Beowulf: Themes
Beginning of paper
The Anglo-Saxon epic Beowulf is the most important work of Old English
literature, and is well deserved of the distinction. The epic tells the story
of a hero, a Scandinavian prince named Beowulf, who rids the Danes of the
monster Grendel, a descendent of Cain, and of his exploits fighting Grendel ....
Middle of paper
.... measurement of importance in
Beowulf. In Canto 1 the story teller describes his wealth and importance, not
as mounds of gold or jewels, but instead as his ability to β[lead] the Danes to
such glory.β and as his tendency to βIn battle, [leave] the common pasture
untouched, and taking no lives.β Through this display of compassion for the
commoner who doesn't fight in battles, Hrothgar proves the full extent of his
honor and therefore the extent of his wealth and status. Beowulf, ....
------------------
Word count: 1008
Page count: 4 (approximately 250 words per page)
