Beowulf Essay, Research Paper

1. An epic hero represents a society?s main problems and fears, how they seek to attain solutions, and what they value in a person. Usually an epic hero conquers the type of person disliked by the society, as in Beowulf.

2. Many writers and poets use religious imagery in their works because during these times people were very religious and focused on Christianity. They often felt it was their calling to proclaim God and denounce the devil.

3. ?Darkness? represents an outcast of society or an absence of goodness and God.

4. The biblical allusion is to Genesis and the creation of the earth and heavens. The author made this allusion to demonstrate the beauty of the land and to describe it as the way God created it. This allusion is consistent when you look at the ?darkness? representing something God didn?t create and then see that is the reason Grendel hated the songs of God?s creations.

5. The allusion again is Biblical and says Grendel is one of the thousands of descendant forms of Cain, the son of Adam and Eve that was banished by God. The author is implying that Grendel is of condemned, evil blood and revengeful for his banishment from God?s kingdom. Grendel might be the archetype of the devil.

6. The previous line talks about God?s creations. Lines 26-29, however, represent things coming from other things- evil from evil.

7. The ?slaughtering? represents the Danes and Norse?s (Vikings) conquer- during this time period one achieved what they wanted through force, usually by murder.

8. Hrothgar?s reaction to Grendel?s slaughtering says that he is not a man of action. He mourns the loss, but doesn?t do anything about it, even though he recognizes it will probably happen again.

9. Herot stands empty for twelve years because Grendel scares the people away: ?Distance is safety?. Lines 59-64 imply that the people look to their king for a solution and for safety, but when he can?t give help they cast sorrow on him.

10. The misery of Denmark reached other kingdoms through sailors, and also probably from the people that fled Herot. This grief was ?sung? because it was so important; this means it was major news that evil had won.

11. Lines 69-72 imply that the monster is uncompromising and not looking for rewards or willing to make a truce, rather their misery and sorrow.

12. Lines 76-78 create suspense; the reader knows the way Grendel works, but the people in the story never know.

13. The previous text describes how Grendel ruled and beat the righteous, therefore lines 83-85 create inconsistency saying that Grendel did not dare touch Hrothgar?s throne because it was protected by God.

14. Hrothgar?s council turned to old stone gods and the devil for guidance. The author implies that the councilmen are heathens and not of God?s knowledge. The author hopes to express his view that turning away from God in times of terror is not the solution; it is almost like he is saying that the heathen councilmen are the reason why the situation hasn?t gotten better.

15. The author deliberately doesn?t physically describe Grendel in order to stimulate the reader?s imagination- he wants the reader to create their own idea as to how Grendel looks based on how he acts.

16. Beowulf wanted to go because he wanted to help a famous king- his intentions were wrong and pagan . Good deeds come from the heart, not from a desire for publicity. Also, the wise Geats urged his adventure because of pagan reasons like good omens.

17. Line 143 boldly stands out, ?And then they gave thanks to God for their easy crossing?. It is inconsistent with the text because God is not mentioned in their reasons for going, in fact, they appeared pagan in previous lines.

18. Beowulf?s reception by the Danish sentinel is so harsh because the sentinel has no idea who Beowulf and his soldiers are. The sentinel is used to chasing away pirates and raiders so he has to be on guard and firm in his speech. Also, he has never seen such vast weaponry and therefore questions their purpose.

19. Beowulf reveals to the sentinel that his father was Edgetho in order to show he is of noble birth; his father was a famous soldier. Beowulf is relying upon his father?s name to get him admittance into Denmark.

20. Beowulf reveals his victories in order to express his bravery, strength, and ability; he wants the king to trust in him to conquer Grendel.

21. According to Beowulf, he won?t utilize armor to battle because he believes God will decide who wins, and he wants to leave fate to unwind on its own.

22. Beowulf wants his armor mailed back to Higlac so that his inheritance is saved and did not ?die? with him. It is important that the bravery the armor represents (demonstrated by Beowulf?s desire not to use the protection) is passed along in his family.