Donaldsons Beowulf Essay -- Donaldson Beowulf Essays

Donaldsons BeowulfFate often saves an undoomed man when his courage is good-Beowulf (Donaldson, 12) The passage that I analyzed spans the action when Beowulf returns to the halls of Heorot subsequently a harsh battle with Grendels mother. He returns to king Hrothgar in the great hall of Heorot to say that he has successfully completed his boast and killed Grendels mother. Beowulf states that it has been a very difficult underwater battle and that he has bargonly escaped with his life, The fight would have been ended straightway if God had not watch me (Donaldson, 29). Beowulf mentions this due to the fact that the sword given to him by Unferth, called Hrunting, was powerless against Grendels Mother. Hrunting is useless against Grendels mother due to the fact that she has the same charm upon her as Grendel did, which is that no normal sword can hurtle her skin. Then, by chance, Beowulf finds an ancient sword on a wall during the battle and uses it against the monster. T his sword, which was crafted by the giants, is able to pierce the monsters skin and after one swing, the monster was cut in half. After using this ancient sword to murder the monster, Beowulf watches the blade of the sword melt aside due to the toxicity of the monsters blood, until only the hilt was left. A hilt is the handle of a weapon or tool. The hilt is decorated with runic symbols and was given to King Hrothgar of the Danes as proof of Beowulfs exploits. The King is also given the severed head of Grendel as further reassurance that their troubles at the great hall of Heorot is over.Hrothgar then tells Beowulf, Lo, this may one say who whole shebang truth and right for the folk, recalls all things far distant, an old guardian of ... ...th for his murders. Beowulf, who is also responsible for the killing of Grendel, is killed as well. The dragon and the trolls, as well as Beowulf, are responsible for their actions. They are all killed He would repay Grendel for the ma ny attacks he made on the West-Danes . . . devouring Danish (Donaldson 28). This is another example of wergild being applied. Wergild was a part of the warrior code. After the death of Aeschere, Hrothgars great advisor and friend, Beowulf says to his lord, Sorrow not, wise warrior. It is better to avenge his friend than much mourn (Donaldson 25). Beowulf was composed during the close noble of times and we enjoy it for what it is. The greatest treasure Beowulf has to offer us is the escape from our reality into our history. Work CitedDonaldson, E. Talbot. Beowulf. Ed. Nicholas Howe. New York W.W. Norton & Co., 2002.