English Literature Chapter 3 Beowulf, Part I The Daily Planet Revisited A nation without a leader is something like a body without a head. If your nation needed a leader, how would you find him or her? What qualities should this person have? Let s pretend that classified ads had been published in Beowulf s era and look for leaders like Scyld Scefing and Hrothgar. Wanted Warriors: Strong, fierce, renowned. Also must be generous, wise, and kind. References required. Reply in person. Loyalty a plus. We Read Because We Are All Heroes Waiting to Happen Ideal societies must have a great leader. Beowulf, and the world that gave it birth, is no exception to this rule. Scyld Scefing, the great-grandfather of Hrothgar and King of the Danes, arrived as a child asleep on a sail-less ship, surrounded by gold and swords, on top of a sheaf of corn. He came from across the sea. (This is what you call a grand entrance.) Let s face it--its tough to be as a superhero. A lot of us are happy just to get to school or work on time. But as Scyld Scefing came of age, when he shouted, men fell down dead from fright. No one else could lift his sword. All his enemies were too afraid of him to even think about picking a fight. He did everything so right. He even shone at the time of his death by floating off to a pacific eternity on a ship laden with sparkling, golden treasures and a fire blazing to declare his glorious conclusion. 1
It Doesn t Get Any Better than This Imagine for a moment, being in a grand banquet hall majestically sailing through the sky, with all the food and all the drink and top class entertainment your body and soul can absorb. Look around you -- all your companions are heroes or heroines, worthy of friendship and respect. Hearty laughter abounds. The ambience shouts with trumpet-like clarity that Good will conquer Evil (or die trying). There is no question as to what is right and what is wrong, who are friends and who are foes. This is the epic atmosphere that we breathe when we read Beowulf. We almost have to wear child s eyes to enjoy the adventures of Grendel, Hrothgar and Beowulf. It s much like watching a rerun of Power Rangers on TV and getting into it. In our mind s time machine we can wear a doublehorned Medieval battle hat, open the creaking door to our thatched cottage, and enter quickly as wolves howl, winds shriek, and unforgiving night attacks our shriveling courage. There, with a large lard candle that barely stays lit, we settle into a Medieval rocker to read Beowulf (unfortunately, microwave popcorn had not yet been invented). Alone we are, but deep within our mind glows a mystical literary dream world, where our heart is quieted and warmed by the adventures of Beowulf. It is a work for all time and all people. The Plot (or the Swamp) Thickens When Grendel, the swamp monster, first attacked Herot Hall, it was as much a battle of symbols as a creature conquering a building. Why did he do it? Simple. Grendel was evil and resented the happiness Herot Hall represented. King Hrothgar and thirty warriors were celebrating when Grendel pays them a visit. Thirty of Hrothgar s warriors are then killed and eaten. Had Hrothgar questioned the swamp monster as to where his warriors had gone, one reply Grendel might have offered is, Alimentary, my dear Hrothgar. It s a Bird, It s a Plane, No Its Beowulf!!! Grendel ravishes the Banquet Hall for twelve years before the arrival of Beowulf. 2
If Beowulf lived today, he could submit his resume topped with a cover letter--to the potential employer. It might have looked something like this: Dear King Hrothgar: At the urgent request of my people, the Geats, I am applying for the Banquet Hall saving position. They have indicated to me that the omens are good for this venture and that you might be able to use my assistance. You will find great deeds listed under Experience in my resume. As I was born to solve this problem, I look forward to hearing from you! Heroically Yours, Beowulf P.S. Forsooth, one kind favor please--my men and I must fight Grendel alone, as we want all of the glory or humiliation. I pray this request is pleasing to my Lord. PPS Though some may hide behind swords and shields, I shall use no weapons. They are of no use against Grendel. Resumé Beowulf OBJECTIVE To fight and defeat the mighty Grendel, Swamp Monster. EDUCATION Medieval College of Hard Knocks EXPERIENCE Encountered, fought, and conquered the following: Giants, Enemies, and Monsters References For personal and professional references regarding my great strength, please contact the Geats. 3
Tickets Bought from Scalpers Will Be Confiscated In his battle to the death, Beowulf repays the party-crashing Grendel by ripping off his arms at the shoulders (reminiscent of the Black Knight scene in Monte Python and the Holy Grail). Defeated, Grendel escapes to his den to die. May that be a lesson to all uninvited guests. Like Luke Skywalker fighting Darth Vader, the central issue in Beowulf is the struggle between good and evil. Just as the white blood cells in our body constantly attack foreign invaders, so our body s internal battleground is mimicked in literature by parallel events. A personal characteristic that applies to heroes in Anglo-Saxon literature, including Beowulf, is that of superhuman strength. Even though such strength is not credible for a normal human being, literature is that magical land where dreams and reality meet. Our will to survive unleashes a faith to overcome all odds. This invisible hand of reality is Fate or divine predestination. Beowulf and all other superheroes represent the fulfillment of these ideals. The Unwinding of Fate The Anglo-Saxon belief that Fate will unwind as it must! indicates their belief that human life is shaped by destiny. The text indicates that None of the wise ones regretted his [Beowulf s] going confirming that the Geats believed helping Hrothgar was an honorable duty. In a very real way, wisdom becomes the author of Fate. Intelligence, a subset of wisdom, influences Fate in the story as Grendel s intelligence is confirmed by the line the monster s thoughts were as quick as his greed or his claws. The poet attributed Grendel s defeat to God s power. Valor will triumph may best summarize the story of Beowulf. And Now a Word from Our Sponsor It has been said that it is not what you do, what you follow up that counts. So, here s the wrap (before the final commercial--and homework--break). Powerful parallels run through Anglo-Saxon culture and Beowulf. Life was not a bowl of cherries in those days. Anglo-Saxons were a warrior race-- 4
fierce and cruel. It was a blessing for us that someone took time from hitting, stabbing, and drinking to write Beowulf. They loved to feast and entertain (eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow you may die and die they did). The people drank a large quantity of mead the fermented drink made from water and honey. Loyalty was of highest importance friend forever, enemy forever (though you have to wonder what would happen if they became angry with a friend). Fame, honor and glory could only be obtained on the battlefield no guts, no glory. Leaders were chosen based on their generosity and battle savvy. WYRD or Fate ruled. One could easily see how these thoughts could quickly become self-fulfilling prophecies. Carpe Diem We are fortunate today that fame, honor and glory can be gained by ways other than by gory battlefield theatrics. If Beowulf lived today, who would he (or she) be? Who would be your choice? Hillary Clinton? Martin Luther King, Jr.? Stephen Hawking? Mother Teresa? Or maybe you, the reader, in dreams yet to be fulfilled. 5