Beowulf Essay Research Paper When you compare

Beowulf Essay, Research Paper

When you compare Beowulf to any modern novel or movie, Beowulf seems childlike

at best. Beowulf is told in a straightforward, uncomplicated manner very unlike

many of today.s works, which contain complex plots and themes. What makes

Beowulf readable to an adult and not just children. Why do people find stories

such as Beowulf so intriguing. Why is Beowulf, or any myth, significant.

Beowulf, the story of the young Beowulf sent by fate to save a kingdom plagued

with a nightmarish monster, a rather basic plot synopsis especially for a story

that has been around for more than one thousand years. However Beowulf contains

far more long-standing impact than a slew of the best selling books at any

bookstore. Beowulf, as any myth, teaches many moral lessons giving us a detailed

insight into the culture and writer.s beliefs through written accounts of

morality and religion and through the tale.s deep symbolism. And it also

provides for an entertaining ride filled with supernatural feats and monsters

with an inspirational hero or role model for the reader. In contrast to some

other popular mythological stories such as the tales of the Greek gods, Beowulf

is almost believable. Beowulf is just over the edge of .real., it pushes our

definition of what exists but not to the point to where we cannot imagine what

is happening in the story. Also I feel that Beowulf is a superior work of

mythology because Beowulf is a true and perfect hero, and represents the

personality and courage most people wish they had In Episode 1 the story begins

with the tale of Scyld Sceafing, which parallels Beowulf.s evolution, it is

the motif of a helpless child turning into a great king. Similarly, Sceafing

arrives from the water to the Danish lands in the same way Beowulf arrives. This

is a popular theme in many myths, a small and weak one rising to be strong and a

leader (i.e. Jesus). Part of the beauty of mythology is the repetition of motifs

such as this one. Another facet of mythology that is uncovered in Episode 1 is

religion. In every myth religion is dealt with in some way. Unlike most myths,

however, the religious affiliation and code is hard to decipher. References to

the Old Testament are made often (i.e. Cain and Abel, the flood), but it is

never made quite clear of what the religious beliefs of the Danes are. The

writer himself is definitely familiar with the Bible, and was probably actually

a monk, but the Danes do not seem to be. This raises the question of whether the

original oral presentations contained the religious references or sub-stories

that the written one does. Obviously the hero of the story does not completely

fit the humble pacifist Christian personality, so it is a reasonable inquiry. As

shown here, part of the reason myths are so fascinating is because of the

questions and speculations they cause to arise about the culture and its ideas

from which the myth evolved. In Episode 3 the phenomenal Beowulf arrives on the

Herot scene to slay Grendel. Beowulf in Beowulf is a very strong individual, so

strong in fact that he rips archrival Grendel.s arm cleanly off! This is

impossible of course, for a man to do such thing, physiology doesn.t permit

it. Even more unbelievable is Grendel himself. Grendel.s .fingers were nails

like steel. (Beowulf Episode 5) and .no battle sword could harm him – he had

enchantment against the edges of weapons. (Beowulf Episode 6). A fantastic

hero and villain is a key to mythology. Why have such an unreal hero. It.s

simple because he is a hero, a role model, and so why not make him as powerful

and super human as desirable. When the story originated, and was thus truthfully

believed, many youngsters probably idolized the mighty Beowulf, and wanted to

equal his valor and courage. It evoked emotional inspiration to conquer evil

with bravery and goodness, a very desirable goal in any culture. Demonstrated in

Episode 4 was some very dramatic language that made the story very compelling

and entertaining. The author uses some vivid imagery and language to describe

the approaching Grendel.s character .Came then from the moor under the misty

hills, Grendel stalking under the weight of God’s anger. That wicked ravager

planned to ensnare many of the race of men in the high hall. When he touched

it with his hands the door gave way at once though its bands were forged in

fire. Intending evil, enraged, he swung the door wide, stood at the building’s

mouth. (Beowulf Episode 4). Dramatic language and stunning descriptions are

found in most myths making the scenes and actions in the stories easy to

picture, as well as making the tales more exciting. Myths are usually very

symbolic; in episodes 3 and 4 in Beowulf the heaviest images are the comparisons

between light (Beowulf) and dark (Grendel). The scheme of light equals good and

dark equals evils fi

Внимание, отключите Adblock

Вы посетили наш сайт со включенным блокировщиком рекламы!
Ссылка для скачивания станет доступной сразу после отключения Adblock!

Скачать