Rivac, Flor-Elise Anne L. Santos, Angelica A.

BSN-IIIB

BEOWULF HISTORICAL BACKGROUND Beowulf is the conventional title of an Old English heroic epic poem consisting of 3182 alliterative long lines, set in Scandinavia, commonly cited as one of the most important works of Anglo-Saxon literature. The events described in the poem take place in the late 5th century, after the Anglo-Saxons had begun migration and settlement in England, and before the beginning of the 7th century, a time when the Saxons were either newly arrived or in close contact with their fellow Germanic kinsmen in Scandinavia and Northern Germany. The poem could have been transmitted in England by people of Geatish origins. It has been suggested that Beowulf was first composed in the 7th century at Rendlesham in East Anglia, as Sutton Hoo also shows close connections with Scandinavia, and also that the East Anglian royal dynasty, the Wuffings, were descendants of the Geatish Wulfings. Others have associated this poem with the court of King Alfred, or with the court of King Canute. SUMMARY The poem begins with a genealogy of the Danish royal family. Scyld Shefing, the founder of the dynasty, becomes King of the Danes not through wealth (for he comes from an impoverished family) but through his ability to sack the enemies. He has a son named Beow (called Beowulf), also called a great king because he gave his treasures to his men "to make sure that later in life his beloved companions will stand by him." Upon Scyld's death, the people bury him and his treasures at sea in a traditional Germanic ceremony. Beow comes to the throne, and has a son, Healfdene. Healfdene, in turn, becomes the father of Hrothgar, the King of the Danes at the beginning of the story. Hrothgar, an old man and the King of the Danes, is anxious and worried. He has enjoyed many years of prosperity and joy, but the good times have come to a halt. Grendel, a gigantic bear-like monster, has attacked the King in his own hall and killed thirty of Hrothgar's thanes. Grendel's attack came out of jealousy and without warning; and he continues to inflict violence on the Danish world. It is rumored that Grendel is a descendant of Cain, a character from the Old Testament who committed the first murder by killing his own brother out of jealousy.

Beowulf, the nephew of King Hygelac of Geatland, is known as a great and brave man. He earned his reputation by swimming for seven days on the open sea and by using a sword to fight off sharks. When he hears about the attacks of the bloodthirsty Grendel, he sets sail for Danish shores in order to help Hrothgar master the monster. Beowulf plans to use his famous handgrip, which supposedly has the strength of thirty men, to conquer Grendel. Hrothgar has heard about Beowulf's feats and is well acquainted with his lineage. As the King of the Danes, Hrothgar had once protected Ecgtheow, Beowulf's father, in a time of exile. When Beowulf arrives, Hrothgar invites him to his famous wine hall to join in a celebration. Wealhtheow, Hrothgar's gracious and noble queen, greets the men upon their arrival. Beowulf assures her that he will kill Grendel and bring peace back to the kingdom. The hall is filled with merriment and resounds with noise and laughter. Unferth, however, taunts Beowulf about a swimming defeat. Beowulf defends himself and explains that the swimming match was lost because he was attacked by a pack of monsters and also because he had saved Breca's life. When the King and Queen retire for the night, Beowulf lies down and falls asleep. Grendel barges in, snatches one of Beowulf's thanes, and tears him apart. The monster then turns on Beowulf, starting a terrible battle. Grendel, realizing that he has never met such a tough adversary, tries to escape; but before he can get away, Beowulf wrenches his arm from the socket. Grendel howls in pain as he departs. The men try to follow Grendel, but find no trace of him. Hrothgar is joyous over Beowulf's defeat of Grendel. He promises to cherish him forever as a son. After the interior of the Heorot is rebuilt, redecorated, and furnished, Hrothgar holds a great feast in Beowulf's honor. He presents him with a golden war banner, a helmet, a mailshirt (armor), a sword studded with jewels, and eight horses with golden bridles. Hrothgar also gives Beowulf his own war saddle, studded with gems. In the midst of the celebration, Grendel's mother attacks the hall, seeking revenge for her son. She kills Aeschere, Hrothgar's favorite retainer, snatches Grendel's hand, and runs away. Hrothgar appeals to Beowulf for help. He rushes out, following Grendel's mother to the fearful lake where she resides. Unferth lends him his sword, which is called Hrunting. A terrible battle ensues between Grendel's mother and Beowulf. He succeeds in cutting off her head. Hrothgar is again overjoyed about Beowulf's victory. After much feasting and many rewards, Beowulf departs for home.

Years pass. Hygelac dies and so does his son. Beowulf becomes the King of Geatland. For fifty winters, he rules in peace and harmony. Then a slave robs a slumbering dragon, which grows enraged and plagues the land. Beowulf goes out to fight the marauding dragon. His sword, Naegling, fails him, but he still puts up a courageous battle. With Wiglaf's help, he manages to slay the terrible enemy; however, in the battle, Beowulf is mortally wounded. A huge funeral pyre is built for him and his ashes are honored for ten days then burried him with a massive treasure in a barrow overlooking the sea.

INTERPRETATION Beowulf is a long poem with no break in its narrative. It is also a masterful poem that weaves superhuman, almost magical powers around its heroic protagonist, Beowulf. As the symbol of both strength and goodness, he does quite extraordinary feats, but always with a powerful sense of social responsibility and morality. Unlike the other rulers, they shower their men gifts and generosities just to keep them. Beowulf depicts Germanic warrior society, in which the relationship between the lord of the region and those who served under him was of paramount importance. The prologue recounts the glory of the Danes, which later on replaced by such cowardice, particularly when Hrothgar became old. Despite the knowledge of the people of God and Christian rituals, they still rely on pagan rituals and believe that the Pagan gods will save them from their misery. Beowulf showed respect to every person he encounters and as soon as he set his foot on the land of Denmark up to the King whom he presented his courage on defeating Grendel. Above all, Beowulf believes in God and Wyrd to whom he puts his fate on to accomplish his mission. The verbal battle started by Unferth was a test for Beowulf to show how he manages such attack and defends himself accordingly. He ended up showing his bravery to the Danes and reveals what Unferth is to his land. On the night when Grendel attacked, Beowulf was determined to beat the monster. However he let two of his men die, which is a necessary sacrifice, the sense of a true warrior to act. Afterwards, Grendels mother tried to seek revenge on the death of her son. Fortunately, Beowulf had killed her and even had Grendels head when he returned. As a great thane to the king, when Hygelac died, Beowulf ruled their kingdom up to the moment the dragon attacked.

The thanes were terrified to face the dragon and so Beowulf was to fight the dragon alone. However, Wiglaf remained to his side. Despite Beowulf's own greed that motivated him to fight for the treasure, it still makes him greater than the dragon, which moved "at sunset" and in darkness, as all the monsters did. The dragon is cursed again with burial at sea, just as Grendel and his mother were buried. Beowulf always thought about his kingdom. He asked that his remains be buried on the land for he is aware that the sea is already full of monsters beneath.