Beowulf old English Epic

Beowulf
Beowulf is the earliest and the greatest epic or heroic poem in
English literature. It was composed in England in mid of 8th century. It is
something over 3000 lines in length, and though consisting of two separate
adventures, constitutes an artistic whole.
The story of Beowulf is of a monster named Grendel who disturbs Hrothgar
king of Danes, in Heorot his great hall. He built a magnificent hall named
Heorot near the sea, where he sits with his thanes at the mead- drinking, and
listens to the chanting of gleeman. One night there comes the haunt of all
unearthly and malign creatures,, a terrible monster named Grendel. For
twelve years this scourge afflicts the Danes, until Hrothgars spirit is broken.
A young warrior called Beowulf comes with his fourteen companions to the
rescue. He overcomes Grendel and later in a dwelling at the bottom of a lake
he fights Grendels mother a sea monster.
In the second part of the poem is Beowulfs fight with the Dragon. Beowulf
has been reigning as king for fifty years when calamity comes upon him and
his family in the form of a Dragon. The poem closes with an account of his
funeral rites.
The literary method of this poem is massive and sweeping rather than subtle
and varied. This poem is very similar to the old saga. The basis of this poem
is a Scandinavian setting but, it has no Scandinavian words of praise. Some
critics believe that the story of Beowulf was a piece of the historic folklore
of which a fresh addition was made by several scholars in cliff counties. The
scenes and the people are Scandinavian but the one great vital figure is that
of Beowulf, he stands before us as the early English ideal.
The weakness of the poem, to some critics lies in the story. They say that it
is only a fairy story of monsters and dragons. But in those days the monster
was real.
The scenic background is well suited for such men who were inspired by
adventure and battles. The background of the poem is bleak and cold. There

is no sentiment, no tenderness, to receive a gloom- only fears animated,

spirits dominated.
The poem talks in detail about the splendour of the court life and for this
reason this aspect throws light upon the picture of Aristocratic society in
Saxon times. Like all Anglo-Saxon poems it is written with a long time. The
lines do not rhyme but each line has alliteration, and the poet has a special
and extreme vocabulary. He uses picture names for the things and people
he has to describe, so the sea is the Swans road and the body is the bones
house.