Beowulf Essay, Research Paper

Beowulf

People have been telling stories for centuries. During Anglo Saxon periods, since very few people could read or write, oral tradition was the only way people remembered, and told of dangerous stories. Transcriptions written were those done by many order of monks among those the Benedictine monk. Men in this era were brave, loyal, and a mixed group of Germanic tribes. They lived on Europe’s northern seaboard and southern Scandinavia, they were known as Angles, Saxons, Jutes, and in this case, the Danes. The Danes brought about a Heroic Epic named Beowulf. Composed of kennings (hyphenated words – two meanings in one) and alliterations, which are the repeating of the consonant sound. In this story the Danes Beliefs and Honor are shown through the actions of Grendal.

Beliefs that the Danes had were quite popular, in fact religion was used as a regular basis. In addition, these men and women believed the Pagan concept, in which one is born with fate, ” In mist, invisibly following them from the edge of the marsh always-there unseen.” Secondly, the belief of God was also a higher being that Danes worshiped. For example, ” The almighty drove those demons out!” Finally, Danes also looked for guidance through the Devils hands, ” Hoping for Hells support the Devils guidance in driving their affliction off.” Lastly, it’s easy to see the beliefs of Danes conflict with one another.

Unlike today, centuries ago ones honor was an extreme necessity to keep valid. For example the word of Beowulf meant life at this point, ” My lord Higlac might think less of me if I let my sword go where my feet were afraid to.” Moreover, it was an extreme honor to die on the battlefields for the father, ” Hail to those who will rise to God, drop off their dead bodies and seek out Fathers peace.” Although, men?s skills in craftsmanship were also a large honor or value, ” Together, swollen in hot flames such splendor of ivory and wood.” To sum it up, a person’s word, skill, and death was a great honor.

astly, the appearance of Grendal (a dragon or monster) brought dreariness and death towering over many. In contrast Grendals personal living area was also dreary and full of misfortune, ” He was spawned in that slime conceived by a pair of those monsters burn of Cain, murderous creatures banished my God.” In addition Grendals dreariness upon others is of no moral standards, ” Killing as often as he could, coming alone and blood thirsty and horrible.” Even more so, the thoughts of Grendal were expressed with such sickness it’s obvious this creature is evil, ” And his heart laughed, he relished the sight, intended to tear the life from those bodies.” In summary, the lifestyle of Grendal is immensely evil, unfortunately causing pain and conflict for the Danes.

Misfortunes caused by Grendal, helped show beliefs and honors of Beowulf and other characters during this time, for example, their opposing beliefs of Pagan, God, and the Devil. Also the value and honor of ones word, skill, and death was of great meaning. Lastly, Grendals nature of evil, actions, and living all inflict killings. All in all, the good guy always wins.