Beowulf The Oldest Surviving English Poem - 2174 Words

Kyana Campbell June 16, 2015 World Literature Professor Jacobs Beowulf The epic poem Beowulf is known to be the oldest surviving English poem. It is written Old English or some call it Anglo-Saxon, which is the basis for the language we speak today. Many epics were not originally written down by their authors. Instead, they were memorized and retold or sung by wandering entertainers. Beowulf was written somewhere between the 8th and 11th century, the exact date is unknown and the author of this poem also remains unknown. With Beowulf being the oldest poem in the English language, everything written after it has to come from Beowulf in some way. With that being said, there is a lot to be learned from this poem. In particular, the story of Beowulf covers common themes that we still see in English literature today. Specifically, one major theme that we often see in this poem is Good vs. Evil. Throughout Beowulf there are many battles that Beowulf himself has to take on. This poem gives us a better understanding of the meaning and significance of the theme Good vs. Evil. Beowulf was someone that people viewed to be a superhero. He was a man who went and rescued anyone in need of help. For example, Beowulf sailed to another country to fight a demon and protect a king and his people from continuously being attacked by this monster. Beowulf had no problem risking his own life especially when it was to protect others. This demon that Beowulf was going to face could destroyShow MoreRelatedThe Journies of Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Essay803 Words   |  4 PagesBeowulf vs. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight In the worlds of Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the journeys of two heroes, Beowulf and Sir Gawain, are depicted through the form of poems. The two stories have become two of the most important works of literature in the English history. 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