Abstract
The paper details how Beowulf's followers revere him and follow him without fail when his strength is at its apogee, but desert him when he is confronted with his deadliest test near the end of his long reign as King of the Geats. The paper suggests that Beowulf's loyalty to others is astounding and fueled, in large measure, by a profound sense of honor, while his warriors, lacking his courage and sense of honor, are occasionally weak-willed and turn away from him when he needs them most. Nonetheless, the paper asserts that the poem is a celebration of Beowulf's fidelity to the Geats - even after they mocked and dismissed him as a child - and a testament to the extraordinary faithfulness of Beowulf in others and in the warrior's code by which he lives and, ultimately, dies.

From the Paper
"The following paper will look at loyalty in Beowulf, one of the great epic poems in all English. The paper will detail how Beowulf's followers revere him and follow him without fail when his strength is at its apogee, but desert him when he is confronted with his deadliest test near the end of his long reign as King of the Geats - the grim dragon tormenting his people and land. In the end, only Wiglaf stays behind to offer any sort of assistance to Beowulf in the final, desperate moments of his life. The paper will suggest that Beowulf's loyalty to others is astounding and fueled, in large measure, by a profound sense of honor. At the same time,..."

Tags:loyalty, beowulf, unfaithfulness

Abstract
The paper relates that Beowulf is based on the classic epic formula involving the confrontation of good versus evil; in fact, the entire plot is based on a series of battles as Beowulf confronts the evil Grendel and his wicked mother. The paper highlights how the intonations and themes interwoven into this work as well as literal language tell of a deeper spiritual meaning to the story. The paper points out that following Beowulf's victory over Grendel, Hrothgar's first words are: "The Almighty makes miracles When He pleases, wonder after wonder, and this world Rests in His hands" (Raffel and Creed xv).

From the Paper
"As one of the great literary classics of all time, Beowulf is both a thought provoking and inspiring work. It follows that the current discussion provides a subjective commentary on this epic tale. Specifically, discussion is provided concerning the elements of this work that struck me most, moved me most deeply, delighted me, and made me think. What in the World have we done to Beowulf? Beowulf is based on the classic epic formula involving the confrontation..."

Tags:beowulf, grendel, hrothgar

Abstract
This paper explains that "Beowul" tells, amongst other things, the story of three monsters and their battles. Grendel, Grendel's Mother, and the Dragon are the monsters who give Beowulf the opportunity to become the legendary hero he is, and they also came at important socio-political times. The paper tells us the monsters of "Beowulf" can, and should, be read as metaphors for greater meaning, not simply static characters who serve as punching bags for the hero. In addition, the authors of "Beowulf" constructed its monsters in such a way that the text could be used as a teaching tool, a piece of Anglo-Saxon propaganda to teach morals and explain defeat.

From the Paper
"By abstaining from the use of conventional weaponry in his battle with Grendel, and only using a magical sword in his fight with Grendel's mother, Beowulf symbolically rejects the domestication of civilization that Hrothgar proffers and revels in his violent heritage. The intimate struggle with Grendel in Heorot where "hand met claw" exemplifies the meeting of two forms of violence: the repressed, tabooed and latent violence of Grendel, and the open, healthy and manifest violence of Beowulf. Because Grendel is presented as the negative manifestation of violence, Beowulf wins the fight and shows the reader how the respectful application of violence is always the strongest. This idea is presented in the gristly image of Beowulf holding "Grendel's claw" "from hand to shoulder" as his war souvenir, the prize of his battle and the death of his enemy (836, 835). That Grendel's arm is Beowulf's souvenir reminds the reader of Grendel's primitive, yet terrible, weapon."

Tags:beowulf, monsters, society, morals, morality

Abstract
The paper shows how the premise of family values is the primary facet of character development found within the medieval poem, "Beowulf". The paper explains how Beowulf is summoned by his relative, King Hrothgar, to kill a monster that is threatening the very survival of his clan, and Beowulf answers this summons with great loyalty and courage. The paper also outlines how Grendel is loyal to his mother, as they are the last surviving relatives of the cursed Cain in ancient biblical lore.

Tags:beowulf, literature, medieval

Abstract
This paper identifies the heroic and elegiac elements in "Beowulf," and compares the two. The author gives many examples of the poem referring to "Beowulf" as a hero, and then shows several examples of the sad, elegiac mood of the story of "Beowulf."

From the Paper
"With detailed celebrations of weaponry, the praising of heroism and prowess in battle, eloquent speech, and an emphasis on vengeance, "Beowulf" is an epic poem of clear heroic capacity. Considered the first post-classical English epic, "Beowulf" also has many elegiac elements, including imagery of suffering and a sense of sorrow for the passing of worldly things. These elements are developed in the characters' longing for a better past, the value ascribed to treasure, and the importance of fame as the only lasting thing in a decaying world."

Tags:beowulf, elegaic, elements, heroic, term

Abstract
The review explores the work of Seamus Heaney (1999) in translating the epic Anglo-Saxon document, "Beowulf." This translation is compared to the digital restoration work being done with the original documents found in the British Library. Both Heaney and the Beowulf restoration group (at the University of Kentucky) are working with identical documents; however, Heamus has translated the text into a more accessible story, and restoration experts such as Keirnan (1984) have worked to preserve the original document for study. This paper evaluates whether Beowulf is a "story" or an artifact of Anglo-Saxon history, and the significance of the difference between translation and restoration.

Tags:beowulf, book, review

Abstract
The paper argues that the clearest proof that Beowulf is the epitome of the Anglo-Saxon hero in a warrior society comes from the fact that he insists on taking on the dreaded monster Grendel with his bare hands. The paper asserts that to the modern reader, taking on a creature that eats warriors for dinner after ripping them to pieces might seem foolhardy, but apparently this was perceived as heroic by the warrior society, which would have valued physical strength and courage that was not reliant upon weapons.

From the Paper
"The clearest proof that Beowulf is the epitome of the Anglo-Saxon hero in a warrior society comes from the fact that he insists on taking on the dreaded monster Grendel with his bare hands. To the modern reader, taking on a creature that eats warriors for dinner after ripping them to pieces might seem foolhardy, but apparently this was perceived as heroic by the warrior society, which would have valued physical strength and courage that was not reliant upon weapons. Similarly, when Beowulf takes on the..."

Tags:beowulf, hero, values

Abstract
This paper discusses Beowulf and Grendel. The paper notes the similarities between Beowulf and Grendel and explains that the main one was that they were both last of their line. The paper adds that they had interesting lineages and they were both champions for their people with similar fates.

From the Paper
"Beowulf is the classic Scandinavian epic of the mighty Beowulf. Beowulf fights many monsters over his life-time but probably his most famous battle involves an anthropomorphic monster named Grendel. In many ways the characters of Beowulf and Grendel are complete opposites. Beowulf is the powerful, noble and charismatic warrior and Grendel is the ultimate predator seeming to lack even the most rudimentary social skills, courage or even a shred of human decency. Although these characters are extremely different they do share a number of similarities."

Tags:beowulf, grendel, similar

Abstract
The general idea of the paper is to compare Beowulf to Jesus. A fairly difficult topic, this paper does an excellent job at pointing out how Jesus and Beowulf have many parallels, evident because the narrator telling the story had recently converted from paganism to Christianity. Grendel, his mother, and other characters help form the body of this paper.

From the Paper
"Existing as the oldest example of English literature in the form of an epic poem, Beowulf is an ancient pagan story involving two Scandinavian tribes, the Danes and the Geats. As the two tribes converted to Christianity, what was once an old pagan tale came to be greatly influenced by Christian morals, ideals, and traits. Since the Christian scop, or narrator of the story, tries to superimpose Christian beliefs onto a pagan story and as a result, the hero of Beowulf can be compared to Jesus Christ in a number of ways."

Tags:beowulf, christ, compare, contrast, danes, epic, geats, grendel, jesus, poem, scandinavian

Abstract
This essay analyzes many of the biblical references made in the epic poem of "Beowulf". These biblical references are then compared to the context of the Old Testament. The paper seeks to determine whether or not "Beowulf" was originally told with Christian tone or if Christian elements were added during the influential time period that the Danes were going through at the time it was written down.

From the Paper
The latest version of Beowulf was translated from Old English and written by Seamus Heaney. It is the oldest known epic poem and takes place around 500CE in Denmark and Geatland, which is now southern Sweden. Beowulf is believed to have been first composed orally around 700CE and then written around 1000CE by monks of Anglo-Saxon decent. The British Isles were in rough shape after the conquests of the Romans, Germanic tribes, and the Vikings. The Anglo-Saxon's needed a heroic man of faith that represented strength, decency, and bravery and could also protect the Danes from evil. This man was known as Beowulf. Beowulf seemed to be the good, called upon by god to protect the Danes. There were frequent biblical references made throughout the context of Beowulf. Did these biblical references prove that the Anglo-Saxon's believed in a monotheistic god and had faith in Christianity or were these religious aspects added later in time?

Tags:beowulf, christian, christianity, heaney, influence, seamus