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.