Beowulf was written between the 8th and 11th centuries. The epic poem is as important to Old English Literature as Virgil's The Aenied is to the Roman Literature, or as The Iliad and The Odyssey are to to the Greek Literature. The poem mixes Christian and pagan symbolism to an important literary level that is irreplaceable among the English canon of literature.
Although an Anglo-Saxon poem, the story is really more about a kingdom north of Britain.
There are really three villains of this story.
Grendal, the first villain, is described as the descendant of Cain, and a fiend out of hell. When Beowulf defeats Grendal though Grendal's mother returns for vengeance against Beowulf and then Beowulf has to defeat her in battle as well.
Later in the story, Beowulf fights on his greatest foe: a fearsome dragon. The battle ensues the beast's death but also Beowulf death as well.
I will be getting into more detail about the Beowulf stories in the upcoming weeks. For me, this is quite the fantastical story though not one of my favorites. It's hard for me to mention English Literature though without mentioning C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien. Lewis preferred post-Chaucer English Literature while Tolkien preferred pre-Chaucer literature. While I enjoy English Literature both before and after Chaucer, I generally like English Literature from Chaucer's time better than the literature of England before it. Thus, my preferences are possibly a little closer to C. S. Lewis than J. R. R. Tolkien. That could change for me no doubt though. Tolkien was offended that many scholars saw Chaucer as the beginning of English Literature when he knew well it's roots go back to the Anglo-Saxons. No doubt, Tolkien was right. Still, for me though, Geoffrey Chaucer has always been ''The Father of English Literature. '' I need say no more than of my strong preference of The Canterbury Tales over Beowulf. Beowulf is a good story of a hero's quest against monsters, but in terms of being an epic poem, I find it inferior to Homer's The Iliad and The Odyssey.
No matter how exciting or dry {though to me it's not dry} Beowulf is, it is a landmark in English Literature as Homer's stories were for the Greeks.
Check out Beowulf. If you have read it before, I recommend reading it again. I will be describing the story and it's themes in more detail in the following weeks.
Later in the story, Beowulf fights on his greatest foe: a fearsome dragon. The battle ensues the beast's death but also Beowulf death as well.
I will be getting into more detail about the Beowulf stories in the upcoming weeks. For me, this is quite the fantastical story though not one of my favorites. It's hard for me to mention English Literature though without mentioning C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien. Lewis preferred post-Chaucer English Literature while Tolkien preferred pre-Chaucer literature. While I enjoy English Literature both before and after Chaucer, I generally like English Literature from Chaucer's time better than the literature of England before it. Thus, my preferences are possibly a little closer to C. S. Lewis than J. R. R. Tolkien. That could change for me no doubt though. Tolkien was offended that many scholars saw Chaucer as the beginning of English Literature when he knew well it's roots go back to the Anglo-Saxons. No doubt, Tolkien was right. Still, for me though, Geoffrey Chaucer has always been ''The Father of English Literature. '' I need say no more than of my strong preference of The Canterbury Tales over Beowulf. Beowulf is a good story of a hero's quest against monsters, but in terms of being an epic poem, I find it inferior to Homer's The Iliad and The Odyssey.
No matter how exciting or dry {though to me it's not dry} Beowulf is, it is a landmark in English Literature as Homer's stories were for the Greeks.
Check out Beowulf. If you have read it before, I recommend reading it again. I will be describing the story and it's themes in more detail in the following weeks.
It was sad to hear the Beowulf died. I am not sure if I prefer the English literature before or after Chaucer, as I have read neither. ha ha. Another great post! Thanks Sir Joshua!
ReplyDeleteHaha.
DeleteWhile I, also, generally prefer post-Chaucer English literature, I do, and have always been, enthralled by Beowulf!!!!! I love the whole Anglo-Saxon name, and am always fascinated by reading works of Christian symbolism just emerging from what seems to me like celtic paganism? Did you know that Grendel is alleged to be a descendant of the offspring of the Nephilim (sp.?)---the children of the union of demons and "daughters of men?" Pretty interesting and cool stuff. I absolutely love it, and doubt that nay film version could scratch the surface of the intrigue. Thank you, Joshua, I really enjoyed this!
ReplyDeleteWhitney
Thank you Whitney. Yes, I did know that somewhat about Grendel.
DeleteI loved reading Beowulf with you in high school maybe we should again❤️
ReplyDeleteThat was fun :).
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