Beowulf is an Anglo Saxon poem written in Old English. The significance of this story is that it is often referred to as the first important work of literature in English. The author of this story was an anonymous Anglo-Saxon poet and remains unknown till this day. The poem runs for about 3000 lines, but a fairly simple story. The poem tells the story of Beowulf, a young prince, and his journey to becoming king and dying a hero. Throughout the story the author strays away from what is happening to further explain additional details in more context to provide a backstory for everything, hence the reason why the poem is so long.
The story takes place in the early to mid sixth century. Beowulf is the story of a heroic young prince who saves his neighboring kingdom by defeating a monster, Grendal, and his avenging mother. Grendal, a ravaging monster, who despises the idea of celebration makes an appearance to King Hrothgar feasting hall to kill and eat the King’s soldiers. As this continues for numerous years, Beowulf hears about the issue and proposes an offer attempting to destroy Grendel alongside the help of his men in an attempt to prove himself worthy of becoming a king for his kingdom the Geats. Despite the King’s warnings that Grendel cannot be killed with just any sword, Beowulf goes hand to hand with the monster successfully ripping his arm out and eventually killing Grendal. This angers the monster’s mother and she comes to seek revenge by killing one of Hrothgar’s best warriors where Beowulf goes on to seek her and kills her as well. Beowulf is celebrated by the King with gifts and a feast and then he returns home with his newly earned triumph. Fast forward to years later, Beowulf is now the King of Geats where a new enemy arises, the dragon. Beowulf and his warriors set out to fight the creature, but they slowly begin to face defeat and his warriors accept their fate. Despite their losses Beowulf and one of his courageous warriors, defeat the enemy together, but Beouwulf dies soon after the battle.
The first half of the text is a story of a young prince on his journey to prove himself worthy enough to be a king. When he defeats Grendel and his mother, Beowulf is seen worthy to be a king. As the story goes on, we see Beowulf as a King who accepts his defeat, but goes in peace knowing he has down his duty to his people. The contrast between the two parts of the story show the growth of Beowulf throughout his journey. He starts off wanting to prove himself and in the end becomes the brave hero that his people see him to be. In honor of Beowulf’s death, his people build a mound by the sea in his memory.
Metonymy comes from the Greek language, translating to “the other name”, basically meaning when you call something by another related thing somewhat like a metaphor. Examples of metonymy are frequently used in both literature and everyday speech. The use of metonymy is frequently used in the story Beowulf. An example of this would be when the author would use the word “sword” instead of “iron” signifying the importance of the weapon. Another example is using “the shadow of death” to reference the monster Grendel and the darkness he carried with him for the twelve years of killing he has caused.
Overall, the story of Beowulf displays the meaning of heroism very well and other ideas of Anglo-Saxon culture. It was a classic hero versus villain story that is still used and studied in literature till this day. One thing I found interesting in the poem is how they displayed Beowulf becoming a hero in contrast to what we think of heroes today. In stories heroes are often brave warriors who defeat an enemy, but if you were to describe a hero today an individual would say someone like a family member or our everyday first responders. Whether it is a superhero that we read or watch or your family, heroes all share the qualities of someone who is viewed as brave, strong, and for the good of the people.
