Beowulf
Beowulf
Give an in-depth analysis of the following characters in no more than three sentences for each:
Beowulf - He is a Geatish hero who fought against Grendel, Grendels mother, and a dragon.
He illustrates the traits of the perfect hero. The poem brought up Beowulfs courageousness
as a warrior and his audacity as a king to his men.
Grendel A vague monster full of loneliness, hatred and inferiority, who brought violence to
the Danes. Grendel is an outcast who seems too long to be reinstated.
Hrothgar - Hrothgar, the aged ruler of the Danes who accepts Beowulfs help in the first part
of the story, aids Beowulfs development into maturity. Hrothgar is a relatively static
character, a force of stability in the social realm. Although he is as solidly rooted in the heroic
code as Beowulf is, his meditations on heroism and leadership, which take into account a
heros entire life span rather than just his valiant youth, reveal the contrast between youth
and old age that forms the turning point in Beowulfs own development.
Unferth - Unferths character whose traits contrast with and thereby accentuate those of
Beowulf. The bitterness of Unferths chiding of Beowulf about his swimming match with
Breca clearly reflects his jealousy of the attention that Beowulf receives. Unferths harsh
words show that it ought not to be bitter or disparaging of others and rather than heroism,
Unferths blustering reveals pride and resentment.
Wiglaf - Wiglaf, one of Beowulfs kinsmen and thanes, is the only warrior brave enough to
help the hero in his fight against the dragon. Wiglaf conforms perfectly to the heroic code in
that he is willing to die attempting to defeat the opponent and, more importantly, to save his
lord. In this regard, Wiglaf appears as a reflection of the young Beowulf in the first part of the
storya warrior who is strong, fearless, valiant, and loyal.
There are several Biblical references in Beowulf that are quite interesting. Grendel is referred
to as a descendant of Cain: "the hostile-hearted creature, Gods enemy, guilty of murder". In addition,
there is a reference to the Great Flood that took place in Genesis: "the origin of ancient strife, when
the flood, rushing water, slew the race of giants they suffered terribly: that was a people alien to the
Everlasting Lord. The Ruler made them a last payment through waters welling". In this reference to the
biblical flood, the author of Beowulf is suggesting that the sword's creators were descendants of
those that caused God to bring on the flood perhaps even suggesting that they were descendants of
Cain. However, earlier in the passage these same giants are referred to with reverence: "There came
into the possession of the prince of the Danes, after the fall of devils, the work of wonder-smiths". Once
again there is a contrast between the pagan and Christian cultures, as the same "giants" are referred
to with honour and contempt in succeeding paragraphs.
3. A kenning is a colourful, roundabout way of naming something, example
The expectations of the comitatus were rigorous, but there were some great benefits. The
thane must agree to defend the king or nobleman to his death if necessary. In return, the nobility
shared their wealth and provided weapons. Perhaps more important is the mutual respect,
friendship, and honor that the nobility and thanes shared.
An early example of comitatus in Beowulf occurs when Beowulf answers King Hrothgar's call
for help. A really bad monster named Grendel has plundered Hrothgar's mead hall. Grendel's
presence makes it impossible to drink mead in peace without the fear of being eaten alive. Equipped
with a ferocious appetite, Grendel consumes at least one or two of Hrothgar's warriors every night.
Beowulf is more than willing to do whatever is necessary to help Hrothgar euthanize the monster,
even if it means dying in the process:
In return, Hrothgar gives Beowulf treasures and pronounces his appreciation for Beowulf's loyalty:
According to the code of comitatus, the close relationship between lord and thane is often
one of close kinship.
5. Describe:
Beowulf's warriors draw their swords but their blades cannot pierce Grendel's hide. After
a feverish and bloody one-on-one battle, Beowulf finally tears Grendel's arm off at the
shoulder. Grendel retreats to his home in the marshes and dies, leavingBeowulf victorious and
Heorot free from the terror of Grendel.
6. What traits of Beowulf and Grendel raise the fight between them to an epic struggle between
two great opposing forces in the world?
Beowulf represents good and humanity while Grendel on the other hand represents evil. The
poem told us how Beowulf killed Grendel all because of his great courage and purity. This further
implies that humanity is able to defeat evil if we just make our soul strong, pure and full of courage.
7. Beowulf is thought to be a perfect hero for his times.
At age seven, Kesz was able to start his Caring Children organization that
provides the basic needs of 10,000 street children, having been from a poor and
depressed background himself. Now at 13-years-old, the Cavite-born is one of three
nominated for the 2012 International Childrens Peace Prize, to be awarded by
Nobel Peace Prize winner Desmond Tutu on September 19th.
"They have seen my strength for themselves,/ Have watched me rise from the darkness of war,/
Dripping with my enemies' blood. I drove/ Five great giants into chains, chased/ All of that race from
the earth. I swam/ In the blackness of night, hunting monsters/ Out of the ocean, and killing them
one/ By one; death was my errand and the fate/ They had earned. Now Grendel and I are called/
Together, and I've come."
"'And if death does take me, send the hammered/ Mail of my armor to Higlac, return/ The inheritance
I had from Hrethel, and he/ From Wayland. Fate will unwind as it must!'"
"like ice when the world's/ Eternal Lord loosens invisible/ Fetters and unwinds icicles and frost/ As
only He can, He who rules/ Time and seasons, He who is truly/ God."
"She and that ripening soldier will be married/ . . . Hoping that his quarrel with the Hathobards can be
settled/ By a woman. He's wrong: how man wars/ Have been put to rest in a prince's bed?/ Few. A
bride can bring a little/ Peace, make spears silent for a time,/ But not long."
"The old man's mouth was silent, spoke/ No more, had said as much as it could;/ He would sleep in
the fire, soon. His soul/ Left his flesh, flew to glory."