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Beowulf

Essay by   •  April 22, 2011  •  613 Words (3 Pages)  •  1,026 Views

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Beowulf

As of today, the author of Beowulf has been an anonymous person. Even though some scholars believe that the poem may have been composed in the eight century A.D., and others suggest it was an earlier time, can be early as tenth century. This poem has not been dated exactly; all we know is that it was written in England. The only manuscript of the poem that survived was discovered in the sixteenth century. The manuscript was damaged by fire in 1731 and was first printed in 1815.

The story is introduced by giving information about the Danish warrior kings Hrothgar is introduced in a way in which he plays an important role in this story. In 1939 a buried ship of treasure probably dated from seventh century A.D. was discovered by archeologists. This discovery included a great gold buckle, a warrior's sword, silver serving vessels and other items. From this period it shows that warriors and kings were buried with their riches, just as described by the poet in the lines about the death of shield.

Beowulf largely a pagan poem that's been added elements of Christianity and three mythological monsters. There are three monsters and Grendel is the first one. This mostly gives many clues about the nature of the Danish society depicted in the poem. A man makes a name for himself by pro ness in the battle. By this, he is secure in his community and gets desired fame to himself and also his king. Detailed descriptions of armor and weapons show the significant of war in this society, in this each clan must always be prepared to defend himself against others. Warriors owe their allegiance to their king. The obligations of the king are just to protect and reward his subjects. A king is known as a generous and brave man. It also shows the co-existence how history was preserved in such warrior societies. The minstrel's mention of king Heremad, in his song about sigemund, reveals an aspect of the pet's technique in Beowulf. He tries to make a meaning between

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