Beowulf Journal Setting: When and where does the story take place? The story appears to be set I the sixth century in the region known as Scandinavia—includes what is today Denmark and Sweden, lands of the Danes and Geats respectively. This early medieval story written as a poem takes place on two places. The beginning of the story occurs in the land of the Danes, where Beowulf fights Grendel and his mother. The last part of the story takes place in the land of the Geats, where Beowulf had being ruling as king for nearly 50 years and face his last enemy, the Dragon. Characterization: Who are the main characters of the story? The main characters in the story are Beowulf, Grendel, Grendel’s mother, the dragon, and Hrothgar—king of the Danes …show more content…
The protagonist in the story is Beowulf. He was known for his courage and many triumphs. He is a member of the tribes of the Geats, son of Ecgtheow, who was a famous man and noble warrior-lord known by many all over the world. Beowulf antagonists are Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the dragon. Grendel is a banished monster from Cain’s—same Cain who killed his brother Abel, both sons of Adam and Eve from the story of creation¬—clan whom the Creator had outlawed and condemned as outcast. Grendel had being killing and terrorizing Hrothgar’s people. The news of Grendel had travel to the land of the Geats and Beowulf had come to provide assistance to Hrothgar. One day after Beowulf and Grendel’s fight, where Beowulf tears off the demons’ arm, the monster’s mother came to vengeance her son’s death. She was also defeated and killed by Beowulf, for which he received many gifts and praise by Hrothgar and his wife Wealhtheow. The last rival was a dragon who went on a rampage killing and terrorizing Beowulf kingdom after being disturbed by someone that stole from her treasure. Although Beowulf killed the dragon, he died as a result from a dragon’s …show more content…
I have to admit that I first didn’t like reading Beowulf, the language and poem structure made it a little difficult for me. It wasn’t until I began working on this journal that I began to appreciate the poem, the author, and the many angles that can be discussed about this literary piece. Subjects like religion, timeline, and the author’s reason for writing Beowulf has made me become more interested about the story. How are the themes of the story observed in life and society today? Fourteen years ago on 22 April 2004 Army Ranger Pat Tillman died in Afghanistan. Pat was a talented football player that in response to the events of 911 decided to leave his football career to fight for his country and for those oppressed by terrorism. He could have chosen a simple way to serve the cause, instead he chose to be at the tip of the spear, Pat was a hero. What makes people like Pat do what they do? Did Beowulf really needed to fight for the Danes? Most Americans became aware of the sacrifices made by Chris Kyle from the resent movie American Sniper. Like Tillman and Beowulf, he too heard the calling to serve others in need, leaving everything on the line, just like Beowulf when he fought the
even as a weak old man, he chooses to be selfless. He could have just been satisfied with his success in his older battles, but he picks honor over comfort. Beowulf knew that he probably wouldn’t make it after this battle, but he was content with his achievements for his people. He left to face the dragon, and when they arrived, his men betrayed him. (Beowulf 87-88).
Beowulf is an anglo saxon story about an epic hero it's a story with a kingdom being terrorized by a scary monster and the story about the monster spreads to other kingdoms and then this hero heard about it and lend his hand to help them out and bring back the peace to that kingdom. Beowulf in this story is good and grendel the monster is evil and his mom is too they terrorize the hall in which they host their celebrations and at night the monster would come and slay and murder each and every person that was in that hall that night. Grendel is pure evil because he has no conscience , no quench for his thirst of blood and killing he simply does not care about the actions he commits. For that he is the epitome of all evil he does not care for
Grendel is disturbed by the Danes enjoyment of life and happiness; for revenge he ruins their enjoyment and happiness. Grendel is a descendant of Cain, “he was spawned in that slime, conceived…monster” who was a “ murderous creature banished by God”(19-22). He finds harassing and killing innocent people entertaining. Beowulf comes and vanishes Grendel and stops him from continuing his evil acts. On the other hand, Beowulf and the Danes assume “Grendel`s elimination” is the last monster they will encounter, but “believing that [the] evil has been eradicated” the unexpected happens, “Grendel’s mother appear[s]”(Kardaun 1).
The story of Beowulf successfully follows every step of an Archetypal Hero Quest; the hero, Beowulf, answers a call, makes a decision, prepares, faces obstacles, reaches a climax, and returns home. Beowulf is met with three large battles within Beowulf, first with Grendel, then with Grendel’s mother, and his last fatal battle, with a dragon. Each battle carries aspects that add to the Hero Quest but do not fully create one until all are together. The call is the beginning of a Hero Quest.
Dat To The stages of human life in “Beowulf” “Beowulf” is an adventure about a hero named Beowulf, who fights monsters to protect his people and his kingdom. The battle between Beowulf and the three ferocious monsters represents the fight between humans and their difficulties in life. All three vicious monsters symbolize different stages of human life such as, controlling jealousy in early age, dealing with morality in middle age, and facing death in the end. Grendel, a descendant of Cain, exemplifies a horrible image of an outcast or loner from Herot society.
The epic poem Beowulf was a story told in the anglo saxon time period. A time when people believed in dragons, monsters, and curses. Many stories told by people of this time talked about the good and evil forces there are in the world and what happens when they collide in battle. The hero in this story has sailed from his home to fight this evil being named Grendel, a monster that has become a nuisance in Herot.
Everyone has a perspective on good and evil; the battle line between good and even runs through the heart. “Beowulf” illuminates characters that come from dark and deep backgrounds that construct their dauntless actions. In the heroic tale “Beowulf,” the author’s tones strongly demonstrates themes of loyalty, honor, and courage. Raffel’s tones remotely displays the act of loyalty within multiple characters. “Hail to these who will rise to God, drop off their dead bodies” (101).
Beowulf is a strong heroic hero who shows honor,selfless,courage. Beowulf is a strong heroic hero in a way because heroes are protectors and he protected his people of his town. So he is a hero in fact a strong one and a loyal one. There is lots of ways he shows loyalty one i can show is “I had a fixed purpose when i came to sea as i sat in the boat with my band of men I meant to perform to the uttermost what your people wanted or perish in attempt in the fields clutches i shall fulfill my purpose prove myself of proud deeds or meat my death her in the mead-hall”(pages 632-639).I chose this quote because it shows that beowulf would give his head for his people. I think that beowulf wanted to die for his king after all that is the reason
The “Monstrous ogress” was “savage in her grief,” and her actions become even more beastly than her sons (Beowulf 1258-76). Women in this Germanic Warrior society were meek, so the actions of Grendel’s mother greatly contrast with the typical behavior of a woman in this time period. Grendel’s mother’s gruesome actions are beastly in nature, but her emotions of outrage and grief for the murder of her son are human. Once again, Beowulf’s victory of the savage monster shows the overall theme of good winning against evil.
Beowulf is an Old English epic poem. Seamus Heaney did a translation on Beowulf. Beowulf is separated into three different sections. In every story the hero and outcast all have a major, but different role to play. The major outcast in Beowulf is Grendel.
Beowulf risked his life multiple times by battling Grendel and Grendel’s mother to save the people of Denmark. He also embarks on a battle with a dragon as an old man ascending on the Geats Throne. Each battle Beowulf fought has all been for the safety of his people. Although the Knight did not battle as a deed for his people, he also is viewed as a humble person his battles were for a purpose greater than himself. The knight never talks about his brave and valorous deeds.
Beowulf’s Mistake in a Nutshell Beowulf is a story of a hero’s adventure in protecting the and eventually ruling over the land of the Danes. Throughout the story, he fights many battles, and surprises everyone, even against the odds he makes a way to come out on top. Yet, in his journey, he makes a great mistake. Beowulf allows his pride to get the best of him, and what really matters. Which is why ultimately he is already doomed, even from the beginning.
Argument Essay: Beowulf and Grendel Many people have read or heard of the epic poem of Beowulf, which spins a tale of Grendel, the monster, attacking the admirable Danes and their king, Hrothgar. Some may not be as aware of a book titled Grendel written by John Gardner in 1971. Gardner’s book tells a completely different account of the more familiar tale of Beowulf, from the perspective of Grendel, the monster. The narrator from Grendel portrays a more plausible, powerful story than the excerpt from Beowulf by drawing the reader in with a more emotional viewpoint from the character Grendel, making him more relatable by giving him humanlike qualities, and clarifying why certain events took place in Beowulf.
Beowulf is the main hero in the poem, and he travels to the land of the Danes to help King Hrothgar get rid of the monster Grendel. After having slain Grendel, there is still a huge crisis present. Grendel’s mother comes to the Hall of Heorot to avenge the death of her kinsmen by killing Aeschere. Aeschere is one of Hrothgar’s most trusted advisors, and his loss bear’s heavy on Hrothgar’s heart. In the culture displayed in Beowulf, the bonds of friendship and kinsmanship are very important to the characters.
The epic poem Beowulf is a classic tale of good versus evil. Good, as shown in the story, is any action that fights evil and defends the community and the people of it. The evil intent of Grendel, the story’s antagonist and cannibalistic murderer, who is depicted as a “fiend out of hell” (99), is strongly countered by the heroic actions of the stories main protagonist, Beowulf. The noble King Hrothgar is a role model for young Beowulf at the beginning of the epic, displaying acts of charity and wisdom throughout his life.