Structure of the Epic Poem Beowulf
An Analysis of the Structure of the Epic Poem Beowulf Every single piece of literature has structure, for without structure, there is no piece of literature. Every single piece of literature whether it be a poem, an essay, a research paper, etc. They all have some sort of structure to them that makes what they are. For example, poems have stanzas. Stanzas break up the poem into parts instead of the poem being one whole piece. Essays and short stories may have chapters or parts to them as well. Or else, if these pieces of literature were not set up this way, there would be no flow to the pieces, and there would be one huge block of words. The early civilizations knew this and started to break up their pieces …show more content…
Whoever the author was did an excellent job of formatting the poem so that it is simple for most to read, both at their time of writing and in modern day. The three main parts of the Epic Poem Beowulf include; the battle with Grendel, battle with Grendel’s Mom, and the battle with the Dragon. Initially, the first part of the Epic Poem Beowulf, is Beowulf’s encounter with the ruthless monster, Grendel. The author of Beowulf made sure to include three subparts in each main part, which are the battle with Grendel, battle with Grendel’s Mom, and the battle with the Dragon. Then in each part there is the time before the battle with the monster, during the battle with the monster, and after the battle with the monster. In the beginning of the poem, the author introduces Beowulf, a mighty warrior from the land of the Geats. Beowulf has the reputation of being the greatest warrior of his time. Beowulf hears news of a terrible terrorizing Herot Hall in the land of the Danes. Beowulf, with a group of his best men, travel to the land of the Danes. Upon arrival, the party is met with a Danish scout. Beowulf then tells the scout that they are in the land of the Danes to help their king, king Hrothgar, in killing the ravenous monster …show more content…
For reasons unknown, after Beowulf killed Grendel, Beowulf is gone missing for some time. During that time, a new monster, Grendel’s Mom, goes into Herot Hall and kills King Hrothgar’s best friend, Ashier. The Danish people, terrified of a new more ruthless monster, seek for Beowulf’s help once again. Eventually, the Danish people locate Beowulf and Hrothgar is distraught at the loss of his best friend. After listening, Beowulf gives Hrothgar a famous speech, “Sorrow not, brave one! Better for man to avenge a friend than much to mourn. All men must die; let him who may win glory ere death. That guerdon is best for the noble man when his name survives him. Then rise up, O ward of the realm, and haste us forth to behold the track of Grendel’s dam. And I give you pledge she shall not in safety escape to cover, to earthly cavern, or forest fastness, or gulf of ocean, go where she may. This day with patience endure the burden of every woe, as I know you will,” Beowulf packet page five. Before Beowulf goes off to fight Grendel’s Mom, unlike Beowulf’s fight with Grendel, Beowulf requests weapons and armor. After receiving the weapons and armor, Beowulf sets out to the marshes where Grendel’s Mom resides. Beowulf then goes inside of Grendel’s Mom’s cave and sees her. Beowulf tries to hit her with his sword but the sword rendered useless to Grendel’s Mom, for she has put a spell on
An Analysis of the Structure of the Epic Poem Beowulf Every single piece of literature has structure, for without structure, there is no piece of literature. Every single piece of literature whether it be a poem, an essay, a research paper, etc. They all have some sort of structure to them that makes what they are. For example, poems have stanzas. Stanzas break up the poem into parts instead of the poem being one whole piece. Essays and short stories may have chapters or parts to them as well. Or else, if these pieces of literature were not set up this way, there would be no flow to the pieces, and there would be one huge block of words. The early civilizations knew this and started to break up their pieces …show more content…
Whoever the author was did an excellent job of formatting the poem so that it is simple for most to read, both at their time of writing and in modern day. The three main parts of the Epic Poem Beowulf include; the battle with Grendel, battle with Grendel’s Mom, and the battle with the Dragon. Initially, the first part of the Epic Poem Beowulf, is Beowulf’s encounter with the ruthless monster, Grendel. The author of Beowulf made sure to include three subparts in each main part, which are the battle with Grendel, battle with Grendel’s Mom, and the battle with the Dragon. Then in each part there is the time before the battle with the monster, during the battle with the monster, and after the battle with the monster. In the beginning of the poem, the author introduces Beowulf, a mighty warrior from the land of the Geats. Beowulf has the reputation of being the greatest warrior of his time. Beowulf hears news of a terrible terrorizing Herot Hall in the land of the Danes. Beowulf, with a group of his best men, travel to the land of the Danes. Upon arrival, the party is met with a Danish scout. Beowulf then tells the scout that they are in the land of the Danes to help their king, king Hrothgar, in killing the ravenous monster …show more content…
For reasons unknown, after Beowulf killed Grendel, Beowulf is gone missing for some time. During that time, a new monster, Grendel’s Mom, goes into Herot Hall and kills King Hrothgar’s best friend, Ashier. The Danish people, terrified of a new more ruthless monster, seek for Beowulf’s help once again. Eventually, the Danish people locate Beowulf and Hrothgar is distraught at the loss of his best friend. After listening, Beowulf gives Hrothgar a famous speech, “Sorrow not, brave one! Better for man to avenge a friend than much to mourn. All men must die; let him who may win glory ere death. That guerdon is best for the noble man when his name survives him. Then rise up, O ward of the realm, and haste us forth to behold the track of Grendel’s dam. And I give you pledge she shall not in safety escape to cover, to earthly cavern, or forest fastness, or gulf of ocean, go where she may. This day with patience endure the burden of every woe, as I know you will,” Beowulf packet page five. Before Beowulf goes off to fight Grendel’s Mom, unlike Beowulf’s fight with Grendel, Beowulf requests weapons and armor. After receiving the weapons and armor, Beowulf sets out to the marshes where Grendel’s Mom resides. Beowulf then goes inside of Grendel’s Mom’s cave and sees her. Beowulf tries to hit her with his sword but the sword rendered useless to Grendel’s Mom, for she has put a spell on