Beowulf: An Epic Essay, Research Paper

Beowulf: An Epic

Numerous characteristics of this poem validate claims that it is an epic. Obviously indicative of this poem s epic nature are its boasts and battles. Beowulf s boasts begin as soon as he arrives on the Danish shore when he justifies his presence there by giving evidence of his worthiness to fight Grendel. Beowulf describes his youth as glorious. Then, he boasts about his victories in war, and his killing of sea monsters. Beowulf also boasts about how he exterminates the giants race, moreover he says, I drove/ Five great giants into chains, El.153-154. Not only are such feats beyond those of an ordinary man, but the claims surely qualify as epic boasting. Further evidence of Beowulf s boasting lies in his answer to Unferths challenge when he says his swimming is unparalleled to anybodys. Beowulf judges his sufferings and trials as incomparable to man, by stating his battles with sea monsters in icy cold seas with raging storms. Again, his accomplishments are extraordinary.

Even more grand and heroic are the battle descriptions in this poem. On the night the Geats sleep in Herot, Grendel, in his rage, rips a Geat to shreds with on powerful clamp of his jaws. He drinks the blood, and eats the man limb by limb. Also showing his ferocity is his gleaming eyes and ferocious snarl. Evidence of the hero s greater power certainly elevates him to epic grandeur. Beowulf seizes Grendel with one hand, and bends Grendel s claws backward. Obviously the strength of Beowulf is significantly greater than that of Grendel. Finally, the battle descriptions and cataloguing elevate the poem to grandiloquence.