Research Paper On Beowulf

An epic is basically a story or tale of a hero who embarks on a quest. But does our story featuring Beowulf actually an epic? Let's first look at the features of a traditional epic. An epic is a lengthy narrative that follows the adventures some form of hero. This form of poem is also known to Take place on a large journey with the main character where he/she will have to overcome vast obstacles to achieve his/her goal. There are usually supernatural beings taking part in the action. At the end of an epic, the main character returns home being changed in some way from their travels. Beowulf is certainly the hero of the story. We are taken on an adventure with this hardy fellow during his adventure to help Hrothgar with his monster problem. The Geats knew Beowulf as a slayer of foul beings and supernatural creatures. He speaks of stories of cutting down sea monsters during a swimming race. "A monster seized me, drew me / Swiftly toward the bottom, swimming with its claws …show more content…
Our character Beowulf is told that Hrothgar and his people, the Danes, are having some issues with a monster named Grendel attacking their mead hall. Beowulf takes a handful of his men to sail across the sea to help by exterminating the problem. He does indeed kill the monster along with removing the source of the evil, Grendel's mother. Later in time, Beowulf sets out on another adventure to defeat a dragon. The warrior is fatally wounded in battle, but his comrade, Wiglaf, slays the beast and carries out the ruler's dying wishes. "Have / The brave Geats build me a tomb, / When the funeral flames have burned me, and build it / Here, at the water's edge, high / On this spit of land, so sailors can see / This tower, and remember my name, and call it / Beowulf's tower, and boats in the darkness / And mist, crossing the sea, will know it" (II. 809-816). And with that final request, ends the epic of our