The epic closes on a somber, elegiac note—a note of mourning. What words or images contribute to this tone?
An epic extolling the adventures of Beowulf, the epic begins a somber note and ends the same. Beowulf, responsible for freeing the Herots from the exploits of the monstrous Grendel and his mother, rules Geat for 50 years in peace. However, this peace is threatened when a thief steals a jeweled cup from a dragon’s lair. Enraged by the theft, the dragon lays waste to the land of Geat. Though considerably old, Beowulf succumbs to his heroic nature. To save the lives of the people of Geat, he and a group of eleven warriors travel to the dragon’s lair to kill it. The ensuing battle results in the desertion of Beowulf’s warriors. However, with the help of one warrior (Wiglaf) who returns, Beowulf is able to defeat the dragon. Yet a fatal wound obtained during the battle results in the subsequent death of Beowulf. While the plot of the ending of the epic is tragic itself, the author of Beowulf uses words and images to contribute to this somber and tragic tone.
The author of Beowulf contributes to the somber mood of the epic by describing Beowulf’s final request. Beowulf, fatally wounded during the battle with the dragon, requests that Wiglaf brings him the dragon’s treasure. Upon seeing this treasure, Beowulf states, “To the everlasting Lord of All, to the King of Glory, I give thanks that I behold this treasure here in front of me, that I have been thus allowed to leave my people so well endowed on the day I die” (47). It is unceasingly tragic that a hero such as Beowulf, who worries not of death but of how his people will live without him, should die. The mood is further darkened by the request of Beowulf regarding his burial. Asking that his pyre be placed in a tower so that all may see it, Beowulf bestows his war attire on the young Wiglaf. To Wiglaf, Beowulf says, “You are the last of us, the only one left of the Waegmundings. Fate swept us away, sent my whole brave high-born clan to their final doom. Now I must follow them.” (47-48) With these final words lamenting the end of his clan, Beowulf dies. The epic ends on a final mournful note with the Beowulf’s warriors praising his heroic deeds and bewailing his tragic death. “They said that of all the kings upon earth, he was the man most gracious and fair-minded, kindest to his people and keenest to win fame.” (48)
An epic extolling the adventures of Beowulf, the epic begins a somber note and ends the same. Beowulf, responsible for freeing the Herots from the exploits of the monstrous Grendel and his mother, rules Geat for 50 years in peace. However, this peace is threatened when a thief steals a jeweled cup from a dragon’s lair. Enraged by the theft, the dragon lays waste to the land of Geat. Though considerably old, Beowulf succumbs to his heroic nature. To save the lives of the people of Geat, he and a group of eleven warriors travel to the dragon’s lair to kill it. The ensuing battle results in the desertion of Beowulf’s warriors. However, with the help of one warrior (Wiglaf) who returns, Beowulf is able to defeat the dragon. Yet a fatal wound obtained during the battle results in the subsequent death of Beowulf. While the plot of the ending of the epic is tragic itself, the author of Beowulf uses words and images to contribute to this somber and tragic tone.
The author of Beowulf contributes to the somber mood of the epic by describing Beowulf’s final request. Beowulf, fatally wounded during the battle with the dragon, requests that Wiglaf brings him the dragon’s treasure. Upon seeing this treasure, Beowulf states, “To the everlasting Lord of All, to the King of Glory, I give thanks that I behold this treasure here in front of me, that I have been thus allowed to leave my people so well endowed on the day I die” (47). It is unceasingly tragic that a hero such as Beowulf, who worries not of death but of how his people will live without him, should die. The mood is further darkened by the request of Beowulf regarding his burial. Asking that his pyre be placed in a tower so that all may see it, Beowulf bestows his war attire on the young Wiglaf. To Wiglaf, Beowulf says, “You are the last of us, the only one left of the Waegmundings. Fate swept us away, sent my whole brave high-born clan to their final doom. Now I must follow them.” (47-48) With these final words lamenting the end of his clan, Beowulf dies. The epic ends on a final mournful note with the Beowulf’s warriors praising his heroic deeds and bewailing his tragic death. “They said that of all the kings upon earth, he was the man most gracious and fair-minded, kindest to his people and keenest to win fame.” (48)
No comments:
Post a Comment