Beowulf as an epic :: Epic of Beowulf Essays

BeowulfBeowulf is the single greatest story of Old English literature and one of the greatest epics of all time. Ironically, no one can arrange claim to being the author of this amazing example of literature. The creator of this verse form was said to be alive around 600 A.D. and the story was, since thence, been passed down by word of mouth from generation to generation. When the commencement English monks heard the story, they took it upon themselves to write it down and join on a bit of their own thoughts. Thus, a great epic and the base to English literature was born.To be considered and epic, a piece of literature mustiness exhibit quite a few specific, literary techniques. Some of the master(prenominal) criteria points include being a long, narrative poem, having an epic hero, and containing rhythm, alliteration, and imagery. Beowulf can be considered an epic because it contains all of this criteria.Beowulf, first and foremost, is a long narrative poem. It contains 3,1 82 lines and has been dissever into forty-three sections. It has been written in a way that formulates a surd imaginative awareness of experience and arranged so that the language stimulates an aroused response, the basis of why a piece of writing would be considered a poem.Beowulf also contains an epic hero. The title of the poem has been named after our epic hero, Beowulf. In definition, an epic hero is someone that does larger than life deeds and is stronger and smarter than both normal man and Beowulf fits this description as if the mold were made for him. He has the strength of thirty men and uses it as a major limb against evil. This can be seen through Beowulfs struggles with Grendel, Grendels mother, and the firedrake. Beowulfs first accomplishment as an epic hero was his battle with Grendel. Grendel was a gigantic beast, a descendent of Cain, who ruthlessly murdered innocent Danes because he matte pity for himself. Upon hearing of the Danes problem, Beowulf set off to help the danish without having been called upon. Even though Beowulf had men backing him, He drew battle with Grendel alone and without armor or weapons. Yet, Beowulf emerged victorious with the arm of Grendel as his trophy. Beowulf then went on to kill Grendels vengeful mother and a bulky fire-breathing dragon who thought it had been done wrong by the Geats. Alas, the killing of the dragon would be Beowulfs last great battle for the dragon took Beowulfs life in the struggle for his own.