“Beowulf” Blog
Due March 31st
World Literature
• Megan Braine •
••Feuding••
The epic poem of “Beowulf” written by an anonymous writer, is about the character Beowulf, nephew of the king Hygelac. Beowulf sees and hears of the demon Grendel who slaughtered many men and tormented on the Danes. Beowulf decides to go to the Danes and help king Hrothgar defeat the demon. With this, comes a lot of violence and feuding. We can infer that feuding is a major theme within this tale. From my journey, I explained that feuding is a prolonged and bitter quarrel or dispute. I also mentioned that a feud can involve violence, in which in “Beowulf” that does occur.
One of the first feuds brought up, was between Beowulf and Hrothgar. The feud speaks from the past and involved Beowulf’s father killing Heatholaf, a member of the Wulfing tribe. “Your father’s blow started a mighty feud: He it was killed Heatholaf the Wulfing, With his own hand; and in fear of reprisal His own spear-kin dared not shelter him.” (Kline, 22) To allow Beowulf to help defeat the demon, amends was sent to the Wulfing tribe due to the past feud. “Over the wave-crests, ancient treasure,I sent the Wulfings. Your father took oaths.” (Kline, 22) They accepted them mends, and Beowulf was then able to defeat Grendel. The next feud to arise was when Beowulf’s heroic status was questions. The accusation was made that Beowulf will meet another defeat when he goes up against Grendel, from a past defeat from Breca. This outrages Beowulf and he defends his heroic status. “‘Are you that Beowulf who battled with Breca On the open sea, paddling the ocean?...Gliding over the sea, the breakers falling; In winter’s tide; seven nights toiling; In the water’s clutches. He beat you at sea, The mightier man.” (Kline, 23) To defend himself Beowulf responded, “‘Now, Unferth, my friend, drunk on beer, You’ve talked a lot about Breca...We were there together, on that sea, For five nights, till the waves parted us, The swell high, weather of the coldest, Night blackening, and the north wind Fierce against us, the waves run wild, And the sea-creatures were angered...However it was given me; To reach the monster, with the point; Of my sword. In the swirl I killed, The mighty sea-beast, with my own hand.’” (Kline, 24) Now the biggest feud and the violent fight was between Beowulf and the demon Grendel. Beowulf showed his heroic status within this feud and showed the demon who he was messing with. “Now that herdsman of horrors found He had never met, in all middle-earth, In the whole wide world, a tighter grip From another creature. In his heart, He feared for his life, couldn’t wait, For a chance to run, ready to flee, To his devil’s nest.” (Kline, 23) Beowulf was stronger then Grendel thought he’d be. Grendel became desperate in this fight and struggled to get away. Never did Grendel thing another creature could defeat him. Now, the people of the land of the Danes believed the feud with the demon was over. They celebrated and praised Beowulf for his heroic actions. No one knew that Grendel’s mother would desire revenge. We can infer that because of this feud between the humans and the monsters, it is bigger than can be expressed. This feud is not in the norm of the peoples culture or morals. Ultimately, Beowulf defeats Grendel’s mother and brings her head to confirm the kill. “The pool seethed with gore, I beheaded Grendel’s mother, in those deep halls, With a mighty blade.” (Kline, 78) Overall, feuds were a huge part of the tale “Beowulf.” It showed all parts of the feuds within the tale as well. For example it showed the cause, the encounter, and the resolution. These feuds were violent and all ended with a death. Beowulf was able to help king Hrothgar and defeat Grendel as well as Grendel’s mother. Beowulf was a heroic figure, the greatest hero.
Hey Megan,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your response regarding feuding within Beowulf, but I feel as if you really took the time to dissect the theme throughout. Beowulf was a great hero because he killed Grendel, someone who the people believed could not be killed. Although a feud must involve more than one person, Beowulf was obviously on the "good" side of the battle as he was motivated to protect any future murders at the hands of Grendel. Feuds were a big part of Beowulf, as the play itself follows different battles Beowulf took part in. The only thing I would like to point out about your response is that you believed the feud between Beowulf and Grendel's mother was not the norm since monsters were involved, but I disagree. While anyone can be motivated by revenge to kill, even today on the news you can see mothers being motivated to kill someone else due to he/she killing her child. This feud wasn't different because monsters were involved, humans today can be motivated to kill others if he/she harmed her children. Other than that, I loved your response and could tell you took a lot of time and effort in this assignment.
-Mike
Megan, I enjoyed your piece on your view of Beowulf, and the different types of feuds that have taken place within the story. Although you took the time to truly break down each of the feuds of Beowulf himself, I feel that a lot of the shining light of this story was on Beowulf's feud with Grendel, based solely on Grendel's murderous nature. Beowulf is written as a hero in the midst of a feud based on his motivation of revenge. I feel that the biggest feud and part of this story is the moment that Beowulf confronts Grendel before he murders yet another innocent person of his village. That is a defining moment for Beowulf within this story.
ReplyDeleteIn the Beowulf epic there are a LOT of embedded stories and references to feuds between and among different tribes--i.e., Geats, Danes, Wulfings, Hethobards, Franks, Frisians, etc. These are generally considered to be realistic and in some cases historically accurate. SO...why the monsters? Why these feuds with fantastic beasts? One theory, put forth by J.R.R. Tolkien (a professor and scholar of Anglo Saxon literature) is that the monsters SYMBOLIZE these blood feuds and that culture's inability to resolve them. That's why the monsters keep returning. In view of this theory, consider Wiglaf's words at the end of the epic.
ReplyDelete