Good Vs Evil The Epic Tale of a Hero in Beowulf
Rountree 1 Joe Starnes Rountree EN 225-016 Kevin Crawford November 24, 2003 Good vs. Evil! The Epic Tale of a Hero in Beowulf Beowulf is an epic poem about good vs. evil featuring Beowulf vs. ... It is a tale set in early Anglo-Saxon society. ... Beowulf is referred to as “son of Ecgtheow” or “kinsman of Hygelac”( page 32 ) who was his uncle and lord. It is also a poem about a hero, Beowulf, and his people. Beowulf and the people face many hardships including attacks by a monster-like man named Grendel. ... The main character is a hero who resembles a modern-day Arnold Schwarzenegger. Beowulf also contains fantasy and reality. ... Beowulf is thought to have been set in the Anglo-Saxon era and society. ... This northern coast of England would be the perfect setting for a poem like Beowulf. ... We read of their epic journeys, their bold exploits, and their battles with supernatural beasts. ... The character of Beowulf fits this literary tradition. Beowulf is the ultimate definition of the word hero. A hero is also someone who risks his or her own life in order to protect or save the lives of others. Beowulf answered the cries of Hrothgar, King of the Danes, who ruled from his great mead-hall. ... Beowulf came to the mead-hall and slept there until the demon, Grendel, came to kill once more. Instead of finding poor little farmers, Grendel found Beowulf, “the mightiest man on earth,”( line 197 ). ... ”(Kroll 122) They fought with relentless rage until Beowulf ripped off Grendel’s arm which caused him to bleed to death. Beowulf, the man with the strength of sixty-men in one arm, had saved the day. ... Grendel is a decedent from Cain, who killed his brother Abel, which may be the ultimate act of evil. ... He learned evil from what his mother taught him. He became a “grim demon haunting the marches,” ( lines 102-103 ) with nothing but evil to Rountree 3 give to the world.