How is Beowulf medieval literature?

Beowulf, an epic poem of unknown authorship, is widely regarded as one of the most significant works of medieval literature. Set in Scandinavia during the 6th century, Beowulf tells the tale of a heroic warrior who battles mythical creatures and faces moral dilemmas. Its rich narrative and exploration of complex themes make it a compelling example of medieval literature. In this blog post, we will delve into the characteristics that make Beowulf a remarkable representative of this literary genre, including its themes, structure, and cultural context.

Understanding Medieval Literature

Medieval literature refers to works produced during the Middle Ages, a period that spanned from the 5th to the 15th century. This era witnessed great political, social, and cultural transformations, and literature played a crucial role in reflecting and shaping the beliefs, values, and experiences of the time. Key characteristics of medieval literature include a focus on chivalry, religious piety, courtly love, moral allegory, and a blend of Christian and pagan influences. These works often incorporated elements of fantasy, adventure, and heroism to entertain and educate their audiences.

Beowulf: A Tale of Heroic Values

Beowulf recounts the heroic exploits of its eponymous protagonist, a Geatish warrior who travels to Denmark to help King Hrothgar combat the monster Grendel. The poem exalts the virtues of courage, strength, and prowess in battle, which were highly esteemed in medieval society. Beowulf's unwavering bravery in facing formidable adversaries demonstrates the importance of heroism and the willingness to protect one's people.

Loyalty and honor are additional virtues emphasized in Beowulf. The poem celebrates the bond of loyalty between warriors and their lords, exemplified by Beowulf's unwavering allegiance to Hrothgar and later to his own people. The concept of honor, which encompasses a warrior's reputation, integrity, and adherence to codes of conduct, is recurrent throughout the poem. Beowulf's commitment to upholding his honor and seeking glory is evident in his willingness to confront seemingly insurmountable challenges.

The theme of fate and destiny permeates Beowulf, echoing the medieval belief in predestination. The poem portrays a world in which individuals are subject to the whims of fate, emphasizing the transient nature of human existence. Beowulf's acceptance of his own mortality and his recognition of the inevitability of fate contribute to the poem's somber and contemplative tone.

Beowulf's Structure and Style

Beowulf is composed in Old English, the language spoken in England from the 5th to the 12th century. The poem's structure and style demonstrate the unique characteristics of Old English poetry. Beowulf follows a distinct poetic form known as alliterative verse, which relies on the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of stressed syllables within a line. This alliterative structure lends the poem a rhythmic quality and aids in its oral performance.

In addition to alliteration, Beowulf employs a poetic device called kennings. Kennings are figurative expressions that replace ordinary nouns, often using hyphenated compound words. These imaginative and metaphorical descriptions enhance the poetic imagery of the poem. For example, the sea is referred to as the "whale-road," and Grendel is called the "shadow-walker." Kennings not only add depth to the language but also contribute to the oral tradition of storytelling in which Beowulf was likely recited.

The composition of Beowulf is rooted in the oral tradition of the time. Before the advent of writing, stories and poems were passed down orally from one generation to another. Skilled bards, known as scopas, would recite and embellish these tales, relying on memory and improvisation. This oral transmission influenced the structure and performance of Beowulf, with the poem being designed for recitation to captivate and engage its audience.

Cultural Context of Beowulf

To fully grasp Beowulf as medieval literature, it is essential to examine its cultural context. The poem is believed to have been composed in a society that was transitioning from pagan beliefs to Christianity. This dual religious influence is evident throughout the narrative. Pagan elements, such as references to Germanic mythology and heroic traditions, coexist with Christian references, showcasing the syncretism of the time.

The historical background of the medieval period also shapes the cultural context of Beowulf. The 6th century, when the events of the poem are set, was marked by tribal conflicts, migrations, and the rise of warrior cultures. Beowulf reflects the societal values of this era, focusing on the heroic deeds of warriors and the importance of communal harmony.

Beowulf and Medieval Society

Beowulf offers valuable insights into the values and ideals of medieval society. The mead hall, a central location in the poem, symbolizes the social and cultural importance of communal gatherings. It served as a place for feasting, celebration, storytelling, and the exchange of gifts. The mead hall was not only a physical structure but also a representation of the unity and stability of a kingdom.

The comitatus, a social and political structure prevalent in medieval society, is exemplified in Beowulf. The comitatus refers to the bond between a lord and his warriors, based on reciprocal obligations and loyalty. Beowulf's actions demonstrate his commitment to the comitatus as he pledges his service to Hrothgar and later becomes a wise and just ruler himself. The comitatus played a vital role in maintaining order and protection in medieval society.

Power dynamics and hierarchy are significant themes in Beowulf. The poem portrays a hierarchical structure, with kings and lords at the top, followed by their retainers and warriors. This hierarchy is maintained through the exchange of gifts, the bestowal of rewards, and the adherence to social codes. Beowulf's rise from a warrior to a king exemplifies the ambition and aspirations of individuals seeking to establish their status within the social order.

Legacy and Influence of Beowulf

Despite being lost for centuries, Beowulf survived through a single manuscript discovered in the 18th century. Its rediscovery in the 19th century sparked a renewed interest in Old English literature and heralded a new era of scholarship and appreciation for this medieval masterpiece. 

Beowulf's influence extends far beyond its historical context. The poem has served as a wellspring of inspiration for countless authors and artists over the centuries. Its themes of heroism, loyalty, and the struggle between good and evil have resonated with audiences across different cultures and time periods. Beowulf's impact can be seen in various forms of literature, film, and even video games, attesting to its enduring relevance.

Conclusion

Beowulf stands as a testament to the enduring power of medieval literature. Through its exploration of heroic values, its distinctive poetic structure, and its reflection of the cultural context of the time, Beowulf encapsulates the essence of medieval storytelling. Its legacy and influence continue to captivate and inspire readers and creators alike, solidifying its place as a timeless masterpiece of medieval literature.

What literature was influenced by Beowulf?

Beowulf, an epic poem of unknown authorship, holds a significant place in the literary world as one of the earliest and most celebrated works of English literature. Its story of heroism, monsters, and ancient Scandinavian culture has captivated readers for centuries. However, Beowulf's influence extends beyond its own time, shaping and inspiring subsequent works of literature throughout history. In this blog post, we will explore the profound impact of Beowulf on various genres and time periods, tracing its influence from Old English literature to contemporary works and popular culture.

Beowulf's Impact on Old English Literature

To understand the influence of Beowulf on later literature, we must first examine its impact on Old English poetry. Beowulf, composed in the early 8th century, represents a pinnacle of the heroic tradition in Old English literature. It showcases several elements that became defining characteristics of the genre, such as the portrayal of heroic ideals, the use of kennings, and the focus on fate and divine intervention.

One notable example of Beowulf's influence on Old English literature is the heroic poem "The Battle of Maldon." This poem, believed to have been composed around the same time as Beowulf, shares similar themes and narrative structures. Both works depict the conflict between a heroic warrior and a formidable adversary, emphasizing the importance of honor, loyalty, and bravery in the face of adversity.

Another Old English poem influenced by Beowulf is "The Wanderer." While it differs in genre and tone, "The Wanderer" echoes Beowulf's themes of exile, loss, and the transitory nature of human existence. Both poems explore the melancholic aspects of life and the search for meaning in a chaotic world.

Beowulf's Influence on Medieval Literature

Moving beyond the Old English period, we find the influence of Beowulf resonating in medieval literature. During the Middle Ages, Beowulf served as a touchstone for authors seeking to craft heroic tales and romantic narratives.

One significant work influenced by Beowulf is "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight." Written in the late 14th century by an anonymous poet, this Arthurian romance draws inspiration from the heroic ethos found in Beowulf. Like Beowulf, Sir Gawain embarks on a perilous journey and confronts a supernatural adversary, testing his bravery and integrity.

Geoffrey Chaucer, often regarded as the Father of English Literature, also displays the influence of Beowulf in his famous work, "The Canterbury Tales." In the Knight's Tale, Chaucer includes elements of heroic literature, drawing upon the grandeur and chivalric ideals reminiscent of Beowulf. The tale showcases knights engaged in epic battles, echoing the spirit of heroic heroism found in Beowulf.

Beowulf's Influence on Modern Fantasy Literature

The influence of Beowulf extends beyond medieval literature and reaches into the realm of modern fantasy. One prominent figure impacted by Beowulf is J.R.R. Tolkien, the renowned author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Tolkien, a respected scholar of Old English literature, was deeply influenced by Beowulf and its themes of heroism, valor, and the preservation of ancient cultures.

Tolkien's scholarly work on Beowulf, including his seminal essay "Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics," shed new light on the poem's significance and inspired his own creative endeavors. The epic battles and heroic quests in Tolkien's Middle-earth echo the spirit of Beowulf, and his characters, such as Aragorn, possess qualities reminiscent of the legendary hero.

Beowulf's Influence on Contemporary Literature

Beowulf's impact on literature continues to be felt in contemporary works, as authors draw inspiration from its timeless themes and storytelling techniques. One notable example is John Gardner's novel, "Grendel." Published in 1971, "Grendel" retells the Beowulf story from the perspective of the monstrous antagonist. Gardner explores existential themes and raises questions about the nature of good and evil, adding depth and complexity to the Beowulf narrative.

Another contemporary work influenced by Beowulf is "The Mere Wife" by Maria Dahvana Headley. This novel reimagines the epic as a modern-day tale set in suburban America. Headley explores themes of motherhood, community, and the boundaries between civilization and wilderness, drawing upon the rich tapestry of Beowulf's mythological and cultural elements.

Beowulf's Influence on Popular Culture

The enduring appeal of Beowulf is not limited to literature alone; it has permeated popular culture in various forms of media. Beowulf has been adapted into films, video games, and even music, showcasing its lasting impact on contemporary entertainment.

In the realm of cinema, the 2007 film "Beowulf," directed by Robert Zemeckis, brings the epic to life through stunning visual effects and a star-studded cast. The film blends elements of the original poem with a more modern sensibility, appealing to a wide audience and introducing Beowulf to new generations.

Beowulf's influence can also be seen in the realm of video games. Titles like "The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim" and "God of War" draw inspiration from Beowulf's mythical world and epic storytelling. These games incorporate heroic quests, larger-than-life battles, and intricate narratives, paying homage to the enduring legacy of Beowulf.

Even music has been influenced by Beowulf. Numerous bands and artists, particularly within the realm of heavy metal, have crafted songs and albums inspired by the poem. The epic themes, the clash of good and evil, and the heroic spirit found in Beowulf resonate with the powerful and evocative nature of heavy metal music.

Conclusion

Beowulf's impact on literature transcends time, influencing and inspiring countless works throughout history. From its profound influence on Old English poetry to its imprint on medieval literature and its resonance in modern fantasy and contemporary literature, Beowulf's legacy remains vibrant and enduring. Its themes of heroism, valor, and the struggle against evil continue to captivate readers and shape the cultural and literary landscapes. As we explore the depths of Beowulf's influence, we discover the remarkable power of storytelling and the enduring nature of human mythmaking.

What Kind of Creature is Grendel’s Mother?

In the original early medieval Anglo Saxon poem “Beowulf”, it is actually very unclear what kind of creature exactly is the mother of Grendel. Her name also remain “unknown” because it was never mentioned in poem which is the main reason why scholars simply referred to her as “Grendel’s mother”.

Some are saying that both Grendel and his mother were “demonic creatures” while others say that they were “monsters”.

What’s the difference between a monster from a demonic creature? Monsters are creatures that are typically large, ugly and frightening. While demonic creatures can also be monsters but the difference is that, they possess wicked super natural powers.

So if both Grendel and his mom were monsters, any heroic human may be able to slay them. Or, a large group of soldiers composed of brave warriors can easily get rid of them. You have to know that Beowulf was “no ordinary man”. He possess super human strength and he was protected by the Christian God. This allowed him to overcome the impossible odds of slaying numerous demonic monsters in his entire adversary.

If both Grendel and his mom were monsters with no demonic powers then some ordinary brave adventurer or a group of brave soldiers had already gotten rid of them. But, no one was capable of doing it where those who tried ended up being a victim where they got gruesomely devoured.

The poem even states that Grendel reigned and struck terror on the land of Danes or Heorot for many years. This confirms that both creatures were of “demonic nature”.

As described in the poem, Grendel’s mother possess the same physical attributes as her son. She had the same viciousness, super physical strength, durability and toxic blood. Grendel and his mother’s demonic abilities were probably not described in the poem because it was useless against Beowulf.

Speaking about “toxic blood”, this was confirmed when Beowulf used his sword to cut Grendel’s head off. It actually got completely dissolved. During the time of their battle, Beowulf’s sword incurred damages and it was probably caused by the creature’s toxic blood every time the sword cuts a wound.

Despite all these physical qualities about Grendel’s mom described in the poem, they aren’t really good enough as a basis to identify what kind of creature she was. But what can we derive from them is that, she must be a giant and definitely not a human kind.

Grendel’s Mother Must be a Sea Creature

A much better clue about Grendel’s mother about what kind of creature she was which according to the original poem is that, “she lives in a lake”. Could she be a mermaid?

I guess not, it’s because she can travel on land.

When her son Grendel got slain by Beowulf, she sought revenge by attacking Heorot. This means that she has the ability to walk on lands but we do not know how many legs she possess. But what we are sure about is that, she was a “water creature”.

One good theory suggest that Grendel’s mother must be of reptile kind. It’s because majority of reptilian creatures who lives in a water habitat can also travel on land surfaces. Some good examples are crocodiles, snakes and lizards.

Difference between Grendel and his Mother

By nature of every living creature on this world, it is very common that children or the offspring will inherit almost every aspects of the qualities of their parents.

When it comes to Grendel and his mom, Grendel was a carnivore who loves and enjoy devouring human flesh. It was probably his favorite type of food to eat. However, his mother does not which is a contrary. Could it be that Grendel was an adopted son?

The mother actually stayed dormant for a very long period of time while allowing her son to spread chaos to the human civilization. But here is one possible reason, maybe Grendel was bringing food for his mom. It’s because in the poem, Grendel does not feed himself on the site of his attack until he was full and leave empty handed. He also often took a number of human victims back to their lair and probably, they were not just for him but for his mother.

Yet, this reason isn’t really good enough unless the mother was that too lazy to hunt for her food.

Monsters with Emotions

Both Grendel and his mother were not just some kind of monsters that are comparable with animal behaviors. It is quite interesting enough that they possess “human like emotions”.

You might object and say, “Then why do they feast on humans?”

Well, they weren’t humans in the first place. And the main reason why they hunt and prey for humans was that, they consider them as food. So technically, the question is the same thing as asking about why man eat pigs.

Grendel’s mother staying silent until her son got killed remains a mystery. Isn’t it that by nature, monsters especially demonic kinds were meant to struck fear and terror to every human on this world?

This wasn’t the case for Grendel’s mom. She was only forced to come out of her lair to seek revenge for her fallen son. If you are going to analyze closely, she had an “emotion” and acted the same way a human would do. If she had no emotion then most likely, she does not had any intention of avenging her only son.

A Noble Warrior Lady

Some scholars speculated that Grendel’s mother was a “noble warrior lady”. It’s because during the ancient period of time, seeking revenge was considered an honorable and noble act. Except that, they weren’t humans so it is still unsure if being noble is applicable to them.

The poem also described that the mother nearly killed Beowulf with her bare hands and by using a dagger on her second attempt. This proved that she was a more formidable opponent as compared to Grendel. And, it was the reason why some scholars think of her as a warrior lady.

Since we mentioned the word “lady”, some scholars described her as a “lake women” where she possess some kind of “aquatic humanoid form”. Thus, this was used as a basis in the 2007 Beowulf animated movie where the mother was portrayed by Angelina Jolie.

However, this female sexuality is still considered a theory. Have you already heard of the scientific word, “hermaphrodite”?

If not then these are some creatures who possess two reproductive organs which allows them to produce their offspring without the need of mating with a partner. This makes Grendel’s mom possibly a hermaphrodite since the father was never mentioned in the poem because he never even existed in the first place.

Conclusion

Studying further about Grendel and his mother to determine what kind of creature they were, maybe the “Christian Holy Bible” holds the answer. In fact, the poem even described both creatures as the descendants of the “Biblical Cain”. Although, they were no longer humans.

Base on my research with the Holy Scriptures, I came across the creatures that are called, “Nephilims”. They were giant creatures that possess incredible strength, super powers and great knowledge. These are attributes that are somewhat close to the characteristics of Grendel and his mom.

Nephilims were never created by the Christian God but by the “fallen angels” who reveled against Him. Although, they did it by having intercourse with the female humans which brought these creatures out to this world. It was more like, they tampered God’s creation.

They may had chosen to impregnate women from Cain’s lineage because they already turned themselves away from God. In case you do not know, Cain was the first person who committed one of the greatest sin which is “murder”. He actually murdered his brother.

Going back to Grendel and his mother, they were probably the last kind of the Nephilims that miraculously survive the so called “Noah’s Flood”. Or, God probably spared the mother who hasn’t given birth to her son because she wasn’t really a threat to mankind at that time.

Unfortunately, when she gave birth to a man-eating monster who constantly attacks humans unlike her who choose to stay quiet in her own dwelling place. God finally decided to put an end to them by sending Beowulf to finish them off.

Beowulf Abridged Poem for Schools and Colleges

Are you a student especially who is already in college and the Beowulf poem is a part of your English literature class? If your answer is “Yes” then you may want to read this book by Tony Chatterton. This book is written in an abridged version of the original epic poem which is a lot easier to understand.

Specifically, this abridged version is based on the two most recognized translations of the “Nowell Codex” manuscript. On this original manuscript of the Beowulf poem, there are a total of 3,000 lines that you have to read. Whereas, on this abridged version, you only get to read 1,775 lines which is great.

What’s really good about this book is that, it is intended for classroom activities. It actually contains detailed guide about every characters of the poem so as the history, summary and a simplified prose version.

Introduction about the Poem

On this abridged version of the epic Anglo-Saxon poem, reading it will take you into an ancient world where monsters and demons do still exists. The story flows in a subtle pace towards the intensifying savage actions of the hero’s victorious encounters with the most powerful creatures in the land of Spare Danes.

Beowulf is actually one among the oldest epic poem by the English Speakers where it portrayed the way how their forefathers live their lives in the ancient times. This also includes their love for war, adventure and slaying demonic creatures.

Since this abridged translation of the Beowulf poem has been written and catered for students, they would be able to take a full grasp of the poem by simply reading the “Introduction” part. It is also easy for readers to see what’s about to happen ahead.

The best part about this abridge version of the poem is that, majority of readers who made comparison to the original script claimed that this translation is the closest reproduction in the form of modern English that we use today.

Important Commentary that Every Readers Needs to Know

The opening of this Beowulf abridged poem has an important commentary that you need to know about.

This was about Hrothgar’s grandfather who had a name similar to our hero which was, Beowulf. It’s so strange to me about why the coincidence?

Anyway, for first-time readers, this might give them some confusion the reason why this aspect needs to be explained right from the beginning.

Thus, the first Danish character that goes by the name Beowulf isn’t the main character. The hero of the story with similar name was a Swedish Geat and he only appeared after the terrifying monster Grendel attacked the Mead Hall.

Conclusion

I already read this entire version of Beowulf abridge version and I can say that it is a masterpiece. Students who are required to learn this poem should consider adding this book on their reading materials. It’s because, it offers better clarity which is the key to a better understanding of the poem.


Moreover, have you already read this abridge version of the Beowulf poem? If you do then I am curious to know your own opinion about it. Feel free to share it on the comment form below.

Beowulf 3 Battles Summary Comparison with the Movie

The 3D animated Beowulf movie released on 2007 do have some major differences in comparison to the original story written from the books. So on this post, let’s discuss these major differences particularly summaries of Beowulf’s last three epic battles.

There were three major battles against demonic monsters on Beowulf’s legacy. The first one was Grendel and his mother as the second. Third and Beowulf’s final battle was against a powerful dragon.

Both the 3D movie and the original story portrayed three similar characters fought by the mighty slayer. However, these evil beings do vary a lot in many aspects which we are about to cover them down below.

But before we go to that part, let’s have a brief discussion about their origin or where did they came from.

The animated movie had left their viewers with the question about the existence of Grendel and his mother. I guess, accepting the existence of monsters in the past might just be good enough.

In the book, Grendel and his mother were descendants of “Cain” who was the same character found in the Holy Bible. He was one of “Adam and Eve’s” sons who first committed the greatest sin where he murdered his brother “Abel”.

Grendel the First Monster

Beowulf actually faced already many or perhaps even countless numbers of monster on his adventures which makes Grendel not really the first one. Grendel just happened to be one of the main character featured on the story that Beowulf had slain.

In the 3D animated film, Grendel has this kind of “hyper sensitive hearing” which gives him too much discomfort especially with the loud noises caused by the villagers or residents of king Hrothgar’s kingdom. This was the reason why he went on a rampage attacking everyone from the Mead Hall.

On the other hand, the book described Grendel that he felt so much rage when he heard that Danes was having a celebration due to their military success.

How Grendel attacked the Mead Hall?

In the movie, Grendel attacked the Mead Hall two times. His first attack was a very brutal massacre. Bodies were tossed and easily ripped apart by the monster. There was even one women who got her head decapitated because she screamed so much in fear and she did it right in front of the demonic creature.

The rampaging monster only stopped when he was confronted by his biological father, king Hrothgar for a fight. He seem like, he got emotionally hurt by how his father treated him so he retreated crying like a baby.

Grendel’s second attack was now with the presence of Beowulf where they actually baited the creature into the Mead Hall. They turned the place into an arena where Beowulf managed to capture Grendel using the metal chain he got from the ceiling.

The troll-like creature almost able to escape but he got caught by Beowulf’s chain on his right arm and got stuck at the main door. There, the slayer intimidated Grendel so much and lost control of himself pushing the door too hard which ripped the monster’s right arm.

Grendel managed to escape with his right arm missing and went to his mother’s cave. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to overcome the loss of his right arm where he finally rested in peace on the hands of his mom who had sworn to seek revenge.

Now on the book, Grendel do not have hypersensitive hearing ability and his physical appearance isn’t described. He was just referred as a “demon” and that’s all.

But there is one thing for sure, Grendel was probably a giant who possess inhuman strength. Because, on his first attack, he took 30 men back to his own lair for food.

Unlike in the movie, Grendel attacked Danes several times where he had a lot of victims. He even refused gold offered to him to stop his attacks. It was for this reason how he gained so much popularity around the world.

So Beowulf who was considered as the “bravest and wisest man” at that time heard about it, he got interested and immediately traveled to Heorot.

The battle between Beowulf and Grendel occurred in the late night. It was an intense battle similar to what the movie had portrayed. But the difference was, Beowulf managed to wrestle Grendel twisting his arm and tore it off. There, he finished the demonic creature and victorious.

By the way, king Hrothgar was not the father of Grendel from the original poem.

Second Battle is Between Beowulf and Grendel’s Mother

Let’s start from the animated movie.

Grendel’s mother was a “water demon” who was a reptilian creature with human form that look exactly like Angelina Jolie.

Due to the loss of his only son, Grendel’s mother attacked Beowulf’s men at the night of their sleep. All of them got killed by the demon except Beowulf and Wiglaf.

They were surprised about the attack until they figured it out through king Hrothgar who explained about the mother of Grendel.

So Beowulf along with Wiglaf traveled into the water demon’s cave. But, only the slayer went inside to face the monster.

Unfortunately, there was no battle that took place. Instead, the two had a deal and secret affair.

The battle between Beowulf and Grendel’s mother from the book is a lot more interesting.

Beowulf had ventured into the lair of Grendel’s mom which wasn’t a cave but a lake. There they fought one another so valiantly.

The sword that was given by Unferth was rendered useless because the creature’s hide was too thick for his weapon to cut or penetrate. Mysteriously, he found a giant magical sword nearby in which he used to slay the mother for good.

The Third and Beowulf’s Last Battle against the Dragon

Let’s start again from the movie.

The dragon was actually Beowulf and the water demon’s son just like Hrothgar and his son Grendel. Both of them actually did the same mistake where they had secret affair with the water demon.

Since Beowulf was now the king when the dragon appeared terrorizing his kingdom, he can actually just seek help to another younger adventurer who can slay the beast for him. But he did not, because he doesn’t want to repeat the same mistake as the previous king.

Thus, Beowulf fought the dragon at the top of the castle while saving his wife, Wealtheow and mistress, Ursula. He managed to cut the throat of the dragon and grabbed its heart out then they fell together at the rocky shore of the castle.

There, Beowulf with his last dying breath tried to tell the truth to Wiglaf about his secret. But, his friend refused to believe it. So there it goes, Beowulf finally died.

In the original poem, the dragon was not Beowulf’s son. It only came to attack Danes when a slave had stolen a jeweled cup from its lair.

Yes, the dragon’s lair was full of treasures and it was the main reason why Beowulf had decided to fight it and acquire the treasures. He actually intends to give these treasures as a form of payment to the king of Danes.

The dragon was no ordinary beast because it can breathe fire that can melt swords or any other weapons. Its blood was also poisonous which what caused the death of Beowulf.

Beowulf and his army had to travel on their way into the dragon’s lair where the battle took place.

Take note, Beowulf at this period of time was now 80 years old. He was an old man who fought a beast that was much fiercer than Grendel and his mother.

On their battle against the dragon, our hero got a fatal wound. Luckily, Wiglaf managed to sneak his way down at the dragon’s belly where he was able to impale that portion reducing the creature’s flames. Beowulf took this opportunity allowing him to deliver his finishing blow.

Before Beowulf died, he made an announcement that Wiglaf will take his place including the treasures.

Conclusion

Both the original poem and the animated movie do have good story plots that I did enjoyed. But when it comes to the battles, I prefer the original story because the hero portrayed did successfully slain his evil foes. While in the movie, he failed to defeat the mother where evil won at the end of the day.

Background Info on Beowulf

The story of Beowulf typically about his background is full of mystery because the original poem is incomplete. You may even be surprised to know that the author remains unknown and still being debated by many scholars.

If we are going to take a closer look into the background being portrayed by the poem, there are two main things that you should be able to notice. The background either shows true historical events or religious belief towards Christianity.

The Background Historical Events

The story is filled with many historical events. It mainly portrayed a kingdom in the ancient period of time known by many scholars to be situated on the southern region of Sweden-Denmark today.

Illustrated by the poem were people living on a tribe where kingdoms were currently at war with one another.

The old king of Danes, Hrothgar had actually been into many battles which was either defending his territory or conquering other kingdoms. Although, we still don’t know much how great he was as a king during his reign.

When Beowulf entered the scene, he do not belonged to the same tribe. He wasn’t from Danes but from another land from the south and their tribe was known as “Geats or Geatas”. The animated 2007 Beowulf movie had shown that the adventurer along with his brave army had to travel into the sea just to get into Danes.

Aside from the people around, the poem also made some clear illustration regarding about their cultures. When they were going to celebrate a certain special occasion, the king will throw out a party for everyone. They will butcher a lot of meats and drink boisterously at the Mead Hall throughout the whole night. Unfortunately, by doing this, they get to disturbed a monster who hate loud noises.

Speaking about the Mead Hall, king Hrothgar was the one who ordered for this structure to be built. Many scholars theorized that it probably stood on the island known today as, “Sjaeland” which is situated near the coast of Denmark.

There are many other historical events portrayed into the poem, although it requires a scholarly keen mind in order to be able to identify them.

Introduction to Christianity

Christianity is also one aspect of the background story where it was being first introduced to the tribe. Beowulf’s characteristics already involves his strong faith with God which gives him the super inhuman strength allowing him to overcome the odds on all of his adventures.

If you are a Christian and you are familiar about “Samson” who was portrayed in the Bible’s Holy Scripture, the “Book of Judges” (Chapters 13 to 16), there are somewhat kind of similarities to their characteristics.

Since we already started mentioning characters from the Bible, let’s also talk about “Cain”. This person was actually one of the sons of the very first man created by God, “Adam and Eve”. Apart from Cain was “Abel”.

Unfortunately, Cain had jealousy towards his brother due to the offering they made in pleasing God. This jealously turned into envy until to the extent of murdering his brother. To cut the story short, this was the start of all corruption by mankind where evil had spread through Cain’s descendants. His descendants were known as, “tribe of Cain”. And according to most scholars, Grendel and his mother belonged to this tribe.

Grendel and his mother were monsters who possess demonic powers which is not common when again compared to the written Holy Scriptures of the Bible. They are best compared to the creatures known as, “Nephilims”.

For those who does not know, Nephilims were the sons of the fallen angels by mating with the humans here on Earth. And in my own opinion, majority of the people who mated with them were the descendants of Cain. They were easy targets because they had turned themselves away from God.

The two monsters had been terrorizing king Hrothgar’s kingdom for a certain unknown period of time.

As I already stated above, the king had a lot of accomplishments particularly winning numerous battles during his reign. So the big question is, “Why can’t he get rid of the two monsters out from his land?”

You should already figure out that it has something to do with Christianity. If we are going to refer to the animated Beowulf movie, the villagers or the entire kingdom including the king himself were into pagan practices.

I still remember the scene from the film when the king was so desperately in need of help in trying to get rid of the monster Grendel. So Unferth recommended him to pray to the gods including the Christian God that was still newly being introduced on their nation.

Without any hesitation, the king agreed because according to him, they needed all the help that they can get. What I noticed about this part is that, they freely allowed Christianity on their nation unlike from other countries where they got banned and heavily persecuted.

This must be the reason why God gave them hope by sending a mighty slayer, Beowulf, to destroy Grendel and his mother.

Conclusion

Some background information about the Beowulf poem actually contain the missing piece that could clearly explain every debatable part of the story. You might be surprised to know that the original poem was written just on a single old manuscript.

Many scholars are theorizing that there are probably additional pages of the scriptures that had gotten lost through time.

Could it really gotten lost by carelessness or accident? Or, could it had been intentionally destroyed because it contains some vital information that can cause huge impact to the world when known?

Sad to say that we may never know.

Christianity VS Paganism in the Story of Beowulf

Paganism is a form of religion to whom the followers believe in many different gods and goddesses. Some of them even worship creatures or animals and even the nature. All their beliefs are in contrast against Christianity which is a religion where there is only one supreme God and the Creator of all things.

When it comes to the Beowulf story, most of the background events portrayed people who were pagans. It was the main reason why they can’t stop the evil monster Grendel from attacking their land, “Spare Dane”. Until, one brave Christian warrior guided by God came to their aid. And, he was no other than Beowulf.

Grendel from the Christian Bible

Grendel could be a “Nephilim” which perfectly fit the characteristics of these giant beings described in the verse of Genesis. Nephilims were giant disfigured human beings similar to Grendel and they were man-eaters. Although, these Nephilims were the sons of the “Fallen Angels” while Grendel according to the old poem was the descendant of “Cain”.

Who is Cain?

Cain has a brother named, “Abel”. With jealousy to his brother, Cain murdered Abel and even lied to God about his crime. So he was punished where he became a “fugitive and wanderer”.

Although, Grendel’s mother offers a lot of mysteries that many scholars are even clueless especially about her true physical appearance. Her name can’t even be found or revealed on the entire original script. In my own personal opinion, she could be “Lilith” – the first women created by God before “Eve”.

Going back to Grendel, the story illustrated this monster as brutally ruthless who enjoyed killing people for fun and even fed on their flesh. It shows violence, murder and cannibalism which are all pagan practices.

When he got slain by Beowulf, his mother sworn “revenge” which is another common practice by the pagans. The same thing goes to the dragon who had so much hatred towards the “Geats” where it laid waste to their entire kingdom.

A Pagan Society

The story of Beowulf probably began at the time when Christianity was first being introduced to Hearot’s pagan society. Instead of a prophet or messenger, God sent them a brave adventurer who influenced the entire kingdom.

In the Beowulf 2007 animated movie, it is a film where paganism is a lot more portrayed. Beowulf didn’t give any credits to the Christian God when he fought and slain the sea creatures, Grendel and the dragon. Instead, he shouts his name Beowulf which is a display of pride and selfishness.

Although somewhere near the end of the movie right when he confronted the “Frisian Leader”, he mentioned “the gods” were always protecting him. The gods is plural where he was probably referring to the pagan gods.

Christian God in the Original Poem

In the original Beowulf manuscript, Beowulf was a man who has a strong faith with the Christian God. He even has the habit of acknowledging God as his protector for being able to overcome the impossible odds.

The hero could have actually been defeated when he fought Grendel’s mother. He just got lucky that there was an ancient sword hanging on the wall in which he grabbed and used it against his foe and won the battle. But to Beowulf, this was no mere luck but God was the one who provided that sword for him to use.

Moreover, the Boewulf poem seems to have been derived from the first book of the Bible Genesis. If you are just going to conduct a further research and study comparing the two, you will figure out some similarities but only described in a much far different manner.

Date of Publication when Beowulf was written

The story of Beowulf has inspired many of its readers and that includes me. This is the reason why it has drawn so many curious individuals about the entirety of the poem which goes to the extent of knowing about when was it published.

Beowulf is actually an ancient poem written in an old single manuscript which miraculously survive time until today. Although, the date of its publication is not mentioned on the manuscript. The only hints are the events describe on its contents.

Scholars often comes into a huge debate when it comes to this topic. But according to the majority, the publication date of the poem falls somewhere in between the 500 to 700 AD. While some says, it is within the 700 to 1000 AD. Regardless about what scholars’ speculation about the date, there is still no solid proof that can provide support to those dates. And, this is what we are about to discuss on this post.

5th to 6th Centuries

The Beowulf original script became known in “Anglo-Saxon England” which according to the historical record, it was between the 8th to 11th centuries. But as I stated above, majority of scholars dated the creation of this poem somewhere around the 5th to 6th century.

Reading the story, the whole event took place in the ancient “Scandinavia”. Today, this place is now known as “Denmark”. So the big question is that, How did the Beowulf manuscript ended up in England?

Again, speculations come into play. They say that the Anglo-Saxon who inhabited Great Britain in the 5th century were the Geats’ descendant. Geats were the group of people who lived in the Spare Dane kingdom and was thoroughly the focus of the poem.

Thus, the actual event may had happened at around 400 to 500 AD then was it written down in the manuscript by the Anglo-Saxon on the 5th or 6th century.

Much Earlier than the 5th Century

Some scholars who argued against the date of publication stated above that when it comes to the exact creation of the poem, it could be a lot much earlier than the 5th century. The reason is that, people in the past create stories surrounding actual events directly out from their mouths.

The story must be quite interesting so that the listener would surely grasp every details. It was then passed down to the next generation by word-of-mouth until the ancient people discovered writing. Thus, it was finally put into a manuscript.

Again, we are not sure if the first written manuscript is the same copy that has survive its way to this date. There could be other several older copies that got re-written. This is a very common practice that even today, many authors rewrite older books in their own.

Therefore, we can say that the Beowulf poem was finally put into the manuscript at the 5th to 6th century. However, the date about when it was composed by the original author could possibly be much earlier than these time period.

Around 600 to 700 AD

Some scholars found a clue that could support their theory that the publication date of the manuscript fall in between 600 AD to 700 AD. The hint was the death of king “Hygelac”. Historian “Gregory of Tours” have recorded the event of the king’s attacked in the “Neatherlands” in 524 AD.

Basing from the date, the scholars were able to derive a closer estimate about Beowulf’s death which was likely after 580 AD. Thus, this gave them the conclusion that it was either at the 6th or 7th century.

Heroic Characteristics of Beowulf

Beowulf was a very highly decorated hero of his own time that every individuals considered him as a legend. He had accomplished a lot of adventures particularly slaying demonic creatures that were quite impossible for mere mortals to defeat.

Although, Beowulf was also just a mortal man no different from any other people around who has his own strong and weakness. On this post, let’s cover his heroic characteristics that made him so great but also caused his own downfall.

Bravery and Courage

Beowulf possess the characteristic of “bravery and courage” where he won’t back down from his foe. Whenever he came face-to-face against a monster, he never thinks twice but immediately engage into a fight while being full of “confidence” in winning the battle.

Being brave and courageous are indeed an important characteristic of a hero. But without limitation, it could actually lead into a very risky act. Thus, Beowulf was too risky but he possess extreme kind of luck. Something similar to what they call as, “Survival Instinct”.

Loyalty

Beowulf’s loyalty can be observed by how he treated his men by choosing to sleep along with them rather than to rest at a place offered by the king. His loyalty to king Hrothgar can also be observed by offering his aid to slay Grendel.

Superhuman Strength

The 2007 Beowulf movie shows that the hero doesn’t seem to possess super human strength. But in the original poem, he had such incredible strength where he displayed it by ripping Grendel’s arm with his own bare hands. Aside from his strength, he also has the capability to hold his breath for an insane amount of time. The movie shows a good portrayal on this aspect of Beowulf’s inhuman capability.

Fair and Justly

The hero was also known for his characteristic as being “fair and justly”. He won’t face an opponent if he had an advantage. So when he fought Grendel, Beowulf used his bare hands. In the movie, he went to the extent of getting naked.

Faith or Strong Belief in God

In the movie, Beowulf claimed that he was being protected by the gods which is plural. So he must had been referring to the Roman gods. But in the original poem, the hero often gives references to the Christian God particularly right after being victorious over his enemies.

A Hero will always be a Hero until the end

When Beowulf got old and became the king of “Spare Dane or Hearot” kingdom, he finally decided to retire from his adventures especially from slaying demonic creatures. But at an unfortunate event, a dragon came to attack his kingdom. In the movie, Wiglaf already warned him that they were too old to go and hunt for monsters. Despite of his friend’s warning, he still insisted of stopping the dragon.

Beowulf has this characteristic about being too risky which is already mentioned above, that he doesn’t care about himself as long as he can save others. The movie shown that the hero died from a great fall along with the dragon. While in the original poem, he got poisoned by the dragon. After being able to kill the flying creature, he later died from his poisoned wound.

Moreover, there are still many other characteristics of Beowulf but those that are mentioned on this post were his major qualities of being heroic known by many.

5 Recommended Beowulf Books on Amazon

The original manuscript of the Beowulf poem is still in existence but the text is written in “Old English” literature which is hard for us to understand. Thanks to all those authors who wrote books in their own translations which makes it a lot much easier for us to fully understand the poem.

On this post, let us cover the five Beowulf books that are available from the Amazon which I best recommend for you to read. These books were written by their authors with the purpose of making the entire context understandable to the readers. Some of the books even used illustrations.

Seamus Heaney


What makes Heaney’s book interesting is that, it has the Old English version on it at the left side of the pages. Then on the right side is the modern English translation that is so very readable and easy to understand.

Each lines of the poems are listed in a group of ten on the left side margin of the pages. As a reader, you can easily make comparison between the original Old English version from Heaney’s own translation.

Anonymous


The Anonymous author has published a book that gave readers short and concise introduction about the important background events of the story. He also put emphasis on the timeline or dates to give the book some of its historical context.

To further help readers understand the whole plot of the story, there are outline of key themes and short explanation that helps the readers create their own perspective view of point. The author also provided his critical analysis and modern perspectives by the scholars.

Benedict Flynn


Flynn’s book or translation uses modern alliterative verse which is the same as the original Old English script. Thus, the translation is meant to be read aloud for the audience. It can also be used for theatrical play.

Michael Foreman


Story of Beowulf is not for children because it contains a lot of violence especially on the part where Grendel is portrayed as a monster that eats human flesh. However, the story is still quite interesting for young audiences to hear. Thanks to Foreman’s own translation where he wrote a version that is perfectly suitable for children.

The real author’s name is “Michael Morpurgo” who already wrote a lot of books and won so many awards. Some of his books are even turned into films.

Dover Thrift Editions


If you are studying literature or you simply prefer the original version of the poem in its Old English form then this Dover Thrift Editions would be the book that is right for you. This isn’t a book for children or someone who is new to the story. It is more intended for scholars with an attempt to discover and extract historical facts from the poem.

Short Summary

If you are looking for Beowulf’s book to read for your children then I recommend the book authored Foreman. Heaney, Anonymous and Flynn are best for adults. While for those who has good knowledge in the Old English literature, you may want to choose the Dover Thrift Editions.

Date of Birth and Death of Beowulf

Most people think about the Beowulf poem a “fantasy” which means, it isn’t real or all the events and characters portrayed didn’t really existed. On today’s day and age, who would actually believe in the existence of giant monsters like Grendel or a flying fire breathing dragon?

But during the “Dark Ages”, creatures like dragons, monsters and demons may actually had existed. No one really knows because there aren’t any historical records from this ancient period of time that can confirm about it. This means that the Beowulf poem can be a historical facts that transpired in the dark ages.

According to some scholar, Beowulf was probably born on the year 495. The basis was the year when “Hygelac” (his uncle) launched an attack on 520 against the Franks. But how?

It was assumed that Beowulf was at the young age of 20 which was the best age for a men to accomplish tremendous physical tasks or challenges. So this was his age when he entered Hrothgar’s kingdom to face Grendel and his mother which was on 515. Thus, 515 minus 20 gives us 495 as his birth date.

When it comes to the time of his death, there was a 50 years leap of time after succeeding Hrothgar’s throne. Beowulf was now old but he still bravely fought a dragon and was able to slain it. Unfortunately, he also died due to the poisoned wound inflicted by the dragon. At this period of time, he was probably at an age of 70 years old who died on 565.

Dates According to Archaeological Findings

Some researchers were able to locate the current location of Spare Danes’ throne on “Sjaelland Island at Lejre”. There, archaeologists did their job and they uncovered a lot of halls on the area dated to be around 500s. One of these halls could be the “Mead Hall” where Beowulf and Grendel fought against one another on a battle.

Lejre is at the eastern region of Denmark which was known as the central place like a capital where the most powerful Viking kingdoms was situated. This is the reason why most researchers claim that this site must be the exact place where the events took place on the Beowulf poem.

There are actually a total of 7 halls that the archaeologists discovered. Although, they all weren’t built on the same period of time. Perhaps, some of these structures got purposely torn down then rebuilt at a later time.

But what really caught their attention is the hall located at 500 meters away from the other halls. On this site, they had excavated countless numbers of animals that were killed and eaten at a massive feasts. It is an exact match from what has been described on the poem.

Since the archaeologists can only confirm the dates of the artifacts to be around 500s, we can speculate that Beowulf died near the 600 and was born close to 500. Anyway, let’s just hope that the archaeologist can uncover more relics that could enlighten us more with interesting information.

Beowulf Belongs to the Clan of the Geats

Some books including movies such as the 2007 Beowulf animation does not have any clear details about the hero’s personal background specifically about where he came from. Most stories directly focuses on his adventures to Spare Dane where he goes slaying powerful monsters.

So on this post, we are going to take a closer look specifically about his clan. He was from Scandinavia who belonged to a clan known as “Geats”. Hence, Beowulf was commonly referred as a “Geatish hero” who fought and slain a lot of monsters throughout his life time.

Who exactly were the Geats?

The Geats were a clan known to be a seafaring tribe who resided somewhere in the south of Sweden. But according to the poem, the entire clan got conquered by their invaders to the extent that they got wiped out erasing them from the history.

Some scholars claim that the early seafaring Geats suddenly appeared as an invaders to which they attacked “Spare Danes”. Chlochilaicus (Hygelac) led the invasion against the Franks in 520. Then at a later time, they somewhat got connected to the “Gautar” clan who were conquered and enslaved by the “Swedes”.

Due to the time mentioned above, “F.R. Klaeber” derives a speculation that Beowulf must have been born on the year 495. He travelled to king Hrothgar’s kingdom on 515 and slain the infamous demonic monsters Grendel and his mother. 50 years later, he slain a dragon but also died in doing so.

The word Geats has something to do with war, sea and weather.

How do Geats Look?

Since there is very little information about the Geats in our history, no one can exactly describe how they really look like. All those portrayal on the photos and movies are mere products of imaginations by the artists.

We may never know the color of their hair, eyes and facial figures. But basing it from the Beowulf poem, it seems that they were individuals who mostly relied on their strength. So this gives us the impressions that they had good body build.

How did they totally Wiped Out?

Again, there is no historical information that could confirm about their sudden disappearance. They might had been totally wiped out to the extent that none of their generations were spared by their enemies to live up to these days.

You might ask yourself, “I thought that the Geats are fierce and mighty warriors like their hero Beowulf?”

Indeed they might had the qualities describe on the poem but there is this one aspect about Beowulf being so noble when it comes to fighting his opponent fair-and-square. All Geats probably possessed this quality which caused their own downfall.

What I am trying to say is that, the Geats got strategized by their opponents who puts a fight unfairly which led them to their defeat.

Moreover, the Dark Ages really lacks a lot of documentation about what really transpired on this era. But, we should still be glad that one single old manuscript from this age containing Beowulf’s poem manages to survive which continuously fascinate us with his interesting story.

Beowulf Legacy and Accomplishments

The animated Beowulf film by Robert Zemeckis has portrayed a highly decorated hero but was tainted with hidden secrecy. This was his secret affair with the Water Demon serpent who gave birth to his son which was a dragon.

On the original script, Beowulf has outstanding accomplishments and legacy. He didn’t have any secret relationship to Grendel’s mother but instead, the hero had slain her. Anyway, let’s discuss on this post some of the major accomplishments of the legendary Beowulf.

Fair and Noble Battle

Humans or monsters, Beowulf was able to maintain his characteristics of treating his foes with “equality or fairness” in their battles. In the movie, he fought Grendel without wearing any clothes and not using any weapons because the monster also doesn’t had any of them.

Highly Confident and Fearless

When the slayer faced his toughest opponents particularly the demons in the land of Hearot, he was full of confidence with no signs of fear. He was always confident like he has a huge advantage over his foe.

Grendel Got Slain

Perhaps, Beowulf’s greatest accomplishment in the land of Spare Dane was when he slain the unstoppable monster Grendel. The news didn’t just remained on king Hrothgar’s kingdom but it also spread throughout the other nations. This gave him a large boost of reputation.

Super Human Strength

In the movie, Beowulf ripped Grendel’s arm by using the large door of the “Mead Hall” but on the original poem, the hero actually possessed a super human strength. He was able to rip the monster’s arm out by simply using his own bare hands.

Prisoner of War

If you just watched Zemeckis’ Beowulf movie and never read original story, you may be surprised to know that the mighty hero was a prisoner of war under the “Frisians”. But in the movie, when Beowulf succeeded the throne from Hrothgar, Hearot was later attacked by the Frisians. At the end, the Frisians lost the battle.

Conquered the Seas

Beowulf was a good swimmer who can hold his breath for a very long period of time. In the movie, it was shown on a short scene that he competed on a swimming race and he lost the match. The reason was that, he fought giant creatures of the sea who suddenly and aggressively attacked them from behind. In the poem, he swam all the way back to “Geatland”.

Old wise king

Both the poem and the movie have the same plot about Beowulf who became a king. The movie portrayed him as the successor of Hrothgar and ruled over the kingdom of Hearot. But in the poem, he became the king of Geatland after “Higlac’s” death. A hint was also given with regards to his age which is at least around 70 years old.

Slain Grendel’s Mother

Beowulf from the movie failed to slay Grendel’s mother simply because she has the seductive looks and appearance of Angelina Jolie. But on the original text, the monster’s mother doesn’t have such kind of physical attributes. This probably made the hero able to fight the demon and slain it without any hesitation.

Dragon Slayer

Aside from Grendel and his mother, a dragon was also slain by the mighty slayer.

Moreover, Beowulf is a portrayal of one brave noble warrior and adventurer who possess all the positive qualities of a highly famed hero.

Who was the Original Author of Beowulf Epic Poem?

Beowulf is indeed one epic poem that many individuals find it completely interesting. This is the main reason why there are so many of them who are so curious to know about the original author’s true identity.

Despite the effort made by the scholars trying to extract as much information that they can from a single old manuscript with the poem written on it, the author still remains completely anonymous. This means, nobody really knows about this mysterious poet.

On my further research about this subject, I compiled here some of the most common questions around.

“Was the author a Christian?”

Some are saying that the author was a Christian because the story portrays Paganism and Christianity. The land of Heorot was actually cursed where demons finds it a perfect dwelling place. When king Horthgar was the ruler, all of his people were pagans. They only started to seek help from various spiritual beliefs which includes Christianity when they lost hope of stopping Grendel.

I also do think that the author was possibly a Christian but it is not a one hundred percent guaranteed. He could be a poet who wrote Beowulf to describe events of his own time.

“Was the author a member of the Anglo-Saxon tribe and lived in England?”

Some scholars speculated that the author was a resident of England even though the events portrayed on his poem took place in Scandinavia. The proof is that, the original language used by the writer is in “Old English”. This was the language used by the Anglo-Saxons who spoke it back in 1150 AD.

In contrast to the above theory, other scholars believed that the original author lived in Scandinavia which is now Sweden and Denmark. There are really so many possibilities about why the poem was passed down to Britain.

One theory suggests that the original author was a traveler who entertained people around. He must had composed his poem directly in his own poetic mind, memorized it and delivered to his audience orally. Since he was a traveler, he must had visited Britain or even got invited to perform for the king.

When the king got fully entertained, he must had ordered someone for the poem to be written down on a manuscript. Since the one who simply wrote it wasn’t the real author, he didn’t placed it on the manuscript.

“When was the time that the author wrote the poem?”

So far, the scholars don’t agree with one another. Although, the oldest manuscript in existence that managed to survive until today is dated back from 1000 C.E.

But the big question is that, “Is this old manuscript the original document written by the actual author? What if it is just a copy of another copy from the past? And, what if the written manuscript was not the original source of the poem? What if it all started as a word-of-mouth passed down from one person to another before it got written?”

Anyway, the only clue that gives support to the time of the events was the introduction of Christianity. This time period falls somewhere in the mid of 600s to 700s.

Moreover, there is really nothing much important about who the real author of Beowulf was. Maybe he has good reasons why he doesn’t want to be given credits for his magnificent poem. In my own personal opinion, he probably wants the readers or listeners to truly grasp his poem’s message. There could be a hidden message that only the people of his time can literally interpret and understand.

How Scholars Perceive the Beowulf Anglo Saxon Literature

The epic poem “Beowulf” remains to be full of mysteries. In fact, the original author is unknown so as its publication date. But according to most scholars, it was written within the 8th to 11th Century CE. Yet, such time is still a mere speculation.

According to some scholars, the real author of the poem was not credit because he wasn’t the one who wrote it on the old manuscript. They theorized that the original author composed his story without having it written. The author was also probably a travelling entertainer who deliver his story orally. As a result, every listeners who got entertained also shared it to others until a king requested it to be written down on a manuscript.

To tell you more about the author, the scholars believe that there are two of them. The first author was the one who wrote the first section of the poem about Beowulf’s adventures that took place in Denmark. While, the other section that portrayed Beowulf’s homeland was composed by a different person.

An Old English Form of Poetry

The original Beowulf poem was written in an “Old English” manner. For those who are in the field of literature, they refer it as the “Anglo-Saxon”. This was the common dialect used by the ancient people before the invasion of the Roman Empires and introduction to Christianity.

If the old dialect is to be spoken today, many people won’t surely be able to understand it because it is heavily accented. So if you are going to read Beowulf’s poem, you will notice its recognizable “alliteration and rhythm”.

Reading modern poems today, they ends with rhymes but not for the Old English poetry. What literally gives the art and beauty of these ancient poems is that, they have perfect “music and rhythm” due to their alliterative qualities.

Further studies by the scholars revealed that the poet used an artistic method of identifying a person or object which is called “kenning”. Aside from this style of writing, he also used “litotes” which gives negative remarks or sarcastic descriptions.

Delivery of the Story

The poet delivered the story in a way where the characters interact with one another through direct speeches. Although, the story moves at a fast pace leaping directly from the major events which makes it very interesting. The author also did a great job at interweaving events from the past and the present. Details from the background are also well emphasized such as the reaction of a soldier watching Beowulf in complete amazement.

Beowulf is actually a story about the characteristics of brave men in the ancient period of time. It really doesn’t tell much about the hero’s life starting from his childhood to a fully grown strong and matured individual. It basically started right away where Beowulf was a fully accomplished adventurer.

But what really makes most scholars interested about studying the poem is that, it was written with a historical form of technique. This means that the author had cleverly blended the events from the past, present and the future. The intention of the poet isn’t just to feature a brave adventurer who was skilled at slaying demonic creatures or monsters. The author’s vision is far more than that which is actually to show to the audience the entire human history at that period of time.

Moreover, current studies about the Beowulf manuscript by the scholars still left us with no definitive answers.