Beowulf Group

Question:

puffys
puffys
Student
College - Sophomore

who is scyld? where does he comes from? where does he go? what does he do?why does the poem begin here rather that with hrothgar and Grendel?

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Posted by puffys on Sunday September 7, 2008 at 9:24 PM and tagged with beowulf.

Answers:

  1. whitsky
    whitsky Teacher
    High School - 12th Grade

    Scyld is an aged king who was known for his strength in battle and his fearless leadership.  The beginning of Beowulf begins with a complete description of his accomplishments in battle and the unknown journey he is embarking on since his death.  He is aboard a ship, sitting upright (symbolic of his journey into the unknown afterlife and the things awaiting him), awaiting his arrivial into the afterlife.  The poem has circular structure as it begins and ends with the story of an aged king, and it sets the tone for what type of leader Beowulf must be in order to defeat Grendel.  He must be a man who is also fearless and powerful in battle as well as a man free from greed and pride. 

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    Posted by whitsky on Sunday September 7, 2008 at 10:05 PM

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