So Men Should be When Needed. An essay about the allegorical concepts in "Beowulf", with kinship in the forefront

Essay by Buckeye00830High School, 11th gradeA+, March 2006

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Allegory is defined the representation of abstract ideas or principles by characters, figures, or events in narrative or dramatic form. Abstract ideas or principles can be anything, from the evil potential in man to God's greatness. Allegory and ambiguity often go hand and hand, because just like two people cannot agree on whether the glass is half empty or half full, an allegorical concept can be taken many different ways. As an Anglo-Saxon epic, the story of Beowulf is not only full of ambiguity but an ocean of allegorical ideas, evident in the settings, objects, actions, events and characters that the ancient bard created over a thousand years ago. Although the story is traditionally told in a polytheistic manner, the monk who recorded the story added a few of his own monotheistic ideas to the fray. The result is a mastery of biblical allusions and imagery that has immortalized the image of an archetype hero.

More importantly, the main allegorical theme of the story remains to this day: the strength of kinship.

This story of "Beowulf" starts in the mead-hall of King Hrothgar, setting an image of kinship. Imagine a hall full of sweaty, burly men gathering around a scop, drinking mead and talking in grunts and nods. Can you think of a more touching seen? Probably, but not the point. The bard is setting the stage for the story, weaving his spell around his attentive crowd like Harry Potter. These men have known each other, fought together, and have suffered together. The bard tells us, "The keeper of the mead came carrying out the carved flasks, and poured that bright sweetness. A poet sang, from time to time, in a clear pure voice. Danes and visiting Geats celebrated as one, drank and rejoiced." (P, lines 227-232) Together, the...