Beowulf Thesis

A rose may be just as sweet if it were called any other name, but a rose isn’t fighting for recognition, is it? A rose is not a Viking living in a time where life and death are so closely intertwined. Juliet Montague, along with Shakespeare himself may have struggled with the idea of a name, but clearly Beowulf struggled with this idea in quite a different way. The epic poem of Beowulf is a story filled with majesty and mourning. Heroes and villains, struggles and victory. Men die, all the time. Along with all of this there is an underlying theme ever present throughout the script. It is the basis for actions, the reason for such passion behind a man’s own bloody sword, the lust in his hungry eyes for revenge and conquers. In this time where the afterlife is uncertain, and familiarity is only known to a name, true heroism is the only assurance of identity and remembrance.

This theme can be seen in several areas of the book. It begins with the infamous Geats entering the area of the Danes, where such stress is placed by the guard of the coast on the names of the men’s fathers and their lineage . This therefore begins with the suggestion that name means everything; a son is only his father‘s name. As the coastguard pronounces, “Whose soldier’s are you…You! Tell me your name, and your father’s…I say, for us all. Speak, say exactly who you are, and from where, and why” (236-257). This first gives off the impression that there is a great weight held in the names of those that come forth, what they have done and what their fathers have done before them. Even more important, there is a stress that these men are nothing but their father’s name, and they must overcome this to make a name for themselves. The coast guard does not care what the incoming warriors do and who they are, but more what they are and what names they have for themselves. It is again in the town where a warrior demands the names of the warriors before they are allowed passage. The reader is warned in the prologue that the key to immortality is fame. As the storyteller recalls,

His father’s warriors were wound round his heart with golden rings, bound to their prince by his father’s treasure. So young men build the future, wisely open-handed in peace, protected in war; so warriors earn their fame, and wealth is shaped with a sword. (20-25)

Here, the idea of having a good name is set forth form the very beginning of this tale. The link between heritage and identity is set forth as the most valuable asset in this perplexing time. A father must be a warrior to obtain gold for his heir, an heir must be a warrior to live on and prosper. The way to this fame is through battle and valor. The sword is the symbol of success or complete failure, depending on how courageous the hand is that carries it.

Beowulf’s answer also confirms this idea. He does not fight the coastguard and coax him to ask him of what he, Beowulf, has done, but he answers the questions put forth. “We are Geats, men who follow Higlac. My father was a famous soldier, known far and wide as a leader of men. His name was Edgetho. His life lasted many winters; wise men all over the earth surely remember him still” (260-266). Here, Beowulf was quick to explain how great his father was. He also mentioned him as a famous soldier, which seems the best way to become renowned. He was obviously proud to be the son of Edgetho, for he had no problem pronouncing it to the man. His father’s valor is the base of what Beowulf wishes to build on.

Unferth is quick to question the authenticity of Beowulf’s fame and his story of the swimmer’s race. It is pointed out that Unferth is jealous of the eminence attained by Beowulf and the lack of his own. As Raffel translates, “…[Unferth was] angry that anyone in Denmark or anywhere on earth had acquired glory and fame greater than his own…“ (502-505). Only one man can be the best of the men, and only one man can hold the crown of all that is heroism. This obviously impassions Beowulf to prove himself, but not through battle, but the persuasion with ardent words. Because Beowulf was so moved by this proclamation, it’s importance is stressed.

This epic poem continues with the urge to conquer the murderous demon Grendel. No other man has conquered such a horrific task, and no man has revenged those laid to rest by the beast. Grendel is the epitome of evil, and Beowulf was there to fight it. As Beowulf proclaims, “Let me live in greatness and courage, or here in this hall welcome my death!” (636-637) This happens right before the Danes go to their beds and wait for the evil to smother them once again. This proclamation is the basis for Beowulf being in the land of the Danes. He searched for that immortality, and if he could not win and live on forever, let him die now.

The deep and thorough description of the encounter between Grendel and Beowulf