Beowulf

Beowulf While containing the characteristics of an epic, Beowulf also has the elements of an elegiac and heroic poem. I believe this epic can be considered as a “heroic-elegiac poem”. An epic is defined as a “long narrative poem that relates the great deeds of a larger-than-life hero who embodies the values of a particular society.” Although this is found in Beowulf, the elements of an epic hero poem and an elegiac poem combined, more completely describe this piece of Anglo-Saxon literature. As an epic hero, Beowulf has “superior physical strength” and “reflects the values and heroic ideals of a particular society,” that being Anglo-Saxon’s mythical culture. In this society, to become known as brave hero was highly valued; this led Beowulf to Hrothgar’s kingdom to defeat Grendel, a monster known throughout the country for his killing sprees in Hrothgar’s palace, Herot. Because of Beowulf’s success in the battle against Grendel, he was glorified by those he saved; he was now their hero. “Hrothgar, gray-haired and brave, sat happily Listening, the famous ring-giver poem, epic, hero, beowulf, elegiac, throughout, strength, society, known, grendel, elements, considered, values, saved, people, particular, king, hrothgar’s, herot, heroic, elegiac, heroic, evil, brave, beowulf’s, hrothgar, wisdom, while, well, way beowulf, way, violent, valued, unending, traced, sure, superior, success, strengths, sprees, spirit, sorrow, son, simmered, seen, sat, sadness, ring-giver, relates, reflects