Literature and HIstory

997 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: how history influences literature

Pulitzer Prize winner, Barbara Tuchman, once said, “[b]ooks are the carriers of civilization. Without books, history is silent, literature is dumb, science crippled, thought and speculation at a standstill.” Just like Barbara has mentioned in her quote, literature always have reflected the historical event that was happening on the time the books were written. For instance, expansion of Christianity and the belief of immortal life through being a hero on their own epic, during Anglo-Saxon period is shown on the famous epic; Beowulf. Beowulf himself always summons the lord before his fights and tries to fight Grendel for his own heroic journey. Inhuman behavior of British toward Irish farmers are reflected in Jonathan Swift’s satire, The Modest Proposal. Jonathan criticizes and satirize the ruthless behavior of British landlord by proposing of eating babies. Criticism toward industrial revolution and reminiscence of natural life was shown in poems “The Tables Turned”, and “World is Too Much With Us”. They suggest it is the best for us to give up the city life and go back to natural life.

Historical events and literature are rather integrated with each other. Social, religious, political issues were always the most popular subject for various writers to satirize, criticize and symbolize about. Specifically, Beowulf had a significant impact from immigration of Anglo, Saxons and Jutes with their belief in Christianity. Three tribes had arrived from Denmark, Germany, Holland and the Frisian Islands. (Collins 1) When the Anglo-Saxons have arrived to England, they have also brought the religion - Christianity with them. (James 1) However, the Christianity didn’t spread until Saint Augustine have arrived on behalf on the miss...

... middle of paper ...

...will be passed down to generations. Despite the fact that the characters are imaginary and it is a fiction, this epic does reflect the religious and native belief of immortality with Beowulf being on God’s side and achieve victory in the war against Grendel who’s synecdoche of the satan and the demons who are being punished by the divine Lord.

If Beowulf has Grendel for its merciless behavior, The Modest Proposal has British landlord for it.

Works Cited
Citations

James, Edward. “Anglo-Saxons” BBC 5 Nov 2009. 3 Jan 2010

Pacey. Desmond. Our literary Heritage. Canada: McGraw-Hill Ryerson Ltd, 1982.

Stenton, Frank. Anglo-Saxon England. 3rd Ed. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1971. 812.

Kennedy, Charles. Beowulf The Oldest English Epic. New York: Oxford University Press, 1978. 121.

Show More
Related

  • A Comparison of Nihilistic and Christian Archetypes in Beowulf and John Gardner's Grendel

    2157 Words  | 5 Pages

    The philosophies expressed in the Beowulf epic complement the exploration of existentialism throughout the modern work, Grendel, by John Gardner. Both works portray different perspectives of the same story, involving the same characters; Beowulf, the ancient Anglo-Saxon hero who destroys Grendel, and Grendel, the monster who terrorizes Hrothgar’s hall. Beowulf and Grendel act as archetypes that explore humanity’s perception of the world. In the Anglo-Saxon epic, Beowulf and his companions represent good, and the monsters, including Grendel, represent evil. When Beowulf kills Grendel, the world is less evil, but since Beowulf’s companions die in the struggle, the world is also less good. Ultimately, the two forces of good and evil will destroy each other, but the story maintains that God will interfere and save mankind from destruction. In Gardner’s story, the progression of society begins when mankind creates a monster and then creates a hero to fight the monster. Once the greater power of the hero had been established, once the conflict’s resolution strengthened society’s power, than a greater monster developed ...

    Read More

  • A Comparison of Christian Influence on Beowulf and The Saga of King Hrolf Kraki

    2795 Words  | 6 Pages

    Ward & Trent, et al. The Cambridge History of English and American Literature. New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1907–21; New York: Bartleby.com, 2000

    Read More

  • Cultural Differences In 'Grendel And Beowulf'

    1392 Words  | 3 Pages

    Even though, the values of Beowulf and Grendel are similar to the ones that I and my entire generation have grown up learning, both of the epic and movie have qualities that make me unable to come to a conclusion as to which of the works recounts the story of Beowulf and Grendel in a more exceptional way. Therefore, I give the forthcoming generations the responsibility of making that

    Read More

  • literature

    472 Words  | 1 Pages

    In Alice Walker’s story “Everyday Use,” symbolism, allegory, and myth stand out when thinking about the characters, setting, and conflict in the story. The conflict is between the mother and her two daughters (Maggie and Dee). There is also the conflict between the family’s heritage (symbolized by the quilt, bench, and butter chum) and their different ways of life. Dee chose a new African name, moved to the city, and adopted a new way of life while Maggie and her mother have stay behind. The quilt (the most important symbol) represents the family’s heritage in that it is made of scraps of clothing worn by generations of family members. The quilt has been sewn by family hands and used on family beds. It has seen history and is history. Maggie and her mother see that that history is alive but Dee thinks it is as dead as her name. Dee does not see that name as part of her heritage. By analyzing these symbols, a number of possibilities for a theme can be seen. Walker could be suggesting that to understand the African-American heritage, readers have to include the present as well as the past. However, the theme could be that poverty and a lack of sophistication and education cannot be equated with ignorance. Lastly, she could be telling her readers that dignity or self-respect rise from and are virtually connected to one’s entire heritage- not just a selected part of it.

    Read More

  • An Analytical View of Beowulf

    2411 Words  | 5 Pages

    Lots of works often presents insight into the time period in which it was written. Beowulf goes back many years ago when Christianity was just starting to become the more prominent religion instead of the old pagan ways. As Rich Lawson said, “Beowulf is a reflection of many Anglo-Saxon ideals and concepts.” This explains a lot of the contradictions between Paganism and Christianity throughout the epic poem. When you open the pages of Beowulf to begin to read, it states in the first page of the introduction that “The Poem called Beowulf was composed sometime between the middle of the seventh and the end of the tenth century of the first millennium…” it goes on to say “It’s narrative elements may belong to a previous age but as a work of art it li...

    Read More

  • Discrepancies In Beowulf

    1069 Words  | 3 Pages

    Several differences exist in the Modern day movie Beowulf and Grendel (Gunnarsson) and the Old English Epic Beowulf (Heaney). These differences can largely be attributed to the discrepancies in cultural values that exist between the medieval mind and that of the modern man. One of the main differences between them involves the characters’ personalities and attitudes. We can see this characteristic, particularly in Beowulf himself, mainly because in the epic his perspective reflects his limited understanding regarding the relationship between evil and good. Likewise, in the movie Beowulf and Grendel, the viewer sees a Beowulf who learns to possess an outlook on life that suggests a more complex

    Read More

  • Fate And God's Will In Beowulf '

    1042 Words  | 3 Pages

    Beowulf is driven by forces that are beyond his control. Just as his lineage contributes to his preeminence, so to do the values of generosity and loyalty common to most Anglo Saxon warriors impact the course of Beowulf’s life. The lineage of a character in Beowulf greatly affects the character’s life expectations, especially for princes, warriors and monsters. The concept of fate (wyrd) manifests itself in Beowulf as the will of God, which Beowulf often credits his success in battle. Beowulf, along with other characters, believes that God will determine the winner in every battle. Because of this belief, Beowulf puts his trust in God and accepts that “fate goes ever as fate must” (455). Fate is a concept that is accepted by many characters

    Read More

  • Beowulf and Anglo-Saxon Symbolism

    843 Words  | 2 Pages

    Anglo Saxon’s history is well known for their loyalty, courage and bravery. Beowulf our protagonist is symbolized as a hero, who represents the Anglo Saxons at the time. Beowulf earns his fame and respect through battling creatures nobody else would want to face. These creatures symbolize the evil that lurks beyond the dark. Beowulf’s intense battle with these creatures’ symbolizes the epic battle of good versus evil. In the end good triumphs over evil but one cannot avoid death. Beowulf’s death can be symbolized as the death of the Anglo Saxons. Beowulf’s battle through the poem reflects the kind of culture that the Anglo Saxons had. The youth of a warrior to his maturity then the last fight which results in death. Beowulf wanted to be remembered and be told in stories that are passed on from generation to generation after his death. These story tellers relate to the Anglo Saxons time when they told stories about their great heroes.

    Read More

  • The Importance of Grendel and the Dragon in Beowulf

    1277 Words  | 3 Pages

    Beowulf’s life was truly epic struggle. The monsters he battled made it so. Grendel and the dragon, capable of crushing men physically, stood for evils that could just as easily crush men in spirit. These two beasts represented society’s greatest fears, as well as detriments, and Beowulf fearlessly took them on. Grendel taught the hero a valuable lesson about maintaining one’s humanity in a world dominated by the dogs of war. The dragon, showed Beowulf’s mortality, his imperfection, but the hero eradicates it nonetheless, saving his people from not only physical threat, but sin. Bringing in such spiritual and moral dimensions, these two beasts certainly give the story of Beowulf depth.

    Read More

  • Importance Of Mortality In Beowulf

    1468 Words  | 3 Pages

    One of the oldest and most prominent issues that mankind has faced throughout history is that of their own mortality. In every society mankind has wrestled with the inevitable problem of their eventual death, and literature often reflects each society’s take on their mortality. For instance one of the most pronounced motifs in the epic poem Beowulf is the impending doom that each and every character knows will eventually come for them. This is most clearly illustrated by the protagonist himself in his dialogue with other characters. It is also perpetuated by the compelling need for glory and renown that many of the characters continuously search for. Lastly, the issue of mortality is presented by the preeminence of the history of the clans

    Read More

  • Good vs. Evil in "Beowulf"

    924 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the epic poem Beowulf, the struggle between good and evil reveals its omnipresence in even the oldest of tales. The many allusions and symbols throughout the story relate to Christianity and other Pagan beliefs. By looking at them, it becomes apparent that the author of Beowulf believed that the constant war between good and evil is not only fought by the common man but also in the ranks of their highest esteemed rulers and warriors, and even in their dreaded nightmares where monsters lurk and wait for the death of man. Beowulf was written during the budding of Christianity in England, when it was newly forming. In the story there are obvious references to Christian rituals.

    Read More

  • Beowulf as the Archetypal Germanic Hero

    2093 Words  | 5 Pages

    The epic and oral poem Beowulf illustrates a loss of community, cultural values, and tradition. Beowulf, the main character, is an ideal king and archetypal warrior. History is relevant to Beowulf; this Germanic society was being taken over by Christian missionaries who were seeking to convert this culture. The character of Beowulf is a reflection of the Germanic culture's virtues; heroism is emphasized in the text's multiple references and constant focus on heroes and what it is to be a hero. Beowulf, who is reflective of an older generation of heroes, strives for community. In contrast, Christianity's focus is on the individual. This conflict is ended once Beowulf, a figure of the past and the old world, passes on. With Beowulf, the hero dies. Hence, Beowulf's efforts to keep his culture and his ethics alive are impossible as war and Christianity conquer the Germanic land.

    Read More

  • Beowulf’s Three Great Fights in Beowulf

    692 Words  | 2 Pages

    Beowulf, which is considered the oldest English masterpiece, celebrates the three great fights of Beowulf. Whether Beowulf is a Christian poem written based on pagan story or a pagan poem rewritten under Christian influence remains unknown, considering that the poem combines pagan and Christian elements rather seamlessly. While Beowulf is described as a hero with admirable Christian virtues, he is still essentially a pagan hero. The poem does not reject the pagan heroism. However, Beowulf’s oldest manuscript was written by a Christian for freshly-converted Christians, thus the poem as we know it shows the superiority of Christianity over pagan religions. The three great fights can be interpreted as a criticism of Beowulf’s flawed characteristics from a Christian’s perspective.

    Read More

  • Beowulf as an epic

    683 Words  | 2 Pages

    Beowulf is the single greatest story of Old English literature and one of the greatest epics of all time. Ironically, no one can lay claim to being the author of this amazing example of literature. The creator of this poem was said to be alive around 600 A.D. and the story was, since then, been passed down orally from generation to generation. When the first English monks heard the story, they took it upon themselves to write it down and add a bit of their own thoughts. Thus, a great epic and the beginning to English literature was born.

    Read More

  • Epic of Beowulf

    1103 Words  | 3 Pages

    It is a fact that Beowulf’s “superman figure” and warrior character had a strong influence on his efforts over what he was trying to achieve. Beowulf’s biggest concern was to see the Germanic society taken over by Christian missionaries who had been seeking to create a new culture out of the Germanic culture. On one hand, Beowulf was trying to strive for community, while on the other hand Christianity was trying to convert the Germanic society into a different and an “individual-based” culture.

    Read More

More about Literature and HIstory

Open Document