Essays on Poems

894

Exploration of Good Kingship in Beowulf

4 pages / 1786 words

Beowulf opens with the story of the ancient king, Shield Sheafson, in order to establish a discussion on kingship, and to begin building a definition of what constitutes a "good king". Once this definition has been established, the text uses it to evaluate the other...

Beowulf

895

Comparative Analysis of Battle Scenes in Beowulf

4 pages / 1756 words

The description of the two different battle scenes wherein Beowulf slays the monsters are described in great detail, and are both quite different. Beowulf’s battle with Grendel occurs in the Danish king’s mead hall-a civilized and comfortable setting, while the battle with Grendel’s mother takes...

Beowulf

896

How Women Are Portrayed in Old Literature

2 pages / 1235 words

At a time in history in which war was rampant and conquering lands and enemies seemed a priori, the period’s hero tended to follow suit. Beowulf, as a prime example of Old English literature, is set in this highly male-dominated world governed by violence, honor,...

Beowulf

897

Beowulf and The Wonders from The East: Monsters and Men

5 pages / 2179 words

In the late 700’s, the Vikings began their raids in England. Their excursions first targeted monasteries on the coast and slowly spread across the nation until the English and Nordic cultures blended into one. The history of the invasion is well documented in historical texts...

Beowulf

898

Analysis of Women and Their Fundamental Roles in Beowulf

4 pages / 2038 words

A quick read-through of the Old English epic poem Beowulf reveals that the text centers heavily around male characters and typically masculine themes. The main character, Beowulf, a powerful and renowned hero, sets on an epic journey to save the kingdom of Danes from the relentless...

Beowulf

899

Verse Translation Analysis by Heaney, Liuzza, and Donaldson in Beowulf’s Last Words

5 pages / 2305 words

Every act of translation is simultaneously an act of interpretation. With regard to Beowulf’s last scene and final words to the young warrior Wiglaf, an analysis of three translations of the poem, by E. Talbot Donaldson, R.M. Liuzza, and Seamus Heavey, demonstrates this general principle....

Beowulf

900

Introduction of Christianity in Beowulf

3 pages / 1278 words

The poem Beowulf marks a period of change in the history of England, namely, the introduction of Christianity amongst the Anglo-Saxons, which led to a newfound interest in literacy. In the seventh century, Irish monks from the north were active in propagating Christianity, aided by...

Beowulf

901

Analysis of The Charactrers Juxstaposed Against Beowulf in The Poem

2 pages / 1019 words

Within the first six hundred lines of Beowulf, the poet introduces several characters – Hrothgar, Wulfgar and Unferth – who are juxtaposed against Beowulf to not only glorify the protagonist, but also illustrate the heroic codes of the time. Made-to-order essay as fast as you...

Beowulf Character

902

Three Good Kings of Beowulf

2 pages / 1115 words

The phrase “he was a good king” appears three times in Beowulf. The first iteration (line 11) is a homage to Shield Sheafson. By describing Sheafson in honorific terms, the poet suggests that Sneafson’s offspring are also worthy of respect. The second iteration refers to...

Beowulf

903

Beowulf and The Romance of Tristan: Two Heroic Tragedies

3 pages / 1589 words

In Beowulf and Beroul’s The Romance of Tristan, the heroes Beowulf and Tristan are magnificent fighters. Their numerous victories against seemingly insurmountable odds and powerful enemies are testaments to their battle-talents. Yet the two heroes employ violence in their exploits for different reasons and for...

Beowulf Beowulf Hero

904

Anglo-saxon Ideologies and Pagan Customary Practices in Beowulf

2 pages / 1065 words

The poem Beowulf was written between the 8th and 10th centuries, a time of great transition. Anglo-Saxons still dominated England, and Christianity had only come to the region one hundred or so years before. Although the new religion spread quickly, Anglo-Saxon (or Norse) paganism and...

Beowulf

905

Role of Heroes in Beowulf in Terms of Loyalty and Abilities

4 pages / 1777 words

Beowulf, the Old-English epic poem, is characteristic of its Nordic-Germanic roots as a tale of a great Scandinavian warrior – Beowulf – who saves a neighboring kingdom from the wrath of the destructive, blood-thirsty monster, Grendel, and eventually becomes the king of his own people,...

Beowulf Hero

906

The Theme of Fatalism and Destiny in Beowulf

4 pages / 1774 words

In the thrilling epic Beowulf, the theme of fatalism is very apparent throughout the poem. “Fate will go as it must.” (Line 455) The Anglo Saxons believed that people lived life as an everyday struggle against undefeatable odds and that a man’s “wyrd” or fate...

Beowulf

907

Liuzza and Heaney's Beowulf: a Comparison

3 pages / 1290 words

Although Seamus Heaney and R. M. Liuzza have both translated the literary work Beowulf from Old English text, subtle differences appear throughout their works that reveal the unique perspectives held by each author. When one compares the different translations, it becomes apparent that although Liuzza...

Beowulf

908

The Meaning of Rings in Beowulf

4 pages / 2105 words

Rings are to medieval lords and retainers as medals are to athletes: a reward that is earned through hard work and dedication to a cause that makes them feel both empowered and worthwhile, while at the same time reminding them to work harder and strive...

Beowulf

909

The Role of Grendel’s Mother in Beowulf

5 pages / 2392 words

Introduction: When one considers the criticism of Beowulf, from the beginnings to more recent writings the early lack of interest in Grendel’s mother is very apparent. Background: In 1936 J. R. R. Tolkien dismissed her as a secondary figure to her son. Major feminist criticism...

Beowulf Grendel

910

Role of The Supernatural in "Sir Gawain and The Green Knight" and Beowulf

3 pages / 1366 words

The supernatural is a literary device that has frequently been utilized in works of fiction. The purpose of this literary device have evolved alongside the evolution of literature and language. The function of the supernatural often varies based on the style and structure of the...

Beowulf Sir Gawain and The Green Knight

911

Beowulf as a Representation of Mankind

3 pages / 1635 words

Beowulf, as a character, is often described as the original model for the hero found in literature from antiquity to the modern day. New interpretations of the text, however, focus more on Beowulf the man rather than Beowulf the hero of Heorot. If we focus...

Beowulf

912

Grendel’s Point of View in Beowulf as The Perfect Hero/villain

3 pages / 1360 words

Introduction: “Once upon a time, someone decided that we were the losers. But there are two sides to every story. And our side has not been told!” says Prince Charming to a room full of “villains” who are left to rot after their adversaries were...

Beowulf Grendel