Beowulf is an epic poem that tells the story of a brave warrior named Beowulf and his battles against monsters and dragons. It is one of the oldest surviving poems in Old English, and is considered a classic work of literature.
The poem begins with a description of the Danish king, Hrothgar, who has built a great hall called Heorot for his people to celebrate in. However, the hall is constantly under attack by a monster called Grendel, who terrorizes the kingdom and kills Hrothgar's people.
Beowulf, a warrior from the land of the Geats, hears of Hrothgar's troubles and offers to help defeat Grendel. He travels to Denmark and confronts the monster, eventually killing it with his bare hands. This act of bravery earns him great respect and admiration from Hrothgar and the people of Denmark.
However, Grendel's mother seeks revenge for her son's death and attacks Heorot, killing one of Hrothgar's closest advisors. Beowulf sets out to defeat her as well, and after a fierce battle, he succeeds in killing her and avenging the advisor's death.
Beowulf's heroic deeds do not stop there. Later in the poem, he becomes king of the Geats and must defend his kingdom against a dragon that is attacking his people. In a final, epic battle, Beowulf defeats the dragon, but is mortally wounded in the process. Before he dies, he reflects on his life and the many battles he has fought, and passes on his kingdom to his young kinsman Wiglaf.
Throughout the poem, Beowulf displays great strength, courage, and loyalty, making him a hero that is admired and respected by all. The poem also explores themes of good versus evil, the importance of honor and reputation, and the role of fate in one's life.
Beowulf has been translated into many languages and has had a significant influence on literature and culture for centuries. It is a testament to the enduring power of epic poetry and the enduring appeal of the hero's journey.
Full text of "Beowulf: An Anglo
Hrothgar is well loved by his people and successful in war. The wise one then said silent they all were {Hrothgar praises Beowulf. } The best of the Scylding braves was then fully Prepared for the pile; at the pyre was seen clearly The blood-gory burnie, the boar with his gilding, The iron-hard swine, athelings many 60 Fatally wounded; no few had been slaughtered. Occasionally, some loss has been sustained; but, on the other hand, a gain has here and there been made. On the other hand, W. Again, though many archaic words have been used, there are none, it is believed, which are not found in standard modern poetry.
The doings of Grendel, In far-off fatherland I fully did know of: Sea-farers tell us, this hall-building standeth, 40 Excellent edifice, empty and useless To all the earlmen after evenlight's glimmer 'Neath heaven's bright hues hath hidden its glory. There ever at night one an ill-meaning portent 45 A fire-flood may see; 'mong children of men None liveth so wise that wot of the bottom; Though harassed by hounds the heath-stepper seek for, {Even the hounded deer will not seek refuge in these uncanny regions. His struggle with a dragon is related in connection with Beowulf's deeds of prowess. I'll prove myself grateful As before we agreed on; thou granted for long shalt Become a great comfort to kinsmen and comrades, {Heremod's career is again contrasted with Beowulf's. Alternate alliteration is occasionally used as in the original. } The strength of my body. } 60 At the shrines of their idols often they promised Gifts and offerings, earnestly prayed they The devil from hell would help them to lighten Their people's oppression.
Kennings in Beowulf: The Purpose of Kennings in the Epic Poem
Married to Ingeld, a Heathobard prince. } 'Twas there, my prince, that I proudly distinguished Thy land with my labors. Even though these are slightly different literary tools, their purpose is very similar. {A guide leads the way, but} That in the throng was thirteenth of heroes, That caused the beginning of conflict so bitter, Captive and wretched, must sad-mooded thenceward {very reluctantly. } The son of Beanstan hath soothly accomplished.
The author is likewise unknown, and represents a question that has mystified readers for centuries. Here let your battle-boards, Wood-spears and war-shafts, await your conferring. Oft and anon he goes to the joyous building, bent on direful mischief. } From vainest vaunting adventured your bodies In care of the waters? Beowulf drank of The cup in the building; that treasure-bestowing 35 He needed not blush for in battle-men's presence. Readers can then picture an even stronger image in their minds. To keep away Grendel {God has provided a watch for the hall.
} The age-hoary warrior afterward began to Mourn for the might that marked him in youth-days; 80 His breast within boiled, when burdened with winters Much he remembered. And that was not least of helpers in prowess {He has Unferth's sword in his hand. For end-rhyme, see 53, 54; for internal rhyme, 21, 40. Beowulf determines to kill him. } Wisely to tell of, and words that were clever To utter skilfully, earnestly speaking, Everything told he that he heard as to Sigmund's {Also of Sigemund, who has slain a great fire-dragon. So, why does Medea kill her sons? He left and retreated, He lived his life a little while longer: 65 Yet his right-hand guarded his footstep in Heorot, And sad-mooded thence to the sea-bottom fell he, Mournful in mind.
Soon in the waters the wonderful swimmer Was straitened most sorely with sword-pointed boar-spears, 55 Pressed in the battle and pulled to the cliff-edge; The liegemen then looked on the loath-fashioned stranger. {The survivors go to Friesland, the home of Finn. The grief of the Geats is inexpressible. Sit now at the feast, and disclose thy purposes to the victorious heroes, as thy spirit urges. } The chief of the strangers rendered him answer, War-troopers' leader, and word-treasure opened: {We are Geats. Killed in the struggle at Finn's castle. } God wot in me, 'tis mickle the liefer The blaze should embrace my body and eat it With my treasure-bestower.
} 15 But few in the land of liegemen of valor, Though of every achievement bold he had proved him, To run 'gainst the breath of the venomous scather, Or the hall of the treasure to trouble with hand-blows, If he watching had found the ward of the hoard-hall 20 On the barrow abiding. } Went then that earlman, champion noble, Came with comrades, where the clever one bided 65 Whether God all gracious would grant him a respite After the woe he had suffered. Bide on the barrow with burnies protected, {Wait ye here till the battle is over. Hrothgar weeps and laments at his departure. Other names for them are Victory-Scyldings, Honor-Scyldings, Armor-Danes, Bright-Danes, East-Danes, West-Danes, North-Danes, South-Danes, Ingwins, Hrethmen.
{Hrothgar remembers Beowulf as a youth, and also remembers his father. Then I ween thou wilt find thee less fortunate issue, {Much more will Grendel outdo you, if you vie with him in prowess. Beowulf spake his burnie did glisten, His armor seamed over by the art of the craftsman : {Beowulf salutes Hrothgar, and then proceeds to boast of his youthful achievements. It is the devout desire of this translator to hasten the day when the story of Beowulf shall be as familiar to English-speaking peoples as that of the Iliad. } A son and heir, young in his dwelling, Whom God-Father sent to solace the people. Is furiously envious when he hears sounds of joy in Hrothgar's palace. } Stately proceeded: stepped then an earl-troop 20 Of linden-wood bearers.
} 25 O'er the ale-vessel promised warriors in armor They would willingly wait on the wassailing-benches A grapple with Grendel, with grimmest of edges. The comer-from-far-land had cleansed then of evil, 35 Wise and valiant, the war-hall of Hrothgar, Saved it from violence. } The well-beloved bedmate of the War-Scylfing leader. } 105 Head I offhacked in the hall at the bottom With huge-reaching sword-edge, hardly I wrested My life from her clutches; not doomed was I then, {Jewels were freely bestowed upon me. Oh, Beowulf dear, 15 Best of the heroes, from bale-strife defend thee, And choose thee the better, counsels eternal; {Be not over proud: life is fleeting, and its strength soon wasteth away. } Met with each other. } So he came off uninjured from all of his battles, Perilous fights, offspring of Ecgtheow, From his deeds of daring, till that day most momentous 10 When he fate-driven fared to fight with the dragon.
Epithets in Beowulf: The Power of Titles in Beowulf
THE LIFE AND DEATH OF SCYLD. The sea-wolf bare then, when bottomward came she, {She grabs him, and bears him to her den. {More gifts are offered Beowulf. } Bore it bitterly, he who bided in darkness, 35 That light-hearted laughter loud in the building Greeted him daily; there was dulcet harp-music, Clear song of the singer. He joyed in the night-work, In repute for prowess; the prince of the Geatmen For the East-Danish people his boast had accomplished, Bettered their burdensome bale-sorrows fully, 40 The craft-begot evil they erstwhile had suffered And were forced to endure from crushing oppression, Their manifold misery. But the weeping is mentioned before the 'expectations': the tears may have been due to many emotions, especially gratitude, struggling for expression. The clever folk-leader {They start on the track of the female monster.
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