Beowulf

A detailed Summary of Beowulf

In reading the epic Beowulf, one finds the changing ideals of the pagan belief and

the Christian belief of good triumphing over evil. At the time when Beowulf was written,

stories were told in narrative poems through oral tradition. By oral tradition it was retold

to audiences throughout the years and finally written down by monks. Beowulf displays

the heroic qualities of an epic hero through his loyalty, strength, and courage.

In the beginning, Beowulf "heard how Grendel filled nights with horror and quickly commanded a boat fitted out, proclaiming that he'd go to that famous king" (43).

This shows he has loyalty to his duty because he left when he was needed, though not in search of treasure. When he comes home he is welcomed by the king, "and later becomes king himself when Higlac and his son have died... ruling Geatland for fifty years

broken bones of his last human supper" (47). Beowulf still stayed and fought Grendel until his death. When he was "daring, young and proud, explored the deepest seas, risking

he walked under the cliffs where the dragon lay and no one else dared to go, he "lowered his sword and roared out a battle cry, a call so bad and clear it reached through the hoary

"[Grendel] twisted in pain and the bleeding sinews deep in his shoulder snapped, muscle and bone split and broke. The battle was over. Beowulf had been granted new glory..."(49). During the fight with Grendel's mother he saw a sword hanging on the wall, it was "the best of all weapons but so massive that no ordinary man could lift its carved and decorated length. He drew it from its scabbard, broke the chain on its hilt..."(52). No one other than Beowulf with his supernatural strength would have been a

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Approximate Word count = 584
Approximate Pages = 2 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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Beowulf

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