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Beowulf: A Poem Of Historical Heroism

By Super Admin

The only surviving manuscript of circa 1010, Beowulf is an anglo saxon literature,archeologists,beowulf,dhanyasree m,dragon,english,epic poem,grendel,old english,oral health heroic epic poem with anonymous authorship. This work of Anglo Saxon literature with 3183 lines dates between the 8th and the 11th century. The poem has risen to the national epic status in England, since it depicts the fierce battle of the hero Beowulf against the powers that attack the European regions.

The poem is structured in three parts as in the form of Beowulf"s fight against Grendel, who is attacking the Danish mead called Herot, Grendel"s mother and an unnamed dragon. In the first part Beowulf is a young warrior from Geatland and with his king's permission leaves his homeland to help Hroðgar. In a fierce battle, Beowulf tears Grendel's charmed arm from his body at the shoulder and Grendel runs to his home in the marshes to die.

The next night, after celebrating Grendel's death, Grendel"s mother appears attacks the hall in revenge for Grendel's death. Again, Beowulf is saved from the effects of attack by his armor and, grasping a mighty sword from Grendel's mother's armory (which, the poem tells us, no other man could have hefted in battle), Beowulf beheads her. In the third battle, Beowulf is the king of his homeland and fights with an anonymous dragon, who paves destruction in the country. Even though, he kills the dragon, Beowulf dies from the wounds he has received from the battle. The dragon's treasure is buried with him, as was Beowulf's wish, because of the curse associated with the hoard.

When Eadgils' mound was excavated in 1874, the archeologists found the burial remains of a powerful man.

People of Geatish origins must have transmitted this poem in England, since; the events in the poem took place in the late 5th century and the 6th century after the Anglo-Saxons had begun their migration and settlement in England. The various critics associate the poem with Scandinavia, the court of King Alfred and the court of King Canute. The poem deals with legends and does not separate between fictional elements and real historic events.

Beowulf has a lengthy oral tradition. The poem appears in what is today called the Beowulf manuscript or Nowell Codex. As an anglo saxon literature,archeologists,beowulf,dhanyasree m,dragon,english,epic poem,grendel,old english,oral health poetry, the manuscript can be found in alliterative verse as the principal structuring device to unify lines of poetry, as opposed to other devices such as rhyme. However, Nineteenth-century archeological evidence may confirm elements of the Beowulf story. When Eadgils' mound was excavated in 1874, the archeologists found the burial remains of a powerful man in a large barrow, on a bearskin with two dogs and rich grave offerings.

The modern translations of Beowulf can be found in English, Danish and Latin. Beowulf has been adapted a number of times for other novels, theater, and cinema. The film adaptations of Beowulf include the 2005 film Beowulf and Grendel and the 2007 animated film Beowulf. There is no doubt that the poem stands as a powerful testimonial for historical heroism and classic literature.


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Beowulf-The Curse

Story first published: Tuesday, April 19, 2011, 18:22 [IST]