Germanic languages

Throughout the epic of Beowulf, it is clear to the reader that reputation is extremely important: it is especially important to Beowulf himself. When Beowulf first introduces himself to the Scyldings, he states his accomplishments to impress other around him. Doing this gains not only him honor but honor for his king as well. Then, when his reputation is attempted to be tarnished by Unferth, it is seemed as the worst insult possible that Beowulf can get. Beowulf is obviously concerned about how…

The idea of a hero during Anglo-Saxon times was simple. A hero had to do one thing to be a hero; he would have to fight the evil monster and win. After this, he would be a hero. Today, this is not the case. There are many different forms of evil that a person can fight to be considered a hero. This “evil” today includes many more things than in the previous Anglo-Saxon times. In the epic Beowulf by Seamus Heaney, he depicts Beowulf as a hero based on a different set of ideals that a hero can…

The Germanic Heroic code displayed in Beowulf tends to value, courage, loyalty, vengeance, hospitality, a natural king, etiquette women, fate and people with good reputation (SparkNotes Editors). These codes traditionally are valued in warrior like societies as a means of comprehending their relationship in the world” (SparkNotes Editors). Living by this code is a constant theme in the epic of Beowulf, author unknown. Beowulf’s structure of three separate parts, each featuring Beowulf and his…

Beowulf the Hero Beowulf was a hero in many ways. He was brave, kind, and willing to help others. The people of Denmark thought he was a hero in all of these ways, and more. They admired him so much, not only because he killed Grendel, but because he had all of these characteristics about him. Kindness was one thing that made Beowulf a hero. He was kind to go to a land and fight of this monster for strangers that he didn't even know. He was kind to Hrothgar, even when the sword that he said…

Beersheba, a largely protected town 43 km from the Turkish fort of Gaza, was the scene of an incredible Australian historic charge by the 4th Light Horse Brigade on 31 October 1917. Beersheba was the right end of a defensive trench line that stretched all the way from Gaza on the Mediterranean coast. After two failed attempts to attack Gaza frontally it was decided to defeat it by attacking the Turkish defence line around Beersheba. The attack was launched at dawn on 31 October but by late…

It is said that what we value can be determined by what we sacrifice. In the epic poem, Beowulf is this shown by many characters, but none stand out as much as the title character himself. In this essay, the topics being addressed are the sacrifices Beowulf made to help Denmark and Geatland, how the sacrifices he made illuminate his values, and how they give a deeper understanding of the epic poem as a whole. In Beowulf, Beowulf sacrifices his life multiple times to help Denmark and Geatland to…

The recitalists originally presented the epic poem Beowulf orally, so they faced the challenge of intriguing the audience for a long period of time while creating the sensation that they were actually living in the story. The use of the poetic element, caesura, in Beowulf acted as an oral device to keep the listener’s attention, and alliteration helped to immerse the listener into the story through vivid imagery in an attempt to showcase the important of the Anglo-Saxon cultural theme of heroism…

In the Anglo-Saxon epic poem, Beowulf, a myriad of virtues define the warrior Beowulf. Coming from his homeland in Geatland, he arrives in the land of the Danes in hopes of helping King Hrothgar defeat an evil monster, Grendel. Beowulf is an impressive, strong warrior who will not only defeat Grendel, but also will demonstrate how in life one must seek glory before death, a legacy. A man’s reputation and his lineage is supremely important in the patriarch society Beowulf lives in. Consequently,…

Beowulf, an epic poem, had a many elements of Anglo-Saxon culture. Some of those elements included, but not limited to, loyalty, kinship, fame, etc. One of the main themes in Beowulf, embodied by the character, is loyalty. Beowulf helps the Danes and tries to increase his reputation. He wants to be loyal to his own king in Geatland. In the times of the Anglo-Saxons, the quality of your king was the quality of your loyalty. Beowulf's loyalty and honor saved Hrothgar's country and his people.…

Many people consider a hero a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. Beowulf is without a doubt one of the most iconic heroes in english literature. However, Ragnar Lodbrok is by far the most famous and well known viking king to ever live. Beowulf and Ragnar have a lot of similar characteristics and virtues when it comes to taking care of there own people. Ragnar and Beowulf share many heroic characteristics such as courage, bravery,…