Term Paper on "Beowulf, Grendel, & Hrothgar Is Beowulf Right"

Term Paper 4 pages (1124 words) Sources: 1+

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Beowulf, Grendel, & Hrothgar

Is Beowulf right or wrong? Is Hrothgar weak or strong? Are these two characters Christian or pagan? Is Wealhtheow wretched or distinguished? Is Unferth a fool or an intelligent coward? Are Grendel and his mother absolutely detestable or actually quite poignant characters? Should the reader feel uplifted or distressed by the poem's events? Questions similar to the foregoing queries reflect considerations some students initially wrestle with when studying Beowulf. Overing (xiv) stresses that making difficult choices regarding Beowulf is not the desired objective, but rather prefers that students arrive at "an acceptance of the impossibility of... " Overing encourages students to entertain "both or more possibilities in an ongoing process of cross-reference and connection.

The result," Overing insists,.".. can be a welcoming receptivity to the poem's complexity, an acceptance of the impossibility, and an understanding of the inappropriateness of coming to any categoric (sic) conclusion, any simple summation." Abraham, on the other hand, appears to differ with Overing's contentions. He cites that John Gardner encourages readers interpret Beowulf, relating to the "three qualities of the tripartite soul with the three ages of life, as in the fourteenth-century Parliament of the Three Ages, in which 'youth is identified with the irascible part, middle age with concupiscence, and old age with the search for wisdom.'"

Although explicating how Beowulf reflects the nature of our contemporary world, e.g. Christianity could succumb to a sagacity parallel to Overing's contention, yet, for this paper, more concrete considerations, such as those Abraham and Hall posit will be presented.

Noted basically to be a pagan poem, Beowulf, albeit, also embodies Christian allusions. (Beowulf) Although the name "Jesus" is omitted in Beorulf, numerous references to God, based on the Old Testament, are cited. In the latter part of the poem, the fight with the dragon has been noted to particularly reflect Christian nuances. "Counting the thief, Beowulf is accompanied by 12 associates, most of whom desert him (reminding us of Christ's apostles)." (Ibid) Judas, a traitor, was one of the twelve men Jesus chose to be his disciples. Satan is referred to as a dragon toward the end of the Bible in the book of Revelation. The word "dragon" appears 19 times in 18 verses in the Bible. (Blue Letter...)

Hall (4) notes that: "Outer name or sign frequently corresponds to inner personality, as with Heremod, Modthryth and Wealhtheow, whose hospitality and rich gifts to Beowulf associate her name not so much with its literal meaning ('foreign captive') as with 'service to weal and wealth.' Beowulf's landing is at a place identified as Land's-End, and his ship is met by a coastal watchman described in the poem as the Warden." Interesting to note that wise men from the east who came to worship Jesus at his birth presented him rich gifts - "gold, and frankincense, and myrrh" (Matthew 2:11). (Blue Letter...)

Two more comparisons surface: One: Beowulf (Hall refers to "her" name) means "foreign captive." Christians are referred to in the Bible as "strangers and pilgrims" in 1 Peter 2:1. (Blue Letter...) Two: Although God is not labeled as a "warden" at the end of life's journey, He does, according to Revelation 20:12; 15 open the Book of life and.".. The dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.... And whosoever was not found written in the… READ MORE

How to Reference "Beowulf, Grendel, and Hrothgar Is Beowulf Right" Term Paper in a Bibliography

Related Term Papers:

Beowulf the Heroic Code of Comitatus Term Paper

Beowulf

The heroic code of comitatus, as it manifests itself in the story of Beowulf, relates to the mutual respect and obligation between a ruler or leader and his followers… read more

Term Paper 3 pages (1037 words) Sources: 1+ Topic: Literature / Poetry

---

Beowulf as a Hero Lesson 1 Journal Journal

Beowulf as a Hero

Lesson 1 Journal Entry #

Journal Exercise 1.3A: What makes a hero?

Beowulf is a hero who possesses strength, courage and loyalty; these are the elements… read more

Journal 19 pages (8817 words) Sources: 0 Topic: Literature / Poetry

---

Vis and Ramin vs. Beowulf Essay

Beowulf and Vis and Ramin have no apparent points of comparison. One is a Persian romance while other is an Old English poem, both written around about the same time… read more

Essay 4 pages (1151 words) Sources: 1+ Topic: Religion / God / Theology

---

Epic Poem "Beowulf" Written by an Anonymous Thesis

epic poem "Beowulf" written by an anonymous Anglo-Saxon poet. Specifically it will discuss Unferth's challenge to Beowulf in the land of the Danes and what it means to the story.… read more

Thesis 2 pages (724 words) Sources: 1 Topic: Literature / Poetry

---

Christian Themes in Everyman, Beowulf Essay

Christian Themes in Everyman, "Beowulf," and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight"

Good works and responsibility are common Christian themes in Everyman, "Beowulf," and "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight."… read more

Essay 3 pages (929 words) Sources: 3 Topic: Literature / Poetry

---

View 100+ more related papers  >>