Epic Characteristics of Beowulf by Noel Jeong by

States Subject at the Beginning

noel_jeong — 2013-10-06 23:02:49 UTC

Beowulf begins the epic story by introducing Grendel. Grendel is not the epic hero, but he is still a subject that revealed Beowulf's epic-ness throughout the story. "The blood dripping behind him, back/ To his lair, delighted with his night's slaughter." (lines 39-40) Grendel delights in evil and is totally separated from good. The description of the monstrosity Grendel contains emphasizes how throughout the story, Beowulf defeated such a villain larger than life. Grendel's introduction builds the epic story up to a grand point.

Deus Ex Machina (gods intervene w/ humans)

noel_jeong — 2013-10-06 23:03:30 UTC

"But he was stretched/ On his back, and her stabbing blade was blunted/ By the woven mail shirt he wore on his chest./ The hammered links held; the point/ Could not touch him. He'd have traveled to the bottom of the earth/ Edgetho's son, and died there, f that shining/ Woven metal had not helped-- and Holy/ God, who sent him victory, gave judgment/ For truth and right, Ruler of the Heavens,/ Once Beowulf was back on his feet and fighting." (lines 520-529) The Holy God Anglo-Saxons believed in at that time intervened in this epic story. This characteristic shows Deus Ex Machina and that Anglo-Saxons were well influenced by the spread of Christiainity.

Vast Setting

noel_jeong — 2013-10-06 23:03:37 UTC

A vast setting comes along when Beowulf goes to battle with Grendel's mother. "For hours he sank through the waves;/ At last he saw the mud of the bottom." (lines 469-470) Beowulf goes underwater to battle Grendel's mother. This portrays how this epic hero is able to do anything. Even when the lake burns up all around him "Light burned all around him, the lake/ Itself like a fiery flame." (lines 490-491), he still kills her and brings back her head. "Caught her in the neck and cut it through/ Broke bones and all. Her body fell/ To the floor, lifeless, the sword was wet/ With her blood, and Beowulf rejoiced at the sight." (lines 539-542) Beowulf defeated Grendel's mother in a burning lake, a vast setting shown as a characteristic of an epic.

Larger than Life Villain

noel_jeong — 2013-10-06 23:03:47 UTC

Grendel is definitely a larger than life villain. "He found them sprawled in sleep, suspecting/ Nothing, their dreams undisturbed. The monster's/ Thoughts were as quick as his greed or his claws:/ He slipped through the door and there in the silence/ Snatched up thirty men, smashed them/ Unknowing in their beds and ran out with their bodies/ The blood dripping behind him, back/ To his lair, delighted with his night's slaughter." (lines 33-40) Grendel delighted in his slaughter and took joy in his evil deeds. He is driven by evil, smart in a villain sense, and it is his instinct to destroy joy.

Catalogs

noel_jeong — 2013-10-06 23:06:03 UTC

In lines 173-182, it introduces Hrothgar, but a line of Danish kings until Hrothgar. ""We are Geats/ Men who follow Higlac. My father/ Was a famous soldier, known far and wide/ As a leader of men. His name was Edgetho./ His life lasted many winters;/ Wise men all over the earth surely/ Remember him still. And we have come seeking/ Your prince, Healfdane's son, protector/ Of this people, only in friendship: instruct us/ Watchman, help up with your words!" This catalog not only shows an epic characteristic, but also proves Anglo-Saxon values of heritage.

Characteristic of a Hero to Fight

noel_jeong — 2013-10-07 00:11:58 UTC

In lines 125-132, "Then they sailed, set their ship/ Out on the waves, under the cliffs./ Ready for what came they wound through the currents,/ The seas beating at the sand, and were borne/ In the lap of their shining ship, lined/ With gleaming armor, going safely/ In that oak-hard boat to where their hearts took them.” Beowulf and his men have an adrenaline to fight. They are eager to help their country and fight for their country. This is a characteristics of a hero.