Beowulf Essay, Research Paper
Beowulf is the heroic narrative of a immature hero who battles the monster
Grendel and his female parent. Beowulf, a prince of the Geats, the boy of
Ecgtheow who voyages to Heorot, the hall of Hrothgar, male monarch of the
Geats and the great grandson of the hero. There at Heorot, Beowulf
destroys the monster Grendal, who for 12 old ages has haunted the
hall by dark and murder all he found in this. When Grendal? s female parent, in
retaliation, makes an onslaught on the hall, Beowulf seeks her out and putting to deaths
her in her place beneath the Waterss.
There are many different events in this narrative. First, there is the
pagan warrior system. In this system, the relationship between the Godhead
and his work forces, known as the thanes, is really of import. It is the
duty of the thanes to support their male monarch and their lands and besides
to contend his wars whenever possible.
The relationship between the Godhead and the thanes is one of common
trust and regard. The warrior vows his trueness to his Godhead and
finally becomes his comrade. In return, the king/lord is
responsible for refunding these work forces for their favours and finally
provide for their families. He offers them shelter, helmets, gold
rings, watchbands, blades, beer, Mead, and a place. ( Norton, 23. )
In the warrior society, there are two signifiers of requital, quiet
retribution and the wergild or the & # 8220 ; adult male monetary value & # 8221 ; ( Norton, 23. ) . A slayer is
responsible for paying for the decease of a warrior, by paying a member
of his household: & # 8220 ; Each rank of society is evaluated at a definite monetary value,
which has to be paid to the dead adult male & # 8217 ; s kinsmen by the slayer who
wants to avoid their retribution & # 8211 ; even if the violent death has been
accidental. & # 8221 ; ( Norton, 23. )
There are besides the thoughts of destiny and bravery portrayed
throughout the narrative of Beowulf. The warriors believe that destiny controls
their lives and their existences. Beowulf, the ultimate hero, shows this trait
throughout Grendel & # 8217 ; s onslaught and besides in his conflict with Grendel & # 8217 ; s
female parent after her vindictive onslaught on the hall of H
eorot. He even Tells
Unferth, the braggart warrior, of his destiny before get the better ofing Grendel,
when Beowulf says, & # 8220 ; Fate frequently saves an undoomed adult male when his
bravery is good. & # 8221 ; ( Norton, 34. )
After, Beowulf & # 8217 ; s successful triumph over Grendel, the warriors enjoy
their banquet and so settle down for their dark & # 8217 ; s remainder in the great hall
Heorot. They do non cognize that Grendel has a family who will come that
dark to revenge his decease. Grendel & # 8217 ; s female parent so arrives and bits
the first individual she sees and hurries back to the mere. When it is
discovered that the adult male, who happens to be Hrothgar & # 8217 ; s dearest adviser,
Aeschere is dead, everyone is sorrowful.
Once once more, all of Danes are now in sorrow for the decease of
Aeschere. Hrothgar mourns his friend & # 8217 ; s decease, but Beowulf encourages
him when he says to Hrothgar, & # 8220 ; Sorrow non, wise warrior. It is better
for a adult male to revenge his friend than much mourn. & # 8221 ; ( Norton, 45. )
Beowulf now attacks Grendel & # 8217 ; s female parent and gives triumph and freedom
to the Danes over the monsters that have been blighting them for over
twelve old ages. Hrothgar is described as a & # 8220 ; grey warrior & # 8221 ; . ( Norton, 45. )
He is old, tired and can non command his land. His thanes can tout,
but can non confront the monsters that try to subvert his land.
Not merely does Beowulf shows his bravery and his combat ability
as a immature warrior, but in the terminal of the verse form, at an old age, he once more
shows his bravery by assailing the firedrake who finally takes his life.
At the clip he is about to assail the firedrake, Beowulf says, & # 8220 ; In my
young person I engaged in many wars. Old defender of the people, I shall still
seek conflict, execute a title of celebrity, if the evil-doer will come to me out
of the earth-hall. & # 8221 ; ( Norton, 59. )
Beowulf & # 8217 ; s replacement is Wiglaf. Wiglaf is the immature warrior who
sticks by Beowulf & # 8217 ; s side while he fights with the firedrake. Wiglaf is really
similar to Beowulf in that he is besides brave and is low. He is
really brave and shows his bravery when he tries to assist Beowulf
onslaught the firedrake.