Beowulf
The poem now titled as Beowulf, written by an unidentified medieval scribe in Old English, may be the best literature of a time that has been forgotten by most of the modern world. Historians have dated this work to be written around 900 A.D. - 1000 A.D. Beowulf is a tale about a courageous hero/warrior whose bravery and loyalty to his country enable him to face fierce monsters and an evil that has descended from Cain. He is rewarded for his efforts by eventually becoming king. It is a time of kings, dragons, and guarded treasure. After reading Beowulf, it is easy to see where many modern fantasy books have come from. Even popular books, such as Lord of the Rings, by J. R. R. Tolkin, must have originated somehow from Beowulf. We get hints of this from the rings of power, evil dragons, and lost treasure. Beowulf is a great entertaining poem that is a stepping-stone for many authors and stories yet to be written. I can picture what it must have been like, long ago, to be gathered in a great hall, in some castle, and being told about Beowulf and his adventures, while dining on fabulous food. Being surrounded by knights, nobles, and kings, listening to the story as the story-teller plays his harp. A time for musi
One day someone sneaks into a dragons den and steals some treasure; not much, but enough to anger the dragon. The dragon then takes his revenge by terrorizing and killing the people in the surrounding lands. Those people and that land just happen to be Beowulf's kingdom. Beowulf hears what has happened and again gathers his bravest and finest troops to go stop the dragon from doing more harm. Again, he puts his fate into Gods hands; only this time God has decided that Beowulf has had enough and places a new, younger warrior to be the peoples hero. Beowulf goes into the dragons den alone and fights the dragon with his ancient sword. The sword wasn't strong enough to do much harm to the dragon, so the dragon gets the best of him. All but one of Beowulf's bravest and courageous soldiers runs. Wiglaf, son of Weohstan, was the only one of his soldiers who summoned up the courage to go into the cave and help his king. Together Wiglaf and Beowulf end up defeating the dragon but it came at a great cost. Beowulf was fatally wounded. Then he returns home to his kingdom. There is more celebration as he tells the tales to his king. Beowulf gives his king most of the rewards he has earned from defeating Grendel and his mother. Not long after that, the Geats go to war with the Swedes and Beowulf's king and his son die. Leaving no heir to the throne, Beowulf takes his rightful place as king, and rules for fifty years. During that time, Beowulf protects and leads his people and everyone prospers. Unknown to all was that Grendel had a mother. While everyone was celebrating Grendels death, Grendels mother was plotting her revenge. Beowulf was rewarded greatly with many gifts and given a place to sleep. While he was sleeping peacefully, others were screaming in panic of the destruction and carnage that Grendels mother was doing to the hall. Only one thought was on her mind. Revenge! When the dust settled, the kings close friend and officer was slain. His body was taken, along with the trophy. Beowulf
Some common words found in the essay are:
Unknown Grendel, Swedes Beowulf's, Bible Cain, R Tolkin, Grendel Beowulf, Heorot Grendel, Heorot Beowulf, AD Beowulf, , Christianity Beowulf, grendels mother, gods hands, fate gods hands, ancient sword, story beowulf, dragons den, guarded treasure, beowulf takes, fate gods, evil monster, dragon dragon,
Approximate Word count = 1364
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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