(BEOWULF)
Introduction
One of the key things to note concerning literature includes the fact that di9fferent people have different opinions and understanding for different pieces of literature, according to their own understanding and interpretation. This is, especially, the case in the field of poetry, whereby, people understand the literature differently, especially, based on their differences in their schools of thought. This is one of the most essential aspects to note in Beowulf, which has been noted include the fact that different linguists have had different opinions and perspectives concerning the 3182 lines-long piece by an unknown Anglo-Saxon poet.
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There are several things that are necessary to note in Beowulf, since these are the ones that guide the reader in not only understanding it, but also the message that has been passed through the poem. Firstly, considering the fact that Beowulf is a heroic poem, there are several consistent themes that can be noted through the entire piece, some of them including courage and consistency, whereby Beowulf, the Scandinavian, is considered a hero among the Geats saved the Danes’ king from Grendel the monster, which sought to acquire the king’s mead hall.
One of the most essential things to note concerning this masterpiece, however, is the complexity that comes with it, and this is one of the reasons why different people have had different opinions and perceptions concerning the same. For example, considering the fact that the entire article covers a period of over fifty years from Beowulf’s action to save the king of Danes to the killing of the dragon fifty years later which wounded him leading to his death, the audience is taken through a series of psychological journeys, whereby the narration changes the audience’s perception and moods, especially, with the changes in events. For example, Beowulf’s defeat for Grendel is received with joy and happiness due to the victory that comes with it, while his death and consequent burial at Geatland in a tumulus is received with grief and sadness. At the same time, his fight against the dragon is received by the audience with expectations, whereby, the audience expects him to defeat the dragon, which took him fifty years to complete the task.
Conclusion
In conclusion, therefore, in comparison to the modern literature, it is evident that there is a developed complexity between the modern literature and the characters in Beowulf. This is, for example, based on their approach to the old literature used in order to not only carry out its task, but also deliver the message that the author sought to deliver. For example, themes such as courage are evident in cases where Beowulf killed Grendel with his own hands and later killed Grendel’s mother by the use of a sword, consequently, becoming the king of Geatland (Gummere, 2012, P. 90). Considering that the poem is written in medias res (the middle ages), some of the activities that took place including the killing of Grendel and consequent declaration as king across Geatland are an example of the activities that took place in the old and the mid-old ages, whereby, power was taken through succession or as inheritance. This is contrary to modern and new-era literature, whereby, passing of power, for example, is based on democracy and establishment of a government. This, therefore, is one of the differences established between Beowulf, an eighteenth century piece, and the modern day literature.
References
Gummere, B. 2012. Beowulf. New York: Prentice Hall.
