Themes In Beowulf - 1510 Words

From the beginning of Beowulf we are able to understand and see the central themes and points that are being focused on. From the assigned readings of Beowulf and after finishing the entire piece I found it stuck with its major theme in which we are given from the prologue of the story. From the start of the story we are able to identify with Scyld Scefing and his role as king and leader. Power plays a major role and theme throughout the entire story which allows the story to flow well and keep the theme strong and intriguing to the readers. I found that the major themes within this whole story revolve around the idea of power, legacy , and heroism. These three themes are what the story of Beowulf is about and the author portrays these†¦show more content†¦There are other characters within the story that help show and increase the theme of leadership and honor such as, King Hrothgar who is the king of the Danes. Hrothgar enjoys military success and prosperity until Grendel terrorizes his realm. A wise and aged ruler, Hrothgar represents a different kind of leadership from the youthful warrior Beowulf. He is a model for the kind of king that Beowulf becomes. He also has a scene within the first part of the story which represents the honor and power that these characters represented, â€Å"Then success in war was given to Hrothgar, honor in battle, so that his beloved kinsmen eagerly served him, until the young soldiers grew into a mighty troop of men. It came to his mind that he should order a hall-building, have men make a great mead house which the sons of men should remember forever and there inside he would share everything with young and old that God had given him, except for the common land and the lives of men.†(64-73). This is a great example of how the author is trying to express the idea of always being remembered and carrying on their l egacies. Also the importance of success in war is what truly brought Hrothgar to power and the respect of hisShow MoreRelatedBeowulf: Themes1038 Words   |  5 PagesBeowulf: Themes The Anglo-Saxon epic Beowulf is the most important work of Old English literature, and is well deserved of the distinction. The epic tells the story of a hero, a Scandinavian prince named Beowulf, who rids the Danes of the monster Grendel, a descendent of Cain, and of his exploits fighting Grendel s mother and a Dragon. Throughout the epic, the Anglo-Saxon story teller uses many elements to build a certain depth to the characters. Just a few of the important character elementsRead MoreTheme Of Loyalty In Beowulf813 Words   |  4 Pagescourage are two themes that emerge throughout the poem ‘Beowulf by Seamus Heaney’. With a focus on an extract in Beowulf, this essay will explore how Seamus Heaney shows the themes loyalty and courage through the use of diction and imagery. 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