...Grendel Comparison The epic tale of Grendel lays out a foundation that enables readers to notice comparisons between some of the stories major characters. Hrothgar, King of the Danes and Beowulf are two characters that have similar traits, though they come from different backgrounds. Hrothgar and Beowulf both have a desire to provide a safe lifestyle for their people. Hrothgar is a respected king who has great authority over his land. Likewise, Beowulf also has authority in his land though he gains it because he is recognize as the mightiest man on earth. Though, they are introduced in the story at different times, both Hrothgar and Grendel ultimately have to solve the same problem of facing Grendel. Moreover, each man is loved and respected by those of their native lands. In response to that, each man shows a positive expression towards their people as well. Hrothgar is a caring and generous ruler who just wants the best way of life for his people. That is a primary reason as to why Hrothgar has the Herot built. This mead-hall becomes a place for feasting and entertaining among the noble people of the land. When Grendel attacks the Herot, Hrothgar tries all that he can possibly do even in his old age to protect what was his. Grendel explains the courageouness and power that Hrothgar once had when saying, “I dismissed it, thought of it afterward only as you remember a tree that fell on you or an adder you stepped on by accident, except of course that Hrothgar was more to...
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...answer has yet to be found. Just because someone doesn't give a homeless person money, are they evil? When a good person kills an un-innocent person, are they evil or did they do it for a good reason? These are just things that people struggles with on a daily basis. Can you recognise that good maybe evil, or will it remain evil is evil and good is good? In Beowulf, all across the land people were talking about a horrible beast who, at night, rises from the depths of hell to kill innocent men while they lay in slumber. In lines 19-22 Grendel is described as, “murderous creatures…”...
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...Though Beowulf can be read in multiple formats and through various translators, the version in the Norton Anthology was much easier to read than anticipated. There are several things to note about the story of Beowulf, from its comparisons and differences among other works of literature to its references of God Christianity. Having read many pieces of literature from Ancient Greek to Modern American, Beowulf carries many similarities and differences. For example, many of the Greek dramas focused on a protagonist who was often a tragic hero, believed in the Gods who had above human powers, who usually had some special skill of their own, and overcame unspeakable obstacles. In Beowulf, there is no Greek or Roman Gods per se, but there are monsters that exist and are difficult to beat. Beowulf is exceptionally strong, agile, and intelligent. He overcomes many obstacles such as killing Grendel and his mother or the others in the sea. Even the vast character list and meaningful names is parallel to those of other types of literature of the early eras. One part of the story that is interesting to ponder is the easiness in which the people assume Grendel is dead. Who knows what these creatures are really capable of? Perhaps Grendel can re-grow his arm and live a long and murderous life. They also never appeared to consider the possibility that if there was one monster, there may be more. The fact that these people, warriors or not, continued to sleep in the mead-hall, thinking that...
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...Light vs. Dark In the epic poem Beowulf, a battle between light and dark arises throughout Heorot, and even though it looked as if darkness had fallen over society, light broke through the darkness, ultimately shining back onto civilization. This darkness that has fallen over Heorot follows Grendel, the monster from Hell, with every step he takes. Only coming out at night to terrorize the people, this darkness seems to be unbeatable, and all hope seems lost. But, Beowulf, a warrior who “swam in the blackness of night, hunting monsters out of the ocean, and killing them one by one” (Beowulf 417-422) has come to Heorot with the intention of driving out this darkness. This epic battle that is soon to take place will help to illuminate the difference between the light of Heorot and the darkness of Grendel. Leading up to the battle Heorot looks to be elegant and shining with beauty, but once Grendel and darkness enter into the halls, all of this goes away, and turns dark. Beowulf is called to the rescue, and brings with him the light that will ultimately defeat Grendel, and show that light will defeat darkness in the darkest times. As the light begins to fade away in the halls of Heorot, Grendel arises from is lair and uses the darkness to create a fear of death. While the night sky is over-head, the soldiers are unable to see what lurks in the shadows, and the “{soldiers} sworn to stay after dark and stem that horror with a sweep of their swords. And then, in the morning, this...
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...The plots of Beowulf reveal how society changes culturally as time progresses. The epic poem initially begins as a story symbolizing Pagan ideas and beliefs. As time advances, the epic poem gradually evolves into a story involving Christianity. The latest variation of Beowulf tackled various issues society encounters in our modern world. Overall, Beowulf is an ever-changing epic. Elements of Paganism is seen numerous times throughout the epic poem. Many examples of Paganism is seen in Beowulf’s character. Beowulf’s character is written as a hero. In Pagan society, heroes fight or go to war for fame or to be remembered when they meet their death. This was Beowulf’s purpose for volunteering to leave Geatland to venture to Denmark to end evil. Many characters possess superhuman strength. Beowulf and Grendel are prime examples of characters with superhuman strength. Beowulf displays his abilities when he swims underwater for hours without gasping or oxygen. Grendel displays his superhuman abilities with his incredible strength as he murders Danish soldiers. The symbolism of Good vs Evil displays with Grendel and Beowulf’s gruesome duel. Within the many examples of Paganism, Christian aspects also appear in Beowulf. An example of Christian faith in the poem is when Beowulf and his troops arrive in Denmark to battle Grendel, the group thank God for the safe ride to Denmark. A major example is Beowulf’s character. Beowulf’s heroic personality and decisions consider him to be a God-like...
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...TEMA: ComparISON about Beowulf ALUMNA: GARCÉS RODRÍGUEZ, JENIFFER. AÑO: 2016– V Ciclo TRUJILLO – PERÚ COMPARISON ABOUT BEOWULF CHARACTER IN A FILM AND THE POEM The story of Beowulf is a timeless tale that many people have heard before. Beowulf is the great Anglo-Saxon hero who represents all that is good in the world and fights to protect the innocent. Beowulf goes out to battle monsters like Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the firedrake to keep the people safe. This part of the story will always remain the same and will never change. However, when comparing the poem to the film there are in fact both similarities and substantial changes. I have considered appropriate to compare the similarities and differences of Beowulf’s personality and physical appearance. In the lines below, I will develop this issue. When comparing Beowulf’s personality and physical appearance in the poem and the film, there a few similarities between the two. Both the character in the poem and in the film possesses the same basic traits. In both the poem and the film, Beowulf is described as being the best and bravest of the Geats. Besides, it can be read and seen that Beowulf’s physical strength is above all others. In addition both the poem and film show the courage that Beowulf possessed in traveling a great distance to battle Grendel for the...
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...The Many Discoveries of Beowulf Although this poem isn’t of love or lust, it is filled with epic fights that lead to a great amount of bloodshed and celebrations for the hero. Beowulf’s writer created a great deal of complications when writing this poem. He used many themes and symbols the portray his tragic poem. The characters are very unclear but each have their reasoning for being in the poem, one being revenge on something or someone. Kathryn Hume stated, “ If a good man and the abstraction “ troublemaking” are given heroic shapes and matched in contest, we expect the good man to win, for troublemaking is not a sin likely to overcome him” (10). “ The early history of every nation is full of legend and myth. In literature, people try to record and describe the early history and to honor their heros in poems, epics, and folklores” (Wang 52). Beowulf is the main character throughout the poem, however the author tells us nothing about Beowulf’s past life other than his father was a great warrior as well as Beowulf himself. However, a young age Beowulf was considered cowardly. “ Were the poem centered on Beowulf himself, we would expect to learn something about him as a person” (Hume 2). The little we do know about Beowulf is still a great amount on his courage. He fights three battles and with each one he portrays a little bit of heroism. “Though he was little-known when coming to the Danes, he is full of courage and energy. Though he decreases in his strength in his old...
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...Beowulf is actually one of my favorite poems. He exercises strength, skills and some help from the Gods and Goddesses to prevail a number of events of deadly and evil adversaries. Beowulf‘s righteousness, bravery and fearlessness in combat distinguishes him as a great epic hero. By Beowulf battling with his antagonist, he deliberately positions the field of battle and supplied Grendel with an honest shot of triumphing. Being relentless and bold is a challenging task to be burdened with. Bravery is indispensible to any hero, whether it is an epic hero or modern day hero. Beowulf is able to establish no shortage of this; this is seemingly apparent with the fighting of him and Grendel with no weapon is one of many occurrences to show his bravery. This is where the similarities and comparison of the heroes of the Iliad’s and Aeneid comes in, they all share the same characteristics of being courageous and brave. His bravery and heroism is demonstrated in this quote, “Indifferent to death, does death not lie and the root of all fear? Do we not shrink from darkness, from poison, from gunfire, because we fear death.” Beowulf goes into battle fearlessness, with the utmost self assurance in him. An important aspect of every epic hero is the competence to overcome and carry on, bravery, courageousness, self-sacrificing, relentless and boldness in war or battle. These are the bona fide qualities that a hero must maintain. The story of Beowulf is a great one indeed. Beowulf, like other epic...
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...Hodges 1 Erin Hodges Dr. Harris English 2210-006 1 March 2011-Revised Beowulf as an Epic The Anglo-Saxon tale Beowulf was most likely written by a single poet from a Christian background. The poem as a whole exhibits the poet’s empathy for epic heroes like Beowulf, and for how they lived and died without the hope and consolation of the Christian faith (“Beowulf” 30-31). Beowulf is an epic poem that describes various characters and events from the sixth century, in particular the story of a brave warrior named Beowulf, his many heroic adventures, and his ultimate death. This poem originated from both legends and myths from other cultures that originally were passed down orally from generation to generation and then eventually recorded. By definition, an epic poem is a “long narrative poem in an elevated style that celebrates heroic achievement and treats themes of historical, national, religious, or legendary significance.” Some common characteristics of an epic that are obviously evident in Beowulf are the use of specific types of figurative language, the fighting of heroic battles against supernatural creatures, the unusual behavior of god-like heroes, and the array of geographical settings which are often included in a long journey (“Epic”). One characteristic of epic poems is the use of certain types of figurative language. One type of this elevated language is an epic simile, “an extended simile often running to several lines used typically in...
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...Jake Manly Dr. smith English Literature 122B, 5th November 13, 2009 Revenge in Beowulf According to Webster’s revenge is defined as the action of inflicting harm in return for an injury. Beowulf and people today encounter many situations of revenge in their lives. Everyone has been wronged by another at least once in their life, so who wouldn’t want to seek some type of revenge on their enemy? In the epic tale Beowulf, Grendel’s mother had many run-ins with the well-known hero Beowulf himself. She despises the protagonist and his fellow warriors for the loss of her son and seeks revenge. In Beowulf Eddie McPherson comments, “I will go to that dwelling outside the dark wood and bring pain to those who have brought pain to me.” This means that Beowulf and his warrior have done something causing all this hatred upon them. This is also important because it is showing how mad she is for whoever caused her this grief. Jane C. Nitzsche states, “Grendel’s mother enters the poem a mere hundred lines later when she attacks the Danish Hall, as the Frisan contingent attacked the hall lodging Hildenburh’s Danish brother in the Finnsburh Fragment. “This tells about her furious attack on the hall for removing her son’s arm and causing him to die in her arms. This is an important key of revenge because the act of her attacking the hall in the first place was caused by Beowulf killing her son. Jane C. Nitzsche also states, “She resembles a grieving human mother inside while outside she...
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...There seem to be many strange creatures roaming the unfortunate lands described in Beowulf, but the three that Beowulf decides to eradicate have a definite penchant for destructive acts toward humans. They each have their own reasons for their evil deeds. The dragon wreaks havoc because his treasures are stolen, Grendel's mother is seeking revenge for the mutilation and death of her son, and Grendel eats people because the inhabitants of Heorot sounded like they were having too much fun in their great hall. People accept bloodshed and strife as part of life unless it comes from an outside source. They see warfare against other humans as politically necessary and often glorious, but if any non-humans try to take part in the action, they deem this horrific and unnatural....
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...In the end, the song on page 61, the singer sings about the Sigemund downfall. This downfall is not appropriate Beowulf. Beowulf explains that he has conquered all that has either came his way or willing to conquer for. Because he has defeated before, Beowulf is willing to fight, defeated Grendel and his mother. His character in the story illustrates a young warrior who does not need the qualification to become the next King in Geat. Furthermore, he is loyal and gains the trust of the Danes. Beowulf fights in a battle that is not his but is willing too. It was even special for King Hygelac to recognize Beowulf and be the best candidate for securing Heorot, and keep his word! I believe the singer in this part of the story brings suspicion...
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...The key character in the poem Beowulf, is a heroic and a legendary character whose actions are embodied to the Anglo-Saxon culture. As a hero he has the accepted and the most ideal characteristics that are accepted in the Anglo-Saxon culture. The tale revolves around these characteristics to make up an epic tale. Beowulf is moulded to possess the virtues, traits and beliefs that were highly respected and requires in the Anglo-Saxon culture. Therefore, is displayed to have these virtues in his own actions and words during different circumstances in the tale. Reading Beowulf brings out lots of similarities with many pieces of literature from the Ancient Greek and the Modern literature. The Beowulf carries is similar to many Greek dramas that focused on a protagonist who was turned out to be a tragic hero. There was an element of belief in the gods who had super- human powers and had unique and ultimate special skills of their own, and overcame unsurmountable problems. However, in Beowulf, there is no Greek or Roman gods, but there are other supernatural beings defined as monsters that exist and are difficult to win over. Beowulf is extra-ordinarily strong, agile, and super intelligent. He is portrayed as one who overcomes many obstacles and was able to kill Grendel and his mother and the others in the sea. In addition, the wide character list and meaningful names is similar to those of other types of literature of the early eras. The story of Paradise lost opens in hell. Satan...
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...one who does not fear death. Beowulf, set in the Anglo-Saxon time period, was an epic that told the story of a legendary hero, who seized all obstacles as if he were immortal. Up until the end of Beowulf's life, he constantly wanted to be the hero. However, his mortality was exposed by his death. Beowulf in many ways exhibited all the qualities and characteristics needed to be a true hero. Heroes, whether from the Anglo-Saxon time period or present day, all share the characteristic of their willingness to die, in an effort to accomplish a true act of heroism. Several critics argue that through Beowulf’s superhuman strength, generosity, loyalty, bravery, and...
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...supernatural beings. Comparing Beowulf to Percy Jackson based on their culture and heroic characteristics involving bravery, leadership, strength, personality traits, fighting style, and their motivation to fight. Focuses on the two different aspects of heroism as defined by Greek and Anglo Saxon culture. Beowulf and Percy Jackson share the heroic traits of leadership skills, superhuman strength and bravery. Beowulf is the leader of the Geats,...
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