Book Report On Beowulf Essay, Research Paper
Nathan Petersen? s Cliff Notes
Writer ( good kind of )
The Beowulf manuscript survives in one codex, the British Museum MS. Cotton Vitellius A. XV. In 1731 the codex was scorched, damaging the last two thousand lines of the verse form. The manuscript itself seems to be scribed by two different monastics, the first scribing the first two tierces of the verse form and the 2nd suddenly taking over for the last 3rd. The true writer of Beowulf is unknown, although it is likely that Beowulf was an unwritten narrative copied by the monastics. However, there is some grounds demoing that the 2nd Scribe had an confidant relationship with the text and may hold revised portion of it. The day of the month of composing is likewise unknown, with possible day of the months crossing anyplace from 650 A.D. to merely before 1000 A.D. It is besides possible that portion of it was composed earlier and so reworked in written signifier by the writer of the textual version. Today, the manuscript resides in the British Library and is good seeing for yourself.
A list of Fictional characters
Beowulf & # 8211 ; Beowulf is the hero of the verse form. He is a Geat, the boy of Ecgtheow and the nephew of Hygelac.
Hrothgar & # 8211 ; Hrothgar is the well-thought-of and loved male monarch of the Danes. He has a great Mead hall that Grendel terrorizes.
Hygelac & # 8211 ; Beowulf & # 8217 ; s uncle, the Geatish male monarch during the first portion of the verse form. He is the one character in Beowulf whose being is verified by outside beginnings.
Unferth & # 8211 ; A Dane who taunts Beowulf, but subsequently lends him his blade, Hrunting, to contend against Grendel & # 8217 ; s female parent. Unferth is a fearful adult male who slew his ain brother.
Wiglaf & # 8211 ; Beowulf & # 8217 ; s loyal consideration. He is the lone warrior to remain and assist Beowulf battle against the firedrake, the last of his line.
Grendel & # 8211 ; Grendel terrorizes Herot, Hrothgar & # 8217 ; s mead hall. He is a descendent of Cain and ordinary arms can non ache him.
Grendel & # 8217 ; s Mother & # 8211 ; Grendel & # 8217 ; s female parent comes to seek retaliation for her boy & # 8217 ; s decease. She lives in a cave in the underside of a lake.
The Dragon & # 8211 ; The firedrake caches hoarded wealth in a cave near a drop in Beowulf & # 8217 ; s land. When a adult male steals a cup from the firedrake, it burns Beowulf & # 8217 ; s lands. The Old English word for firedrake is wyrm, which conjures up a slipping animal more like a cross between a traditional firedrake and a snake.
Summaries of the 5 subdivisions in Beowulf
Section 1
Beowulf? s Arrival
Chapters 1-10
Beowulf hears of the problems of the Danes and takes a group of work forces across the ocean to the land of the Danes. The watcher sees the Sun reflecting off the shields and sit his Equus caballus down the drop to run into the boat, stating the work forces that he has ne’er seen an onslaught force land so openly. Beowulf tells him that he comes from the state of Geat. He says that he has heard about Grendel, and wants to assist. The watcher takes them to Herot, and one of Hrothgar & # 8217 ; s Lords, introduces them to Hrothgar ( the male monarch ) , explicating that they have come to assist. Hrothgar says that he knew Beowulf & # 8217 ; s male parent and really has heard of Beowulf & # 8217 ; s celebrated strength. Beowulf announces to Hrothgar that he will confront Grendel with merely his strength, no arms, and that God will make up one’s mind the result but that Hrothgar should direct his mail back to Hygelac ( his male monarch and uncle ) if he dies. Hrothgar tells Beowulf that he one time helped his male parent and describes the gory efforts at killing the despicable animal known as Grendel
After this address, the warriors sit back and imbibe a small Mead and listen a Muse sing. Then Unferth attempts to disgrace Beowulf. He asks him if he is the same Beowulf that got into a liquid lucifer with Brecca and lost, so connoting that worse consequences will come in this battle. Beowulf answers, naming him his full-of-beer friend, an honorly abuse, and explains that they swam out into the unfastened sea together for five yearss until they were driven apart by a storm in the dark. Then Beowulf was attacked by water-monsters and he killed nine of them. He so diss a little more by stating Unferth that he & # 8217 ; s ne’er heard narratives of courage about him, but he did hear that he killed his brothers. Beowulf coatings by stating Unferth that if he were every bit courageous as he is connoting, Grendel would non be the job he is now.
The male monarch is amused by Beowulf & # 8217 ; s response. Then Hrothgar and his work forces leave the hall and Beowulf and his work forces, who doubt they will of all time see their land a addition, lay down to kip. Beowulf corsets awake, alertly waiting the approaching conflict.
My Comment
This first subdivision is sort of drilling. All they do is speak about is? I? ll kill the monster! ? , and? Oh no! The monster is atrocious! ? . There is no action or any of the good material to come. Just a small minor character development is all we see. Of class we are introduced to all of the chief characters, but that? s non truly that exciting. There is one cool portion though. When Beowulf insults the Unferth cat. He ( courteously ) calls him a rummy, and calls him a individual who has committed fratricide. That was sort of orderly how he did that and didn? T cause any problem.
This subdivision is of import because it sets the scene, and foreshadows the battle with Grendel. There is much ballyhoo about whether or non Beowulf can make it. The character development is of import because there isn? t that much character development in this full book.
Section 2
Chapters 11-18
Grendel and the party afterwards
Grendel comes to the door of Herot and rips it unfastened, even though Fe flexible joints and a heavy Fe saloon hold it. His eyes are evil. The atrocious animal and sees all the work forces and he laughs, believing that he? s traveling to hold a large dinner. He eats one of Beowulf? s work forces, the first of his planned orgy, and tears him to scintillas, droping his dentition into his hapless victim. When he eats up the full warrior he reaches for his following victim. Beowulf. Beowulf snatches Grendel & # 8217 ; s manus in his tight appreciation and Grendel realizes that he has ne’er met a adult male so strong earlier. Grendel gets truly frightened and wants to run, but Beowulf bents on, retrieving his self-praises in the hall, hold oning tight as Grendel & # 8217 ; s fingers break. Grendel tries to acquire off but Beowulf bents on and the warriors awake and watch the conflict between Beowulf and Grendel. The warriors try to assist Beowulf and kill Grendel with their blades, but blades can? t injury Grendel. Then, Beowulf rips Grendel? s arm off and Grendel goes running out of Herot into the dark.
Hrothgar gives thanks to God, praising Beowulf and his female parent, and inquiring God to honor Beowulf with good luck. Beowulf said that he merely wishes Hrothgar could hold seen the conflict, and that he could hold killed Grendel at that place, but God did non desire it that manner. Hrothgar gives Beowulf and his troops dozenss of gifts. He besides makes certain to give the sum of gold for Beowulf? s companion who was killed. Then everyone drinks and chows, they have a large party until nighttime.
When everyone falls asleep, Grendel & # 8217 ; s female parent comes to revenge her boy and catch both Grendel & # 8217 ; s arm and Hrothgar & # 8217 ; s greatest warrior. She would hold stolen more, but the cat made so much noise that the other combatants realized that she was at that place, they leapt up with their blades ready, but she was already running into the dark. All the work forces hear the disturbance and come to the hall ; Beowulf is called in. He asks Hrothgar casually if he slept good, Hrothgar tells him that Grendel? s ma has attacked his house and that Beowulf was his lone hope.
My Comment
This is where the books starts to acquire interesting. In this subdivision Beowulf and Grendel slug it out. Beowulf kicks his butt. Plain and simple, no if ands or buts. He kicks the dirt out of Grendel with his bear custodies. He wholly rips Grendel? s arm off. He shows no clemency. Then they party like ne’er earlier. They drink Mead ( which is like bear ) and acquire truly imbibe, so Hrothgar starts giving nowadayss. He gives concatenation mail, helmets and dozenss of gold material.
This is of import to the narrative because it is one of the chief events. The violent death of Grendel is what gives Beowulf the major start of his celebrity. It besides sets up the following scene in which Beowulf is expected to contend Grendel? s ma. She? s non excessively happy about her boy? s decease either.
Section 3
The Fight with Grendel? s Mother, and the Party Afterwards, and Beowulf? s Exodus Home
Chapters 19-31
Beowulf agrees to contend Beowulf? s ma, and before morning they go to the lake. When they reach the lake, they see unusual animals creeping in the H2O, H2O animals that swim off at dawn. Beowulf puts on his armour, his mail-shirt, and his helmet. Unferth lent him a blade, called Hrunting, for he was non courageous plenty to contend the monster himself.
Beowulf stands on the border of the lake, and asks them to direct back his hoarded wealths to Hygelac if he dies. He declares that he will contend Grendel & # 8217 ; s female parent or dice, and so he jumps into the H2O. He swims down until she sees him and bits him out of the H2O. She swims with him into her cave den. He sees a fire behind her and efforts to run her through, but the blade doesn? t work on her. He tries to kill her like he killed Grendel, but he couldn? T. She sat on him so he couldn? t move and she drew her knife, but his concatenation mail protected him from the knife.
Then Beowulf sees a immense blade on the wall, reflecting brilliantly. He takes it
and putting to deaths Grendel’s female parent by cutting her caput off at the cervix. He sees Grendel’s cadaver and he chops off its caput. The blood from Grendel burnt his blade to ash. Merely the hilt remained.
Meanwhile, the work forces standing beside the lake see the blood welling up and make up one’s mind that Beowulf is dead. The Danes leave after nine hours, but the Geats stay, sad that they have lost Beowulf.
After killing both Grendel and his female parent, the blade blade has melted off and Beowulf swims to the surface. The Geats are enthralled with joy as they all return to Herot and Beowulf drags Grendel & # 8217 ; s caput as a trophy.
Afterwards they have another party. Hrothgar gives them more gifts, and they drink a batch once more. Hrothgar lectures Beowulf that he is now rich, and that he should remain wise and non be oppressive when he gets lordship and lands. He pleads for him to? Turn non to plume! ? Beowulf takes the words to his bosom and he and his set take their leave. The king weeps with joy from all that the hero did for them.
Then Beowulf and his warriors go back to Geat. They are met there with warm welcome. They? re ship is unloaded for them and they go to Hygelac? s tribunal. He asks about the quest and Beowulf. Beowulf so recounts the tail to his stateliness and the queen. Then he proceeds to give all that he had received from Hrothgar to Hygelac and his married woman. The male monarch and queen award him with land, arms, and a topographic point in line for the throne.
My Comment
This is rather the subdivision right here. Beowulf defeats Grendel? s female parent, and gets even more gilded and celebrity. Then he goes back to Geat and is greeted by the male monarch. He gets land and rubrics and they give him a? great blade? . Everyone is amazed at his achievements and workss. When he was a child they thought he would amount to nil.
This subdivision is of import because it adds to his heroism and achievements. He is developed as a individual with category, and knowledge on how to move. The male monarch and queen are really impressed by his recounts. So impressed in fact that they give him a topographic point in line to be king. This is of import because he will go male monarch of Geat for 50 old ages.
Section 4
Beowulf? s 50-year regulation
Chapters 31-35
Hygelac and his boy are killed in war. The throne so passed to Beowulf. Beowulf takes the throne. He regulations good for 50 old ages until a firedrake begins to terrorise his land.
A adult male, get awaying his maestro, crept inside the firedrake & # 8217 ; s den and took a aureate cup. The firedrake & # 8217 ; s Gold hoard was full of ancient hoarded wealths assembled from the caissons of the dead. The last adult male alive buried all his hoarded wealth at that place before he died. The firedrake found the hoarded wealth and hoarded it. But the adult male took the cup while the firedrake was kiping and escaped with it. He gave the cup to his maestro hoped to delight him. When the firedrake awoke, and realized that the cup was losing, he went into a fury. He waited until dark hides and so flew over Beowulf & # 8217 ; s land, burping and spiting fire and native sulfur to do a combustion land. The Geats saw the fire destructing everything and became afraid.
When Beowulf realized what is traveling on, he became rather sad. For 50 old ages his state had been peaceable, but now the angry firedrake was botching his land. He asked if he had angered God. He knows he must make something, so he calls for a metal shield. Beowulf did non fear the battle with the snake, for it seemed little compared to all he had achieved in his clip. He approached the cave with 12 work forces, the adult male who stole the cup lead them to the den.
Beowulf vows to contend the firedrake entirely and win. He figured he would allow God and destine make up one’s mind the master.
My Comment
In this subdivision, it tells about how good of a swayer Beowulf was and that the people loved him. He was a peaceable male monarch and underwent deep sorrow every clip something bad happened. He was still a warrior at bosom though. When the firedrake menace came, he himself went and vowed to kill it entirely.
This is of import in the narrative because it shows that despite the fact that 50 old ages have gone by, Beowulf is still strong plenty to crush a firedrake. This is besides of import because it tells he is now peaceable and attentions for his people. He wants enduring to halt so h is willing to give his ego for that cause.
Section 5
The Final Fight for Beowulf
Chapter 35- the terminal of the book
Beowulf goes under the drop that contained the firedrake. He yells at the top of his lungs. The firedrake slithered its manner out of the drop. Beowulf drew his blade and advanced, the fiery snake blew fires at him. His valorous metal shield protected him, but non for long. He swung his blade at the animal? s belly but the blade broke as it impacted on the firedrake? s scaly chest.
All of the work forces had retreated to the forests and were watching the conflict. Salvage one, Wiglaf returned to his male monarch, keeping his shield high and pulling his blade. Wiglaf yelled to his comrades, seeking to do them retrieve what Beowulf had done for them in a despairing supplication for aid. He rushed frontward, stating Beowulf that he would put down his life for him.
Then the firedrake charged, spiting fire and hurtling monolithic claws at them, but Wiglaf continued frontward. The firedrake belched fire and burned Wiglaf & # 8217 ; s manus to a chip. Wiglaf struck the firedrake in the pharynx, forcing the blade in to the hilt. Then Beowulf took his belt knife and stabbed the firedrake in the belly. The firedrake dies from the knife in the belly.
After the conflict, Beowulf sat down on a place opposite the wall, and Wiglaf gave him H2O. Beowulf had a deep cut in his pharynx, but he could still talk. He told Wiglaf that he had no boy so Wiglaf would hold to maintain his line traveling. Then he told Wiglaf to travel and convey the hoarded wealth to him so he could see it before he died. Wiglaf went into the den and saw tonss of gems and gold. He hurried back and Beowulf gave thanks that he got to see the hoarded wealths, so tells Wiglaf to construct a hill on the coast and name it Beowulf & # 8217 ; s den. Beowulf dies.
My Comment
This is the terminal of the book. I enjoyed it exhaustively. The terminal is pretty self-explanatory. Beowulf eventually died, but in the procedure took out a firedrake. ( Which I? ve heard is reasonably difficult to make. ) He fought bravely even though all of his fellow warriors had abandoned him salvage one. It was because of that 1 that he was able to crush the menace and salvage his people from the merciless firedrake? s fire.
Essay ( civilization )
The civilization of this epoch ( speculated about the eighth century Europe ) is one of a monarchy and feudal system. Back in those times, the male monarch ruled and was in charge of the armed forces. He besides took revenue enhancements from his Godheads in exchange for protection. The Godheads were in charge of an sum of land and every thing that was on it. They owned the land, and had say over everything. Under them were the provincials who paid revenue enhancements to the Godhead. An illustration that the narrative used this was that when the male monarch had received all the gifts from Beowulf, he gave him a Godhead rubric.
Beowulf was a portion of the warrior category. The Warrior category was different from your normal military, composed of chiefly provincials, in that they were really loyal Godheads. Because they were Godheads, they were expected to populate by a codification of award. In this codification of award you must move bravely under God and you must maintain your award at all times. You do non diss person? s award unless you want a battle. You must be polite and sly when serving out abuses. Beowulf was really good at this. To Unferth, who had merely insulted him, he said, ? Oh my friend, your face is hot with ale! ? which in kernel is naming him a rummy. He made it a non-insult because of the? my friend? . He so says, ? you talk about my award, but all I? ve heard about you is that you killed your brothers. ? Here, he has traded an abuse for an abuse. The adult male said he would non win and that his repute was false, so Beowulf counters with something of equal magnitude. Beowulf is a pro at this. He ne’er steps outside of the codification either. He ever sticks with it.
Another thing that the book shows about imposts is the really old tradition of gift giving. It is so old there are even histories of it in the Odyssey and the Iliad. It was considered duty that if a adult male did something of heroism for you, you rewarded him with gifts of gold. It was a mark of generousness and besides a mark of wealth. If you wanted to do a statement as to how much wealth you had you gave gifts to all of your invitees. This happens to Beowulf twice by the same adult male. Hrothgar gave him many gifts for the service he had done them.
They besides loved narrative relation. It was their best manner of go throughing on History. It gave them a sense of pride. They besides used it to state narratives of heroes new and old. This happened a few times in Beowulf. The best illustration I can give is when Beowulf recounted his workss to the male monarch and so told about every thing that was traveling on in that portion of the universe.
Beowulf is a really rich book culturally. You merely have to cognize how to look for them. I have prior knowledge because of the books I read and such so I know what to look for. The book stays within the clip period and civilizations really good. The writers truly knew what they were making. The lone thing that is a small sham is the whole monsters, firedrakes and super-human efforts. Beowulf is an illustration of what it was truly similar back so.
