Beowulf Society Essay, Research Paper

Beowulf Society The earliest known manuscript of Beowulf is thought to hold been written in the 10th century, nevertheless, the verse form had most probably been told as an unwritten tradition for centuries before that. In fact, the verse form? s events day of the month back to the 6th century. However, because there is merely one manuscript of Beowulf still in tact really small is known about the verse form or its writer. The verse form does, nevertheless, give us great insight into the civilization of the people who composed and told this heroic narrative. Because the verse form was performed orally chiefly between the 8th and 10th centuries, but dealt with capable affair of centuries earlier, it is hard to decode and divide the cultural context involved in the verse form from one century to the following. The verse form was likely unrecognisable from its original province after two hundred old ages of unwritten tradition that would hold changed its content drastically. The plot line of the verse form, the conflicts and important events, likely maintained most of their individuality while the cultural context took on another signifier more suitable to the current civilization of the people. By the clip it was written, in 1000, the verse form was likely most representative of the 10th century civilization yet it still managed to state a narrative similar to the original version. Beowulf, so, gives us a important penetration into the cultural positions of the 10th century Anglo-saxons including their political, societal and moral positions. The individualistic society was merely get downing to replace the tribal system in which no person had been seen as more of import to the success of the folk than any other. The individualism that Beowulf displayed helped set up new regulations in society. Beyond this, Beowulf gives us an even greater penetration into in-between ages society. Woven throughout about every facet of their civilization and the verse form are really rigorous moral codifications and values. Loyalty, honestness, household ties, bravery and even Christianity play a major function in this heroic poem verse form. In each of the narratives told throughout the poem elements of these values are openly displayed. All three of Beowulf? s conflicts demonstrate qualities deemed virtuous and indispensable to the people of the in-between ages. Beowulf, a godfearing, heroic warrior, first faces a monster that represents all things evil. The monster is a descendent of Cain, a bloody-minded retaliator of adult male and an castaway. Beowulf confronts this evil figure without any fright and without the assistance of any manmade arms of war. The strength of the evil is outmatched by the goodness and pureness Beowulf. Merely because Beowulf displayed no fright and used no arm was he able to destruct this wicked force of devastation. The hero, Beowulf, is glorified more for his virtuousness than for his strength in get the better ofing the monster. For those who displayed no virtuousness, despite their heroism, the effect was rather different. Ecgtheow? s boy, who displayed no courage, for illustration, “ had been despised for a long piece, for the Geats saw no flicker of courage in him ” ( 75 ) . The true hero of the in-between ages managed to keep a balance between his personal glorification and keeping the good of his people. As we see in later narratives of this period, like the Arthur narratives, this is a really delicate balance. Beowulf became a folklore hero because he maintained this balance good. He displayed personal gallantry while at the same clip maintaining his precedences towards the safety of his people. Beowulf? s foremost onslaught on the monster Grendel displayed many qualities that were important in a hero of that clip. First of all, Beowulf was non called upon to salvage the Danes from Grendel. Alternatively, he came on his ain agreement, out of responsibility and rule. He took duty upon himself in a state of affairs that required none. The individualistic society did non necessitate that an individual remain portion of the folk, but instead encouraged them to seek escapade while making good. Beowulf recognized his physical strengths and he utilized them for personal addition and glorification and the good of the state. Beowulf? s 2nd conflict with Grendel? s female parent is rather similar to the first. However, because Beowulf brought along a blade as protection he is apparently less pure and as he attempts to utilize the blade it fails him. He is about beaten by the monster? s female parent until he wields the celebrated old blade of the giants which had charming power to salvage him. While he is non as heroic in his 2nd conflict, Beowulf still displays many of the virtuousnesss indispensable for gallantry and even endurance. He was required to utilize inventiveness instead than strength in his conflict and was required to travel through an highly hard procedure in order to acquire to the monster? s den, about like an induction. However, he came out of the whole ordeal wiser and greatly rewarded. This first two conflicts besides, surprisingly, represented what may hold been an influence of Christian values on the civilization. While the Christianity is non rather the same as we would anticipate in a more modern scene, it was merely get downing to derive some influence in Europe at the

time of this story. This was a period of a conversion of the paganistic beliefs into something that more closely resembled Christianity. Many of the principles and ideals of the two were combined to create a more familiar understanding view of Christianity for the predominantly pagan population. The Christianity in the story is more closely tied in with Moses? Old Testament teachings of revenge and equality than Christ?s teachings of peace, love and forgiveness. Grendel?s mother attempts to avenge the death of her son while at the same time Beowulf is attempting to avenge the death of all those slain by Grendel. The conflict between good and evil is also a very Christian theme that runs throughout the poem. There is a consistant attack of wickedness that can only be overcome by purity and goodness. Beowulf is almost a Christ figure, not to the extent that he is Christ like, merely that he overcomes, literally kills, wickedness. Grendel, on the other hand, “shoulders God?s anger” (45). Whether the poem is mainly pagan or Christian is up for debate, but both had influence on the story as it was finally written. The religious views in Beowulf were obviously a very important aspect of the story and to the people who were undergoing a very significant change in their views of religion. The action provides us with a slight understanding of the qualities respected in middle ages society. However, the vast majority of the text deals with nonaction that gives us perhaps more information about how the society worked. Because this story was originally passed on as an oral tradition each part of the poem is extremely significant because it had to be memorized. This adds significance to the genealogy, long speeches and highly descriptive nature of ceremonial events in the text which must have required hours of memorization. These all give a very detailed account of the non warrior side of life that was also very important. The length of these separate passages indicate what was significant to these people. The action is sparsely distributed throughout the text to apply the principles presented to us throughout the length of the poem. For example, in an important exchange with the king, Beowulf presented “…a standard bearing the image of a boar, together with a helmet towering in battle, a gray corslet, and a noble sword;” (74). This description allows us a glimpse into the importance of gift giving and of the importance of these gifts. Beowulf continues his speech to the king by stating “Hrothgar, the wise king, gave me these trappings and purposely asked me to tell you their history” (74). The detail tat is spent on describing the gifts and their history is significant in understanding the culture of these people. This particular passage displays the importance of rituals and rights that individuals were required to undergo. The songs of the scop recited at Hrothgar?s court also display the importance of using poetry to glorify their heroes and remember their history. Since very little was actually written, poetry was one of the only methods they had to preserve their history. In this history they kept significance was placed on an entirely different set of principles dealing with the importance of rituals and significant heroic events. Beowulf?s final battle is perhaps his most significant. He had learned much since the time of his youth and he approached this battle with greater wisdom. This is the final test of his life and the last challenge that he must endure. Beowulf is different at the time of this battle, however. His other battles had been fought while he was still very young and full of life. In his third battle he was an old man who had spent much of his life serving his country. However, his usefulness for his people was dwindling as old age began to overtake him. This battle demonstrated the final and greatest sacrifice he could make. It was a battle that he surely knew would take his life, but one he deemed worthy. Despite his incredible physical strength and courage Beowulf was unable to win the battle within himself. Like everyone that ever lived, Beowulf grew old, weak and tired. No matter how hard he tried he was unable to escape death and he knew that it would not be long in coming for him. He went into battle facing not only the dragon but also the destiny of his own death. His death, rather than being a sign of weakness, becomes his final act of glory. Beowulf, amazingly, continues to be studied and read extensively all over the world even today, one thousand years after it was composed. Its study of social conflict and heroism is what has made it become a timeless classic. The issues it deals with not only pertained to life in the middle ages, but also with issues that never die. It contains all of the elements of a modern Hollywood film. The most important aspect of the poem, though, is the insight it gives us into middle age life. This poem most likely began as a tribute to a noble war hero, but it has become one of the greatest epics of all time.