SlideShare a Scribd company logo
1 of 1
Download to read offline
Beowulf Close Reading
Middle Ages Close Reading Essay The Middle Ages is a time of change from the shift from one religion to the other to the transition of languages
into the society. These new changes affected many aspects of civilian life, including the literature. In one poem, Beowulf, these religious
conversions and human ideals can be examined. One of the most famous pieces of literature from the time of the Anglo–Saxons is Beowulf.
Beowulf is a rather long epic poem about a heroic warrior named Beowulf that defeats a monster named Grendel and its dam as well as a dragon
in his later years. The epic is heavily influenced by the Anglo–Saxon culture. Britain was originally pagan and was gradually converted to
Christianity around 597 (Moloney). One major aspect...show more content...
Paganism focused on warrior ethics and when the two religions mixed, the new culture became one of heroism and Christian values. Beowulf
shows many aspects of the warrior culture that was common during the middle ages. Warrior ethic involves honor, strength, glory and loyalty to
the king and the country's people. Loyalty is very prominent towards the end of the poem when Beowulf must fight the dragon. When Beowulf
goes to fight the dragon, his thanes become too scared to fight along side him so they back away from the battle. The only thane that remains
loyal to Beowulf is Wiglaf. Wiglaf becomes the voice of his culture by shaming the other warriors for not remaining loyal to their leader and he
fights with Beowulf until they kill the beast together. It can be inferred that loyalty is quite important to the Anglo–Saxon society because as
Beowulf dies, he leaves Wiglaf to rule the kingdom due to his bravery and loyalty. Wiglaf is not the only character that shows loyalty to his
lord. The young Beowulf shows loyalty to his lord, Hygelac, by giving him the gifts he has received after he has won in battle. According to
Belen Lowrey's paper, The Hero as a Reflection of Culture, Beowulf shows his strength and bravery "by recounting the swimming match with
Brecca as well as by winning the battles with Grendel and Grendel's mother" (Lowrey). In addition, after Beowulf's battle with Grendel, the
narrator says that his courage was proven and his glory was secure
Get more content on HelpWriting.net

More Related Content

More from Write My Paper In Apa Format University Center

Television As Teacher Essay
Television As Teacher EssayTelevision As Teacher Essay
Types Of Racism Essay
Types Of Racism EssayTypes Of Racism Essay
I Am Sam Assignment
I Am Sam AssignmentI Am Sam Assignment
Essay On Winston Churchill
Essay On Winston ChurchillEssay On Winston Churchill
Role Models As A Role Model
Role Models As A Role ModelRole Models As A Role Model

More from Write My Paper In Apa Format University Center (6)

My Family Beliefs
My Family BeliefsMy Family Beliefs
My Family Beliefs
 
Television As Teacher Essay
Television As Teacher EssayTelevision As Teacher Essay
Television As Teacher Essay
 
Types Of Racism Essay
Types Of Racism EssayTypes Of Racism Essay
Types Of Racism Essay
 
I Am Sam Assignment
I Am Sam AssignmentI Am Sam Assignment
I Am Sam Assignment
 
Essay On Winston Churchill
Essay On Winston ChurchillEssay On Winston Churchill
Essay On Winston Churchill
 
Role Models As A Role Model
Role Models As A Role ModelRole Models As A Role Model
Role Models As A Role Model
 

Recently uploaded

The basics of sentences session 2pptx copy.pptx
The basics of sentences session 2pptx copy.pptxThe basics of sentences session 2pptx copy.pptx
The basics of sentences session 2pptx copy.pptx
heathfieldcps1
 
Beyond the EU: DORA and NIS 2 Directive's Global Impact
Beyond the EU: DORA and NIS 2 Directive's Global ImpactBeyond the EU: DORA and NIS 2 Directive's Global Impact
Beyond the EU: DORA and NIS 2 Directive's Global Impact
PECB
 

Recently uploaded (20)

Explore beautiful and ugly buildings. Mathematics helps us create beautiful d...
Explore beautiful and ugly buildings. Mathematics helps us create beautiful d...Explore beautiful and ugly buildings. Mathematics helps us create beautiful d...
Explore beautiful and ugly buildings. Mathematics helps us create beautiful d...
 
ICT role in 21st century education and it's challenges.
ICT role in 21st century education and it's challenges.ICT role in 21st century education and it's challenges.
ICT role in 21st century education and it's challenges.
 
Measures of Dispersion and Variability: Range, QD, AD and SD
Measures of Dispersion and Variability: Range, QD, AD and SDMeasures of Dispersion and Variability: Range, QD, AD and SD
Measures of Dispersion and Variability: Range, QD, AD and SD
 
Ecological Succession. ( ECOSYSTEM, B. Pharmacy, 1st Year, Sem-II, Environmen...
Ecological Succession. ( ECOSYSTEM, B. Pharmacy, 1st Year, Sem-II, Environmen...Ecological Succession. ( ECOSYSTEM, B. Pharmacy, 1st Year, Sem-II, Environmen...
Ecological Succession. ( ECOSYSTEM, B. Pharmacy, 1st Year, Sem-II, Environmen...
 
Micro-Scholarship, What it is, How can it help me.pdf
Micro-Scholarship, What it is, How can it help me.pdfMicro-Scholarship, What it is, How can it help me.pdf
Micro-Scholarship, What it is, How can it help me.pdf
 
Role Of Transgenic Animal In Target Validation-1.pptx
Role Of Transgenic Animal In Target Validation-1.pptxRole Of Transgenic Animal In Target Validation-1.pptx
Role Of Transgenic Animal In Target Validation-1.pptx
 
The basics of sentences session 2pptx copy.pptx
The basics of sentences session 2pptx copy.pptxThe basics of sentences session 2pptx copy.pptx
The basics of sentences session 2pptx copy.pptx
 
Presentation by Andreas Schleicher Tackling the School Absenteeism Crisis 30 ...
Presentation by Andreas Schleicher Tackling the School Absenteeism Crisis 30 ...Presentation by Andreas Schleicher Tackling the School Absenteeism Crisis 30 ...
Presentation by Andreas Schleicher Tackling the School Absenteeism Crisis 30 ...
 
ICT Role in 21st Century Education & its Challenges.pptx
ICT Role in 21st Century Education & its Challenges.pptxICT Role in 21st Century Education & its Challenges.pptx
ICT Role in 21st Century Education & its Challenges.pptx
 
Web & Social Media Analytics Previous Year Question Paper.pdf
Web & Social Media Analytics Previous Year Question Paper.pdfWeb & Social Media Analytics Previous Year Question Paper.pdf
Web & Social Media Analytics Previous Year Question Paper.pdf
 
On National Teacher Day, meet the 2024-25 Kenan Fellows
On National Teacher Day, meet the 2024-25 Kenan FellowsOn National Teacher Day, meet the 2024-25 Kenan Fellows
On National Teacher Day, meet the 2024-25 Kenan Fellows
 
Food Chain and Food Web (Ecosystem) EVS, B. Pharmacy 1st Year, Sem-II
Food Chain and Food Web (Ecosystem) EVS, B. Pharmacy 1st Year, Sem-IIFood Chain and Food Web (Ecosystem) EVS, B. Pharmacy 1st Year, Sem-II
Food Chain and Food Web (Ecosystem) EVS, B. Pharmacy 1st Year, Sem-II
 
Introduction to Nonprofit Accounting: The Basics
Introduction to Nonprofit Accounting: The BasicsIntroduction to Nonprofit Accounting: The Basics
Introduction to Nonprofit Accounting: The Basics
 
psychiatric nursing HISTORY COLLECTION .docx
psychiatric  nursing HISTORY  COLLECTION  .docxpsychiatric  nursing HISTORY  COLLECTION  .docx
psychiatric nursing HISTORY COLLECTION .docx
 
General Principles of Intellectual Property: Concepts of Intellectual Proper...
General Principles of Intellectual Property: Concepts of Intellectual  Proper...General Principles of Intellectual Property: Concepts of Intellectual  Proper...
General Principles of Intellectual Property: Concepts of Intellectual Proper...
 
Holdier Curriculum Vitae (April 2024).pdf
Holdier Curriculum Vitae (April 2024).pdfHoldier Curriculum Vitae (April 2024).pdf
Holdier Curriculum Vitae (April 2024).pdf
 
Asian American Pacific Islander Month DDSD 2024.pptx
Asian American Pacific Islander Month DDSD 2024.pptxAsian American Pacific Islander Month DDSD 2024.pptx
Asian American Pacific Islander Month DDSD 2024.pptx
 
Advanced Views - Calendar View in Odoo 17
Advanced Views - Calendar View in Odoo 17Advanced Views - Calendar View in Odoo 17
Advanced Views - Calendar View in Odoo 17
 
Measures of Central Tendency: Mean, Median and Mode
Measures of Central Tendency: Mean, Median and ModeMeasures of Central Tendency: Mean, Median and Mode
Measures of Central Tendency: Mean, Median and Mode
 
Beyond the EU: DORA and NIS 2 Directive's Global Impact
Beyond the EU: DORA and NIS 2 Directive's Global ImpactBeyond the EU: DORA and NIS 2 Directive's Global Impact
Beyond the EU: DORA and NIS 2 Directive's Global Impact
 

Beowulf Close Reading

  • 1. Beowulf Close Reading Middle Ages Close Reading Essay The Middle Ages is a time of change from the shift from one religion to the other to the transition of languages into the society. These new changes affected many aspects of civilian life, including the literature. In one poem, Beowulf, these religious conversions and human ideals can be examined. One of the most famous pieces of literature from the time of the Anglo–Saxons is Beowulf. Beowulf is a rather long epic poem about a heroic warrior named Beowulf that defeats a monster named Grendel and its dam as well as a dragon in his later years. The epic is heavily influenced by the Anglo–Saxon culture. Britain was originally pagan and was gradually converted to Christianity around 597 (Moloney). One major aspect...show more content... Paganism focused on warrior ethics and when the two religions mixed, the new culture became one of heroism and Christian values. Beowulf shows many aspects of the warrior culture that was common during the middle ages. Warrior ethic involves honor, strength, glory and loyalty to the king and the country's people. Loyalty is very prominent towards the end of the poem when Beowulf must fight the dragon. When Beowulf goes to fight the dragon, his thanes become too scared to fight along side him so they back away from the battle. The only thane that remains loyal to Beowulf is Wiglaf. Wiglaf becomes the voice of his culture by shaming the other warriors for not remaining loyal to their leader and he fights with Beowulf until they kill the beast together. It can be inferred that loyalty is quite important to the Anglo–Saxon society because as Beowulf dies, he leaves Wiglaf to rule the kingdom due to his bravery and loyalty. Wiglaf is not the only character that shows loyalty to his lord. The young Beowulf shows loyalty to his lord, Hygelac, by giving him the gifts he has received after he has won in battle. According to Belen Lowrey's paper, The Hero as a Reflection of Culture, Beowulf shows his strength and bravery "by recounting the swimming match with Brecca as well as by winning the battles with Grendel and Grendel's mother" (Lowrey). In addition, after Beowulf's battle with Grendel, the narrator says that his courage was proven and his glory was secure Get more content on HelpWriting.net