Beowulf

Beowulf is an anonymous poem in old English written between the 10^th and the 11^th century. It’s written in England, but it recounts the heroic legends of Danes and Gaets, two Scandinavian tribes. Beowulf is an epic heroic poem; indeed, it is a narrative about warriors which developsover long time periods and includes long journeys and battles.

The plot of the poem is based on Hrothgar, King of Denmark, who after having built a great mead-hall receives attacks from Grendel, a monster that kills many men. Beowulf, a Geat, heard about this situation and decided to come in Denmark where killed Grendel and his mother, after two fights. After these victories and king’s death, Beowulf becomes King of Denmark. After 50 quite years, a dragon threatens the country, however, despite the age, Beowulf managed to kill him, but he was wounded after the battle and he died. The Geats gave him a great funeral, remembering him as leader and a defender.

Beowulf shows some features of Old English poetry, for example, each line is divided into two halves, separated by a caesura or pause, with two stresses in each half line.

The line structure is regular and creates strong rhythms which carry the story forward, make it easier for the listeners to follow. Moreover, alliteration links the phrases together and creates a pleasing musical effect. Another typical technique is the kenning, a short metaphorical description of a thing or person through a compound noun.

The poem celebrates the most important heroic ideal: strength, bravery and loyalty in warriors; hospitality, generosity, and political wisdom in kings. Beowulf was the perfect embodiment of this ideal. When he becomes king of the Geats he secures peace and prosperity for his country and defends his people from the dragon although he is old and weak. The monsters represent disorder and bring chaos into the community; Beowulf has to combat them for order to be restored.
Another main theme is the importance of cultural heritage and ancestry: the poem includes Nordic pagan mythology and celebrates the characters' ancestors, but they are softened by the presence of Christian values.