the poem Beowulf and the importance of wergild, one must understand the time period it was written and its purpose. Leonard Neidorf discusses in the article, â€Å"VII Ethelred and the Genesis of the Beowulf Manuscript† that the English leaders inRead MoreThe Narrative Of Beowulf By William Shakespeare998 Words   |  4 PagesLines 1214 – 1241 are important to the narrative of Beowulf drawing on such themes as legacy and loyalty. The Oxford English Dictionary defines the torque as ‘A collar, necklace, bracelet, or similar ornament consisting of a twisted narrow band or strip, usually of precious metal, worn especially by the ancient Gauls and Britons.’ Gold and wealth is described at length in Beowulf, suggesting that it has a large significance in Scandinavian culture. It is often given by kings to their tribes toRead MoreThe Epic Of Beowulf By William Shakespeare1176 Words   |  5 Pagesbeen nearly fifteen movies that were made after â€Å"Beowulf†. It may be due to the fact that â€Å"Beowulf† is one of the most famous epic poems in the English Literature history. It is also the oldest surviving epic poem to date. â€Å"Beowulf† was written in 10000 AD in Old English by an author who remains unknown. In â€Å"Beowulf†, there are many important literary elements that help empathize the main motif of the poem. The motif of this poem is courage. Beowulf is about courage and it is shown through the charactersRead MoreThe Epic Of Beowulf By William Shakespeare1401 Words   |  6 Pagesexhibited all through Anglo-Saxon focus qualities. A champion amongst the most prestigious works from that time period is Beowulf. The story tells us of how one man, Beowulf, sails to the rescue of King Hrothgar and his kinfolk remembering the final objective to extra them from a horrifying beast that is undermining their lives and additionally their way of life. The warrior Beowulf without a doubt demonstrates characteristics of an epic legend through valor, dedication, generosity, family relationshipRead MoreAnalysis Of Beowulf By William Shakespeare1653 Words   |  7 PagesWhen reading Beowulf, there are many different passages with many different contexts. The passage I chose to analyze is from is in the lines 1384-1391 which reads â€Å"we sir, do not grieve. It is always better to avenge dear ones than to indulge in mourning. For every one of us, living in this world, means waiting for our end. Let whoever can, win glory before death. When a warrior is gone, that will be his best and only bulwark†. From a warrior’s point of view, he (Beowulf) is explaining that they