Beowulf Society Essay example -- essays research papers

Beowulf Society The earliest known manuscript of Beowulf is thought to have been create verb all(prenominal)y in the tenth hundred, however, the rime had nearly likely been told as an viva voce tradition for centuries before that. In fact, the poems events date keyst angiotensin-converting enzyme to the sixth century. However, because there is only one manuscript of Beowulf still in tact very little is known about the poem or its author. The poem does, however, give us great insight into the culture of the flock who composed and told this epic tale. Because the poem was performed orally mainly between the one-eighth and tenth centuries, however dealt with subject matter of centuries earlier, it is difficult to decipher and fracture the ethnical context involved in the poem from one century to the next. The poem was probably unrecognizable from its original state later devil hundred years of oral tradition that would have changed its content drastically. The storyline of t he poem, the battles and abridgeificant events, probably maintained near of their identity while the cultural context took on another form more suited to the topical culture of the people. By the time it was written, in 1000, the poem was probably most representative of the tenth century culture yet it still managed to signalise a story similar to the original version. Beowulf, then, gives us a significant insight into the cultural views of the tenth century Anglo-Saxons including their political, social and moral views. The individualist society was just beginning to replace the tribal system in which no individual had been seen as more important to the success of the state than any other. The individuality that Beowulf displayed helped establish new rules in society. Beyond this, Beowulf gives us an even greater insight into middle ages society. Woven throughout around every aspect of their culture and the poem are very relentless moral codes and set. Loyalty, honesty, fa mily ties, courage and even Christianity play a major situation in this epic poem. In each of the stories told throughout the poem elements of these values are openly displayed. All three of Beowulfs battles demonstrate qualities deemed pure(a) and essential to the people of the middle ages. Beowulf, a godfearing, heroic warrior, first faces a monster that represents all things evil. The monster is a descendant of Cain, a cantankerous avenger of man and an outcast. Beowulf confronts this evil fig... ...rated the final and greatest sacrifice he could make. It was a battle that he surely knew would take his life, only if one he deemed worthy. Despite his incredible physical strength and courage Beowulf was inefficient to win the battle within himself. Like everyone that ever lived, Beowulf grew old, weak and tired. No matter how hard he tried he was unable to carry death and he knew that it would not be long in access for him. He went into battle facing not only the dragon but also the destiny of his own death. His death, rather than being a sign of weakness, becomes his final act of glory. Beowulf, amazingly, continues to be studied and read extensively all over the world even today, one thousand years after it was composed. Its study of social conflict and heroism is what has made it become a timeless classic. The issues it deals with not only pertained to life in the middle ages, but also with issues that never die. It contains all of the elements of a modern Hollywood film. The most important aspect of the poem, though, is the insight it gives us into middle age life. This poem most likely began as a tribute to a alarming war hero, but it has become one of the greatest epics of all time.