Beowulf Essay

How does the text operate and how does that operation help the poet to achieve promotion or complication of the tenants Anglo-Saxon View:  1. Life is a struggle against Wyrd, the inevitable doom of a meaningless fate. 2. Life is transitory. 1. Choose one literary element or device as the operation, for example (but not limited to the following): a) By blending (or juxtaposing or inserting or harmonizing) Christian and pagan elements, the poet supports (or challenges or questions)… b) the interrupted (or non-linear or digressive or fragmented) narrative supports (or complements or calls attention to)… c) the character foils in Beowulf underscore (or reveal or focus attention on)… 2. Determine the aim of the text, for example (but not limited to þe following): a) the A-S value of … b) the view that… c) the complications inherent in (or ambivalence regarding or challenges to)… 3. Support your position with thoughtful discussion of specific passages. Use only your (annotated) copy of the poem and, if you like, other materials and assignments from class. 4. Your argument should demonstrate your understanding of þe entire poem.