The Epic of Beowulf is an Heroic Elegy Essay - 3261 Words

Beowulf is an Heroic Elegy There is considerable debate as to whether the poem Beowulf is an epic narrative poem or an heroic elegy, a poem celebrating the fantastic achievements of its great hero, and also expressing sorrow or lamentation for the hero’s unfortunate death. This essay intends to show that the poem is an heroic elegy. In â€Å"Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics† Tolkien states: We must dismiss, of course, from mind the notion that Beowulf is a â€Å"narrative poem,† that it tells a tale or intends to tell a tale sequentially. The poem â€Å"lacks steady advance†: so Klaeber heads a critical section in his edition. But the poem was not meant to advance, steadily or unsteadily. It is essentially a balance,†¦show more content†¦The strife was too great, hateful, long-lasting, that had come to the nation, cruel spirit’s envy, gigantic night-evil.(189-93) Fortunately Beowulf was ready and willing to sacrifice himself to repay the debt of Ecgtheow, Beowulf’s father, to Hrothgar. This Geat warrior possesses almost miraculous qualities: â€Å"He was the strongest of men alive in that day, mighty and noble.† Upon spotting Beowulf approaching, the sea-guard of the Danes says, â€Å"Never have I seen a greater man on earth†¦Ã¢â‚¬  King Hrothgar of the Danes says of Beowulf, â€Å"Seafarers who took gifts to the Geats say that he has the strength of 30 men in his hand grip.† Beowulf chooses to fight Grendel by himself and without shield or weapons; previously the hero slew nine sea monsters with his sword. And he is fully willing to sacrifice his very life for this: â€Å"†¦ I alone will fulfill the wish of your people †¦ or die in the foe’s grasp.† Beowulf consciously chooses to act in a superhuman manner: â€Å"I shall perform the deeds of a hero or I have passed my last day in this me ad-hall.† Even Grendel recognizes the hero’s superior strength: â€Å"The criminalShow MoreRelated Is Beowulf an Heroic Elegy or an Epic Narrative? Essay4711 Words   |  19 PagesIs Beowulf   an Heroic Elegy or an Epic Narrative?      Ã‚  Ã‚   There is considerable debate as to whether the poem Beowulf is an epic narrative poem or an heroic elegy. Which is it. This essay intends to present both sides of the story.    Some great literary scholars think that the poem is an heroic elegy, celebrating the fantastic achievements of its great hero, and also expressing sorrow or lamentation for the hero’s unfortunate death. In â€Å"Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics† Tolkien states:Read MoreEssay Beowulf: Epic or Elegy?763 Words   |  4 PagesWriting Lab III Beowulf: Epic or Elegy? Beowulf is a poem written in manuscript form created in England sometime between the years 700 and 1000AD. The author is unknown to this day. Is Beowulf an epic poem or an elegy? An epic is â€Å"a long narrative poem in elevated style presenting characters of high position in adventures forming an organic whole through their relation to a central heroic figure and through their development of episodes important to the history of a nation or race† (HarmonRead MoreComparison between Beowulf and The Wanderer1436 Words   |  6 Pagesï » ¿Survey of English Literature / Comparison between Beowulf and the Wanderer 10th October, 2013 / Esma Bike BostancÄ ± BEOWULF AND THE WANDERER There are many factors to consider in comparing the two poems of the Old English society – Beowulf and The Wanderer. While they have many similarities; they have, within their structure and plot, many differences we can easily find or eventually make out. When we look at both the poems in terms of their genre; while they are both products of theRead MoreCharles Baudelaire And Victor Hugo976 Words   |  4 Pagesindependence and the progress of the romantic poetry lead to the modern stature of art. Elegies are poems defined on the thematic approach, generally lamenting a death of a loved one. In some languages, elegies hold a set pattern of metre rather than a thematical set up of the poem. For example, Duineser Elegien written in German talks about a spiritual plane and search for the meaning of life. In English Literature, elegies are generally dealt by the thematic approach but gives the freedom to allegoricallyRead MoreAnglo-Saxon Heroic Poetry5673 Words   |  23 Pagesthe Heroic, the sources of which are pre-Christian Germanic myth, history and custom; and the Christian. Heroic, or Epic Poetry belongs to one of these two types and refers to long narrative poems celebrating the great deeds of one or more legendary heroes, in a grand, ceremonious style. In its strict use by literary critics, the terms Heroic Poetry or Epic are applied to a work that meets the following criteria: such a poem must be related in an elevated style, and centered upon a heroic or quasi-divineRead More Beowulf Attacks the Dragon Essays1576 Words   |  7 PagesBeowulf Attacks the Dragon. Beowulf makes his final boast. He says that, even though he is old, he shall â€Å"still seek battle, perform a deed of fame† by killing the dragon. (Norton59) He doesnt know how to grapple with the dragon, like he did with Grendel, so he will use a sword and shield. He tells his men that the outcome will be â€Å"with us at the wall as fate allots, the ruler of every man.† (59) He tells them to let him fight the monster alone, â€Å"By my courage I will get gold, orRead MoreThe Anglo Saxon And The Epic Hero1842 Words   |  8 Pagesadapted, and passed along stories and songs. Many of the Anglo-Saxon stories were epics, which are long poems that tell a story of a heroic deed or a legendary event from the past. These epics invariably included an epic hero, or a larger-than-life figure that presented their courage, virtue, and skill against an evil or opposing figure. In addition to the epic hero, the Anglo-Saxon’s incorporated their values into the epics. By incorporating these into the songs, they were able to teach not only theirRead MoreHistory Of Ancient Poetry Ghosh ( 1 )995 Words   |  4 Pagesregarding life, the universe and nature, moreover as Christian thought and ethical values. there s usually no clear-cut delineation between spiritual and non-religious poetry or generally even between poetry and prose.English poetry enclosed long ep ic heroic poems, that player on the Bible moreover as on pagan sources for his or her content. Some poetry was additionally supported historical events. With a history of invasions and occupations, several writings of this era area unit chronicles, annalsRead MoreMacbeth and School Infirmary Essay examples1613 Words   |  7 Pages | | | | | | | | | | |   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   | | | | | | | | | | | | |   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   | | | | | | | | | Which of these is a specific type of parody? | | | A. mock-epic | | | | B. folk ballad | | | | C. conceit | | | | D. paradox | | How is a diary, such as Pepys’s, different from a history such as Bede’s? | | | A. A diary is usually more personal. | | | | B. A diary is usuallyRead MoreDialectic Journal of the poems Beowulf, Grendel, Tyger, The Snowman, and Dreamers focusing mainly on literary techniques.1777 Words   |  8 PagesSea against sand; they stowed away In the hold of the ship their shining armor... Will the seamen that sailed her sighted the land Shining cliffs and coastwise hills, (p14, ln 74-83) The use of consonance here repeats the sound of the wind. Beowulf and his men are going to go save the Danes. They must cross the sea and the wind acts very favorable and leads them to the way. The s sound imitates the sound of a swift and light wind, not a treacherous gust. Foam on her breast, like a bird she