Treasure In Beowulf

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Throughout history gold and treasure have been a driving force in this world, this is no different in the Christian epic, Beowulf. During the poem, there are several references to treasure as being a symbol of loyalty, status, and reward. In the Anglo – Saxon community, it is known that gold rings were given to thanes by the king as a reward for being loyal to him. At any moment, they were liable for sacrificing their lives for his, which is because the Anglo-Saxons community, including the warriors, believed that their lives were in the hands of wyrd or fate. They were fierce warriors who pledged their loyalties to their king. In turn, the king wisely encourages his men with treasures like gold, an act which both articulates his appreciation …show more content…
Another huge part to the epic is the use of treasure as wergild. Wergild is a practiced tradition in which a kind of tariff that is paid as a compensation for killing a man or even injuring him. Sometimes, the person who kills someone many receive a wergild, or a reward of treasure for doing so. This tradition is seen when Beowulf willingly kills Grendel at the request of Hrothgar. Beowulf is then compensated abundantly by Hrothgar with a great deal of treasure as a reward for his slaying. Hrothgar also rewards all of Beowulf's men with smaller treasures for their participation in the deed. In this case, treasure is used to distinguish these men from others. To show the people around them that they are to be honored and respected for their loyalty. This is an interesting representation of wergild because they are being paid with treasure for killing Grendel. Another interesting aspect to this passage is, the amount of treasure, or in this case gold, signifies the amount of honor, respect, and gratitude that the person is receiving. It is clear that the Anglo-Saxon community felt that the more treasures a person had meant that they were worthy of more honor and respect, thus making them a more recognized person who also received much

Use Of Gold In Beowulf

Beowulf is a story of an epic hero set in present day Europe between 400 A.D. and 600 A.D. Beowulf is a larger than life hero who faces many enemies throughout his life. He battles Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the Dragon. In each of these battles, the reader learns something new about the characters and the themes of the story. In Beowulf’s last battle, he fights a dragon that is terrorizing his kingdom because someone stole a treasure. The treasure that the dragon is guarding is a very important…

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Gold In Beowulf

Gold, treasure, and gifts are less important for their economic value than their social value. In fact, gold can be seen as a symbol of social interaction: a lord rewards loyalty with gold, and in doing so inspires further loyalty.The Anglo-Saxon culture gave gifts of gold out of honor for heroism.The Anglo-Saxon poem Beowulf is not only a great story of valor and honor, but it shows the significance of values gold is when Scyld funeral, Beowulf shows his bravery when fighting Grendel and Grendel's…

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Gold In Beowulf

The epic poem, Beowulf, was written in the Anglo-saxon period, when people were all about the glory and valor of war. That glory and valor includes the rewards of war, specifically speaking of treasure and gold .At the beginning of Beowulf, Beowulf is a new and fierce warrior who receives lots treasure as gifts for his fearlessness. This treasure is used in a traditional sense, where it is given as a gift or reward and symbolic of a warrior's honor and bravery but at the end of the story the meaning…

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Beowulf Summaries Essay

Beowulf - Part 1 The Danish Court and the Raids of Grendel  Hrothgar has a hall that sits on top of a hill; it’s close to heaven and god.  Grendel had killed 30 Danes in the hall, he came when they were drunk and sleeping.  Hrothgar has no equal, he is a peerless hero.  Grendel doesn’t touch Hrothgar. The Coming of Beowulf  Beowulf has a ship built for him  He helps the people, the people love him but they understood why he wants to go  Took one day to get there  Hrothgar is saying…

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Beowulf's Heroic Actions

Within the text of Beowulf, many events lead to heroic actions. One hero in particular, Beowulf, runs into conflicts with many creatures and defeats them all to protect the kingdom and the people within it. Not only does Beowulf show strength, but also loyalty, compassion, bravery, leadership and courage. For some time, the kingdom of Danes enjoyed peace and prosperity. Eventually, one night, Grendel, a demon descended from Cain, emerged from the swampy lowlands to listen to the nightly entertainment…

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Beowulf A Young Warrior In Geat Land Comes To The Scyldings Essay

Beowulf While growing up, I’ve always been fascinated with heroes, which is one reason why I am going into the marines growing up. Beowulf is a hero that have recently studied in my English class who puts his own life in danger for the well-being of other people. Beowulf is also an interesting epic poem to read, that was orally told at first and passed down through generations until eventually it was written down by a monk and recorded so it would never be forgotten or told differently. Furthermore…

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beowulf essay

British Lit Period 5 October 13, 2014 The Roles in Beowulf In every story line there are different roles of each character that live up to in order to exemplify their place in society, whether it’s the role of a hero or the role of a villain. In Beowulf there are many roles for each individual to play in order to make the society as a whole. In the kingdom, a person is going to represent one of the three categories listed: a thane, king, or a monster. The roles played in this story make…

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Literary Analysis Beowulf

drive from afar over the darkening flood” 2808 (Liuzza 2802-2808). In my scholarly opinion, it makes perfect sense that Beowulf is so adamant about seeing the “fruits of his labor” treasure before he passes away and leaves the mortal world. It is important to note that these spoils symbolize the generational bonds of kinship and loyalty. His relief upon Wiglaf showing him the treasure demonstrates his desire to leave something to his people, like a departing gift to show his gratitude for his people…

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beowulf essay

Beowulf essay We are all humans, and we are all responsible to ourselves, but I agree it is our choice to be responsible for other humans. Most humans don’t have a choice, like parents. In the eleventh century epic poem, Beowulf, written by an unknown author, the protagonist Beowulf is a caring soldier. He felts responsible to all his soldiers that were with him. Question is, are we responsible for other humans? And how are the Beowulf characters named Beowulf and Wiglaf reflects the belief about…

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Beowulf Is A Hero Essay

the great Geat leader, Beowulf. In Beowulf’s life, the moments which stood out are when he fought in the three battles. Although Beowulf fought in the battles for fame, eternal glory, to prove himself worthy and to show pride in his name, throughout the battles his perspective changed and as he developed and started to become a true hero as he fought, bravely and fearlessly, for the protection of his people. The first question that comes to everyone's’ mind is, ‘Is Beowulf really a hero?’. This can…

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