Beowulf :: Epic of Beowulf Essays

BeowulfThe translated Anglo-Saxon epic Beowulf is the angiotensin-converting enzyme of the closely important works of Old English literature, and is come up be of the distinction. The epic tells the story of a hero a Scandinavian prince named Beowulf, who rids the Danes of the colossus Grendel, a descendant of Cain, and of his exploits fighting Grendels mother and a dragon. end-to-end the epic, the Anglo-Saxon author uses many instalments to build a certain enlightenment to the characters. Three main important character elements in Beowulf are wealthiness and honor, Biblical, and man (good) versus wild (evil) themes.Many of the characters in Beowulf are, like in most epics, nail downd by their status. But, in addition to status, the Anglo-Saxon culture in any case adds an element of honor. To the Anglo-Saxons, a characters importance as well as their wealth and status was measured not only in monetary terms, that it was in like manner measured in terms of honor, fame, a nd accomplishments. Hrothgar, mightiness of the Danes, is one example of Anglo-Saxon measurement of importance in Beowulf. In the Prologue, the poet describes his wealth and importance, not only as mounds of gold or jewels, but more importantly his ease of having Friends and kinsmen flocked to his ranks, young followers, a force that grew to be a mighty army (lines 65-67) and his ability to create a gravid mead-hall meant to be a wonder of the world forever. (lines 69-70) Through this display of proving his bewilder of King, Hrothgar proves the full extent of his honor and therefore the extent of his wealth and status. Beowulf, the hero-prince, also proves his true wealth and status through his great deeds as defender of the Danes. As he fights and defeats Grendel, Beowulf earns fame and wealth from his companions, as well as from the Danes. More importantly, he earns honor raising him to the level of an archetypical hero. Grendel, however, is the fire opposite of Beowulf. He ha s no wealth, no honor, and he is infamous as an evil killer. This lack of wealth and honor defines Grendel as a type of evil and corruption. In addition to using honor and wealth to define a character, the poet has incorporated Biblical motifs in the epic-poem.As time progressed, the rewrite and touching up of the manuscripts by various sources caused the characters to have Christian characteristics. These Christian themes have become very important to the epic to add an element of depth that wouldnt be possible in modern quantify due to the loss of Anglo-Saxon culture and beliefs.