Wait a second!
More handpicked essays just for you.
More handpicked essays just for you.
Symbols and themes in beowulf
Symbols and themes in beowulf
Symbols and themes in beowulf
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Symbolism is the the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities. In Beowulf there is a couple pieces of symbolism. When you're looking for symbols you might have to think outside of the box. Sometimes when it's hard to find symbolism you can get it really mixed up with things that actually are nothing. The few pieces of symbolism in this story would be the mead-hall, the swords, even Grendall. The mead-hall is another way to say a mess hall. People come and go to eat, talk, gossip, and just to enjoy another's company. You know somethings wrong when the mead-hall is empty and really quiet. “Have brought us stories of Herot, the best, Of all mead-halls, deserted and useless when the moon, Hangs in skies the sun had lit, Light and life fleeing
Beowulf Authors often use events and things to symbolize stages in someone's life. Symbolism is the practice of representing things by means of symbols or of attributing meaning of significance to objects, events, or relationships. In the anonymous epic, Beowulf, Beowulf fights Grendel, the monsters of the ocean and Grendel's mother. Beowulf's battles with theses three evils symbolize the youth and adulthood of Beowulf's life.
Beowulf (Heaney) is a three part poem about a man, if one can call him a man, with superhuman strength, the ability to swim for eight days straight, breathe underwater, and contest with nightmarish monsters in hand-to-hand combat, just to name a few. He, notably, combats Grendel, a spawn of Cain himself , “Grendel was the name of this grim demon… he had dwelt for a time in misery among the banished monsters, Cain's clan, whom the Creator had outlawed and condemned as outcasts. For the killing of Abel...Cain got no good from committing that murder...and out of the curse of his exile there sprang ogres and elves and evil phantoms and the giants…”
In the novel Beowulf, Beowulf is portrayed as a Christ figure. Beowulf is given gifts and guidance by God, has to defeat a representation of Cain, and has a purpose for being on Earth, and that purpose is to serve and absolve the people of their problems. Jesus endured all of these as well. Through use of religion, it is evident Beowulf is a christ figure and Grendel is a representation of Cain.
In almost every story, one can find symbolism throughout the text to help the reader better understand what the writer wants the reader to takeout from his/her story. Symbolism is something that must be analyzed and explored to experience a deeper meaning to the story. Sometimes, symbolism throughout a story may not be noticeable when first read, but going back to analyze the text can add a deeper meaning to words and can also help to enhance the meaning behind the story line. In some instances, symbolism can leave a reader to ponder what the writer is trying to express with the symbolism used in the story; for symbolism can be interpreted differently and can have many layers of meaning to it. Some good examples of short stories that use symbolism
Throughout the story, Beowulf fights three battles against frightening monsters. Beowulf, the prince of the Geats, was a well known warrior with extreme strength who makes a promise to protect his people under any circumstance. In the poem, his strength is tested, but he uses it to save many people in battles against: Grendel, Grendel 's mother, and a dragon. Before, during, and after each of these battles Beowulf shows many similarities and differences in his actions.
Writers often use symbolism in the story to give a more vivid description rather than just saying, pictures are a perfect example. Symbolism is the art of using any object, place, name or anything that represents something rather
Symbolism is used to foreshadow an event in the story. In the passage the author uses symbolism to foreshadow negative events for example "upon the bleak walls - upon the vacant eye-like windows - upon a few rank sedges - and upon a few white
Literature all through history uses symbolism to portray different ideas, religions, and beliefs. Throughout Beowulf symbolism is used both to reinforce the importance of religion and to impress the values of the Anglo Saxons upon the reader.
Symbolism is defined as the representation; treatment or interpretation of things as symbolic. In society and in particular, literature, symbolism is a prominent component that helps to illustrate a deeper meaning then perceived by the reader. Symbolism can be anything, a person, place or thing, used to portray something beyond itself. It is used to represent or foreshadow the conclusion of the story. In William Golding’s, Lord of the Flies symbolism of the main characters Ralph, Jack and Simon plays a very important role in helping to show how our society functions and the different types of personalities that exist. An examination of Simon as a symbol of good, Ralph as a symbol of the common man, and Jack as a symbol of evil, clearly illustrates that William Golding uses characters as a symbol of what is really happening in the outside world throughout the novel.
Symbolism is when indirect messages are used to represent hidden meanings. In the poem, symbolism is used to represent the unknown thoughts of the children described by the reader. An example of this is, “That morning we galloped / through the grassed-over mounds,” (9-10). The children are all running around in a cemetery. The cemetery is where many fallen soldiers lie, and since it was memorial day, the cemetery had significant meaning. The “grassed-over mounds” are representative of the tombs of these fallen soldiers. “ And named each stone / for a lost milk tooth,” (11-12) is another example of symbolism. The children are naming the tombstones after their baby teeth that they had lost. This represents that they had lost their teeth, like the soldiers’ families lost their relative. “The children are running happily through it, disregarding the words on the stones and instead naming each headstone for a lost baby tooth,” (“‘Grape Sherbet’ Analysis”). This demonstrates how the children didn't know that they were running on top of the tombs of fallen soldiers, but instead they played a game and named the tombs
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.
Beowulf is an interesting story in that it has a meaning that is firmly rooted in fantasy creatures based in mythical origins while providing insight into religious ideals and practices of the time. It also speaks of tradition and the struggle of man against things perceived as evil. In this tradition especially, Beowulf is an incredible allegory regarding the struggle of good and evil in the Christian tradition.
Symbolism is a type of literary device authors use to add special effect and meaning to their stories. According to The American Heritage Dictionary, symbolism is “The practice of representing things by means of symbols or of attributing symbolic meanings or significance to objects, events, or relationships (“symbolism”).” Objects, people, actions, and words often are used to symbolize a deeper meaning throughout the text of a story. As one reads a story, they must realize that each sentence they are reading could have a double meaning; this means that further thought is often necessary, on the part of the reader, to better understand the whole effect the author was trying to portray. Tennessee Williams wrote The Glass Menagerie in a somewhat complex and confusing manor; if the reader does not read into the meaning of the symbols that are scattered throughout the text, the story is misunderstood.
to have been composed between 700 and 750. "No one knows who composed Beowulf ,
Examples of symbolism are clear through out the epic poem Beowulf. It clear these events are not supposed to be taken literally, but its the symbolism behind these events that make up the story. From the formation of the mead halls, and the defeat of Grendel and his mother. Finally, Beowulf's last battle with the dragon are all symbols that are in the story. The mead hall is a symbol of power, Grendel's claw is a symbol of pride, and the dragon is a symbol of greed and sacrifice. And while there are many more in the story, these are three that are particularly noteworthy.