Abstract The paper sets out to prove that the poem "Beowulf" contains the features of an epic poem. To highlight the classic features of an epic poem, the paper uses "The Iliad" by Homer. It then goes on to list the characteristics of an epic poem that can be found in the poem "Beowulf" .
From the Paper "The definition of an epic poem encompasses several factors. Firstly, an epic poem is a narrative poem on a large scale. Secondly, an epic poem is a story of an adventure, usually involving a hero on a quest. Thirdly, the epic contains myth, legend or mystery and is usually set in the past and in a heroic age. Finally, battles and perilous journeys play a large part, with scenes often set in the Underworld or Heaven and with magic, the supernatural and gods playing a part."
Abstract In this article, the writer compares Seamus Heaney's translation of 'Beowulf' to two other translations of the epic poem. The writer discusses what makes some translations unreadable. Further, the writer discusses the use of modern language to make sense of the poem to contemporary readers.
From the Paper "Michael Alexander has identified 'Beowulf' as the first substantial work in English and pointed out that it has both a severe artistic dignity and a penetrating understanding of human life. This long poem has been translated by any number of individuals beginning with Alfred Lord Tennyson and continuing through the translation by Seamus Heaney. Heaney was initially commissioned by the W. W. Norton Publishing Company to represent this famous Old English poem to undergraduates in a free standing and relatively faithful translation that would also appear in an ... "
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."
Abstract This essay will cover two poems: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and Beowolf and compare the affects their characters had on the periods that they lived. Also, the historical themes that are differing between the two time-periods will illuminate the characters in the text that both of these poems reveal by their symbolic reference to the era that they strived in. By showing what lesson these poems teach and the history that they develop, we can see how they can be indicators, of this argument, that closely resembled each others times by the similarities of their lace in history.
Tags: LITERATURE / MEDIEVAL LITERATURE, beowulf green knight
Abstract This paper discusses that the ideology of paganism and Christianity clash within Dante's "The Divine Comedy" and "Beowulf" (anonymous). The author points out that, by observing the earlier authorship of "Beowulf", one can see the similar use of Christian domination over pagans but without the absolutist values of the Church of Rome in Dante's later times. The paper relates that, by understanding the contrasting time periods of the poems, one can understand the historical and literary conflict of paganism and the Christian faith in medieval times.
From the Paper "This literary analysis compares and contrasts the different conflicts of paganism and Christianity that appear within "The Divine Comedy" by Dante and "Beowulf". By using various passages from both of these epic poetic works, one can realize the conflict in the way that paganism was still a part of Christian belief systems in early and middle medieval literature. Through Dante and the anonymous author of "Beowulf" the burgeoning Christian system was slowly overcoming the Pagan polytheistic ideals that had existed for centuries before the Roman Catholic Church came to power in northern Europe. In "The Divine Comedy" by Dante, Canto IV presents the polytheistic nature of paganism, which was beginning to wane through the power of the Roman Catholic Church in the 13th century. "
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."
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?
Abstract This paper looks at the stories of "Beowulf" as a parallel to the values and attitudes within Medieval society, namely, the penultimate values of martial prowess, heroic action, courage, material goods, religious devotion, and most of all, loyalty.
From the Paper "Medieval society was a violent one, necessitated by the constant warring between kingdoms. The nobility, created originally to defend those unable to defend themselves from the raiding tribes following the downfall of the Roman empire, prided themselves on their combat prowess and valued this above all else. We can find a parallel to the attitudes of Beowulf in the heroic age of Greece and the Homeric epics of the Iliad and the Odyssey in their emphasis on combat as proof of a man's worth and the preoccupation with violence in violent times. The Medieval period is one such era, characterized by the warfare and the heroes of the era, such as Beowulf. Beowulf would be the archetype, ideal warrior, especially in the exceptionally warlike Danish regions. These heroic tales give us a great deal of insight into the aspirations and ideas of those nobles and warriors, who would be the most likely readers of such tales."
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.
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."
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."
Abstract A paper on the historical analysis of Beowulf. The paper discusses the concept of Wryd, good/evil and resolution in the light of the passages quoted and finally compares it to the mindset of the people in "Odyssey".
Abstract The question of the "voice" of a yue-fu poem is a complicated one given the circumstances under which these poems came to be written. This is a strange poem because it has more than one voice. In fact, parts of the poem are even in the quotation marks that usually separate speakers in prose. In the first section of the poem the voice is that of a soldier. However, it is important to note that the soldier never uses "I" as an individual. Instead, the "voice" always uses the pronoun "we" in reference to the entire group of soldiers in his unit.
Abstract This paper focuses on William Wordsworth's poem ?Animal Tranquility and Decay.? It explores the relationships between man's mind, his body, and his natural environment. The title refers to the "tranquility" that Wordsworth seems to perceive in nature and the "decay" that a human being undergoes during his life. The paper concentrates on the various insinuations made by Wordsworth about tranquility and decay. Definitions are raised and examined, as well as related to everyday life. Also, symbolism is examined in the poem, as well. Phrases and stanzas from the poems are analyzed in search of an overall theme.
Tags: animal, decay, poem, poetry, tranquility, william, wordsworth, age
