Beowulf

Translations Read: Michael Alexander, Roy M. Liuzza, Seamus Heaney, Felix Nobis, and for fun we'll say Robert Zemeckis as well (the film).
Segment in Discussion: Grendel's Arm

I'm a big fan of Beowulf the epic. It's a mantastic adventure with the greatest hero to ever be. It should be obvious then that I chose the segment where Beowulf tears Grendel's arm off with his bare hands. I find it funny that even though no weapon can harm such a foe, treacherous Beowulf will tear his limb with nothing more than his judo grip. It is of course very far fetched. No man can do what Beowulf did. It isn't conceivable. However it is awesome to read of a story filled with such action and adventure that you wonder why evil doers even tried. It was apparent that Beowulf was basically invincible. If I were an evil-doer I would have given up my quest for power and lived in his kingdom under his protection. Beowulf's reputation was so fierce that for 50 winters it lay safe and unchallenged. It's a win-win situation for everyone.

I enjoyed the underlying humor in Beowulf's strength. He wields a sword for giants, that no other man could possibly carry. He kills sea monsters while racing a fellow warrior in the sea for five days straight. I consider it quite silly.

As far as themes that may be present in the story, well they are numerous. Fighting to establish an identity. Beowulf's culture was pagan so they did not believe in the afterlife. They thought by doing valiant deeds and being remembered then their future ancestors will have good fortune. Notice that everyone in the entire story, is basically introduced as someones son. Wiglaf son of Weohstan for example. A reputation is critically based on your families deeds in the past.

As Beowulf progresses from being a valiant warrior to a wise king his values and goals change. Once being young and with nothing to lose he desired personal glory, while when he was old and the dragon attacks he fights it to protect his people, and not for glory. He wished to be a good king remembered for his great deeds. This could be seen as vain; however, what good is a king unless he is a just and selfless king willing to die to protect his kingdom. Otherwise we would call him a tyrant.

The translations varied in context on different levels. Some were shorter and more poetic while others were in the form of large paragraphs that seems more like a book. The story of Beowulf is a poem in its original form therefore I like the translations that took that approach. Though regardless of the style, if I had not already read Beowulf, I would be able to get the idea of it from the excerpts .

Beowulf is a classic example of the heroic journey because he hits basically all of the steps. Beginning as a warrior, he ends his life as a valiant king, with all of the dilly dallying in between.