Beowulf
Poetry
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Anonymous
Beowulf Themes
Here we take a deeper look at the major themes of the Old English epic "Beowulf".
Heroic Code
The heroic code is central to Beowulf, emphasizing the expected behaviors of warriors and rulers. Warriors were bound to be courageous, loyal, and willing to sacrifice their lives for their ruler or cause. In return, rulers were expected to reward their warriors generously and govern wisely. This code gov...
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Beowulf Characters
Learn about the characters of the Old English epic "Beowulf" here.
Characters
Main Characters
Beowulf: The central hero of the poem, Beowulf is a brave and loyal warrior who defeats Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and a dragon. His strength, courage, and sense of duty embody the heroic code.
King Hrothgar: The wise and generous ruler of the Danes. Hrothgar is a loyal friend to Beowulf and values his he...
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Beowulf Summary
Old English Epic Beowulf's Summary
Prologue
The story begins with the tale of Shield Sheafson, a brave and powerful king of the Danes. He is remembered for being a great warrior who defeated many enemies and brought peace and honor to his people. When Shield dies, he is given a grand funeral. His body is placed on a ship filled with treasures and sent out to sea. The story then explains how leader...
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Beowulf Key Fact
Beowulf's Key Fact
Title: Beowulf
Author: Anonymous
Genre: Epic poem
Originally Composed: c. 700–750 CE
Manuscript: Beowulf exists in a single damaged manuscript in the British Library. The manuscript was probably written in England in the early eleventh century.
Setting: Northern Europe, especially Denmark and Sweden, around the sixth century.
Tense: Beowulf is told primarily in the past tense.
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Notes
Explore 1 detailed note related to Beowulf. Each note provides in-depth analysis, explanations, and critical insights.