Epic of Beowulf Essay - Hero-elegaic :: Epic of Beowulf Essay

Beowulf Hero-elegaic   Beowulf is one of the oldest existing poesys in the English language. primitively written in Anglo-Saxon, it has been translated to give refs the opportunity to enjoy this colorful, heroic poem of Englands epic age. It has been declared as a heroic-elegaic poem because of the versatile fontistics it clear possesses. An epic consists of a hero who is larger than life. Beowulf is unquestionably a perfect example of this hero because of the amazing acts of heroism he commits. epos characters also give numerous speeches that revel something about the past or the speakers characteristics. Beowulf does not give many, but from those he gives, the reader leans about his character traits. The language of the epic style is an elevated, rather dress language. Similes, kennings, and many other literary techniques are used throughout the poem. Beowulf clearly contains many epic characteristics and the following essay will present the grounds needed to sup port this totallyegation. Firstly, epic characters hold high positionkings, princes, noblemen, and members of the aristocracybut the epic hero must be more than that. He must be able to perform outstanding deeds, be great than the average character, and be of heroic proportions. Most of all, he must drop super-human courage. The poet first describes Beowulf as "...greater/And stronger than anyone anywhere in this world" (Raffel 195-196), without informing us about what he did to acquire this reputation. The reader initially sees him through the awestruck eyes of the Danish soldier patrolling the cliffs. Beowulfs appearance--his size, his armor--obviously commands immediate respect and attention. When asked by the soldier to identify himself and give detail of his visit, he says he is not in that respect to challenge Hrothgars power but to perform a task to the lord. He respects the legitimacy of Hrothgars kingship and has no intention of usurping the throne. He prefor ms in the same honorable manner when he refuses the kingship after Hygelacs death. He accepts the crown only after Hygelacs son is killed in battle. Beowulfs super-human courage is shown when he went into battle with Grendel, Grendels mother and the dragon. He shows he is fearless when he says, Id use no sword, no weapon, if this beast/ Could be killed without it, crushed to death/Like Grendel(Raffel 2518-2520) ahead he fights the dragon, which ultimately kills him. Epic characters generally deliver numerous speeches, all of which move the action forward, tell something about the past, or reveal the speakers character traits.