Preview

The Importance Of Beowulf In Modern America

Better Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1944 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
The Importance Of Beowulf In Modern America
The Importance of Beowulf in Modern America By Jennifer Carley Modern culture and literature include many stories of great heroes and fictional adventures. Many people grow up reading about these great adventures and looking up to the heroes of the stories. Heroes are great roll models because they are portrayed as courageous and trustworthy individuals, two very admirable qualities. Despite numerous cultural and technological advancements, life in modern America continues to bear resemblance to the Anglo-Saxon world of the hero Beowulf. The poem Beowulf, though written many centuries ago, still contains the same universal themes of any great action-adventure story in today's society. The poem is about a great hero who overcomes seemingly impossible obstacles until one day meeting his match in battle. The poem's main themes focus on human nature: the qualities of a good leader, the relationship between leader and follower, and the human struggle between good and evil. Since characteristics of human nature have stayed the same, from work place to personal relationships, the similarities between the two worlds are uncanny. The parallels between Beowulf's time and now allow every reader to learn about life in general and its lessons. Even though Beowulf dates back to a very different era, the poem itself not only gives modern day readers a historical view of Anglo-Saxon life, but it also emphasizes on innate human characteristics and themes of life that are universal and therefore is pertinent to modern day readers.

Carley 2 Beowulf is a great leader and is considered a hero by his followers and readers of the poem. The qualities that make up a good leader and in turn, a hero, are one of the most important themes in the poem because they outline the standard that every individual in the Anglo-Saxon period must try to live up to. A hero, for one, must be a good warrior: one who demonstrates virtues of wisdom and courage. First of all, it is essential to " be
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Beowulf's Achievements In Anglo Saxon Society
    • 347 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Beowulf's Achievements In Anglo Saxon Society

    In the epic Beowulf, translated by Seamus Heaney, Beowulf’s first intention when traveling to the Daneland was to keep his father’s friendship with Hrothgar intact. Although Beowulf had a sounds cause for traveling to the Daneland, the fame and glory Beowulf later received became his main focus and motivated him to continue entering life threatening battles. This piece of literature showcases the accomplishments and celebrations of a young Geat named Beowulf. Throughout the entire epic, Beowulf has many achievements which influence his god-like appearance within the Anglo-Saxon society. The average reader may be so mesmerized with his talents, they might overlook the fact that Beowulf continues to enter battles in order to boost his self…

    • 347 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf Seamus Heaney Analysis
    • 320 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Beowulf Seamus Heaney Analysis

    Beowulf is a poem translated by Seamus Heaney, that tells the tale of the protagonist named Beowulf. Beowulf is a Geat warrior who bears the similar strength of 30 men. Throughout many occasions, he had risen up and molded himself into a representation of an epic hero. Every time the warrior had finished any remarkable feats, it quickly became another additional evidence that showcased his accomplishments, godsend strength, or/and dedication as a leader. His characteristics all became that much more apparent as Beowulf stood side by side with faith, and courage even in the most serious dealt situations. The ability to take on his choices and what God had already organized for his future, is what made his success stand out among those who…

    • 320 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    The Beowulf Diptych Project
    • 417 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The Beowulf Diptych Project

    Beowulf is an epic poem from the medieval time that depicts the traits of an epic hero and his journey. He demonstrates good and evil throughout his quest. The imagery helps the reader understand the events throughout Beowulf’s battle over evil and his struggle through life. The images reveal the epic tradition as well as Christian themes and Pagan beliefs.…

    • 417 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Loyalty And Honor In Beowulf
    • 54 Words
    • 1 Page

    Loyalty And Honor In Beowulf

    Beowulf is a poem that shows both loyalty and honor within its characters. Throughout the poem he shows that by fighting with his bare hands and risking his life. Beowulf shows the real meaning of being a hero. Beowulf has many symbolism in the story when he fights the dragon, Grendel, and Grendel’s mother.…

    • 54 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Examples Of Archetypes In Beowulf
    • 1044 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Examples Of Archetypes In Beowulf

    During the Anglo Saxon era in England, a valiant and brave warrior was one of the most valuable assets a king could have. Due to this, much of the writing from this period were epics and tales with a heroic warrior as the main character. One of the most famous examples or archetypes of this type of writing is the epic poem Beowulf. In this story, the main character, Beowulf, is a marvelous warrior and possesses many of the various Anglo Saxon traits. There are three categories of characteristics in Beowulf that are particularly effective and intriguing, and those include: The lord providing rewards for a warrior’s service, the values…

    • 1044 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf: An Anglo-Saxon Hero
    • 347 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Beowulf: An Anglo-Saxon Hero

    A poem written by an anonymous author over one hundred years ago has described that an Anglo-Saxon hero always has the qualities of courage, generosity, and faithfulness. This poem is Beowulf and in this poem those three qualities apply to one character, Beowulf.…

    • 347 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Response To Beowulf '
    • 343 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Response To Beowulf '

    Beowulf (1000 A.D.) is an epic poem, written by an unknown author and tells the story of Beowulf quest to defeat Grendel and save his people. The author develops his theme of the story by setting the stage for the story and portraying a conflict, which are Beowulf and his needs to defeat Grendel to save his people. The author does this to show reader show difficult of a task it will be for Beowulf to defeat Grendel, in order to save his people. The author creates an objective relationship with his readers by telling the story from third person, giving insight into the mindset of each character and allowing the reader to interpret the poem with his or her unique perspective.…

    • 343 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf's Germanic Beliefs
    • 881 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Beowulf's Germanic Beliefs

    The epic poem of Beowulf represents a Germanic ideal of heroism and virtue important to the early tribes outside the Roman Empire. In this culture, men who faced difficult challenges, the strongest and bravest warriors, were exulted chieftains and often looked to for leadership. While many might consider Beowulf a proud and arrogant man, he was a hero to the Germanic tribes. The character of Beowulf embodies the very values and ideals of what a hero was to the Germanic peoples. Through his respect to kinship, bravery, honor, strength, and intelligence, Beowulf offers to Germanic men a model of a great warrior and leader, a model every man should strive to emulate.…

    • 881 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf Book And Movie Comparison
    • 1055 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Beowulf Book And Movie Comparison

    For over thousands of years, a poem has been told and has been passed on through generations of families. This poem is called Beowulf. Beowulf is an old Anglo Saxon poem that got told throughout many years by scops and would be accompanied by a lyre. It was very famous and would be told often at different places where there were a lot of people. This poem is one of the first to be told in the old-english language. However after various years of being told it finally got written down. But recently, there have been various movies that have been produced that tell the poem of Beowulf, the warrior who fought bravely against monsters. In the Beowulf movie and poem, there are similarities and differences in the comportment of a hero, gender roles, and in the role of religion, which reveal themes that reflect both Anglo Saxon and modern societies.…

    • 1055 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf: A Modern Day Hero
    • 507 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Beowulf: A Modern Day Hero

    A modern day hero is someone who chooses to make sacrifices without being asked to do so by anyone. Many may look up to a person and say that one day they’d like to have some of those attributes a modern day hero has. In the epic poem Beowulf, thought to be written by a christian monk, the central character and hero is Beowulf, who is looked up to by his people of Sweden, the Geats. Consequently a modern day hero that I admire immensely would be a nurse.…

    • 507 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf Vs Today
    • 780 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Beowulf Vs Today

    Beowulf's traits, good and bad, define him as a hero by Anglo-Saxon standards. But his arrogance, greed and selfishness contradict the modern, humanistic image of a hero. When it comes to Beowulf getting what he wants, nothing will stand between him and his goal. No amount of lives lost is too many for Beowulf, and the high cost to others only contributes to his glory. In his own time and culture, he was the ultimate hero of legend because he saved his people from monsters attacking them. But he falls far short when compared to today’s standards of selflessness, in which heroes are defined by risking their lives for others, and thus valuing their own less. Today’s heroes know that he may not make it out of the…

    • 780 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    How Beowulf Is A Hero
    • 652 Words
    • 3 Pages

    How Beowulf Is A Hero

    In the epic poem of "Beowulf" the main character is the hero in the land of the Geats and the Danes. Beowulf is helpful, courageous, and determined. He proves to be the bravest and most daring. On his journeys he shows how being a hero is not only determined on brute strength, but by interior qualities as well. Beowulf is helpful to the Danes by freeing them from their 12 long years of panic and terror.…

    • 652 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Epic Poetry and Beowulf
    • 1069 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Epic Poetry and Beowulf

    Beowulf is an epic poem set in Scandinavia during the sixth century. This epic was originally handed down through generations in spoken form by traveling minstrels. It was finally put in writing during the eleventh century. The poem reflects the culture of the time and the Anglo Saxon era. Beowulf is well known in Great Britain as a hero and great warrior. Beowulf exemplifies the traits of the Anglo-Saxon warrior code which include courage, confidence, and pride.…

    • 1069 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    How Beowulf Is A Hero
    • 728 Words
    • 3 Pages

    How Beowulf Is A Hero

    In the epic poem Beowulf told by the Anglo- Saxons, the main character Beowulf shares some of the qualities that traditional heroes have. He shows bravery, fairness, responsibilities, and ambition. Throughout the whole poem, Beowulf’s actions characterize him as a hero. He puts himself in harm's way to protect his people and the people of Herot from the wicked monster Grendel. Beowulf never once ran from his battles against the monsters he faced. This shows the reader that he is truly a heroic figure.…

    • 728 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf Setting
    • 826 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Beowulf Setting

    Nowadays, there are many action movies where a hero is thrown into numerous physically challenging feats. These movies are always interesting to watch, and unfortunately it is rare to find a poem that captures that same success. However, the Anglo-Saxon epic poem Beowulf proves otherwise. The poem is a timeless thriller, about a courageous hero battling against evil demons and impossible brawls. Each battle seems to be more exhilarating than the last, most of which comes from the outstanding setting. Without the setting, Beowulf would not have the same thrill; the setting helps set up the dramatic effects of each battle.…

    • 826 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More

Related Topics