Beowulf was a great warrior that faced many physical monsters in his life, but that doesn’t compare with the inner demons that people face in their everyday life, such as depression, anxiety, and stress. This story was composed when England was transitioning from a pagan to a Christian culture. Reading through this heroic poem it is evident where the monks imbedded their ideals into this pagan story. Being passed down verbally through generations there were slight changes along the way, but still kept its heroic impact on the audience. Through three glorious quarrels displaying his battling nature you see Beowulf’s character transition. As a young warrior Beowulf wants the glory and the fame, but as he becomes wiser and more caring he fights
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This is evident in Beowulf’s second battle, the battle with Grendel’s mother. Grendel’s mother is a symbol for all things that affect a person through their life. These obstacles could range from work related problems to personal issues. Beowulf started battle two with his experience in swimming due to his match with Breka a long time ago. Right before Beowulf leaped into the lake, he said to Unferth,”And you,Unferth, let my famous sword stay in your hands..”(pg. 52). Even though Beowulf didn’t care much for Unferth, he still was diplomatic towards him. While swimming deeper, Beowulf is grabbed by Grendel’s mom and attacked by other water monsters. This situation could represent the inner emotional journey a person goes through to become an adult. As the battle continues Beowulf is fighting to survive even though his sword does not work against the beast.(line 495, pg 53) This symbolizes when a person has economic troubles such as losing their job. When the sword forged by giants is used to kill the beast, this is symbolized of a person overcoming what life throws at them. Through this, battle two was won and Beowulf had overcome the hardships of life. He had became a valuable piece in …show more content…
In Beowulf’s last battle, he came to the realization that he wasn’t going to be around much longer and he needed to say goodbye. “Then he said farewell to his followers, each in his turn for the last time” (628-629). This represents any elderly person in their last few years, perhaps on their deathbed saying goodbye to their loved ones for the last time. He faced his final battle with a different viewpoint: fighting for his people instead of fighting for the glory. A contemporary example that this is similar to is a retired person. Most of the time when someone thinks of a retired person, it is a grandparent, they no longer do what they want for themselves, they do what is best for their grandchildren, like Beowulf did what was best for his people. Later in this heroic poem it has the audience visualize the new and advanced armor that Beowulf had accompany him. “The Geats’ great prince stood firm, unmoving, prepared behind his high schield, waiting in his shining armor” (677-680). With this armor it represents the knowledge that Beowulf has gained in his life through all of the battles that he fought in. From a modern day standpoint, this symbolizes the emotional, physical, or spiritual journeys that anyone may go through that could help them later in their
This is evident in Beowulf’s second battle, the battle with Grendel’s mother. Grendel’s mother is a symbol for all things that affect a person through their life. These obstacles could range from work related problems to personal issues. Beowulf started battle two with his experience in swimming due to his match with Breka a long time ago. Right before Beowulf leaped into the lake, he said to Unferth,”And you,Unferth, let my famous sword stay in your hands..”(pg. 52). Even though Beowulf didn’t care much for Unferth, he still was diplomatic towards him. While swimming deeper, Beowulf is grabbed by Grendel’s mom and attacked by other water monsters. This situation could represent the inner emotional journey a person goes through to become an adult. As the battle continues Beowulf is fighting to survive even though his sword does not work against the beast.(line 495, pg 53) This symbolizes when a person has economic troubles such as losing their job. When the sword forged by giants is used to kill the beast, this is symbolized of a person overcoming what life throws at them. Through this, battle two was won and Beowulf had overcome the hardships of life. He had became a valuable piece in …show more content…
In Beowulf’s last battle, he came to the realization that he wasn’t going to be around much longer and he needed to say goodbye. “Then he said farewell to his followers, each in his turn for the last time” (628-629). This represents any elderly person in their last few years, perhaps on their deathbed saying goodbye to their loved ones for the last time. He faced his final battle with a different viewpoint: fighting for his people instead of fighting for the glory. A contemporary example that this is similar to is a retired person. Most of the time when someone thinks of a retired person, it is a grandparent, they no longer do what they want for themselves, they do what is best for their grandchildren, like Beowulf did what was best for his people. Later in this heroic poem it has the audience visualize the new and advanced armor that Beowulf had accompany him. “The Geats’ great prince stood firm, unmoving, prepared behind his high schield, waiting in his shining armor” (677-680). With this armor it represents the knowledge that Beowulf has gained in his life through all of the battles that he fought in. From a modern day standpoint, this symbolizes the emotional, physical, or spiritual journeys that anyone may go through that could help them later in their