Beowulf

Beowulf is of a very different sort of writing than I am used to reading. That is partly due to the fact that I don't tend to read about things along that type of story (i.e. warriors, fighting, kings, monsters, gold, etc.) and also because it has a very different way of saying things than the much more recently written books I read. I will probably encounter more books that are unlike my norm throughout this year of AP. Although it varied from my norm, I was able to comprehend the big picture and at least some of the details. So, while I know I did not catch every little thing, I do believe I generally understood it.

Now to the point of this post. . . I am going to focus on the last question. It asks about revenge being a theme of the poem.

Revenge is a very prominent theme in Beowulf. Many of the things that happen throughout the course of the story have to do with someone wanting revenge. From the very beginning there is a want of revenge, although it is very subtle at the beginning since it isn't personal between Beowulf and Grendel. Beowulf first comes to Hrothgar to help defend his people from Grendel. Then after he slays Grendel, Grendel's mom becomes angered and wants revenge for her son's death. She in turn comes to Herot to get her revenge. Upon her arrival she kills Hrothgar's advisor AEshcere. His death upsets Hrothgar so Beowulf goes after Grendel's mom to get revenge for Hrothgar for his friends death. Beowulf goes after her and defeats her as well. And I believe that is where that train of revenge ceases. However, there is more later on. Back in Beowulf's home area, there was a dragon that guarded a treasure. A man tried to steal it and was able to make away with a small portion, causing the dragon to seek revenge. To do so, he burned the village. The burning of the village angered the people, including Beowulf. So he and some other warriors went to take on the dragon for revenge for their homes. Beowulf becomes harmed in the battle, but he is able to kill the dragon, so he gets his revenge, even though it costs his life. Sooo, as you can see, REVENGE is a very distinctive theme in Beowulf.