Beowulf Essays and Term Papers
Last update: August 20, 2014-
Beowulf
The poem “Beowulf” depicts a very direct representation of good versus evil, right versus wrong. This 18th century poem is centered around Beowulf, the hero, battling against three antagonists representing evil. The first of which is Grendel, a man-monster, described as a “soul-slayer” who stalks his human prey during the night. The other two adversaries, who will be the focus of this paper, are described in a similar cynical approach. As previously stated, the
Rating:Essay Length: 641 Words / 3 PagesSubmitted: November 8, 2009 -
Beowulf
Beowulf is a poem written between 700 and 1000 A.D. Beowulf was written in England and there is no know author. The setting of Beowulf is in Denmark and Geatland. The main character is Beowulf and in this epic poem he is conquering three monsters. They are Grendal, who is a man-eating, troll like creature, Grendals mother who is seeking revenge on Grendals behalf, and a fire-breathing dragon. King Hrothgar has built a mead-hall where
Rating:Essay Length: 520 Words / 3 PagesSubmitted: November 9, 2009 -
Beowulf
Throughout life a man makes many descions which determine the way his life will be lived and the way it will end. All choices a man makes in his life have consequences and each man must account for them. In life, every man must reap what he has sown. The values a man holds to be important in his life govern the choices he makes. The epic Beowulf is a good example of this
Rating:Essay Length: 942 Words / 4 PagesSubmitted: November 9, 2009 -
Beowulf and Christianity
Beowulf and Christianity There are stories told all over the world handed down from generation to generation. Some remember these stories by memory, but are lost in time, and some write them down to be remembered forever as a part of history. Beowulf is one such story that has been mysteriously remembered for many centuries. I’ve very much enjoyed reading Beowulf. However, since this story has been around for so long many people have added,
Rating:Essay Length: 860 Words / 4 PagesSubmitted: November 10, 2009 -
Beowulf - the Ideal Hero
Achilles, Beowulf, Gilgamesh, Samson and Heracles can all be characterized as heroes. However, each of these characters embodies different attributes that earn them the heroic distinction. This paper will seek to show that Beowulf is the “most” heroic figure based on his adherence to the heroic ethos. Also, the character of Gilgamesh will be used as a means of comparison to further showcase the heroic nature of Beowulf. The heroic ethos is a set of
Rating:Essay Length: 286 Words / 2 PagesSubmitted: November 12, 2009 -
Leaders in Beowulf
Leaders in Beowulf · Beowulf ultimately represents the ideals of Anglo-Saxons; he is a valiant, courageous warrior, who grows into a wise leader. He maintains his morality during his 50 years as king of the Geats, even refusing extra power when he believes he was overstepping his place. At the end of the epic, he dies in a heroic battle against a dragon, and is given a noble funeral. · Hrothgar is observed originally by
Rating:Essay Length: 539 Words / 3 PagesSubmitted: November 13, 2009 -
Germanic Culture Preserved in Beowulf
Germanic Culture Preserved in Beowulf Many differences can be found between early Germanic culture and our culture today. Beowulf,the story of the triumphs of a great warrior over near impossible feats, takes place in Scandanavia during the 450s. In this tale, the war obsessed men exhibit values important to the early Germanic culture. Recording such an epic tale not only immortalizes the hero of the poem, but in turn also makes certain that these Scandanavian
Rating:Essay Length: 1,280 Words / 6 PagesSubmitted: November 13, 2009 -
The Life and Society of Beowulf
In Beowulf, the importance of religion and pagan beliefs are extremely evident throughout the entire work. From the beginning it is deducted that there is a early Christian belief in the concept of heaven or at least in an afterlife. From the start of the epic, Beowulf regards his fate as one of a great warrior. This fate is to have as much honor as he possibly can, but all the while be prepared for
Rating:Essay Length: 946 Words / 4 PagesSubmitted: November 13, 2009 -
Beowulf
A hero is someone that helps others no matter what the situation. There are many qualities that a hero must posses such as bravery, courage, strength, intelligence and honor. These qualities alone are not enough to make a hero. They must also be pure at heart, fight for the good of mankind and only fight when it is to protect the people and not out of revenge. Beowulf is everything a hero should be, but
Rating:Essay Length: 654 Words / 3 PagesSubmitted: November 14, 2009 -
Beowulf and Grendel
In the 2005 film Beowulf and Grendel, the story of Beowulf undergoes another poor Hollywood interpretation with few redeeming points. While somewhat better than the more recent Beowulf of 2007, the 2005’s fatal flaws are still that of twisting what should be sacred and bastardizing socially and culturally redeeming literature with movie flash. The inclusion of new characters, new, modernized dialog, and a cut and paste plot damage what could’ve been a decent interpretation. All
Rating:Essay Length: 724 Words / 3 PagesSubmitted: November 15, 2009 -
Beowulf: King or Warrior?
Beowulf: King or Warrior? For most people, thinking about becoming an adult conjures images or memories of leaving behind their reckless ways, settling down, and becoming more responsible. Just as growing up in today's culture means becoming more reserved and restrained, the same is true in Beowulf. Beowulf would rather remain a fearless warrior than become King, because to be a good King, Beowulf must leave behind the warrior lifestyle that gained him so much
Rating:Essay Length: 649 Words / 3 PagesSubmitted: November 16, 2009 -
Starwars Vs. Beowulf
8th Century versus 20th Century in combat who would win? Beowulf and Starwars have many similarities even though Beowulf was written in the Anglo Saxon period and Starwars in the 1980's. However they also have many differences. A great example of the similarities these two epics share deal with relationships. In the epic saga of Starwars Obi-wan Kenobi previously knew Darth Vadar from training him to be a jedi. These two old friends end up
Rating:Essay Length: 394 Words / 2 PagesSubmitted: November 17, 2009 -
Beowulf and Grendel
Beowulf is a classical epic poem which describes Beowulf’s heroic deeds and his acts towards bringing justice and peace to the Scandinavian society by eradicating Grendel. The original manuscript (700-1000A.D.) and the modern film (2005) reveals significant differences between the characters’ traits and descriptions, an important quotation, descriptions of places, motives, a character’s presence and events that have taken place. Thus, this modern adaptation, Beowulf and Grendel, of an ancient text, Beowulf, is significantly flawed
Rating:Essay Length: 3,319 Words / 14 PagesSubmitted: November 18, 2009 -
Compare and Contrast How Grendel Is Portrayed in Grendel and Beowulf
In Grendel, the story is told from Grendel’s point of view. Therefore he is not viewed as a killing machine. In Beowulf however, it is the exact opposite. Grendel is seen as a monster who is terrorizing Hrothgar’s people. The way Grendel is portrayed in Grendel is different from the way he is portrayed in Beowulf regarding his initiative and purpose. Grendel is portrayed the same in both stories when it comes to his actions
Rating:Essay Length: 858 Words / 4 PagesSubmitted: November 18, 2009 -
Grendel: Choosing Grendel’s or Beowulf’s Side
Choosing Sides The last bell of the day rings, signifying that school is out. A girl, crouched in between a group of cute guys, slowly walks out of the classroom followed by a lonely girl desperately clutching at her school books to keep them from plunging to the floor. Outside as the popular girl waits for her ride home, still clasped between a sea of faces, she is slowly and unostentatiously confronted by the loner,
Rating:Essay Length: 1,003 Words / 5 PagesSubmitted: November 19, 2009 -
Beowulf
In Beowulf there are many symbols and elements. The symbols of Herot hall and Grendel represented all that was good, and all that was evil in the story. There are also many Christian elements in this pagan story. These aspects of the poem are important, but not relevant to today’s society. In the poem Beowulf, Beowulf is an epic hero. The poem gives the idea of what a hero really is. Many of these ideas
Rating:Essay Length: 1,040 Words / 5 PagesSubmitted: November 19, 2009 -
Germanic Tribal Characterisitcs of Beowulf
The epic poem of Beowulf represents a Germanic ideal of heroism and virtue important to the early tribes outside the Roman Empire. In this culture, men who faced difficult challenges, the strongest and bravest warriors, were exulted chieftains and often looked to for leadership. While many might consider Beowulf a proud and arrogant man, he was a hero to the Germanic tribes. The character of Beowulf embodies the very values and ideals of what a
Rating:Essay Length: 913 Words / 4 PagesSubmitted: November 20, 2009 -
King Arthur and Beowulf Comparison
Out of all the stories I’ve read about heroes in this lesson, the only one I had ever heard of was King Arthur. I guess I had also heard of the name Beowulf, but only because there was a new movie coming out called that. I knew nothing about him though. But after reading the stories in this lesson, I became much more aware of both of these characters. As I was reading, I found
Rating:Essay Length: 659 Words / 3 PagesSubmitted: November 20, 2009 -
Beowulf
The Old English poem Beowulf follows Beowulf from heroic youth to heroic old age. He saves a neighboring people from a monster, Grendel, eventually becomes the king of his own people, and dies defending them from a dragon. It is a great adventure story, and a deeply philosophical one. Scholars differ over the poem's original purpose and audience, but Beowulf probably appealed to a wide audience and garnered a range of responses. Beowulf survives in
Rating:Essay Length: 334 Words / 2 PagesSubmitted: November 20, 2009 -
Alex Vs. Beowulf: The Antithesis of a Lifetime
In all works of literature, the role of the protagonist is the most important role for the reader because the protagonist is the one who is to define the perspective in which the story is told to the reader. More importantly the protagonist’s actions and qualities are what set aside the protagonist from all of the other characters in a poem or novel. In A Clockwork Orange the protagonist, Alex is portrayed as a
Rating:Essay Length: 1,213 Words / 5 PagesSubmitted: November 21, 2009 -
Beowulf Paragraph
Every culture has distinctions that separate it from other cultures. That it what makes them so unique. The have different religions, foods, ceremonies, rituals, and holidays. The perceive the world in different ways, and also have certain values that they treasure very much. The Anglo-Saxon culture is no different. It had all these, and it strongly hold certain values to be admired. There are many of these values in the culture, as shown by the
Rating:Essay Length: 348 Words / 2 PagesSubmitted: November 22, 2009 -
Christianity & Paganism in Beowulf
Christianity and Paganism in Beowulf Beowulf was written in the time when the society was in the process of converting from Paganism to Christianity. In this epic poem, these two religions come through the actions of its characters. The acceptance of feuds and the courage of war are just a few examples of the Pagan tradition, while the Christian mortalities refrain from the two. Beowulf is torn between his Christian heart to help the people
Rating:Essay Length: 494 Words / 2 PagesSubmitted: November 23, 2009 -
Arthur Versus Beowulf: A Heroic Comparison
One of the main topics discussed in lesson one is the fact that heroes over time and overseas all heroes have something in common; which is true in the case of King Arthur and Beowulf. It is obvious that they are similar in the fact that they are both heroes, but what makes them an idol of their time and in their culture are poles apart. There are many things that are different about
Rating:Essay Length: 1,063 Words / 5 PagesSubmitted: November 25, 2009 -
Beowulf
Epic poems have a unique set of characteristics that distinguish them from just an ordinary poem. An epic poem must contain a hero that is male, noble, and of importance to society who gives long formal speeches and travels over a vast setting. In the epic poem, Beowulf, the reader can see distinct Anglo-Saxon political, economic, and religious values in the actions of the characters and the things happening around them. Wealth in the Anglo-Saxon
Rating:Essay Length: 1,040 Words / 5 PagesSubmitted: November 27, 2009 -
Similiarties Between the 13th Warrior & Beowulf
In the film The 13th Warrior, a 1999 film strong leadership is evident. In both stories the strongest person will do anything to help the people. The 13th Warrior and the epic poem Beowulf have many similarities and differences. The leadership of Buliwyf compares to Beowulf’s leadership in the epic poem. When in the tunnel after attacking the Wendol’s Buliwyf was hurt but he still went with the rest of the men. Grendel’s mother hurt
Rating:Essay Length: 293 Words / 2 PagesSubmitted: November 27, 2009