Literary Analysis Beowulf
D. The ending contains many words that show how Beowulf’s people feel about the death of their leader. The word “sorrow” comes up as they are truly sad about the loss of Beowulf. They also tell stories about his “greatness”, “heroic deeds”, and “a life as noble as his name”. All of these show that the Geats had great respect for Beowulf as they recognize his characteristics as king. They send their praises up “warm with love” and cry over the stories that they share, continuing to show the sorrow and pain they feel. Beowulf is cremated on a huge funeral pyre and put into a massive tower that stands on a piece of land that juts into the sea. His warriors ride around the tower, sharing their stories of Beowulf and mourn his loss. This
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Beowulf represents the ideal king. He possesses all the characteristics of a good king and constantly fights for honor and glory. He sails all the way over to the land of the Geats to help King Heardred fight humanity’s greatest evil, Grendel. When he defeats Grendel, he does not use his new influence and respect to take the throne, showing great nobility. He doesn’t just stop there, however, as he dives into the Mere to defeat Grendel’s mother, further showing his quest for glory and honor that a king should always possess. Plus, he receives her treasure, which he gives back to the people like a good king. After earning more respect from the people, he still does not take the throne from Heardred. After about fifty years, he finally becomes the king of his own land and rules with honor. He even goes and fights a dragon that is harming his people. He ends up paying with his life, which is very noble, while also taking the treasure from the dragon and giving it to his people. He also appoints a successor, Wiglaf, who he feels will lead with the same honor and nobility that he had. This epic is truly the story of a good king in that he shows nobility, honor, and glory, while overcoming the challenges of his people, showing compassion to other nations, and appointing a worthy
Beowulf represents the ideal king. He possesses all the characteristics of a good king and constantly fights for honor and glory. He sails all the way over to the land of the Geats to help King Heardred fight humanity’s greatest evil, Grendel. When he defeats Grendel, he does not use his new influence and respect to take the throne, showing great nobility. He doesn’t just stop there, however, as he dives into the Mere to defeat Grendel’s mother, further showing his quest for glory and honor that a king should always possess. Plus, he receives her treasure, which he gives back to the people like a good king. After earning more respect from the people, he still does not take the throne from Heardred. After about fifty years, he finally becomes the king of his own land and rules with honor. He even goes and fights a dragon that is harming his people. He ends up paying with his life, which is very noble, while also taking the treasure from the dragon and giving it to his people. He also appoints a successor, Wiglaf, who he feels will lead with the same honor and nobility that he had. This epic is truly the story of a good king in that he shows nobility, honor, and glory, while overcoming the challenges of his people, showing compassion to other nations, and appointing a worthy