Heroic Identity in the World of BeowulfReaders of Beowulf have noted inconsistencies in Beowulf's depiction, as either heroic or reckless. "Heroic Identity in the World of Beowulf" resolves this tension by emphasizing Beowulf's identity as a foreign fighter seeking glory abroad. Such men resemble "wreccan," "exiles" compelled to leave their homelands due to excessive violence. Beowulf may be potentially arrogant, therefore, but he learns prudence. This native wisdom highlights a king's duty to his warband, in expectation of Beowulf's future rule. The dragon fight later raises the same question of incompatible identities, hero versus king. In frequent reference to Greek epic and Icelandic saga, this revisionist approach to Beowulf offers new interpretations of flyting rhetoric, the custom of "men dying for their lord," and the poem's digressions. |
Contents
Introduction A Contested Beowulf | 1 |
Chapter One The Wisdom Context of the SigemundHeremod and Hunfero Digressions | 59 |
Chapter Two The Foreign Beowulf and the Fight at Finnsburh | 135 |
Chapter Three The Rhetoric of Oferhygd in Hroogars Sermon | 181 |
Chapter Four Beowulf s Dragon Fight and the Appraisal of Oferhygd | 239 |
Chapter Five King Beowulf and Ealdormonn Byrhtnoo | 311 |
Conclusion | 351 |
Bibliography Indices | 375 |
Index of Passages Cited from Old English Verse Texts | 397 |
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Common terms and phrases
accusation action alleged ambition Anglo-Saxon appears argued argument arrogance attack audience battle become behavior Beowulf Byrhtnoð’s called characters Christian claim concludes context critics curse Danes Danish death deeds describes digression dragon fight duty enemy episode evidence evil exile expectation explains expression fact failing Finn Finnsburh first Geats Germanic giants glory God’s Grendel Hengest Heremod hero heroic heroism Hill honor Hroðgar Hunferð Ibid ideal imagine implies intended interpretation judgment killing kind king kingship lines lives lord loyalty Maldon means mind moral motivation narrator never observes oferhygd ofermod Old English one’s pagan parallels passage poem poet poet’s position possible potential present pride proposed question reading reason reckless refers reflects remarks represents responsibility retainers says seems sense Sigemund situation social story suggests sword thought tion tradition translated treasure vengeance verse Vikings virtue warband warrior Wiglaf wisdom wrecca þæt