How is beowulf structured

While many would see this as gloomy and disheartening, it is the quintessence of Beowulfs ability and valor. What is that so special about the heroes?

They become heroes because of their outstanding achievements in the initial phases of their lives. If the warriors know that they are going to challenge death, why do they still fight? For a true warrior, victory or defeat does not matter. They are guided by the fighting spirit, irrespective of the consequences. Beowulf is relentlessly conceited about his strength, and instead of running away from his responsibility he is willing to face mortality death.

He wants to protect his people at all times and at all costs and in the process he gets reputation and admiration. The bravest of the brave is mortal. The cowards die a thousand deaths but the hero dies but once, that too for a cause and that is generally about the well-being of his people and to help others.

Only God is immortal and the immortality the heroes can achieve is through legends and achievements during their lives and that continues to be hailed for ever after their deaths. Viewed from this perspective, the heroes are immortal. Carrigan, But death dominates all other themes. Thus death is one of the resilient themes of the story. Death may be glorified from the philosophical religious point of view or from the point of view of the sterling achievements of a particular individual.

The former is the dogmatic belief and the latter is the preservation of self through history. In particular, one has to decide why the various historical references are there: Do they function as simple background material? Do they act as commentary on the main plot or the actions of characters? Are they part of the overall purpose or message of the poem as it stands? The following are the more predominant approaches to Beowulf 's structure: J. Tolkien -- Two Part Structure.

Fred C. Robinson -- Three Part Structure. Part I -- Beowulf fights Grendel without weapons and with relative assurance of victory. In the story, Beowulf is a warrior from Geats he goes and helps Hrothgar, The king of the Danes who is being attacked by a monster who was known as Grendel.

In the epic, Grendel is a vicious beast that has been banished by God because of the sins of his ascendants, such as Cain.

This isolation…. Beowulf is portrayed as being a great king who took care of and protected his people. Devastated Beowulf wants revenge for his people. Essays Essays FlashCards. Browse Essays. Sign in. Home Page Beowulf Structure Analysis. Essay Sample Check Writing Quality. Show More. Read More. Words: - Pages: 4. Pride In Beowulf In the story of Beowulf 's great feat he comes to a point of fate as everyone does. Words: - Pages: 5. Words: - Pages: 7. The Three Battles In Beowulf's Death Beowulf's death is arguably the most important scene in this epic poem; however, his development up to that point is paramount.