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If you don't really want to study Beowulf at all, then maybe you are considering buying your essay on the Internet. www.BeowulfEssays.com offers essays for sale. Here is an excerpt from their "About the Poem" page:

It is Beowulf's pride,--- his excessive seeking after worldly satisfaction,--- against which Hrothgar specifically warns when he speaks of the man who is so concerned with getting (worldly goods and honor) that he forgets that his part in the world will come to an end.

It is a prideful act that ultimately brings Beowulf to confrontation with a dragon. The dragon is caught up in revenge for the act of stealing a single cup by a slave who then gives the cup to Beowulf. It is the pride inherent in the acceptance of worldly goods, as symbolized by the cup, that brings Beowulf to battle with dragon. Again, in his pride, he believes he is able to do battle on his own without assistance from mortals or Gods. It seems almost fitting that the dragon and Beowulf should end their days together inasmuch as their lives paralleled each other's to a degree. The dragon and Beowulf are both in their decline, have lived lives of acquiring goods and honors (fear for the dragon is an honor equal to Beowulf's being King). The people speak of the King and the Dragon according to their feats and acquisitions - in other words, Beowulf and the dragon are both seen as basking in the pride of their accomplishments and also relying on the past glories rather than on the counsel of God to bring them continued victories. Neither succeeds - as seen in the advice given to Beowulf by Hrothgar.

Are these people kidding?

If you read Beowulf, and get the impression that Beowulf is too proud for his own good, then you are not paying attention to what you read. While it is true the Hrothgar speaks to Beowulf about how to be a good leader, it was definitely not a foreshadowing of the fact the Beowulf would in fact turn out to be a bad king, or too proud. Where do people get this stuff? Surely their English professors are not feeding it to them, are they?

The dragon and Beowulf were both just doing their jobs. The dragon's job was to guard treasure. Beowulf's job was to defend his people. There is no indication in this story that the dragon had any sort of evil intent. Dragons guard treasure, and this one noticed that someone had stolen a cup, so he flew around burning things up, which is what dragons do when they are angry about something. Although we might imagine that Beowulf would realize that dragons have a job to do, he couldn't very well just sit around while everything was destroyed, so he had to put a stop to what the dragon was doing. There is no bad guy in the story about Beowulf and the dragon (except perhaps for the 10 guys who ran into the woods).

What about the symbolic meaning of the cup? Does it mean "pride inherent in the acceptance of worldly goods", as the passage above says? I hardly think so. Beowulf does not accept the cup because he is looking for treasure. The slave who took it wasn't even looking for worldly goods: he was trying to find a way to keep his owner from getting pissed off at him, and he was hoping that the cup would make an appropriate goodwill offering. Imagine the scene: a dragon burns down Beowulf's house, and a bunch of other stuff; Beowulf says to his people, "What the hell is going on here?"; someone says "Lothar Stonehenge over there found a huge pile of gold and stuff in a cave, and he took a cup with jewels on it, and the dragon who was guarding the cave is pissed off"; Beowulf says "Hey, Lothar, get over here. What is this business about a cup? What the hell were you thinking?" There was no sense that Beowulf was asking to have the cup because he liked the way it looked, or because he sought worldly goods.

Now, I must admit, it could be argued that Beowulf should have tried to negotiate with the dragon, and offered to give the cup back in return for having no more destruction. I guess you could argue that it was a bit of a macho move for him to just go in there shouting at the dragon and calling him out of his cave. But remember that we get no sense that the dragon was acting out of any particular sort of reasoning. The flying around and burning things up seems more like an instinctive reaction. Negotiating with a dragon to stop his flame-throwing might be like negotiating with a shark to keep him away from a public beach.

So, I see no evidence that this bit of pedantic rambling offered at www.BeowulfEssays.com makes any sense at all.

But, if you want to pay $50 or so for more of this crap, then that is up to you. Here is the list of the essays they have for sale at www.BeowulfEssays.com. The cost is $10 per page, plus $1 per essay for delivery by email. Do yourself a favor, and write the essay yourself.

Beowulf: Pagan or Christian Hero?
A 5 page paper examining whether Beowulf is as much a Christian as he claims. There are numerous pagan references throughout the epic, including among them monsters, sorcery and drinking of blood. Had Beowulf been truly Christian in his convictions, he would have understood that he would have no need of treasure after leaving this earth. Rather than allow the captured treasure to be used for the benefit of others after his death, he insisted that it be buried with him. Beowulf was a pagan hero. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

[This is a joke, right? Nowhere in the story does Beowulf claim to be a Christian. He also does not seek treasure. And the only one who drinks blood is Grendel, who is not even human. The only sorcery in the story is the magic spell that keeps weapons from harming Grendel. Wouldn't "pagan references" refer to people drinking blood and doing sorcery? The one who says that the treasure should be buried is Wiglaf's messenger, not Beowulf.]
The Legend of Beowulf
Beowulf is one of the earliest renditions of the heroic tradition. Probably set in 8th century England, it tells the tale of the classic Hero: Beowulf. It fulfills the requirements for a tale of heroic proportions and in the heroic tradition. The element of historical validity imbues it with the attributes associated with classic legend. This 5 page paper explores the tale of Beowulf with an emphasis on its status as a legend. No additional sources are listed.

[Wrong again. The story is not set in 8th century England. It is set at the beginning of the 6th century, in Denmark and Sweden. Homer is much earlier than Beowulf, which means that Beowulf is not even close to being one of the earliest renditions of the heroic tradition.]
Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
A 5 page paper that discusses the difference between the two heroes in these works. Beowulf and Gawain both represent the characteristics of heroes, but both demonstrate them in different ways. While Beowulf fights his battles to achieve fame and glory, Gawain battles the Green Knight in service to Arthur. There personal characteristics determine the outcomes of the works. Bibliography lists 3 source.
Beowulf, Sundiata, and Heroism in the Epic Tradition
A 5 page paper comparing Beowulf, the oldest work in English literature, with an African epic, Sundiata. The paper concludes that the two works define heroism differently; while Beowulf is interested primarily in promoting himself as a valiant warrior, with Sundiata the emphasis is always on his people. Bibliography lists four sources.

[Who says that Beowulf promotes himself as a valiant warrior rather than protecting his people? He risked his life (twice) to save Hrothgar's people, and he gave up his life to save his own people. Beowulf is not primarily concerned with self-promotion, but you have to give him a bit of leeway to psych himself up for battling monsters. I'll bet that if you spent several days and nights swimming in full armor (or perhaps rowing, as Ben Slade suggests), and killing seven sea monsters, and then you tore the arm off of a monster that had terrorized a community for twelve years, you would feel pretty valiant, too.]
The Character of Hrothgar in Beowulf
A 3 page essay in which the writer analytically presents Hrothgar as the most 'human' character in the epic 'Beowulf.' It is posited that while Hrothgar does indeed have all of the qualities necessary for greatness, he is the one character with whom we can most identify. Also examined is Hrothgar's relationship with Beowulf and the fact that while he has wisdom, Hrothgar lacks courage. No Bibliography.

[Hrothgar lacks courage? Since when?]
Kingship And Downfall In Beowulf And Lear
A 5 page paper comparing Beowulf and Shakespeare's King Lear in terms of the protagonists' deaths at the end of their respective works of literature. The paper observes that Beowulf's overconfidence caused him to die precisely as he wanted -- a hero -- while Lear's vanity caused him to die a tragic and humbled death. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

[There is no evidence in the poem that Beowulf was over-confident in his fight with the dragon.]
Beowulf and The Poem of the Cid: Epic Legends
A legend is a story that has probable historical roots but has been told and retold, embellished and personalized to the individual and their culture. The hero in a legend is generally larger than life. Legends are often narrative and present a theme or problem that was central to the development of the time period. Heroic tradition is, simply stated, the ages old pattern of story that begins with a hero in unusual circumstances, the search or quest, the transformation of the Hero and a resolution. Beowulf, an epic poem of Old English origins, and The Poem of the Cid, an eleventh-century epic poem from Spain, are both considered legends from the oral tradition that mirror the developmental stages of their culture. This 5 page paper explores the tale of Beowulf and the Poem of the Cid with an emphasis on their status as legend based on the shared concepts of a hero on a quest and the theme as reflective of the stage of development of feudalism. No additional sources are listed.

[There is no good evidence that the story of Beowulf was "told and retold, embellished and personalized to the individual and their culture". Kevin Kiernan provides strong arguments in favor of a composition of Beowulf in the early eleventh century, rather than as an oral poem passed down through the centuries.]
Beowulf: The Connections with Rap
A 6 page discussion of the connection of the similarities of the epic tale of Beowulf with contemporary rap culture. Contends that, while there are no evolutionary connections between these two styles, there is a striking similarity between these two cultures even though they are separated by both time and geography. While the target of the violence and the causes and consequences of that violence is certainly different, the protagonist's braggadocio in Beowulf is a reflection of the culture of today's rappers. Bibliography lists 1 source.

[Actually, this one sounds to me like it might have promise.]
Beowulf, Sir Gawain, and Prince Hamlet on the Nature of Man
A 6 page paper which presents a creative dialogue between Beowulf, Sir Gawain and Prince Hamlet, in which the trio are sitting in a pub and argue about the nature of man, considering his purpose on earth, his challenges and the best way to meet those challenges, with an ultimate conflict resolution. Each argument will be presented in the context of the fictional character, citing appropriate quotes from the epic poem, "Beowulf," the narrative romantic poem, "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight," and William Shakespeare’s tragedy, "Hamlet." Bibliography lists 3 sources.

[Another cool idea. I would like to read this one sometime.]
Beowulf
A 4 page (detailed) analytical discussion of the classic English epic poem - 'Beowulf.' No Bibliography.

[This essay will cost you at least $40. Do you really want to buy it based on this description? How detailed can it be if it is only 4 pages long? You could do a detailed analysis of the killing by archers of the sea-creature in Grendel's mother's mere that would take more than 4 pages.]
New Historicism And Raffel's 'Beowulf'
5 pages in length. The writer discusses the concept of New Historicism and then applies it to Raffel's Beowulf. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

[I am no expert on New Historicism, but it seems to me that the problem with putting Beowulf into its historical context would be in first determining when it was composed: in the eighth century, before the Danish raids; in the early eleventh century, before Cnut; or after Cnut and before the Norman invasion. If you believe Kevin Kiernan, then it is after Cnut and before William, but you get a different essay if you put it before Cnut.]
Beowulf vs. Achilles
A 6 page paper comparing the characters of Beowulf and Achilles (Greek mythology for Achilles). Shows basic similarities in their actions, but very different motivations. Bibliography lists a total of four sources (including the two primary ones).
Beowulf and 'Tristan and Isolde'
An 8 page comparison of the Old English epic poem Beowulf and the thirteenth century romance, 'Tristan and Isolde.' The writer endeavors to demonstrate how each of these works demonstrated the culture and ideas of their era. No additional sources cited.
Gilgamesh and Beowulf
A 7 page paper which discusses several aspects of the stories "Gilgamesh" and "Beowulf" as they involve heroism, good, evil, and general intent. No additional sources cited.

[$70. Write your own essay instead.]
Christianity In Beowulf
The transition from Pagan to Christian beliefs was not accomplished quickly nor was it always obvious. Major changes in the social order such as that which accompanied Christianity were seen in the social, political and economic realms as well as in the arts before it was generally accepted. This 5 page paper argues that the writing of Beowulf is one such example of how a newer social reality is reflected in the cultural associations before it is widely accepted within the social structure, hence both Christian and Pagan perspectives may apply. Bibliography lists 11 sources.

[This one could be good, but it is hard to tell from the description.]
The Heroic Code, as Examined in the Epic Poem, "Beowulf"
A 6 page paper which examines how the heroic code is interpreted in the epic poem, "Beowulf," particularly in terms of the search for earthly glory, and the expression of the heroic ideal within the actions and the words of the characters. Bibliography lists 2 sources.
Contrasting Beowulf’s Battles With Grendel (and His Mother) and the Dragon
A 5 page paper which contrasts Beowulf’s battles with Grendel, his mother and the dragon in the epic Medieval poem to determine what instigated each, the hero’s motivations for each battle, and the purpose served by the dragon. Bibliography lists 8 sources.
Grendel's Mother in Beowulf
This 5 page paper explores this significant character in the old epic poem Beowulf. Her point of view is the main focus of this paper. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

[I'm not sure where the author of this one got their material. We do not learn much about Grendel's mother's point of view in the story, beyond the fact that she was descended from Cain, that no-one ever saw Grendel's father, that she would have known that Grendel was causing trouble at Heorot, that she lived in a cave at the bottom of the mere, and that she would have been pissed off when Beowulf tore Grendel's arm off, leaving her alone and childless.]
The Significance of the Creatures Grendel, Grendel's Mother and the Dragon in "Beowulf"
A 5 page paper which examines the significance of the creatures Grendel, Grendel's mother and the dragon in the heroic conflict featured in the Medieval epic, "Beowulf." No additional sources are used.
"Romeo And Juliet," "Beowulf," "The Epic Of Gilgamesh" And "The Odyssey": Demonstration Of Epic Qualities That Aristotle Imitates
5 pages in length. Aristotle shares a number of literary characteristics with some of the greatest stories ever told. His epics imitate such classics as "Beowulf," "The Odyssey," "The Epic of Gilgamesh" and "Romeo and Juliet" in his quest to substantiate the quality of his own historic epics. No additional sources cited.
How Beowulf is the Personification of "the Happy Warrior"
A 5 page paper which examines the hero in the epic poem, "Beowulf" in relation to the following quote: "Who is the happy Warrior? Who is he that every man in arms should wish to be? It is the generous spirit, who, when brought upon the plan that pleased his childish thought: Whose high endeavors are an inward light that makes the path before him always bright: Who, with a natural instinct to discern what knowledge can perform, is diligent to learn." No additional sources are used.
Insight into People Contained in "Beowulf"
A 5 page paper arguing that this first poem in the English language continues to have relevance today, based on the insights into human nature contained within it. The paper discusses the death of Grendel, Grendel's mother's reaction and the state of mourning at Beowulf's funeral. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

[This one might be good. If I didn't think that this story was relevant today I wouldn't have spent 500+ hours setting up this website.]
The Role of Women in Beowulf and The Romance of Tristan
This 5 page paper considers the nature of the role of women in Beowulf and The Romance of Tristan and assesses how women are both expendable and centralized in these examples of medieval literature. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

[This seems to be a popular theme for Beowulf essays. Everyone wants to say something about the women in the story. I would love to read an essay in which someone had an original thought on this matter.]
Beowulf & Song of Roland
A 5 page analysis and comparison between the two epic poems Beowulf and Song of Roland. The writer focuses on the way that each heroic figure met death at the end of their respective poems. No additional sources cited.
The Theme of Courtly Love in "Beowulf," "The Romance of Tristan," "Troilus and Criseyde," and "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight"
This 6 page report discusses four classic works of the medieval timeframe and the concept of courtly love. Chaucer’s Troilus and Criseyde, Beroul’s The Romance of Tristan, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight by the mysterious "Gawain-Poet," and Beowulf each shows the reader that it is important to understand that it was the subjective presentation of either the lovers’ ardor for one another and their concern regarding other people in their lives that essentially reconstructed the code of courtly love into what ultimately became one of the most important influences in Western literature. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

[What the hell does this description mean? If this essay is as bad as this description, then it sounds like $60 down the drain to me.]
Beowulf -- A modern perspective
A 5 page research paper that examines the Old English epic poem Beowulf. The writer presents an examination of the society of Beowulf by discussing how Beowulf might have steered the development of society based on the values illustrated in the poem. Bibliography lists 5 sources.
A Critical Evaluation of the Beowulf Hero
A 3 page paper which examines whether Beowulf should be regarded as a Christian or pagan hero. Bibliography lists 7 sources.

[This is probably the most popular topic for Beowulf essays. Pick a different topic.]
Family Ties in Beowulf
A 5 page paper analyzing the way the author of this anonymous early-medieval poem views the ties of family and kinship. The paper concludes that the poem's author considered valor and nobility to have a genetic component, and felt that a person of noble blood bore an extra measure of responsibility for his people. Bibliography lists 1 source.

[This is a good idea for an essay. I wonder whether it is actually well-written.]
'Beowulf' & Joseph Conrad's 'Heart of Darkness' / Heroism
A 5 page paper comparing these two works in terms of their conceptions of heroism. The paper concludes that both authors share a sense that true heroism has a spiritual component that goes beyond fame and power. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

[This one might be good.]
Beowulf / An Overview
A 5 page paper about the Old English epic. The writer provides an overview of the story and then analyzes its importance to contemporary readers today. No additional sources cited.
Beowulf & Gawain / The Role of Women
A 5 page paper examining the way the anonymous authors of these two early works deal with the presence of women in their tales. The paper notes that in both cases, women function as forces of primal but somehow irrational passion that need to be 'smoothed over' and subjugated by men in order for the world to function in top form. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

[None of the women in the Beowulf story need to be "smoothed over" or "subjugated", and they are not "irrational". I can't imagine where the author of this essay gets that idea.]
The Characterization of Grendel in "Beowulf"
A five page paper looking at the degree to which Grendel can be attributed human motivations and personal characteristics. The paper asserts that he cannot; he simply represents that which is dark and bestial in us all. No other sources.
Leadership in 'Beowulf' and 'Gilgamesh'
A five page paper looking at the way these two very ancient stories develop the concept of leadership. The paper concludes that both epics place equal emphasis on the dual requirements of valor and service as basic components of leadership. No additional sources.

[This one might be good, too.]
Beowulf/ Symbolism and Allegory
A 5 page research paper and analysis of the Anglo-Saxon Old English epic poem. The writer explores aspects of the symbolism and allegory used in the poem, such as the symbolism behind the Danish great hall. Bibliography lists 5 sources.
Digressions in Beouwulf.
(5 pp). Digressions in Beowulf serve as "verbal doorways" which link the story and praise of Beowulf, to the larger picture of the Scandinavian world. The role of the scop or keeper of the tales will also be discussed.

[This is a good topic. The digressions are an important point of the Beowulf story.]
Hero and Anti Hero: Beowulf and Grendel
(5 pp) Poetry is a vital element of any culture. It holds the heart, and some would say the soul of the community, or the culture at large. Not much remains of Anglo Saxon poetry. About 10% of about 30,000 lines form the story of Beowulf, an epic hero's journey set in Denmark and Sweden, in the seventh century. Grendel on the other hand is a modern creation by John Gardner, who is basically saying, "enough of this hero stuff -wait 'til you hear about the monster!" Bibliography lists 4 sources.
Raffel's "Beowulf": The Anglo-Saxon Dramatic Society
5 pages in length. When examining Burton Raffel's Beowulf and the reflection is has upon the Anglo-Saxon dramatic society, one can readily detect a strong sense of New Historicism to its overall presence. When applying New Historicism to Raffel's Beowulf, it is easy to do so with regard to content and the overall prevailing genre of that time. The multi-faceted concepts of heroes, monsters, blood, victory and death all relate heavily to the one-sided notion that historical accounts have offered throughout the ages. Incorporating New Historicism into the aspects of Beowulf helps the reader to gain a better understanding of why such demonstrative action took place so readily, as well as reinforces the concepts of chivalry and honor. No additional sources cited.

[Sounds sort of pedantic to me.]
Presentation of Kingships in Medieval Literature
A 7 page paper presenting the role taken by the medieval king in such works as Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. The writer depicts the father-son relationship that existed between a king and his warriors. Bibliography lists three sources.
Christianity And Medieval Civilization
A 6 page paper tracing three specific Christian precepts through the Confessions of St. Augustine, Beowulf, the Song of Roland, and Dante's Divine Comedy. The paper suggests that cultures which were not obsessed with warfare and self-defense fared better at incorporating Christian tenets into their behavioral patterns. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

[If this paper is well-researched, then it might be very interesting to read.]
A Comparison of Beowulf Translations
A 6 page paper which compares two translations of Beowulf. The translations are by Lucien Dean Pearson and Seamus Heaney. Bibliography lists 3 additional sources.

[I hope that the author of this one can read the Late West Saxon literary dialect in which the Beowulf story is written, because if he can't, then how is he going to spend 6 pages saying anything intelligent about how the Heaney and Pearson translations compare?]
The Characteristic of Masculinity and Its Problematic Nature
This 13 page paper considers the characteristics of masculinity presented in Beowulf, Marie de France and Chaucer's Troilus and Criseyde and assesses the implications of these characteristics in terms of the problematic developments in each work. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

[$130. I hope it is a good one.]
Beowulf the Hero
This 5 page paper considers how and why Beowulf can be considered a hero. The paper argues that it is more than deeds that marks a hero, but also the way in which they behave and relate to others. The paper uses quotes form the text to support this argument, going on to apply it to the modern world. The MLA style bibliography cites 1 source.
The Epic of "Forrest Gump"
A 2 page paper discussing the form of the book and movie. Forrest's trusting nature, lack of guile and ability to focus only on the best in the individuals he loved combined to create a truly legendary character, and the events of his life gave views of the society in which he lived. Some found him to be unrealistic and difficult to appreciate, but many more came away from their exposure to Forrest Gump with a new perspective more common after reading Beowulf or Paradise Lost than after merely seeing a movie. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

[They put this essay in their Beowulf category?]
Demons In Beowulf
The tale of Beowulf is interesting in both it's context and content. This 12 page paper argues that Beowulf and Hrothgar are presented as 'doubles' of the Christian belief, just as Heorot is meant to be a double for the Christian concept of heaven. The use of the uncanny and doubling technique is defined in terms of a demonic process of displacing evil from the leader to the follower and in the chaos that results from the experience of the uncanny. Bibliography lists 11 sources.

[Heorot is a double for the Christian concept of Heaven? Since when are the people in Heaven terrorized and eaten by monsters?]
Ambition
5 pages in length. The writer discusses the concept of ambition by utilizing Burton Raffel's "Beowulf," Gabriel Garcia Marquez's "Balthazar's Marvelous Afternoon" and Jose Armas' "A Delicate Balance." Bibliography lists 3 sources.
How Values of Societies Are Mirrored in Classical Literary Works "Epic of Gilgamesth, "Antigone," "Beowulf," and Plato's "Apology," "Crito," "Euthyphro," and "Phaedo"
A 9.5 page paper which examines how these works discuss issues of right and wrong; strong and weak; religion and politics; the role of women; and the attitudes of the Mesopotamians, Greeks and Western Europeans on courage, wisdom, and death. There is also an evaluation as to which of the heroes considered are most appealing, and which are the most difficult with which to identify. No additional sources are used.

[Pretty ambitious subject matter. I wonder if it is any good.]
Ancient Societies; Greece, Rome and the World of Beowulf
This 5 page paper examines the similarities and differences of the people and societies of these three different times. In considering their expectations and the social structure the student will understand some of the contrasting elements in these societies. The bibliography cites 7 sources.
Gender in Beowulf and Malory's Morte Darthur
This 7 page paper looks at both works and supports the view that one similarity is the use of gender. In both works, the authors disparage the female gender in order to elevate the male. The kings in each of these works are discussed in depth. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

[The author of Beowulf does not disparage women in order to elevate men. The premise of this essay is stupid.]
A Focus on Suffering in Literature During the Medieval Period
This 5 page paper evaluates "Beowulf" and "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" for common themes and ultimately proves that both works address the condition of human suffering. Many other themes are explored including the use of the supernatural and the importance of social status. No additional sources cited.
Oral Tradition of Poetry: Epic Form
A 7 page paper which discusses the oral tradition of poetry as it involves the epic poem. The primary focus of the paper is on Beowulf, which serves as the classic epic poem. Bibliography lists 7 sources.
Comparison of Two Societies
This 5 page paper compares the society as it appears in the Mediaeval work Beowulf to that of Ancient Greece. Expectations that the societies have for its citizens are discussed. Bibliography lists 7 sources.
The Pride Of Beowulf
The tale of Beowulf is interesting in both it's context and content. The poet seems to parallel the pagan Germanic past with the pre-Christian world of the Old Testament with the aim of demonstrating the prefiguration of the Christian world in his native heritage. This is reflected in Hrothgar's advice to Beowulf to protect himself from bealonid by choosing eternal counsel. This 5 page paper argues that it is Beowulf's pride, his excessive seeking after worldly satisfaction, against which Hrothgar specifically warns and which conquers Beowulf in the end. No additional sources are listed.

[The author of this essay has obviously never read Beowulf. The premise of this essay is full of the kind of stuff that people who are unfamiliar with the story always say.]
Heroes: Beowulf and Jesus
Our challenge in this 5 page discussion is to compare two different heroes: one is an earthly hero in the character of Beowulf, an ancient Anglo-Saxon hero; the other is a spiritual hero in the form of Jesus, the Son of God. Although it might seem as though we are comparing a chicken with an elephant, let's see if there are any areas of comparison. Bibliography lists 3 sources.
Beowulf and his Non-Human Opponents
This 5 page report discusses the fact that in the oldest epic poem of the English language, Beowulf, the hero does battle with non-human creatures. In part, the ancient poet uses the non-human enemies to underscore the fact that this is a story of great dimensions -- the heroic and the monstrous, the light and the dark, the human and the inhuman. Of course, in the end when Beowulf has become King of the Geats, he is defeated by a dragon, another decidedly non-human opponent. Bibliography lists 4 sources.
The Poetry of Beowulf
A 5 page paper which discusses various events in Beowulf, presenting parts excerpts of the story so that the poetry of this ancient tale can be observed. Some of the events examined are the rise of the Danish nation, Heorot is attacked, the hero comes to Heorot, Feast at Heorot, the fight with Grendel, and the celebration at Heorot. No additional sources cited.
Common Themes in Medieval Literature
This 6 page paper examines three works: Beowulf, The Song of Roland and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Three common elements for the stories are highlighted. One is that each contain elements of fantasy, another is that they all contain a great degree of human suffering, and finally, each of the stories contain characters that exhibit loyalty. No additional sources cited.
Use of the Word "Druncen" in Beowulf
A 5 page paper discussing, as the title explains, the use of the word "druncen" (i.e., drunken) in this epic. It is apparent that the poet's use of "druncen" is less mysterious than most translators have been willing to believe. Reading the meaning at face value generally makes more sense of the poet's descriptions and explanations, though it indeed can diminish the image of the hero and the heroism to which he is supposed to be dedicated. One factor that these translators have not considered is that by making the hero more "human," he in fact becomes even that more heroic. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

[There is no evidence that Beowulf himself ever drank too much. Everyone else does plenty of drinking (of mead), but I am not sure how you say that everyone's drinking makes Beowulf "more human". I am also not aware of any specific evidence that most translators consider the word "druncen" to be a mysterious word.]
Development of English Versification
A 5 page research paper that offers a brief survey of the history of English versification, beginning with the Old English of Beowulf to the modern English of the eighteenth century. Bibliography lists 4 sources.
Produced by Syd Allan