| Term Paper Title | Beowulf Essay |
| # of Words | 873 |
| # of Pages (250 words per page double spaced) | 3.49 |
Beowulf Essay
Over time, things change. Sometimes there is nothing we can do about it,
other times we can do something about it, but are too hesitant to do it, so it
happens anyways. Change can be for the good, or for the bad, it all depends on
what is needed to improve society, and what is wanted to improve language. In
Beowulf, Old English, a period from 449 to1066a.d, is used and it is so
unrecognizable, we need English professors to give us a translation of what the
writing means. William Shakespeare’s play, “Hamlet,” is during the
renaissance times of 1485 to 1660 a.d., the words and phrases used are more
understandable than that of Beowulf, we still need to analyze it, so we can get
the full effect of the writing. Modern day writing of William Golding’s Lord
of the Flies is more understandable, because we use that style of the English
Language every day, so it is easy to read. In the past two thousand years,
literature has advanced in ways that affect the way we speak languages, and
write literature.
Old English uses sounds and letters from the Roman alphabet to compose the
language that is used in Beowulf. It uses runic characters for the sounds in the
story. A few of these runic characters are “asc" (pronounced
"ash") (æ), "eth" (ð), and "thorn" (þ). This is
taken from Beowulf,
“Sorrow not, sage! It beseems us better
friends to avenge than fruitlessly mourn them.
Each of us all must his end abide
in the ways of the world; so win who may
glory ere death! When his days are told,
that is the warrior's worthiest doom.
Rise, O realm-warder! Ride we anon,
and mark the trail of the mother of Grendel.
No harbor shall hide her -- heed my promise! --
enfolding of field or forested mountain
or floor of the flood, let her flee where she will!
But thou this day endure in patience,
as I ween thou wilt, thy woes each one." (1.45)
This happens after Beowulf mourns the loss of his friends. He also basks in
the pride of killing Grendel. This type of language then transforms into Middle
English, which in turn transforms into the renaissance, which is also known as
Elizabethan times.
The Renaissance was the time that William Shakespeare made spoken art and
extraordinary pieces of literature available to everyone. His words spoken were
very descriptive and held the attention of everyone listening to him. This form
of literature made it possible for everyone to enjoy listening to properly
spoken English. William Shakespeare lived in the Elizabethan times of the
Renaissance. This defines how easy it is to read compared to Beowulf.
Now I am alone.
O, wh...Read entire document
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