Theme of Beowulf Essay Example For Students

Theme of Beowulf Essay Theme of Beowulf The Anglo-Saxons were the members of the Germanic peoples who invaded England, and were there at least the until the time of the Norman Conquest. They were people of their own time, language, and culture. In the Anglo-Saxon adventured filled tale of Beowulf, the hero Beowulf, was considered the modern day superman. His character exemplifies the Germanic hero and consequently the Anglo-Saxon ideal: strong, fearless, bold, loyal, and stoic in his acceptance of fate. With the absence of humility, yet his important role in society and his ideals of chivalry, Beowulf was the definition of a hero in his own time. This novel develops the theme, with honor towards chivalry and faith in yourself, anything can be accomplished. To be a hero in the Anglo-Saxon period, you proved yourself by doing good deeds, showing honor, and exemplifying bravery. But with all of his amazing characteristics, Beowulf had a hard time proving humility. You re Beowulf, are you- the same boastful foo! We will write a custom essay on Theme of Beowulf specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now I who fought a swimming match with Brecca, both of you daring and young and proud, exploring the deepest seas, risking your lives for no reason but the danger All older and wiser heads warned you not to, but no one could check such pride (Beowulf p. 39). This best describes Beowulf as a child, full of pride and not that good at hiding it. I fought that beast s last battle, left it floating lifeless in the sea (Beowulf p. 40). Another quote that showed that in his older age, he had no problem expressing how good he was. A Knight, a hero in the near future, was not one to be outspoken of his capabilities as Beowulf, even though they did both have the same roles in society and honor towards chivalry. Two qualities that did make Beowulf look a lot more heroic, unlike his absence of humility. Beowulf s role in society was almost identical to a Knight. Only, unlike the Knight, Beowulf made the choice to have this role in society. He was considered the strongest warrior around. He could fight anything, and would easily fight for his King and country. When King Hrothgar had trouble in his battle hall Herot, he asked for Beowulf s assistance. With honor and pride, Beowulf gladly accepted the King s plea for help. Many believed he did so because it was considered his role in society. Either way, he fought off the two beasts, Grendle and his mother, and saved Herot. Beowulf knew of his power and strengths and considered this to be his role in society, to serve and protect his country and those in need. This honor is a good example of Beowulf s heroism. With any quality of Beowulf, chivalry was probably his most recognizable. If anything, Beowulf had the up most respect for his King. He loved him and honored him with all his heart. If asked to do anything by the King, Beowulf would accept it with pride. When the King died, it was Beowulf that asked to take over. But with Beowulf s chivalry, he declined because the King s son was the rightful heir. With time, Beowulf did become King, but with his honor towards chivalry, he was looked up to by all his people. Most people would have easily accepted the throne if asked, but Beowulf was strong with his belief towards chivalry. Even if Beowulf did not have humility, his role in society and honor towards his chivalry expressed his beliefs and proved his heroism. The theme, with honor towards chivalry and faith in yourself, anything can be accomplished, is developed in this novel. The Anglo-Saxon ideals of being strong, fearless, bold, and loyal were exactly the qualities Beowulf carried with him. The ideals of heroism vary differently from generation to generation, but with humility, roles in society, and chivalry, you are bound to have similarities with other heroes. With Beowulf, his honor and pride made him a hero of his own time. Theme Of Beowulf Essay Example For Students Theme Of Beowulf Essay Ever since Cain killed his brother Abel, death and murder have been a part of human society. The man always killed the other man, physically or mentally, to gain something for himself, something that may be a tangible things such as food or money, or intangible things such as power or pride. Throughout the British epic poem Beowulf, there are many killings and deaths. Grendel(a gigantic, bear-like ogre) kills Danish thanes, Beowulf Hygelacs(King of the Geats) nephew kills Grendel and his mother. Also Beowulf kills a dragon and gets killed by the dragon. The most important theme of the great epic poem Beowulf is death. By the death of the enemy, characters in the poem earn pride and dignity. We will write a custom essay on Theme Of Beowulf specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now The poem is about a hero from the land of the Geats to help the kingdom of Danes. Danes have a place called Heorot, a huge mead-hall, a house greater than men on earth ever heard of(53), and one night without warning, Grendel attacks the hall, because of his jealousy of human society. Grendel is a descendant of Cain, a lineage which has long borne marauding monsters, trolls, goblins, and giants all of which were banished from human society. He envies the fellowship and happiness he sees; he hates living the fens, excluded from the company of men; thus, he stalks the moors, jealous of the pleasure of mankind. Hrothgar, the King of Danes, is old and physically unable to avenge the deaths of his thanes. When Beowulf hears about Hrothgars situation, he decides to help him by fighting with Grendel. First he fights with Grendel in the Heorot when he attacks the hall. Beowulf cracks one of the Grendels arms free of its socket, ripping sinews and tearing muscles. Grendel runs away and Beowulf follows his bloody trail but does not find the dead body of Grendel. Heorot is rebuilt and redecorated removing all the marks of Grendels attack. King Hrothgar thanks Beowulf for killing Grendel. One night, Grendels mother attacks Heorot and takes one of Hrothgars thanes. Beowulf goes to the Grendels mothers home a boiling, bloody pool and kills her. He brings Grendels head(found in the pool) and a sword to the Danes. King Hrothgar thanks and awards Beowulf with gold and jewelry, and Beowulf goes back to the Geats. Years pass, and one of the Geats steals an ornamented cup from the hoard of a dragon who has peacefully but zealously, protected his vast treasure for three hundred years. The dragon seeks vengeance, marauding the countryside and spewing fire, burning everything before him, including Beowulfs home, the throne of Geats. Beowulf decides to fight the dragon. Filled with righteous and heroic anger, Beowulf goes to the dragons cave. He kills the dragon and gets killed by the dragon. he seized his whole neck between bitter fangs: blood covered him, Beowulfs life-blood, let in streams. Then I heard how the earl alongside the King in the hour of need made known the valour, boldness and strength that were bred in him. His hand burned as he helped his kinsman, but the brave soldier in his splendid armour ignored the head and hit the attacker somewhat below it, so that the sword went in, flashing-hilted(136)When the dragon emerges from his cave, Beowulf tries to fend off the dragons scorching breath but his shield is only a little protection. He strikes the dragon with his sword but he miscalculates and fails to pierce the dragons vital innards and spews such intense flame that Beowulf winces at the searing heat. The dragon coils and strikes, sinking his fangs into Beowulfs neck. Beowulf is spattered with his own blood, but he continues to fight with the dragon. Beowulf pulls out a razor-sharp dagger and delivers the death blow, ripping open the dragons entrails with the assistance of Wiglaf, the son of Weoxstan, a Waymunding and a kinsman of Beowulf (Index).Throughout the poem, there are many bloody deaths of thanes, monsters, and courageous hero. Death occurs to all the living creatures. But there are many different ways of death such as death by accident, by sickness, and by others. When Beowulf dies, it is an heroic death which we cannot see in the modern human society. The most important theme of the story would be heroic death. 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