How Beowulf Is An Epic Poem - 934 Words

To Leave a Footprint Beowulf is an epic poem written 1000 to 1300 years ago in Old English and translated by Seamus Heaney into Modern English. Beowulf is a significant piece of literature art work not only because it is one of the earliest known works, but also because it reflects and represents the authors, the Anglo-Saxons’ culture and values. At first, this story was passed around orally, from one person to another. Then, later on, the Anglo-Saxons wrote the entire story down into a manuscript. As well as the Anglo-Saxons loved their stories, they loved to boast, too. Boasting wasn’t an arrogant thing to do in their society, instead, it was socially acceptable, or even essential in one’s life. The Anglo-Saxons loved telling stories and boasting; they also liked material things such as gold swords and silver shields. Those were the rewards a soldier receives from their king, which represents their qualities and achievements. Beowulf reveals the Anglo-Saxons’ values in ma ny parts of the poem. Stories appeared the most frequently in Beowulf. The first 64 lines of Beowulf is a story about the old king Shield Sheafson, â€Å"So. The Spear-Danes in days gone by / and the kings who ruled them had courage and greatness. / We have heard of those princes’ heroic campaigns. †(1-3), this already proves the importance of stories to the Anglo-Saxons. Stories were mostly what the Anglo-Saxons did for entertainment. People would gather around in a hall, with food and their drinks, andShow MoreRelatedBeowulf : An Epic Hero930 Words   |  4 Pages The story of Beowulf shows its reader many characteristics of why this Anglo-Saxon poem is an epic. First of all, Beowulf is a warrior of epic renown by the time he formally introduces himself in the poem. Next, Beowulf is the warrior that many strive to be in life. In addition, Beowulf finds himself tackling many quests that involve dangerous beasts, or as he might call them, demons. The next quality shown by Beowulf is his bravery and honor. The reader is able to easily identify this characteristicRead MoreChristianity And Paganism In Beowulf1005 Words   |  5 Pagesto be a savior? Well, that is every day for one epic hero named Beowulf. Beowulf is an epic poem about good versus evil written by an anonymous Christian monk. Paganism was the Geats first religion, and once Christianity became introduced, the religion slowly shifted from paganism to Christianity. Beowulf has successfully exhibited the transition from paganism to Christianity. The epic poem has a shift from Chri stianity to paganism throughout the poem. There are many symbolic examples that successfullyRead MoreBeowulf And The Epic Of Gilgamesh1667 Words   |  7 PagesTwo of the most widely known epic poems of their time were Beowulf and The Epic of Gilgamesh. Both Beowulf and Gilgamesh embody traits known exclusively of a hero. The poem of Beowulf and The Epic Gilgamesh both showcase the characteristics required of being an epic, in that they include a hero on a quest performing valorous deeds in an elevated style, while being protected by supernatural forces. The epic poem, Beowulf was based in the country of Denmark, while The Epic of Gilgamesh was based inRead MoreEpic Poetry and Beowulf Pg1086 Words   |  5 PagesEpic poems have a unique set of characteristics that distinguish them from just an ordinary poem. An epic poem must contain a hero that is male, noble, and of importance to society who gives long formal speeches and travels over a vast setting. In the epic poem, Beowulf, the reader can see distinct Anglo-Saxon political, economic, and religious values in the actions of the characters and the things happening around them. Wealth in the Anglo-Saxon society, as seen in Beowulf, was used as a means ofRead MoreThe Poem The 13th Warrior And Beowulf 993 Words   |  4 PagesThe Anglo-Saxon s wrote an epic poem more than 1200 years ago. Around 1997, The 13th Warrior, a movie, was created based on Michael s Crichton s best-selling novel Eaters of the Dead. In the movie and the epic poem, tell the life of people who fight evil be ings and evil things to protect their home, land, and property. In both renditions many battles took place. In the poem Beowulf only had three battles but in the movie there was four. Another battle once they all came home. I guess to show thatRead MoreExamples Of The Epic Hero Of Beowulf846 Words   |  4 Pagesit take for one to be considered an epic hero? According to dictionary.com, â€Å"an epic hero is defined as a brave and noble character in an epic poem, admired for great achievements or affected by grand events.† The unknown author, an Anglo-Saxon poet, of the epic poem Beowulf reveals that Beowulf was easily the most legendary hero of all time. In this heroic poem, Beowulf accomplishes many great achievements and is affected by a handful of great events. Beowulf is the grandest hero because he showsRead MoreBeowulf : An Epic Poem Derived From Old World Storytelling Traditions1090 Words   |  5 PagesMs. Michelle Boykin EH 203 (Fall 2015) First Essay: Beowulf October 5, 2015 Beowulf: An Epic Poem Derived from Old World Storytelling Traditions The classic poem Beowulf recorded by a monk during eleventh century A.D., and of unknown authorship, is thought to have been passed down over time through oral traditions of storytelling, popular during that period in history. Most likely the listeners and retellers of these types of these stories would have been warriors themselves, much likeRead MoreBeowulf : An Epic Hero978 Words   |  4 Pages Beowulf is a character that exudes the qualities of an epic hero. Throughout this epic, Beowulf is seen as a hero to many and a major threat to the evils he encounters. The values of the Anglo-Saxons, who would have read and admired this poem, included loyalty, bravery, and honor. Beowulf’s character exemplifies all of these qualities to the highest degree. The values and traditions of the original composers of this story cause Beowulf’s character to be the perfect example of an Anglo-SaxonRead MoreComparing Beowulf And The Epic Of Beowulf937 Words   |  4 Pagesthe Roman Empire. In the story Beowulf, his actions portray him, indeed be an epic hero. Both Christianity and Paganism are both portrayed throughout the epic Beowulf. Beowulf frequently speaks of God throughout the story, while there are also many Pagan elements that are evident throughout the story as well. In addition, It s hard to ignore the Christian and Pagan elements in Beowulf. These types of eleme nts are what define the heroic warrior in the epic Beowulf(Vengeance the Pagan and ChristianRead MoreThe Epic Of Beowulf By William Shakespeare977 Words   |  4 Pageslooking at a culture’s epic tales and heroes one can get an insight to the culture’s values and traits that are noble to them. Beowulf, as an epic hero, is a direct representation of the ideal man as seen through Anglo-Saxon eyes. In looking at the poem Beowulf and analyzing the characteristics of the epic hero, it will become evident the desired attributes that were desired in the Anglo-Saxon culture: physical strength, pride, bravery, selflessness, and loyalty. An epic hero is a person that