Old English Literature And Poetry Essays Examples For College & High School Students in PDF

1223 total results

A Look at Beowulf and Grendel in the Epic “Beowulf” (1493 words, 7 pages)

In both texts, Beowulf and Grendel, the main purpose of the Queen's are to serve the courts as "weavers of peace". In Grendel however, Queen Wealththeow is described in much greater detail and serves a further purpose. The reader gains insight to a part Grendel that is not present in ... Read More

The Theme of Bravery in the Poem Beowulf (336 words, 1 pages)

Beowulf The Brave HeroEnglish literature begins with Beowulf, an Anglo-Saxon folk epic written by an unknown author. The epic presents the story of Beowulf, an ideal Anglo-Saxon hero who through his exploits includes Anglo-Saxon values. One value which Beowulf teaches is love of bravery, a value which he demonstrates through ... Read More

The Significance of the Role of Beowulf in the Play “Beowulf” (920 words, 2 pages)

Beowulf is the cornerstone of the medieval literature evolution. It is known as the basis for following epic stories of heroism, valor, and conflicts between man and himself. Beowulf was never actually "written," therefore it does not have a credited author. It is said that this poem was passed through ... Read More

A Comparison between the Knight from Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales and Beowulf from the Epic Anglo-Saxon Poem Beowulf (471 words, 2 pages)

All throughout literature there are characters that can be compared to eachother. Two examples are the Knight from the Canterbury Tales and Beowulf fromBeowulf. These two fictional characters exhibit both similar and diversequalities. Their quest, societys opinion, and religious beliefs show both ofthese qualities. Victory is the quest of any ... Read More

Was Beowulf Defeated by Hostile Nature and Uncontrollable Forces of Death? (569 words, 3 pages)

Beowulf is steeped in a pagan tradition that depicts nature as hostile andforces of death as uncontrollable. Blind fate picks random victims man is neverreconciled with the world. Beowulf ends a failure. There is some truth in thisconclusion, but for the most part, someone who didnt have a well-lived lifehas ... Read More

Beowulf’s Loyalty in the Poem “Beowulf” (374 words, 2 pages)

Ideals are standards of perfection or excellence. For the Anglo-Saxons of theDark Ages these ideals were loyalty, valor, unselfishness, and a sense ofjustice. Through Beowulfs journey we can see how he exhibits these ideals.The first of these ideals is loyalty, which Beowulf shows when he obeys hispeoples request for him ... Read More

The Description of the Most Heroic Man of Anglo-Saxon Times in the Epic “Beowulf” (712 words, 3 pages)

The epic poem Beowulf describes the most heroic man of the Anglo-Saxon times.The hero, Beowulf, is a seemingly invincible person with all the extraordinarytraits required of a hero. He is able to use his super-human physical strengthand courage to put his people before himself. He encounters hideous monsters andthe most ... Read More

Describing the Character of Beowulf in the Epic Poem “Beowulf” (659 words, 3 pages)

Beowulf is the strongest of the Geats -- greater and stronger than anyoneanywhere in this world (ll.110-111). Even though he is famous for his massivestrength, Beowulf has other attributes that are noticeable other than hisstrength. These attributes, arrogance, bravery, and a strong love for his peopleare what make Beowulf become ... Read More

The Role of Women in the Poem “Beowulf” (675 words, 3 pages)

In the poem Beowulf the women play the role of peace-keepers at any cost. Amongthese women I will look closely at Wealhtheow, Grendel's mother and Hygd.Through all the women in Beowulf one can see a female perspective of honor,loyalty and social welfare. Wealhtheow is the picturesque queen. One sees thiswhen ... Read More

The Differences in the Heroes of Today and Those of Beowulf’s Days (813 words, 3 pages)

Heroes today have changed from those of Beowulf's day. Back in the time ofBeowulf heroes were mainly the protectors of the country such as warriors andkings. The roles have changed today were heroes consist of celebrities and sportplayers. The roles have changed because our society has changed as well. In ... Read More

Beowulf as an Insight into the Cultural and Social Views of the Tenth Century Anglo-Saxons (1727 words, 7 pages)

The earliest known manuscript of Beowulf is thought to have been written in thetenth century, however, the poem had most likely been told as an oral traditionfor centuries before that. In fact, the poems events date back to the sixthcentury. However, because there is only one manuscript of Beowulf still ... Read More

A Comparison of the Act of Being Honorable in Beowulf and Parzival (1751 words, 7 pages)

The act of being honorable has been written about and discussed for ages,beginning from The Laxdaela Saga to the more recent works by Tolkein, The Lordof the Rings. Throughout literary history authors have created and restoredfigures from all times that seem to represent what is honorable and chivalrous.The two literary ... Read More

An Analysis of the Motifs of Revenge in the Epic “Beowulf” (704 words, 3 pages)

Beowulf is the epic story of a young hero who battles the monster Grendel andhis mother. Beowulf, a prince of the Geats, the son of Ecgtheow who voyages toHeorot, the hall of Hrothgar, king of the Geats and the great grandson of thehero . There at Heorot, Beowulf destroys the ... Read More

A Description of Beowulf as One of the Oldest Existing Poems in the English Language (742 words, 3 pages)

Beowulf is one of the oldest existing poems in the English language. Originallywritten in Anglo-Saxon, it has been translated to give readers the opportunityto enjoy this colorful, heroic poem of Englands epic age. It has beendeclared as a heroic-elegaic poem because of the various characteristics itclearly possesses. An epic consists ... Read More

Strophe 8 in Burton Raffels Translation of Beowulf (551 words, 2 pages)

The key to writing an epic poem is to show that there is a predominant hero whopaved the way for a nation. This hero should be someone who shows qualities suchas loyalty to his followers, bravery and courage just to name a few. Strophe 8in Burton Raffels translation of Beowulf ... Read More

A Comparison of Shild Shaving and Beowulf (1039 words, 4 pages)

Both Shild Shaving and Beowulf were highly honored during their lives. Both werebrave warriors, victorious in many Battles. Shild conquered many people, andmany lands. For example, How Shild made slaves of soldiers from everyLand, crowds of captives hed beaten into terror He also became the kingof the Danes. He was ... Read More

An Analysis of Beowulf Who Truly Obtained the Qualities of an Epic Hero (620 words, 3 pages)

Did Beowulf truly obtain the qualities of an epic hero? In the epic poemBeowulf, Beowulf's character traits prove to be the depiction of an epic hero.Beowulf's traits of boastfulness, bravery and amazing strength are the proof ofhis heroism. Beowulf's boastfulness may not be the most convincing heroic trait,but it certainly ... Read More

The Tale of the Hero ‘Beowulf in the Story of “Beowulf” (282 words, 2 pages)

By definition, a hero is a man of exceptional quality. Exceptional quality doesnot begin to describe the hero that is Beowulf. Of the tale of the same name,Beowulf could be described better as a saint, or a savior. His self-imposedpurpose in life is to help others, and eventually sacrifices his ... Read More

An Analysis of the Anglo-Saxon Hero as Defined by Beowulf (1274 words, 5 pages)

The Anglo-Saxon Hero as defined by the Battles of Beowulf Within the tale ofBeowulf four character traits can be found which define the Anglo SaxonHero. The first is loyalty, as demonstrated by the relationship between Lord andthane. According to page 23 of the Beowulf introduction, a relationshipbased less on subordination ... Read More

A Comparison of the Heroic Characteristics of Beowulf and Gilgamesh (1516 words, 6 pages)

Throughout the two epics, Beowulf, and Gilgamesh, and the novel Grendel, we seecertain heroic characteristics of the main characters. Although Beowulf, Grendel,and Gilgamesh all come to a heroic end, they differ in way in which they came tothat end. In Beowulf we read of a great warrior who cares about ... Read More

The Description of the Most Heroic Man During the Anglo-Saxon Times in “Beowulf” (701 words, 3 pages)

The epic poem Beowulf describes the most heroic man of the Anglo-Saxon times.The hero, Beowulf, is a seemingly invincible person with all the extraordinarytraits required of a hero. He is able to use his super-human physical strengthand courage to put his people before himself. He encounters hideous monsters andthe most ... Read More

Comparing Beowulf in Today’s Movie or Novel Standards (1647 words, 7 pages)

When you compare Beowulf to any modern novel or movie, Beowulf seems childlikeat best. Beowulf is told in a straightforward, uncomplicated manner very unlikemany of todays works, which contain complex plots and themes. What makesBeowulf readable to an adult and not just children? Why do people find storiessuch as Beowulf ... Read More

A Plot Review of the Anglo-Saxon Epic “Beowulf” (974 words, 4 pages)

The Anglo-Saxon epic Beowulf is the most important work of Old Englishliterature, and is well deserved of the distinction. The epic tells the story ofa hero, a Scandinavian prince named Beowulf, who rids the Danes of the monsterGrendel, a descendent of Cain, and of his exploits fighting Grendel's mother anda ... Read More

Evaluating the Loyalty and Generosity in the Poem “Beowulf” (1112 words, 2 pages)

Loyalty and Generosity in BeowulfThe society depicted in the poem Beowulf depended on two basic characteristics of its people. Loyalty and generosity are the two characteristics that bound this culture together. Throughout the poem, the people must depend on the loyalty and generosity of Beowulf and his warriors to defend ... Read More

A Summary of the Heroic Epic Poem “Beowulf” (907 words, 2 pages)

Beowulf SummaryBeowulf is a heroic epic poem, which takes place in the early 16th century. Beowulf has no known author but was translated by Burton Raffel. Some of the significant characters are Beowulf, Grendel, Hrothgar, and Wiglaf. This has a second person narrative point of view. In this story Beowulf ... Read More

The Depiction of the Battles and Victories of the Anglo-Saxon Warrior in Beowulf (790 words, 2 pages)

The epic poem, Beowulf, depicts the battles and victories of the Anglo-Saxon warrior Beowulf, over man-eating monsters. The noble defender, Beowulf, constantly fought monsters and beasts to rid the land of evil. The most significant of these monsters, Grendel, represents Beowulf's shadow, the Jungian archetype explored in the essay collection, ... Read More

A Character Analysis of the Epic Poem “Beowulf” (1000 words, 2 pages)

The Anglo-Saxon epic Beowulf is the most important work of Old English literature and is well deserved of the distinction. The epic tells the story of a hero a Scandinavian prince named Beowulf, who rids the Danes of the monster Grendel, a descendent of Cain, and of his exploits fighting ... Read More

Looking at Beowulf as a Modern Day Role Model in the Play “Beowulf” (305 words, 1 pages)

Beowulf as a Modern Day Role ModelBeowulf was a hero, a role model and someone who people could depend on. He was a Scandinavian prince, who rids the Danes of the monster, Grendel. Fifty years later, Beowulf was now king of his native land. He fights a dragon that has ... Read More

Monsters during the Anglo-Saxon Times Where Feudalism Has Dawned in Beowulf (613 words, 3 pages)

Carlo A.per.3 In many stories throughout ancient times, Monsters have been the focus of the problems in one's society. These creatures of the dark have always posed a certain threat to society. Furthermonsters have been connected to features that are subhuman or primitive animal like features. Beowulf, who's author is ... Read More

An Analysis of the Beowulf Characters and a Comprehensive Overview of the Epic Beowulf (3414 words, 7 pages)

Nathan Petersens Cliff NotesAuthor (well sort of)The Beowulf manuscript survives in one codex, the British Museum MS. Cotton Vitellius A. XV. In 1731 the codex was scorched, damaging the last two thousand lines of the poem. The manuscript itself seems to be scribed by two different monks, the first scribing ... Read More

Old English Literature and Poetry Essay Examples