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The Epic, Now and Then Within the scope of this research, we will elaborate on how epic has transformed over the centuries. While ancient epic literature was abundant with heroes, Gods, and monsters, contemporary epic is quite different. The most striking difference between contemporary and ancient epic is the appearance of so-called mock epic, a form of contemporary literature that has all of the elements of epic, however in reality mocks it. In this report, we will compare Beowulf, an ancient epic, to The Rape of the Lock, a contemporary mock epic to see the differences between them that would show how the epic has changed over the course of years. Beowulf begins with the story of the first king in the Danish dynasty, Scyld Sceafing. (Bjork 995) The king was abandoned as a baby and later went on become a successful, powerful leader of the Danish people.
Following the death of Scyld Sceafing, his son Beowulf (not the Beowulf of this story) becomes ruler of the Spear-Danes and much like his father, Beowulf is respected and beloved by his subjects. After a reign of many years, Beowulf dies and his son Healfdene inherits the throne. Healfdene fathers four children including Heorogar, Hrothgar, and Half. Hrothgar succeeds his father and after achieving much glory and fame as ruler of the Danes, he decides to build a great mead hall as a monument to his success and symbol of his greatness. He names it Heorot. After the completion of Heorot, Hrothgar holds a banquet for his subjects where scop's sing of the creation of the Earth by God and the Danes celebrate the peaceful, festive times in which they live.
After the festivities continue for many years, the singing and music awakens an evil, part-human monster named Grendel who is a descendant of the biblical Cain. (McFadden 630) Angered by the noise and apparent happiness of the Danes, Grendel travels to Heorot at night when the soldiers within are sound asleep after their day celebrations. Grendel kills thirty warriors and escapes into the night satisfied with his evil deed. Hrothgar is deeply saddened by the deaths and fears the attack may be the beginning of a long war with the monster. When news of the Danes' troubles reaches Geatland, Beowulf, thane of Hygelac, gathers fourteen of his strongest, bravest men to voyage across the seas to help Hrothgar and his people. Upon arriving, Beowulf and his men are greeted by a Danish coast guard sentinel. The sentinel is alarmed to see armed men approaching the Danish coast and directly asks Beowulf to state his business.
The guard is clearly impressed by the Get's armor and weapons and conveys his respect for the noble men. (Bjork 1016) Beowulf informs the soldier that he and his men are followers of Hygelac from the clan of the Geat's and explains that he is the son of Ecgtheow, a respected and renowned leader known throughout the land. Beowulf explains that he has come to help Hrothgar and the Danes. After learning that the Get's intentions are noble, the guard agrees to escort the men to Hrothgar. (McFadden 633) Wulfgar, a Danish soldier and advisor to Hrothgar, interrupts the men's journey to see Hrothgar and interrogates them about their identity and intentions. Beowulf introduces himself and explains his purpose.
Wulfgar, impressed by Beowulf's confidence and the appearance of his men, welcomes the visitors and encourages Hrothgar to meet them. To prepare for the confrontation, Beowulf expresses his confidence in God, removes his armor, and relinquishes his weapons. Beowulf's men, who do not share his confidence, join him in retiring to bed to await the monster's arrival. After breaking down the door, Grendel enters the hall and immediately seizes one of the sleeping Get warriors and dismembers and consumes him. Beowulf rushes to attack. He firmly grasps Grendel's arm and the creature instantly realizes the strength of his attacker.
As Grendel tries to escape, his deafening shrieks frighten the Danes outside the hall. The Get warriors, now awakened by the battle, rush to Beowulf's defense but find their weapons useless due to a spell cast on their swords by Grendel. In the struggle to escape, the monster loses his arm to Beowulf's mighty grip. Aware that his wound is fatal, Grendel retreats into the night to die. To commemorate his victory, Beowulf places the arm on the wall of the mead hall and the triumphant Beowulf celebrates his victory. (McFadden 639) Upon learning of Beowulf's victory, Danish warriors travel to the hall to view the monster's severed arm and follow the monster's footprints from the hall to the boiling, steaming swamp which has become his grave.
Hrothgar enters the hall to see the arm and is beside himself with gratitude. (Russom 11) He exclaims that he will henceforth consider Beowulf a son and will provide him with whatever earthly possessions he should desire. Beowulf tells of his struggle with Grendel and asserts his belief that the monster will suffer in Hell for his crimes against the Danes. Damage to Heorot done during the struggle is repaired and the hall is prepared for a great banquet to celebrate the death of Grendel and the end of his reign of terror. As the Geat's travel to their ship with their treasures, they again meet the coast guard sentinel who wishes the men well and assures them that their homecoming will be greatly anticipated by their friends in Geatland. (McFadden 645) Beowulf rewards the kind words with the gift of a sword and the men board their ship. Upon returning home, Beowulf gives the treasure to Hygelac, Beowulf's lord. In a war with the Swedish king Ongentheow, the new king is killed and Beowulf agrees to take his place on the throne.
Ready for battle, Beowulf instructs the thief who had stolen the dragon's cup to lead he and twelve warriors to the dragon's lair. As the warriors reach the cave, Beowulf becomes fearful that his strength may have deteriorated in his old age and begins to fear that the battle with the dragon could bring about his death. His sorrow is compounded by his telling of the story of the death of Herebald. He explains that Herebald, the eldest son of Beowulf's adoptive father, was accidentally killed by an arrow fired by one of Herebald's other sons. Beowulf regrets the inability of his beloved father to ever avenge the death of his son. As if sensing that his death is at hand, Beowulf continues to tell stories of his past and relives battles with his companions in which he achieved glorious success. (Bjork 1019) He then bids farewell to his fellow warriors and enters the dragon's cave to meet his fate.
The dragon attacks and Beowulf finds his specially made iron shield is little protection against the dragon's breath of fire. Beowulf strikes the dragon with his sword but finds the dragon's scale armor too strong to fatally wound the beast. Wiglaf, one of the warriors outside the cave, realizes the peril which faces Beowulf and berates his fellow warriors for failing to assist their king. He prepares for battle and rushes to the hero's aid. The dragon responds with a burst of flames, which destroys Wiglaf's wooden shield. (Russom 13) After Beowulf's sword breaks in the battle, the dragon advances upon the wounded hero and strikes him in the neck with his poisonous fangs. Wiglaf skillfully strikes the dragon below the head where the dragon is defenseless and pierces the beast's skin.
Realizing the dragon has been injured, Beowulf quickly slices the belly of the beast with his dagger, delivering a mortal wound to his mighty foe. Wiglaf treats the wounds of the hero, but Beowulf knows he will soon die. He reflects on the worthiness of his accomplishments and asks to see the treasure he has gained in his struggle with the dragon. Wiglaf brings the treasure to Beowulf and the hero admires the immense fortune he has gained for his people. Beowulf orders the construction of a monument to honor his greatness and achievements. He then praises Wiglaf for his courage, gives him the helmet necklace, and armor he is wearing, and dies.
As the Get warriors return from the woods where they had run in cowardice, Wiglaf scolds them for abandoning their king who had armed them with superior weapons for the fight. He exclaims that they will be forever known as traitors and cowards. Wiglaf sends word of the outcome of the battle to the Get soldiers awaiting the news. As the messenger informs the warriors of the death of Beowulf, he conveys his belief that their enemies will assuredly take advantage of the news and attack.
The messenger tells of the many conflicts that have existed in the violent history of the Geat's and predicts the conflict may begin again with unfortunate death of their king. The warriors travel to the cave to see the corpses of Beowulf and the dragon. After placing shields, helmets, and armor around Beowulf's funeral pyre, the great king is cremated to the crying of...
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Research essay sample on Mock Epic Mead Hall
