Beowulf
The legendary figure of Beowulf is based on an early Scandinavian epic poem. The poem is quite possibly one of the oldest surviving Scandinavian epics, written in Old English. The oldest surviving manuscript dates from around the 10th century while the poem itself is believed to originate in the 6th or 7th century.
While it is hard to place Beowulf in history as a factual person, many aspects of the story do contain factual references. The burial mounds of persons of great importance was a typical practice of those times. And references relate these mounds to some of the characters, places, and peoples of the Beowulf epic.
 Beowulf |
The epic poem of Beowulf can be broken down into two or three parts. The first part of the epic involves Beowulf, as a young warrior traveling to a nearby Kingdom to rescue its people from a terrible beast named Grendel. After a great battle, Beowulf defeats Grendel. The next part of the epic can be considered a separate part or a continuation of the Grendel battle. Grendel’s mother attacks the people again to retaliate for Grendel’s death. Beowulf tracks her down to her home below a lake and another epic battle ensues. Beowulf emerges victorious and he and his men return to their homeland.
The second (or third) part of the epic involves Beowulf as a King in his own land. His greatness in battle has placed him at the head of his own clan. One day a slave steals a golden item from a dragon’s cave. The dragon becomes enraged by the theft and attacks Beowulf’s kingdom. Once again an epic battle ensues and Beowulf defeats the dragon. Unfortunately, Beowulf is mortally wounded by the dragon and is laid to rest overlooking the sea.
The Beowulf epic has many themes that arise in later hero epics. Swords are generally named and the Beowulf poem has several of named swords. The kings halls are also named and are considered places of great significance. The hero possesses epic strength and greatness, much more so than any other man. And more modern literary figures from Tarzan to Conan, to even Superman, resonate with iconic characterisitcs that originated in Beowulf…
For more information or reading on Beowulf, please check out these links:
- Project Gutenburg Full Version of the Poem
- Beowulf Wiki
- Beowulf Translation Comparison
- Beowulf Resources
- Beowulf Resources 2
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