The Epic Poem
It is a long
narrative poetic composition. It consists of supernatural events; great deeds
of heroes; banquet, battle, funeral or voyage scenes; didattic aim; kennings;
aristocratic and military society; recollection of a glorious past; vivid
language; and the theme which was of heroic life. “Beowulf”
(7th Century)
The story
“Beowulf” talks
about the legend of a young Scandinavian hero who fights two gigantic monsters,
Grendel and Grendel’s mother, to bring happiness to the kingdom of Herot in
Denmark. He kills the monsters but, at the same time, he is mortally wounded.
Before he dies he gives his armour to Wiglaf, his young retainer. When he is buried, the gold he won for his
people is buried with him.
Beowulf” is an
epic poem because it celebrates the glorious
adventures of a great warrior and
hero. It also contains the supernatural, for example, the name “Beowulf”, which
means bear, underlines his superhuman powers (he can stay underwater and fly,
too).
Supernatural
characters
There are
supernatural characters in this poem, for example, the giant monster (dragon)
Grendel. He is the descendent of the human being Cain. He represents pure evil.
His mother is a dragon that can dissolve swords with her blood. When Beowulf
becomes the King of the Geats, he is bitten by a flying, fire-breathing dragon.
His poison kills Beowulf.
Themes
This is an epic
poem because the society described is
aristocratic and military with Christian ideals. An important theme in
the poem is the deep feeling for nature illustrated in the supernatural
character.
The Pagan Elegy
It is a lyrical,
subjective poem. It talks about loss of friendship; moving view of the human
condition; vivid language; active images; alliteration; melancholic mood; and
the figure of the exile. The most important pagan elegy is the anonymous poem “The Seafarer”. It talks about
life at sea and the hardships and sufferings that no man on Earth could
possibly know. Even if he was afraid of the sea because it was cold and
frightening, his heart and soul would always return to sea.
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