I love the exaggerations that embody the epic of Beowulf. It is these tales that make Beowulf the hero that the people believe in. It is the hype behind Beowulf that gives him his power and his confidence on his escapades because it is this one particular brave, courageous, daring and inhumanely strong image of Beowulf that is the basis of the epic.
The first of these high tales is Beowulf’s seven-day swim challenge. He explains that he lost the battle because he was attacked by nine sea monsters, which he had to defeat to save himself and to make the seas a safer place. Additionally, after slaying these monsters Beowulf ended up in Finland. Geographically and physically this is impossible, but what was our poet trying to accomplish here by adding this fictitious and mysterious element about what really happened? What is our poet’s purpose in creating a Beowulf that is superhuman?
Another aspect of this story that I found interesting was that Beowulf himself took the time in the mead hall to embellish the tale and to make it more impressive. He even contradicted a son of Ecglaf by stating that he was the strongest swimmer and then began to recount his battle with the nine monsters. In Beowulf there are two extravagant versions of this event, but Beowulf himself took his conquest to a completely different level. It then becomes clear at this point that other stories of Beowulf’s might be embellished as well to enhance his own image.
In fact, there are countless examples throughout the epic where Beowulf’s legend precedes him. He is constantly winning battles against unlikely monsters with hardly any weapons or protection. Beowulf is definitely portrayed as inhumane, which is also seen in another final act when Beowulf survived the Frisian War. He should not have survived because he only had thirty men with him and he had a long swim. According to legend,
“But Beowulf’s prodigious
Gifts as a swimmer guaranteed his safety:
He arrived at the shore, shouldering thirty
Battle-dresses, the booty he had won{…}
Across the wide sea, desolate and alone,
The son of Esgtheow swam back to his people.
There Hygd offered him throne and authority
As lord of the ring-hoard” (83).
This story is told as if no one would question the greatness of Beowulf. Of course after everything that the audience has learned about him this final act seems no more ridiculous than when he ripped off Grendel’s arm. Beowulf is the hero of this epic, but after examining all of the lies behind his actions can we still find his heroism to be true?
I really enjoyed this point of view on Beowulf. Your question you posed in the beginning is really interesting, "What is our poet’s purpose in creating a Beowulf that is superhuman?" It started to get me thinking of possible answers to this question. Could it be that the people in this poem needed a hero so badly that they would believe anything that Beowulf told them? The Danes in this story are suffering from the demon Grendel and it seems as though they have lost hope. Grendel was causing so much death and pain the people needed a "superman", enter Beowulf. At dark times like these it seems as thought people will believe in anything that poses a chance to help. This idea is found in most superhero stories. Also, at some point, the people doubt the superhero which is similar to what happens to Beowulf at the end with his fight with the dragon. This post really got me thinking about comparing Beowulf to more modern superheroes, like Superman. Great post!
ReplyDeleteThanks kzoog. I was wondering the same thing. Is Beowulf needed to be portrayed this way because the Danes are so desperate for someone to save them? To an extent, I believe so. I think that the dire need for such a strong character only allowed for an almost unbelievable character to be created for the plot of the story. If it had been anyone else, it would not be Beowulf. The epic I think definitely needs someone almost godly to save the majority of people from the world's evils.
ReplyDeleteI can definitely see comparing Beowulf to modern day superheros. He posses a combination of characteristics that a multitude of today's superheros have. I feel like if we were really to sit down and digest and compare Beowulf's characters to others we would find that he is one of the first heros in a story and that other authors today have drawn upon him for inspiration. Are there any thoughts out there on this?
Beowulf was portrayed as a superhero, and it seems as if you can compare him to many of the Marvel comic book hero’s such as Superman as he had countless extraordinary powers over evil. After reading this post it made me realize how many of the modern day comic authors base their own stories off of epic poems and stories such as this. The way that writers exaggerate the victories over the forces of evil, such as Beowulf, is very common throughout pieces, and it overall makes their heroic legend more magnificent, and in many cases appealing to the reader. I really like how you drew this connection, and it proves how many people idolize a hero and portray him seem as a God-like figure.
ReplyDeleteI also really enjoyed the idea of Beowulf being much like a superhero. I felt a very similar vibe when reading about Beowulf ripping off Grendel's arm, when no weapon was able to hurt Grendel. I don't know all that much about modern superheros, but it seems very possible that epic heroes like Beowulf could have provided inspiration for characters such as Superman.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree that the Danes had reached a point of complete desperation. It seemed very apparent, when Beowulf and his men arrived on the Danish shore. Although they were approached by watchman, they were not given much resistance in entering. If not completely desperate, would the Danes have been so open to a man just showing up one say claiming he will solve the people's biggest problem? I'm on the fence about this, perhaps, I am looking at this from a more modern perspective, distrusting until proving trustworthy, rather than what seems like the alternate in this poem.
I'm not entirely sold on the idea that Beowulf was lying. His admittedly pretty tall tales inspire more of a suspension-of-disbelief-type reaction in me than a "this guy MUST be lying" one. I'm not up on old English mysticism, but I'm assuming this sort of talk was par for the course back then. Maybe exaggerating just isn't the right word--to me, it implies that the author was embellishing events that actually happened. I think "over the top" might be better here, which is certainly what a lot of the action scenes here were (also, definitely didn't think I'd be saying "action scenes" when I first signed up to take this class).
ReplyDeleteOne must remember that this is indeed an epic poem meant to inspire those who read it based on the protagonists courage and heroism. Beowulf is just a normal man (albeit inordinately strong, as Jparanczak mentioned ripping off Grendels arm), but if these feats are indeed true, there is that nagging thought that he may be considered more than a man. However, keep in mind that the story itself is fantasy; Beowulf slays a dragon, a mythological creature, and dies by the wyrm's blow as well. This shows that he /is/ nothing but a mere mortal, yet heroic enough to slay a creature supposedly much mightier than he.
ReplyDeleteLaura -- I appreciate how you question your own perspective as an audience member and that you realize narrators are not always trustworthy sources -- that is, that the characterization of Beowulf as an alleged hero deserves a closer examination. Your Rumination also provoked an interesting conclusion I hadn't previously considered: While I find Beowulf to be admirable in comparison to the monsters he fights and as a warrior, I don't find him to be admirable as simply a man amongst his peers -- the exaggerations you mention all made me realize that Beowulf's strength is a reflection of his brawn, not of his character.
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