Scylding

From the beginning of Beowulf we are able to understand and see the central themes and points that are being focused on. From the assigned readings of Beowulf and after finishing the entire piece I found it stuck with its major theme in which we are given from the prologue of the story. From the start of the story we are able to identify with Scyld Scefing and his role as king and leader. Power plays a major role and theme throughout the entire story which allows the story to flow well and keep the

sheltered Beowulf's father during a deadly feud, and the mighty Geat hopes to return the favor while enhancing his own reputation and gaining treasure for his king, Hygelac. At a feast before nightfall of the first day of the visit, an obnoxious, drunken Scylding named Unferth insults Beowulf and claims that the Geat visitor once embarrassingly lost a swimming contest to a boyhood acquaintance named Breca and is no match for Grendel. Beowulf responds with dignity while putting Unferth in his place. In fact

the root causes of the more malicious aspects of this society: blood-feud and tribal war. It should be duly noted that the poem is bookended with two very meaningful deaths. At the beginning of the poem the death of Scyld Sheafson, founder of the Scyldings, and towards the end the death of our hero, Beowulf. However, it is quite ironic that this poem is very much a celebration of a heroic life, one that encompasses glory, strength, and bravery. This contrast of celebrating life and the

it. No one called him to come forth to the land of the Scyldings to defeat the monster, Grendel. He in fact came by himself, although he never officially stated that he sought glory he in fact did so when we came to fight Grendel. There was no need for him to come over, logically speaking. But he let his emotions get the best of him. One, he most likely came to seek glory and fortune. Secondly, and less likely, he came to defend the Scyldings and

In Beowulf, attention is given to descriptive visuals presented as a means to demonstrate the scale of epic narrative the poem operates on. The visualization in the poem, however serves as dual purpose of illustrating not only the landscape and characters for its audiences but also their personal image to society. Gold, while first mentioned in the opening lines as a supplementary visual for the “ensign” of a heroes shroud, progresses quickly to become an embedded value in the world of Beowulf (Line

Grendel never became enemies with the Scyldings until he sought out the route of this shadow, the dragon. When the dragon says unto Grendel in the line, “If man’s the irrelevance that interests you, stick with him! Scare him to glory! It’s all the same in the end, matter and motion, simple or

devil who lives in the swamplands of Hrothgar's kingdom. Grendel threatens the Danes consistently, executing them and overcoming their endeavors to battle back. At a dinner before dusk of the primary day of the visit, a disagreeable, plastered Scylding named Unferth

A prize. A possession. A “sacrificial virgin” (Grardner 100) for the unity of two kingdoms. A queen. But before all those titles, she was a little girl and a sister. She is Wealhtheow, one of a few females in Beowulf and Grendel. She is the embodiment of grace and the goodness of humanity. A queen to all the Danes and a servant to all her people. Her sacrifice is more honorable than that of all the Geats and Danes, yet she gets little recognition for it. In Grendel, she reveals more of herself because

thus making him Grendel’s “salvation,” for if he could be proven not truly brave and honourable, who could be (Gardner 82)? Through his raid, Grendel is not surprised to see that Unferth cannot beat him, and leaves him to further disappoint the Scyldings. However, Unferth decides to prove himself by following Grendel to his cave. Once he’s again face-to-face with Grendel, he tries to explain the importance of heroism, but instead contradicts himself. At first, he boasts that “It will be sung year

The Queen Seeing Beowulf Beowulf knocks on the door three times — knock knock knock. “Someone is at the door!” yelled the queen, “Who would be at my door at this time.” The king yelled back, “I think it’s Beowulf! Let's go see for sure.” Beowulf knocks once again as no one came to the door fast enough for him. As he is waiting the geats come and welcome him at the hall. “Come on in,” says the king and the queen. As beowulf starts to walk into the hall, he tells the story of his encounter with