The story of Beowulf is an Old English epic poem that was written by an anonymous Anglo-Saxon poet. The structure of Beowulf helps make it one of the most important works of Old English literature. The structure of this poem is unique because it can be divided in three different ways. The first way the poem can be divided is into three different parts that each center around Beowulf’s fight with a particular monster. The first battle is with Grendel, a demon like monster terrorizing King Hrothgar and his people. After Beowulf slays Grendel, he comes under the wrath of Grendel’s mother, the swamp hag. Finally, Beowulf faces his last and finally monster, the dragon. Additionally, it is apparent that each section represents a moral challenge from
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Beowulf can be divided between the old and young Beowulf. The timeline of the story plays a big part in this because of the fifty year break in the text. These are also seen as two different sections because of the difference in responsibilities of a warrior and a king. In the beginning of the poem Beowulf is the strongest and greatest warrior the world has ever seen, the narrator describes him “Thus Beowulf bore himself with valor; he was formidable in battle yet behaved with honor and took no advantage: never cut down a comrade who was drunk, kept his temper and, warrior that he was, watched and controlled his God-sent strength and outstanding natural powers” (1838-1839 Unknown). At the end of the poem Beowulf is an old king and must focus on maintaining his status, instead of trying to build his status like in his youth. With age he has grown wiser and becomes a well respected king, Beowulf says “I risked my life often when I was young. Now I am old, but as king of the people I shall pursue this fight for the glory of winning, if the evil one will only abandon his earth-fort and face me in the open” (2510-2515 Unknown). The structure of the poem allows the reader to see the difference of Beowulf’s life in the beginning, as a young warrior, and the end, as an old
Beowulf can be divided between the old and young Beowulf. The timeline of the story plays a big part in this because of the fifty year break in the text. These are also seen as two different sections because of the difference in responsibilities of a warrior and a king. In the beginning of the poem Beowulf is the strongest and greatest warrior the world has ever seen, the narrator describes him “Thus Beowulf bore himself with valor; he was formidable in battle yet behaved with honor and took no advantage: never cut down a comrade who was drunk, kept his temper and, warrior that he was, watched and controlled his God-sent strength and outstanding natural powers” (1838-1839 Unknown). At the end of the poem Beowulf is an old king and must focus on maintaining his status, instead of trying to build his status like in his youth. With age he has grown wiser and becomes a well respected king, Beowulf says “I risked my life often when I was young. Now I am old, but as king of the people I shall pursue this fight for the glory of winning, if the evil one will only abandon his earth-fort and face me in the open” (2510-2515 Unknown). The structure of the poem allows the reader to see the difference of Beowulf’s life in the beginning, as a young warrior, and the end, as an old