Beowulf the Epic “Beowulf” is an epic battle poem that is still popularly known today. “Beowulf” is the oldest literature written in Old English. The poem was written to entertain and excite those who read it. The main character is Beowulf, from where the poem gets its name. Thane of the Geats, Beowulf’s name spread like wildfire across the world as he became known as a great warrior in battle. The poem accurately displays how great Beowulf was in and out of his battles. Beowulf believed in fate, which was known in each of his battles and the way he prepared for them. Beowulf once said before he battled the beast, Grendel, “Fate goes ever as fate must” (p. 50). Beowulf meant that fate will play out as it was meant to. Readers wonder if by
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Throughout the poem, Beowulf’s battles teach something new with every challenging battle. In the great poem, “Beowulf”, specific details with symbolism, setting, and time period, help to make the poem great. The poem uses symbols that are important to a better understanding of Beowulf and the language used in the poem. The cave where Grendel and his mother lived was a symbol of their lives. Grendel and his mother were known to be evil, violent creatures. Their home in the cave is dark and could be associated with the way they lived their lives. Both creatures were known as outcasts and a dark, lonely cave fits a profile for an outcast to live in. The darkness could show how they were on the inside and the creatures could have welcomed that darkness. Other symbols used in the poem include, Grendel’s head and claw, the banquet, and the swords. Grendel’s head and claw symbolize two very different things: Beowulf’s victory and Grendel’s mother’s loss. “Clear proof of this could be seen in the hand the hero displayed high up near the roof: the whole of Grendel’s shoulder and arm, his awesome grasp” (p. 58). The …show more content…
Each of the battles fought by Beowulf had different settings. The different settings displayed to the readers the different types of characters that lived in each setting. The whole poem is set in about fifth or sixth century Scandinavia. From Beowulf’s actions, readers think that the Scandinavians were probably harsh. “They marched instep, hurrying on till the timbered hall rose before them, radiant with gold” (p. 47). The setting and imagery used to describe the hall shows the wealth in
Throughout the poem, Beowulf’s battles teach something new with every challenging battle. In the great poem, “Beowulf”, specific details with symbolism, setting, and time period, help to make the poem great. The poem uses symbols that are important to a better understanding of Beowulf and the language used in the poem. The cave where Grendel and his mother lived was a symbol of their lives. Grendel and his mother were known to be evil, violent creatures. Their home in the cave is dark and could be associated with the way they lived their lives. Both creatures were known as outcasts and a dark, lonely cave fits a profile for an outcast to live in. The darkness could show how they were on the inside and the creatures could have welcomed that darkness. Other symbols used in the poem include, Grendel’s head and claw, the banquet, and the swords. Grendel’s head and claw symbolize two very different things: Beowulf’s victory and Grendel’s mother’s loss. “Clear proof of this could be seen in the hand the hero displayed high up near the roof: the whole of Grendel’s shoulder and arm, his awesome grasp” (p. 58). The …show more content…
Each of the battles fought by Beowulf had different settings. The different settings displayed to the readers the different types of characters that lived in each setting. The whole poem is set in about fifth or sixth century Scandinavia. From Beowulf’s actions, readers think that the Scandinavians were probably harsh. “They marched instep, hurrying on till the timbered hall rose before them, radiant with gold” (p. 47). The setting and imagery used to describe the hall shows the wealth in