Beowulf: a Heroic-Elegiac Poem

Beowulf A Heroic elegiac Poem Beowulf is definitely a heroic-elegiac rime. Beowulf was a hero to many. He exhibited, the traits of a good queen regnant. He was a warrior with extraordinary abilities which made him take cargon super man. He was selfless choosing to protect the masses rather than himself. This was an act of sympathy, as well as, great loyalty. There are many references in the poem to the ancestors of both Beowulf and Hrothgar. They are referred to with reverence regardless to whether they were good or bad. The references are made as lessons to the present and future kings and queens.As a heroic-elegiac poem, Beowulf begins with an example of a bad king to contrast him with a good king. Shield Sheafson who was non a good king because he demanded that clans far and wide dedicate homage to him. He destroyed mead h all(prenominal)s and rampaged through the countryside. He was selfish and cruel. His heir, Beow, would be the antithesis of his father. He would be a bles sing to the Danes. Beow would be known for his generosity which garnered him loyal followers. Beow was the grandfather of Hrothgar. Hrothgar was loyal, courageous, generous and protective of his ground.Hrothgar was a good king like his father and grandfather before him. He would decide to get up a mead hall where he could share his treasures and good fortune with his people, a place where they could feast and rejoice. These events described here prove that, in fact, Beowulf is a heroic poem. The mead hall, Heorot, would only be a safe haven for a short while. The hall would come under attack. Grendel, a monster, would be stiff by the sounds of gaiety day in and day out. Grendel would begin to terrorise the hall murdering many before the would be aband 1d due to fear. Hrothgar kingdom was gripped in terror.Beowulf heard of Hrothgars plight and decided he unavoidable his help. Beowulf was known to have the strength of thirty men in individually arm. He would travel to Hrothgars k ingdom to volunteer to be their withstander against Grendel. He demonstrated selflessness, courage and generosity for the people of another land. whole these are attributes of a good king and hero as shown in the poem. The transitory state of human relationships is shown in the repeated conquests of Beowulf. Beowulf killed Grendel and then he would have to kill Grendels mother who was seeking revenge for her babys death.He was rewarded many times over by Hrothgar and he divided his good fortune with his men. Hrothgar offered him the throne. Beowulf declined in deference to the rightful heirs. Beowulf, eventually, becomes the king of the Geats. He ruled (it) well for fifty winters, grew old and wise as warden of the land. He is tested for a final time. His kingdom is threatened by a dragon. Beowulf challenges the dragon alone and he is mortally wounded. Wiglaf was the only warrior to remain by his side. Wiglaf stated, Anyone ready to admit the truth will surely realize that the maestro of men who showered you with gifts and gave you he armor you are standing inwhen he would distribute helmets and mail-shirts to men on the mead-benches, a prince treating his thanes in the hall to the dress hat he could find, far or nearwas throwing weapons uselessly away. It would be a sad waste when the war broke out. Beowulf had little cause to foul up about his armed guard yet God who ordains who wins or loses allowed him to ten-strike with his own blade when bravery was needed. There was little I could do to protect his life in the heat of the fray, but I engraft new strength welling up when I went to help him.Then my sword connected and the deadly assaults of our foe grew weaker, the fire coursed less strongly from his head. But when the rack up happened too few rallied around the prince. So it is good-bye now to all you know and love on your home ground, the open-handedness, the giving of war- swords. Every one of you with freehold of land, our whole nation, wil l be dispossessed, once princes from beyond get news of how you turned and fled and disgraced yourselves. A warrior will sooner die than locomote a life of shame. This excerpt from the poem shows the transitory state of human relationships proving Beowulf is an elegiac poem.