Beowulf As An English Poem - 1321 Words

Back then, the name and the history of a warrior had a huge impact on society and it would determine whether or not a warrior deserved the best of riches. All of the ancient poems were associated with names and boasts. In addition, almost all of them that are around the world have been translated by authors throughout the years. In fact, one of the ancient poems that was originally written by an unknown poet before the year 1000, was Beowulf. The copy of Beowulf was actually dated to the years around 1000, in the time that was rich in Anglo-Saxon literature (pg. 107). During the ninth century, Beowulf was translated by Seamus Heaney, which is the one that it is mostly known now. Although Beowulf is seen as an English poem, its subject matter is not about English people. Its purpose was to express the idea of honor, good, and the belief in God. Furthermore, its principles were about defeating the monsters with the power of goodness. Several themes that contain different types of style of writing are presented throughout the story of Beowulf. One major theme that keeps coming up throughout the story is boasting. Boasting was very important during this time. In Anglo-Saxon times, being boastful was not a negative trait at all. In fact, men were criticized based on their strength, accomplishments, and bravery. Beowulf’s boasting demonstrated the way men proved themselves to be fitting warriors. Beowulf boasts about his slayings of monsters and how he has never been defeatedShow MoreRelatedBeowulf Is The Oldest Recorded English Poem898 Words   |  4 PagesAlthough â€Å"Beowulf† is the oldest recorded English poem, it is amazing how it can still relate to life today. â€Å"Beowulf† is an Old English epic poem created by an unknown Anglo-Saxon author whose intention for this poem was that it be read aloud and passed down orally. In the epic â€Å"Beowulf,† it is easy to see how different the values of the Anglo-Saxons are compared to the values of our modern society when it comes to honor and value. In the epic poem, â€Å"Beowulf,† a major theme is the differences andRead MoreBeowulf : The Oldest Surviving English Poem2174 Words   |  9 PagesProfessor Jacobs Beowulf The epic poem Beowulf is known to be the oldest surviving English poem. It is written Old English or some call it Anglo-Saxon, which is the basis for the language we speak today. Many epics were not originally written down by their authors. Instead, they were memorized and retold or sung by wandering entertainers. Beowulf was written somewhere between the 8th and 11th century, the exact date is unknown and the author of this poem also remains unknown. With Beowulf being the oldestRead MoreImagery in the Old English Poem Beowulf Essay3689 Words   |  15 PagesPopular Imagery in the Old English Poem Beowulf  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚   Some popular elements of imagery in Beowulf are the mead-hall, the sea, swords, armor including shields. Let us discuss these items and, where applicable, the archaeological support for them.    Remaining true to the Anglo-Saxon culture’s affinity for mead (ale/beer/wine), the characters of Beowulf partake frequently of the strong beverage. And the mead hall was their home away from home, with more entertainments than just fermentedRead MoreEssay on The Mead-hall in the Old English Poem Beowulf1036 Words   |  5 PagesThe Mead-hall in the Old English Poem Beowulf      Ã‚  Ã‚   What was the function and nature of a mead-hall in the Heroic Age of Beowulf? Was it more than a tavern for the dispensing and consumption of alcoholic beverages, and occasionally precious gifts? Yes, much more.    Remaining true to the Anglo-Saxon culture’s affinity for mead (ale/beer/wine), the characters of Beowulf partake frequently of the strong beverage. And the mead hall was their home away from home, with more entertainmentsRead MoreChristian and Pagan Elements in Beowulf926 Words   |  4 PagesMarà ­a Isabel Carrasco Cara Chards CHRISTIAN AND PAGAN ELEMENTS IN BEOWULF The poem Beowulf is full of Pagan and Christian elements, this combination gave place to many discutions about the origin of the poem. 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When we look at both the poems in terms of their genre; while they are both products of theRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Beowulf And The Genesis Of The Beowulf1321 Words   |  6 PagesAn Eye for an Eye In Old English the amount of compensation paid by a person for the death of a person’s family is called â€Å"man law† or wergild. During the Anglo-Saxon period, it was considered a dishonor if one failed to avenge the death of a family member. Wergild is a sign of loyalty, which 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 constantRead MoreCompare and Contrast of Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight600 Words   |  3 Pagesand Contrast of Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Beowulf is an epic poem that was written in the Anglo-Saxon time period where only a few privileged people were able to read and write while Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, which is also an epic poem, was written in the Middle English time period where reading and writing was more wide-spread. While both the epic poem Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight have similar protagonists, the main character of each poem also has differentRead MoreBeowulf: The Canonization of Anglo-Saxon Literature into Modern Popular Culture769 Words   |  4 Pages The cover of the November, 1975 comic book Beowulf: Dragon Slayer features a red-haired, horn-helmeted Beowulf swinging a large broadsword at a purple-caped villain also bearing two razor-sharp swords. As Beowulf rears up on his steed, a bikini clad woman, cloth slightly aside to reveal the shadow of a buttock is drawn falling, face filled with terror. In the background, a rising full moon and silhouetted gothic castle keenly set an atmosphere of dread and foreboding. Above the emboldenedRead MoreThe Journies of Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Essay803 Words   |  4 PagesBeowulf vs. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight In the worlds of Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the journeys of two heroes, Beowulf and Sir Gawain, are depicted through the form of poems. The two stories have become two of the most important works of literature in the English history. In the two poems, both Beowulf and Sir Gawain face great challenges in their journeys as heroes. Beowulf embarks on a quest to defeat Grendel and his mother while Sir Gawain faces many difficulties on his