Masculinity In Beowulf - 1977 Words

Competition and fear of emasculation (castration): two phrases commonly associated with men and their struggle for excellence even in today’s society; however, there is more to this absurd idea of masculinity than what one might accept at face-value. Back before 700 AD, the Jutes, Angles, and Saxons ruled small, individual kingdoms across a portion of what we call Europe. Their only uniting factor was a collective fear of invasion from foreign enemies which would usually result in massive bloodshed and slaughter. This ingrained fear for survival gave way to a shared interest in the gritty darkness beneath every sound reality. In Anglo-Saxon literature, for example, nature is illustrated as a dark, unknown, as well as unforgiving place.†¦show more content†¦The exalted perfection in craftsmanship lent warriors strength in times of distress. In the end, the unknown author of Beowulf orally perpetuates a glorified version of the Anglo-Saxon heroic ideal through the lense of their masculine-dominated, violence-encrusted society; with the constant, looming threat of invasion, these hardened peoples sought refuge in the glory of depicted excellence in competition, overly-dramatized battles as well as an intense worshipping of fine craftsmanship. First of all, everything is a competition for Anglo-Saxons no matter the subject. In fact, for even the most mundane tasks there will always be a heroic ideal counterpart; for example, a carrot farmer might tackle his job with the following mindset: â€Å"I’m the best goddamned carrot farmer there is; if I see tilled soil, by god will I plant the hell out of that plot of land.† When Beowulf swims, you can count on him to take things to the extremes: â€Å"The truth is this: / when the going was heavy in those high waves, / I was the strongest swimmer of all.† (LL. 532-4). Right off the bat, Beowulf is quick to correct Unferth’s accusations by saying that he was, in fact, the best sw immer: â€Å"But Breca could never / move out farther or faster from me / than I could manage to move from him.† (LL. 541-3). In stating that he was the strongest andShow MoreRelatedMasculinity In Beowulf1745 Words   |  7 PagesMasculinity Past vs. Present Did you know there is a great controversy with today’s society, putting men over women? It is sparking debates across the world on why men are thought to be stronger and be able to do more activities than women. There is an ongoing debate between men and women on equality. Beowulf and contemporary culture assert their masculinity through physical strength, financial wealth, honor, perseverance, reputation, and intelligence. In Beowulf’s Society, physical strength wasRead MoreBeowulf Is Not Your Average Viking Warrior1498 Words   |  6 Pagesimages in medieval literature capture masculinity as well as the sword. Its phallic shape and use of dealing harm by penetrating your foe make it the ultimate allusion to the male anatomy. However, in this battle between Grendel’s mother and Beowulf, our hero’s sword cannot seem to perform its intended function. This failed display of masculinity by Beowulf is only one of many that suggest that he is not your average Viking warrior. The Beowulf poet in, Beowulf, challenges the idea of a womanizingRead MoreEssay on Womens Role in Beowulf1707 Words   |  7 PagesWealhtheow: The Role of Women in Beowulf Beowulf is an epic tale written over twelve hundred years ago. In the poem, several different female characters are introduced, and each woman possesses detailed and unique characteristics. The women in Beowulf are portrayed as strong individuals, each of whom has a specific role within the poem. Some women are cast as the cup-bearers and gracious hostesses of the mead halls, such as Wealhtheow and Hygd, while others, Grendels mother, fulfill the roleRead MoreThe Religious Principles Of Beowulf1236 Words   |  5 PagesSyncretism is defined as the combination of different beliefs or practices. This term is an important topic within Beowulf, since the poem has obviously united two religious principles. Beowulf is dedicated to expressing and explaining the Germanic heroic code, but there are specific moments when Christianity and paganism over laps. Though Paganism focuses on victory, honor, and masculinity the author manages to add the act of forgiving your enemies, the significan ce of the monsters within the poem andRead MoreEssay on The Role of Women in Beowulf1640 Words   |  7 PagesThe Role of Women in Beowulf Beowulf is an epic tale written over twelve hundred years ago. In the poem, several different female characters are introduced, and each woman possesses detailed and unique characteristics. The women in Beowulf are portrayed as strong individuals, each of whom has a specific role within the poem. Some women are cast as the cup-bearers and gracious hostesses of the mead halls, such as Wealhtheow and Hygd, while others, Grendels mother, fulfill the role of a monstrousRead MoreAnglo Saxon Mother And Grendels Roles Of Anglo-Saxon Women922 Words   |  4 PagesAnglo-Saxon women had specific roles in society: mother, wife, hostess, mediator, and retainer. Any woman that did not fit in this societal mold was rejected and considered unfeminine, which, at the time, was synonymous with monstrous. In Beowulf, Grendel’s mother is characterized as a monster because of her defiance of Anglo-Saxon gender roles and failure to follow the social expectation of hospitality, which is enhanced by her juxtaposition to Wealhtheow. Grendel’s mother challenges the rolesRead MoreA Comparison Of Thor And Beowulf728 Words   |  3 Pages Beowulf has delighted and intrigued a wide array of people for centuries. The timeless nature is visible in modern-day extensions of this epic, through heroics and battles of good versus malevolent forces. Beowulf continues to appeal to sophisticated audiences because it tells the story of a great hero prevailing over evil, a timeless theme valued by society and portrayed by his counterparts in modern media, although these new heroes display more complex qualities. Beowulf can be compared to MarvelRead MoreBeowulf: An Intersection of Christian and Pagan Ideals688 Words   |  3 Pages Beowulf: An intersection of Christian and pagan ideals The epic poem Beowulf is the story of a great, ideal hero of Anglo-Saxon, pre-Christian culture transposed into Christian times. It stands on a crossroads of literature: on one hand, it is not written in conventional, standard English and unlike Chaucer it requires a modern translation for a contemporary reader to comprehend it. On the other hand, its essential themes reoccur time and time again in English literature. Its pagan roots areRead MoreMasculinity : Portrayal Of Masculinity2222 Words   |  9 Pages‘Masculinity refers to the social roles, behaviours, and meanings prescribed for men in any given society at any one time†¦ Although we experience gender to be an internal facet of identity, the concept of masculinity is produced within the institutions of society and through our daily interactions (Kimmel 2000)’ . As the type of behaviour and ideals that constitute as masculine vary depending on the social context of the time, the portrayal of masculinity in B eowulf and SGGK (Sir Gawain and theRead MoreAnalysis Of Anglo-Saxon Culture In Beowulf1031 Words   |  5 PagesAnglo-Saxon culture, as conceived through the context and writing of Beowulf, provides a clear glimpse into the lives, modes of function, and habits of the ancient society. In this, many aspects of their culture can be understood from reading the epic and analyzing the importance of it’s contents. However, certain details about large cultural ideologies, such as Anglo-Saxon beliefs concerning the universe and conduct, convey a deeper and more important understanding of Anglo-Saxon society. These