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Beowulf - Coggle Diagram
Beowulf
Thesis Topic Ideas
Valor and honor are of utmost importance in Beowulf's society, even to the point of one's doom. Beowulf wished to be memorialized in story and song (704-746).
Accounts of Beowulf's conflicts, especially with Grendel and Grendel's mom are given different details with each telling. This would be easy to find sources for because it is a common topic.
The injustice of vengeance. The giants' sword that Beowulf wielded in Grendel's mom's lair may have been strong enough to more easily injure the dragon and save Beowulf's life, but the blade dissolved after Beowulf cut off Grendel's head. This could be retribution for Beowulf's needless act of vengeance.
Beowulf's influence on Tolkien makes it essentially one of the founding works of the fantasy genre and its influence can still be seen in modern works.
Themes
Overconfidence is folly
Loyalty demands bravery
Greed brings destruction
Historical Context
The story of Beowulf takes place in ancient Northern Europe and likely reflects the values of those societies.
The story alludes to the spread of Christianity in the region.
Language
In the translation by Tolkien, he still uses the original prose. There is a large amount of passive voice and archaic uses of words such as spake, dost, thou, O, thee, twain, etc.
Originally written in Old English
Setting
Northern Europe
Geatland
Beowulf's Throne
The dragon's hoard
Denmark
Heorot
Grendel's Lair
Characters
Character Groups
Geats
Beowulf
Hygelac
Beowulf's Warriors
Wiglaf
The thief of the dragon's hoard
Danes
Scyldings
Hrothgar
Breca
AEschere
Monsters
Grendel
Grendel's Mom
The Dragon
Genre
Would most likely fall into the categories of folk tales and fantasy
Writing Style
Due to its age, the poem is written with a very old sentence structure, which can make it difficult for modern readers to understand. However, this style also makes it all the more entertaining.
Author's Purpose
The author's purpose was likely to show others the meaning pursuit of valor and honor in their society
Dialogue
Dialogue is not often used in conversation, but to give insight into the characters' thoughts.