Literary Analysis Of Beowulf

Beowulf: Setting the Scene The story of Beowulf depicts a protagonist named “Beowulf”. His story describes his adventures of him visiting Hrothgar and slaying beasts for them. He goes on to provide inspiration for many people. This is a strong example of the average Anglo-Saxon narrative. It illustrates the overcoming of obstacles and the perseverance of not only man but a culture as a whole.

Beowulf hears of Denmark’s troubling monster and agrees to come help them deal with the beast. He feels the need to do so because King Hrothgar once did a great favor for Beowulf’s father. So he arrives at Hrothgar and is greeted with an honorable feast. They eat and celebrate into the night with loud, powerful music. This is just the average night

However, he is then greeted by an alarmingly unarmed Beowulf. They proceed to fight and the demon is frightened by Beowulf’s power. Beowulf then rips off the demon’s arm, which is hung high in the hall as a trophy. The demon then leaves restlessly back into his swamp.

Then, as the Danes celebrate their victory, another monster comes. This time however, instead of Grendel, who had just been brutally maimed, it is his mother. She kills one of the most prestigious members of Hrothgar, while in a state of revenge and fury. Riddled with anger, Beowulf chases her into her swamp and fights her there. Not only does he kill her, but he ruthlessly takes the head of her son who he fought earlier.

After even more celebration, Beowulf must now return home to his King and tell him of his courageous accomplishments. Later in the story, his king murdered in cold blood killed during a war, and Beowulf ends up taking the throne as king. He then begins to age with time, and is then faced with a new threat, a great fire-breathing dragon that is wreaking havoc among his people. Beowulf, knowing how old and slow he is, decides fights the dragon and manages to kill him. However, he also dies, not being as fast and strong as he once was. He is then burned in