beowulf creative response

One recurring theme that can be found in the Beowulf epic is the importance of establishing one’s own identity. In Anglo-Saxon times, the male figure was known as his father’s son through family lineage. Often, the male attempted to live up to the same standards as their ancestors. Throughout the poem, Beowulf refers to himself in different ways as his own sense of identity grows. In the beginning, he calls himself Beowulf, son of so-and-so; towards the end, however, he is “Beowulf, who am myself.

The Mead-Hall serves as an important cultural symbol, representing light and warmth, as well as a safe refuge for the community and the king’s army. The Mead-Hall is also the setting of Beowulf’s great battle with Grendal. When Grendal invades Hrothgar’s great hall, he strikes at the heart of the society. In defeating him, Beowulf liberates Hrothgar’s people from Grendal.

Throughout Beowulf’s epic, loyalty is his guiding virtue, and the collar necklace that Queen Wealhtheow gives Beowulf represents a bond of loyalty.

The cave that Grendal and his mother live in represents their lives as outcasts; they hide from a world that they view as hostile. As descendants of Cain, the elements of darkness and evil and their vitriolic attitudes are common attributes that symbolize their heritage. The cave is highly symbolic of these characteristics.

The treasure that the dragon is guarding represents the vanity and greed of humanity. The irony of the situation, however, is that the dragon is guarding a treasure that neither he nor the dead warriors it was once for can benefit from.

When Beowulf lands his ship at Hrothgar’s shore, the shore guard tells him that if his purpose was to fight the monster Grendal, he would be wise to turn around and go back, for fighting Grendal was like fighting the sea itself. Hearing this, Beowulf surrenders his sword to the sand dune on the beach, and continues on towards the great mead-hall.