Each individual provide written answer to question.
Whitney, Hannah--Does Beowulf have a universal theme or message? If so, what? Support with a specific reference to the poem.
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Does Beowulf have a universal theme or message? If so, what? Support with a specific reference to the poem.
I would say that the universal theme/message is, "Control you pride and don't let it overcome you." Hrothgar warns Beowulf of this after he has slain Grendel and Grenma. He says that if you become to prideful that you will miss out on some of the important joys of life. Beowulf accepts his warning humbly and takes the advice to heart.
"And then prode grows in his heart, planted quietly but florishing. And while the keeper of his soul sleeps on, while conscious rests and the world turns faster a murderer creeps closer..." (line 1740-1743) --Hannah
Throughout Beowulf, the author provides the reader with many potential themes. Though left to individual interpretation, a few of these themes are universal, and thus somewhat undeniable. As Hannah said, we definitely found evidence that the author was conveying a warning against pride through Beowulf’s downfall and other aspects of his accomplishments. We also found evidence supporting another possible theme: True heroes will always triumph. As with Beowulf, a hero may not triumph outwardly. He may lose the swimming race and he may die in battle with a dragon, but on a more spiritual level, the hero always wins. Further, good eventually triumphs over all evil. For example, though Beowulf meets his death when he fights the dragon, the dragon is eventually killed by Wiglaf. Evil won a small battle, but good won the war. --Whitney
2 comments:
Does Beowulf have a universal theme or message? If so, what? Support with a specific reference to the poem.
I would say that the universal theme/message is, "Control you pride and don't let it overcome you." Hrothgar warns Beowulf of this after he has slain Grendel and Grenma. He says that if you become to prideful that you will miss out on some of the important joys of life. Beowulf accepts his warning humbly and takes the advice to heart.
"And then prode grows in his heart, planted quietly but florishing. And while the keeper of his soul sleeps on, while conscious rests and the world turns faster a murderer creeps closer..." (line 1740-1743) --Hannah
Throughout Beowulf, the author provides the reader with many potential themes. Though left to individual interpretation, a few of these themes are universal, and thus somewhat undeniable. As Hannah said, we definitely found evidence that the author was conveying a warning against pride through Beowulf’s downfall and other aspects of his accomplishments. We also found evidence supporting another possible theme: True heroes will always triumph. As with Beowulf, a hero may not triumph outwardly. He may lose the swimming race and he may die in battle with a dragon, but on a more spiritual level, the hero always wins. Further, good eventually triumphs over all evil. For example, though Beowulf meets his death when he fights the dragon, the dragon is eventually killed by Wiglaf. Evil won a small battle, but good won the war. --Whitney
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