EPIC ESSAY AS OF SATURDA AT 3 OCKLOCK!

Zachary Weber
Period 3
EPIC ESSAYBEOWULF10/15/09
1.)The author and HIS times
The exact date of Beowulf is unknown, the legends of Beowulf are debated as fact or fiction, the poem itself is subject to debate (should it be studied for literary merit or historical fact?), its classification as poem is challenged, even the author of Beowulf is unknown; yet, for all this Beowulf is considered an important piece and is studied internationally by literary scholars and English students alike. This is because of the unique and profound times in which the story was recorded and the interesting blend of the Christian and pagan faiths.
Beowulf is perhaps a Danish or Swedish legend, and perhaps an accounting of a great warrior: a tale from Northern Europe of great deeds and men. Whether the poem is fact or fiction is irrelevant, as somehow this story came to enter the oral tradition of the warmongering Viking people.
The Vikings conducted raids on England from the time of 793AD when Norsemen destroyed the abbey on Lindisfarne and continued until almost 1100 AD. However at about 850, a shift occurred in the Vikings. They began to settle among the English people marrying into local families, giving up there warlike ways to settle as farmers, and most importantly adopting the local religion: Christianity.
Until the Vikings settled in England, they believed in a pagan religion which focused on the glory of ones earthly deed. Only brave warriors could ascend to Valhalla where they would dine among the gods until the day of Ragnarok when they would fight the giants alongside their gods… and lose. This pagan culture is noted in the text of Beowulf obviously in the culture of the warriors that are shown. Beowulf fights Grendel, his mother, and the dragon for honor so he will be granted access to Valhalla. Those who flee from battle are banished even though they were only trying to save their own lives. Even more importantly is the reference to the giants. They are referred to as the ancient race that built the dragon’s lair, and the makers of the sword with which Beowulf slew the hag.
The poem also contains a number of Christian components as well; Beowulf often cries out to “his lord” or states that he was destined to win the battle because of God. I believe that these are in fact inserts that have been placed in the story to accommodate the English peoples Christian culture. Thus the story would have been written down by some English monk or high-person. In this time the ability to read and write was a very rare skill, few outside of the clergy were capable of writing at all let alone transcribing a poem hundreds of lines long. Thus Beowulf must not be treated lightly for it was most likely someone’s life work to record. A member of the clergy who supplemented the story so that it could be better understood among the English people and would spread the Christian faith.
As mentioned earlier the Vikings had begun to settle into England, perhaps the Christian translation of this poem is not an attempt at enabling the English to access it, but rather a way of converting the Vikings into Christians. Monk would have a keen desire to do this because previously the pagan Vikings had been a raider of churches, often selling monks into slavery.
Thus Beowulf in my opinion is an ancient story of the Vikings, a fairy tale perhaps or an accounting of a great warrior which during the conquests of Anglo-Saxon England was transcribed by a Christian influence. Although attempting to use this great poem as a tool for Christianity, the pagan influences are still apparent in subtle details.
2. Form/structure/plot
Like everything else in Beowulf the structure of the piece is under debate. The easy way of analyzing the poem is that it is an escalation of the three battles climaxing in Beowulf’s death. However, in Beowulf there are a number of side-stories which seem to be inconsequential to the main story, they do not further the plot and in my opinion would have been dropped out of oral tradition over the years if they were unimportant. Thus, I believe that these transgressions presented within the poem are actually a telling of important times and a shifting of powers between three cultures: the Danes, the Geats, and the Swedes. This is the true meaning and story of Beowulf.
If you believe, as I do, that Beowulf is truly the story of 3 nations then the structure of the poem is very complex. After all not many poems focus on the unimportant and leave the important to the outskirts. This complex method is used to hide certain aspects of the poem from certain people. The story as an oral poem, was passed down by tradition, the simple action could be appreciated by the young; those preparing to go to war. The more subtle story of the nations would not be picked up by these young men. However, the elderly and battle weary would pick up on this delicate theme. In this way the poem made a sad comment on the aspects of war to those who had experienced it, while at the same time inspiring the young to go to battle, fight to the death, and die for heroic glory.
In order to make this undertone subtly apparent, the poet used a number of foreshadowing and sequencing techniques. Foreshadowing is especially important because the reader is never actually told whether or not the nations will fall or succeed, the destinies of the nations are only hinted at. The poet hints that the Danes will fall in a story told in the hall of Herot, that the Geats will fall at the funeral of Beowulf, and that the Swedes will rise in the stories told of the wars against the Swedes. Again this subtle hinting helps to hide the true nature of war from the young and naïve.
The way the story is sequenced is also important, after every battle there is a feast, celebration, or gathering of some kind, at which stories and speeches are made. These stories for the most part constitute the transgressions. After Beowulf slays Grendel it is hinted “The Shielding nation was not yet familiar with feud and betrayal” pg 67. and the tale of betrayal between the Frisians and Danish is told. After Beowulf kills Grendel’s mother, Hrothgar foreshadows the falling of the Geats by describing the dangers of power also in a number of stories told when Beowulf returns home the tale of the rising Swedes is told. Lastly after Beowulf’s fight with the dragon the fall of the Geat people is imminent and foretold by the new SWEDISH king of the Geat people: Wiglaf.
In a short summary, Beowulf a Geat travels to Denmark to confront Grendel who has been terrorizing herot. He ambushes Grendel and easily defeats him in hand to hand combat. At the feast afterwards, the fall of the Danes is predicted. Next Beowulf fights Grendel’s mother in her own lair after she avenges her son’s death on Herot. This time his sword fails and he must use an ancient weapon which he finds in the hag’s lair. He is protected by his mail and returns unscathed. When Beowulf returns home and in a number of intercalary chapters, the rise of the Swedes is foreseen. Lastly Beowulf fights the dragon after it is awoken by a slave, he must again venture into his enemies lair, and again his weapon fails him. His men all abandon him with the exception of Wiglaf, who helps him to slay the dragon. Beowulf is mortally wounded and makes Wiglaf king of Geatland. Ironically Wiglaf is a Swede. Wiglaf then tells of how Geatland will be overrun by Swedes because the Geats have no courage or champions.
3.) Point of View/ Perspective
The poem Beowulf has an odd point of perspective and point of view. The majority of the poem is written in third person omniscient. The reader hovers over Beowulf’s shoulder, yet at times will jump to happening which Beowulf could not possibly have knowledge (unless of course he’s Jesus)

4.) Character
Beowulf has no character, at least not one that the reader is ever made aware of. The poet never delves into the reasons behind Beowulf’s actions. In fact Beowulf is never even described physically. Instead the reader comes into contact with the character that is Beowulf through his actions and words alone. Even though we follow Beowulf from his rising to the time of his death, a time period of over 50 years, he still remains highly undeveloped. He remains the powerful warrior: deadly yet mysterious.
The story follows him from his rise to glory all the way to his demise, though it skips the 50 years in which he became king, defeated nations single handedly, and defended the nation with his reputation… apparently because they were unexciting. However this 50 year gap is filled in tales of what has occurred, the reader is simply not allowed to be there when it takes place. After spending all this time with Beowulf he remains an enigma. We assume that he fights Grendel to gain honor and glory, but there is also mention of his father’s debt to Hrothgar. We assume that he kills the hag to avenge Hrothgar, yet couldn’t it be some Christian crusade of ridding the world of Cain’s influence? In truth nothing is known about why Beowulf performs his actions, and thus nothing is known about his true personality.
Now take a look at what is known about Beowulf. His name is a keening for bee-hunter, meaning the bear, which is important in the ancient northern European culture as a symbol of power and courage. Beowulf appears to be an archetype warrior: fearless, powerful, and eager for glory. However, he fails as a king to provide security for his country after his death. This is one main purpose of Beowulf, to show what makes a good king and a bad king, but also to show the different qualities of a warrior and king. Again as an oral tale Beowulf works on two levels, warning the elderly of a flaw in kings, while at the same time telling children of a magnificent warrior.
Beowulf is rarely described by the narrator, instead he is commented on by characters, his actions and his words. However what is perhaps the most direct comment on his personality is made by the narrator in the closing lines of the poem. “They said that of al the kings upon he earth he was the man most gracious and fair-minded, kindest to his people and keenest to win fame.” pg 213 This shows the difference between king and warrior, for a king is not supposed to be so kind to his people that they never have to fight o become hardened warriors. He was always ready to earn the fame which should have been his champions. This was his tragic flaw his interaction with others.
The people who surround Beowulf are treated with a similar lack of detail. In fact there are virtually no physical descriptions of people in the poem. This may tie into the culture of the times, and how people were judged on their heroic deeds rather than their nationality or looks. However there are a few exceptions to the lack of physical descriptions, most importantly in what the people wear. Their armor, swords, and weapons are described often brilliantly. This is because these facts DO relate to culture, and the deeds which warriors have done. Swords especially are a symbol of power and rank as you must have either wealth enough to have one made or killed someone who had such power. Armor too was expensive, and showed rank as well as shields, especially those made of metal.
For example take the character Unferth. He is revealed as a coward, because he did not defend the hall against Grendel, a drunkard in his speech against Beowulf. Beowulf calls him a kin-killer. He is also later revealed to have a magnificent sword named Hrunting, logically he must be a fairly powerful warrior to possess such a sword. He is not ever described but his deeds are hinted at, and his character can be analyzed in his speech, many important things about each character can be discovered by analyzing close details. In this way the characters of Beowulf are unveiled.
5.) Setting
Ancient Denmark, Sweden, and Norway: this is where Beowulf takes place. In the depths of a hell-like hall to the golden feasting place, Herot and the magnificent treasure hoard of the dragon. The story spans three nations, each of which has its own distinct feel and atmosphere. Each of these places are intricately woven into each other, paralleling or supplementing each other in a tie more intricate than the most complicated Celtic knot.
The first important is Heorot. “The hall of halls. Heorot was the name he had settled on it, whose utterance was law.” Pg 7 Heorot is a place of heaven on earth, where literally no evil is meant to be done. The king promised even not give out “common land” or “people’s lives”, both of which were common practices in these days. Yet the attempted perfect-ness of the hall is spoiled by the inability of the Danish to defend it, their weakness is seen as a failure to their king. Even though many stand to fight Grendel, none survive. Thus an air of the hall when Beowulf arrives is that of failure, distress, and anxiety. The people are on edge and wary of outsiders. After Beowulf defeats Grendel, the hall returns to some normalcy, it becomes again a place of feasting and honor. Heorot is important because it shows how a good king should conduct his hall, the warriors are there to defend the king, the king is there to reward and praise the warriors. Yet by failing to defend itself even with an army of men inside, Heorot can be seen as a failure of the warrior culture and perhaps a negative comment on war.
The second location is Grendel’s mother’s lair. Because her family can not enjoy the pleasures of men, they seek solitude in an underground palace. The hall is described in the following lines “he saw firelight, a gleam and flare-up, a glimmer of brightness” pg105 The brilliant hall parallels Heorot, a shining star in the field of darkness. The parallels continue, Grendels mother comes to avenge her son’s death just as Beowulf avenges the death of Aschere, perhaps neither of them were necessarily evil, only acting out of honor. The hag’s hall is important to the story because it promotes the theme of courage and honor. No other man has ever been able to dive to the hall. Beowulf is forced to resort to a weapon in this hall, although his fails him (a theme of the poem). The various places and ways in which Beowulf is able to triumph is a way of showing how great of a warrior he is.
The final location is the hoard of the dragon. In Beowulf’s homeland, this dragon fight is the antithesis of Beowulf’s fight with Grendel. Again the hall is magnificent, and underground just as the hag’s lair was. Beowulf has to go into the dragon’s lair, carrying a weapon, which fails him, he even brings back-up… which also fails him. Each of these settings are important as they show the escalating battles which Beowulf undertakes.
6.) Theme
7.) Critical Review
The Defense of Heorot: Resisting the Attack on Human Solidarity
Heorot Hall has fallen into despair. A loathsome beast has ravaged the Danish town center. A confident hero comes and proclaims himself defender of the hall. Comparing components of this story with those countless archived children’s tales stored away in our memories, we must ask
ourselves if there is something more universal and more essential to the human condition here than meets the eye. What is this hall that it draws the valiant warrior Beowulf across ancient feud lines to offer his mighty sword and impose his will upon any and all offenders? What does the hideous beast seek to destroy that is so genuinely valued by the Danes and the Geats alike?Beowulf stands up as protector of something much deeper than the mere surface expectations of the reader for bravery and honor; he passionately fights to protect the deep solidarity that Heorot represents for humanity. Viewing Grendel’s assault on this human solidarity, we must conclude that the value of the hall regarding international relations and the power of the human spirit is that for which Beowulf must so ardently fight. Heorot Hall represents the togetherness and fellowship of all peoples; a true monument to the oneness of the human spirit. “Far and wide through the world, I have heard, / orders for work to adorn that wall stead / were sent to many peoples. And soon it stood there, / finished and ready, in full view, / the hall of halls…” (7). Hrothgar, the newly appointed ruler of the Danes, sent orders to the known world for the construction of a great hall. With great gusto, laborers from around the world came to “adorn the wallstead” and to place their mark as a remembrance of the fellowship that would be contained within the very walls of Heorot.
It is no great stretch of the imagination to therefore conclude that Beowulf, upon hearing of the threat against Heorot, took it upon himself to stage a defense against him who would destroy the very building that for the people represented the deep solidarity of the human spirit. The
beast who would perpetrate such a vile act therefore cannot merely bare the image of some mindless ogre springing from our endless archive of childhood stories, but rather one who would seek to destroy the very foundation of the essence of togetherness. “So Grendel ruled in defiance of right, / one against all, until the greatest house / in the world stood empty, a deserted wall stead/” (11). In these very words we see three aspects of the true nature of the beast which draw our attention to the fundamental character of his loathsome being. First, he rules “in defiance of right“, as though the values by which the whole of humanity is governed were in fact the bane of his existence. Secondly, he stands one against all, clearly demonstrating his isolation and profound hatred for togetherness. “It harrowed him / to hear the din of the loud banquet / every day in the hall…” (9). The sound of men conversing and laughing together in community strikes deep into the chasm of the soul of the beast and urges him to rise up for the slaughter. Thirdly, the hall stood empty and the wallstead which bore the countless marks of laborers from all over the world stood in shambles. We now see Grendel’s purpose in assaulting the famed hall: to bring emptiness where there was once fullness and to divide what was once united. The emptiness of the hall is a sad contrast to the rejoicing and fellowship that took place the night before, and the high walls that once proudly bore the names of all of the nations no longer stand. For this very reason the Geats did not hesitate in sending their most valiant warrior to stand up in the face of the threat against the human spirit. “Then news of Grendel, / hard to ignore, reached me at home: / sailors brought stories of the plight you suffer / in this legendary hall, how it lies deserted, / empty and useless once the evening light / hides itself under heaven’s dome. / So every elder and experienced councilman / among my people supported my resolve / to come here to you…” (29).Beowulf, defender of the people, takes up the charge against him who would break the wallstead of togetherness and destroy the international symbol of human unity.
Heorot is ravaged, the wallstead is deserted and there are no longer men filling the rafters with laughter and the strains of the harp. This wonderful monument to the united spirit of all men stands deserted and empty, while Grendel delights in his success in bringing destruction upon the
world’s fellowship center. The only glimmer of hope comes from the north, from the Geats, who have sent their most heroic warrior to wage war against the one who would commit such a crime against the human spirit. Standing against the face of evil, Beowulf protects the united community of man and does not allow the division and emptiness that are born from the soul of the vile beast Grendel to ravage the halls of Heorot any longer. Resisting Grendel’s savage attack on human solidarity, Beowulf takes up the defense of Heorot and the case of every nation whose name was so poignantly placed upon the high walls of this great hall of men.
Young, David. "The Defense of Heorot: Resisting the Attack on Human Solidarity." A Critical Analysis of Beowulf (2006). Web. 17 Oct. 2009 .
David Young skillfully argues that Beowulf comes to Heorot to protect it because it is a symbol of international piece. He calls upon specific details including the multi-national work force used to construct heorot, and makes many incites into why Grendel is attacking there. However I feel he has failed to understand the times in which Beowulf occurs. A building designed to represent international peace is all well and good in an age where today we can sit down at the UN, and talk diplomatically, where most of our religions call for a peaceful life and ascent to heaven, where our culture no longer calls for heroic deeds and epic adventures, but what David Young fails to account for is that this was not the mentality a warrior 1500 years ago would have had.
Beowulf fought for Hrothgar for honor whether for him or to avenge his father’s debt is debatable. Beowulf himself states over and over again how he will win glory by defeating Grendel. Furthermore if he was there to protect the hall as a symbol of peace, he would not have needed to chase down and kill Grendel’s mother, who was only avenging her son’s death. Look at how the dead are treated, Beowulf takes of the heads of his victims and parades them back to Heorot, is this a man who wanted or cared about international peace? No. Instead Beowulf kills these two creatures to enhance his fame and reputation, which he is most proud of. If you may have any doubt of this read Beowulf’s boasting about how he swam for 7 days in full armor, and your doubts shall be quelled.
Although this interpretation presents a new look at Beowulf’s motives it fails to account the warrior tradition which is apparent in these times. David Young has clearly not studied the Viking religion, the constant doom and ultimate failure they believed in, as well as the fall of Valhalla. A culture which believes that their entire world both material and supernatural is doomed and the only way to “survive” is to be sang of would not care if a hall was erected to glorify international peace. In fact they’d probably ransack it.
8.) Diction
10.) Tone
12.) Memorable Quote
13.) Personal Response
Beowulf is a story, an entertaining story which can be enjoyed on multiple levels: like a Celtic knot, the story weaves its way interlacing many side stories and complex plots, like an unknown treasure hoard there is much to be interpreted. The poet, the storytellers, and presumably Seamus Heaney, have carefully interwoven the stories of multiple nations at a time of crisis, the story of three great deeds, and the rise and fall of a king all in one. The story presents an argument for what makes a good king, and what makes a good warrior and still manages to excite and inspire. This book is designed for the student and intellectual, those who wish to find hidden gems in literature which no-one may have yet found. This book is perfect for an AP student and should remain in the curriculum.
I enjoyed not only the complexity of Beowulf, but also the simplicity, the basic story of a warrior who goes out to kill monsters in order to attain fame, and the rise of a man from warrior to a king. With a warriors exceptional valor so clearly elucidated, and used as an inspiration it is easy to see how the Viking people were able to dominate the northern shores of Europe for so many hundreds of years. This action and courage helps still today to capture the attention of every boy who ever picked up a stick and fought the trees which he knew were evil monsters.
If I had one complaint about Beowulf, it would be the lack of character. Beowulf feels undeveloped as a person, although this may have been intentional in order to allow warriors to more easily project themselves into him, it Is frustrating and annoying at times. Always you must analyze Beowulf’s actions, his speech to find why he has done something, never is it forthrightly presented. Furthermore the lack of physical description of characters is also frustrating, as the characters seem distant, and I feel they could be clarified with a few simple adjectives.
Having said this, Beowulf still remains a terrific and exciting read. One which I would not hesitate to re-read as I am sure there would be many more subtle details to be picked up upon. I would not hesitate therefore to read another of poem of similar style to Beowulf, especially one of the same culture. Such passion and fury can be found in a people who are willing to die for glory, knowing that glory is the only way to escape what is essentially damnation. I believe that these aspects are rarely found in other cultures of the time and virtually do not exist in modern society. Beowulf remains one of the few poems able to tell a story with a purpose on many levels, appeal to such a wide audience, and inspire such emotion. It will, I am certain be read by students, children professors, and educators for centuries to come.