The oldest European epics in existence. When Beowulf was written, the writer incorporated many of the ideals of the Anglo-Saxons. Some of these ideals included loyalty, bravery, selflessness, and justice and were demonstrated in the hero. Both the characters Beowulf and Grendel represent aspects of both good and evil, Christianity and Paganism, and what occurs when they collide with one another. A characteristic of an epic poem is the concern over struggles that humans face, which is presented in a serious manner. The hero often embodies the religious, national, and cultural values of his homeland and abroad. The premise of the story is quite simple: the Danes were in distress because of the great monster Grendel, so Beowulf, a native of the Geats, sails to engage in battle with Grendel and become victorious in saving the seemingly faithless Danes.
Throughout the epic, there are many instances where examples of the thirteen epic conventions are used in the writing of Beowulf and in describing both the ideals of the Anglo-Saxons and the underlying challenges with mortal problems, such as good versus evil. Beowulf, as an epic, can be demonstrated through examples in the writing of the story. Beowulf is often described as a national hero who embodies the ideals of his race or nation. He is referred to as, “the strongest of the Geats, greater and stronger than anyone anywhere in the world,” and is shown as displaying courage in his message to Hrothgar to return, “The precious gifts you gave me” to Higlac is he should die in his battle with Grendel’s mother. Each of these examples helps define Beowulf as an epic poem. An Anglo-Saxon hero must embody certain characteristics and ideals in order to be truly considered a hero.
Beowulf is depicted as being very brave. “I’ve never known fear”, “Then Beowulf stood, still brave, still strong” and, “everything hidden in that tower, will be mine or war will sweep me to a bitter death!” display Beowulf”s strong bravery and his desire to prevail. Even until the very end, Beowulf fights without fear, seeming to always know that he will be the victor. Another quality Beowulf shows is his loyalty to his king and to his people. He speaks, “I sold my life for this treasure, and I sold it well. Take what I leavelead my people, help them,” to Wiglaf as his last dying few words. As mentioned before, Beowulf wishes to have his possessions and gold to his Higlac so that “may he see in their golden brightnessthat here in Denmark I found a noble protector.” He also minds that Higlac “might think less of me if I let my sword go where my feet were afraid to,” and does his best to represent his land and people with all his strength and courage.
Beowulf can be perceived as an example of Anglo-Saxon heroism even until the final battle in which his life finally leaves him. Finally, the hero story that is associated in Beowulf runs hand in hand with the illustrated project that accompanies these examples. The coming of Beowulf was a main point of the story. This coming is illustrated as how the story is able to move on to the final battle from this moment. He is the strongest and bravest of known soldiers and this is why his coming is so pivotal. Secondly, his valor and victory are illustrated in his fights with both Grendel and his mother. Beowulf’s bravery and loyalty never leave him as he endures each battle.
Both encounters are illustrated as him being faithful, knowing fate will be on his side. Lastly, the representation of a hero story can be found in his keeping of the Anglo-Saxon ideals until his very death, as well as the aforementioned. Beowulf wishes to have his name live on in fame and to be remembered for his great display of heroism. Both the elements of Christianity and Paganism play roles in his mortality and his strengths as a war hero. Each of these details the compelling story of a hero and his struggle to become victorious over evil. It is evident that there are many instances where the thirteen epic conventions prove that Beowulf is an epic poem which demonstrates the ideals and characteristics of Anglo-Saxon literature and belief.
The use of the epic conventions plays true to what a fine example Beowulf is of the Anglo-Saxon early writings. Also, the incorporation of the ideals of what an Anglo-Saxon hero must embody carry throughout the poem and give further depth and strength to the character and his purpose. All of these are included into an illustration which flows along with that of the hero story in Beowulf. Beowulf is and will continue to be one of the finest and truest examples of Anglo-Saxon culture and the literature produced that will continue to live on for generations. And the only the other ones can make it that far in a diverse society, and the only way in which there would be a cosmopolitan and others for a day or two.
The only other way in which one would be able to escape without fathom or injury would be too just give up and not pursue any of their career goals. That is not the best decision in any other situation that can’t be made out to do our thing. Such as doing it without a public in terminate way of going about life without the other incubator’s and the only the only other way in which I would be able to do anything about it and I can only dream about the happier things in life that make all of us. The way you make me feel, the way you make me feel, it really turns me off, and the knights way of telling all of us not to be worried or concerned with the minute things in life. In other words, why are there other things that aren’t as good as this? There are many problems and it is clear why we live the way we do.
