Beowulf literary analysis

"Fate saves the living when they drive away death by themselves. Lucky or not, nine was the number of sea-huge monsters I killed. What man, anywhere under heaven’s high arch, has fought in such darkness, endured more misery, or been harder pressed?"

Translated by Burton Raffel, this text can only describe the cherished epic poem of the Anglo-Saxons , the story of a great noble Geat; Beowulf. In history the Anglo-Saxons were known for their tales of adventure, war, and fortune. They conquered the north Isles, crossed icy seas, and endured much turmoil, all to be merely seen in one small but epic tale such as Beowulf. The text not only holds the story, but it holds the essence of the Anglo-Saxons. It holds the over-dramaticized events, the epic perilous fights, and the moral and beliefs of the north men in ways dealing with death. Whatever you may believe about the ways of the Anglo-Saxons, one way must be remembered: The more honorable a man, the more remembrance he receives.

With the pluck of a string and the stroke of a thumb, the bard began an enchanting hum. The bard sung of the brave, the loyal, the few, he sang of the best, the warrior, you. The only way an individual Anglo-Saxon could be remembered by and seem famous was to be recorded in a poem, story, or song. Culture in these times was of high importance, and the Anglos believed that in order to be remembered and to “live on” one must prove his strength, muster his greatness, and leave his legacy, for there was no afterlife. A result in history of this culture is the epic poem Beowulf.

The poem of Beowulf is a treasure in Anglo-Saxon literature. Its story is like most early English stories, of knights, monsters, warriors, a dragon, kings, basic chivalry, and most importantly heroes. It immediately begins with the explosion of words describing the warrior Beowulf, almost godly. He is rewarded generously with fame and fortune for fighting the monster Grendel with his bare hands, and again by fighting Grendel’s mother, in an unworldly place at the bottom of a boiling lake. He even proves his will power rather than his strength near the end when he is old, and fights a dragon, to yet again gain every last bit of fame, to go down in tales, sung by bards years after his death. The story of Beowulf has been read many times over, but now is faced with different opinions in today’s society. Thoughts arise of him that aren’t so courageous or noble.

After reading the Epic poem, many people see the hero Beowulf as a mere show-off, a cocky and arrogant man. After all, he does brag about his race with Brecca, he claims his skills are unmatched. He is Also seen merciless, always seeking revenge. It says in the poem, after slaying Grendel’s mother, Beowulf then goes to Grendel’s body and decapitates it. Is Beowulf lacking honor? No, he isn’t.

Society today must see that all of Beowulf’s actions were necessary. Anglo-Saxon culture may have been at times violent, but they mean well. By claiming the heads of the monsters, Beowulf shows his affection toward his people, revenging the innocent lives of the sleeping men who awoke to death by Grendel’s claws. Being remembered in song or poem was the least the people could do to honor a hero. We all seek a little credit at the end of the road or a reward for hard work. The Anglo-Saxon Culture greatly influenced literature, showing that even the tallest tales can still show a glimpse of history.