conclusion paragraph beowulf essay

Essays About Beowulf: Top 5 Inspiring Examples Plus Prompts 

To write excellent essays about Beowulf , you first need to understand the poem more deeply; see our examples and prompts to help you with your essay writing.

The Old English epic Beowulf is one of the most famous stories. This iconic piece of Old English literature is believed to have been composed between 700 and 750. Many people in school or university study this poem for its structure and because many of Beowulf’s lessons are still relevant today. 

This guide will look at five example essays focused on the epic poem Beowulf, its characters, plot, and other literary elements. Consider using what you’ve read as inspiration for your Beowulf essays . 

1. Beowulf as a Representation of Mankind by Anonymous on GradesFixer

2. the women in beowulf by anonymous on papersowl, 3. essay on beowulf for students and children by prasanna.

• 4. What Is the Role of Treasure in Beowulf?  by Anonymous on SparkNotes

5. Beowulf Conclusion Essay by Anonymous on StudyDriver

1. what i learned from beowulf, 2. beowulf and its impact on modern life, 3. monsters in beowulf, 4. beowulf: good vs. evil, 5. reflection essay on beowulf, 6. beowulf’s best and worst character traits, 7. loyalty in beowulf, 8. what makes beowulf stand out among other old literature, 9. elements in beowulf, 10. qualities of a hero: beowulf vs. king arthur, 11. modern heroes and beowulf, 12. the trials of beowulf and how they strengthened him.

“It is no mistake that the giant sword is the only weapon that can slay the mother, nor is it a mistake that ordinary weapons cannot harm either Beowulf or Grendel’s mother, for in the greatest conflict man will ever face, the battle for the heart of another, a little out of the box thinking is required.”

This essay compares the story and characters in Beowulf with the biblical text and other symbolisms. It relates Grendel to Cain, the Heorot to the womb, and more. The author also likens Beowulf’s epic battles to man’s struggles in life.

“…In the epic poem Beowulf, the women presented are central to not only the story but also to society itself. They present voices that offer influence over the predominately male group and often are the voice of reason with their husbands. These women should not be taken lightly. 

The writer focuses on the female characters presented in the epic poem Beowulf. They discuss the different characteristics and symbolisms of these women and emphasize the essential roles of each female character. The essay also presents characters that didn’t meet the stereotype of women in the Anglo-Saxon period.

“He fears nothing, not even death, and possesses a unique physical strength; also, he is always prepared to sacrifice for his people’s welfare despite his old age as an ideal king.”

Prasanna wrote two essays: a long and a short one about Beowulf. In the extended essay, she talks about the epic’s impact on Anglo-Saxon literature. She also discusses the characters, themes, and lessons one can glean from analyzing the poem.

4. What Is the Role of Treasure in Beowulf?   by Anonymous on SparkNotes

“In Beowulf, however, the Danes, Geats, and Swedes’ collective reverence for treasure is not represented as a shortcoming or moral weakness. In fact, the poem often uses treasure as a symbol of the Scandinavian people’s most cherished cultural values.”

Many stories have used treasure as a tool to show the true character of their heroes and villains. This essay delves into how treasure symbolizes prosperity and stability in Beowulf instead of greed and corruption. It also mentions how other characters’ value is on par with the treasure.

“Beowulf is victorious in all of his battles; however, in doing this he lives in isolation; never marries and has no close friends.”

This essay summarizes the poem before critiquing its hero and his values. It also compares Beowulf with his enemies and considers the differences between the animated film and its source material.

For help with your essays, check out our round-up of the best essay checkers .

12 Creative Prompts On Essays About Beowulf

Take a look at our writing prompt to help you get started on your essay. If you don’t know which topic to focus on, consider the different essay prompts listed below.

Beowulf is more than a poem about a legendary warrior and their pursuits. Despite being one of the oldest stories in English literature, it holds many relevant lessons for modern audiences. Share what you learn from the epic poem. Did it affect your life?

Although Beowulf doesn’t have the same impact on the modern lifestyle as newer pieces of literature, it has applicable lessons, relatable characters, and challenging topics that many contemporary works don’t tackle anymore. In your essay, discuss how Beowulf can be used in modern times and how it can inspire people to lead a different way of life.

The epic poem Beowulf is rich with monsters like Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and a dragon. These monsters have different functions and symbolism. Write your essay discussing these monsters and what they stand for. You can also include what you think they represent in the poem; are they symbolizing something in real life? Delve into this question for a compelling essay.

Like most epics, the poem Beowulf portrays many battles where good wins against evil. In your essay, you can present the apparent good and evil in the poem, then share your thoughts on why they are labeled so.

How did Beowulf inspire or impact you while reading and analyzing the poem? Discuss your thoughts, feelings, and opinions about the literature with a reflective essay. Discuss your reaction to the characters’ actions, understanding their motives, and other similar topics.

The epic poem focuses on the hero Beowulf for many reasons. The king of the Danes has many great and inspiring traits. His actions and words also reflected some lacking or undesirable characteristics that made him a flawed character. Share your thoughts about these negative traits in your essay.

Ancient kings found power with the help of loyal subjects and warriors. In Beowulf, the Danish king had his group of dedicated warriors fighting alongside him in battle. Your essay about loyalty portrayed in Beowulf can focus on this and other portrayals of loyalty.

Beowulf is still discussed in schools and universities today because it has qualities that other works of literature don’t. It’s well-preserved, rich in ancient culture, depicts old practices, and more. Consider using this essay prompt to analyze the story’s uniqueness and why it remains a must-read piece today.

If technicalities are your specialty, consider this essay prompt. Here, you can write about the formal elements in the poem. Focus on technical aspects, like style and tone.

You can discuss Beowulf in comparison with another Old English classic. The stories of Beowulf and King Arthur have many similarities. But they also differ in the monsters they fight, the values they hold, and others. Use this prompt if you’ve already analyzed the story of King Arthur and Beowulf.

Today, superheroes, edgy yet quirky romantics, and secret agents make up the main characters in an array of literary genres. If you love keeping up to date on the latest literary heroes, you’ll also love this essay prompt. With it, you can compare Beowulf with contemporary protagonists like Katniss Everdeen or Harry Potter.

Everyone reacts to trials and hardships differently. Some come out stronger, while others develop negativity after surviving life challenges. If you are interested in people and how they react to difficult situations, you might enjoy writing this prompt. It also helps to compare Beowulf’s reactions to tests with some firsthand experiences you’ve witnessed.

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Beowulf essay

Beowulf is a beautiful tale of heroism that inspires the audience to live a heroic life without holding onto illusions and false hopes. No mortal is strong enough to win against death itself, but Beowulf has depicted how the human will can transcend and fight the battle against the worst of human fears. There are three evils that Beowulf personified: Physical, moral and metaphysical.

A descendant of Cain, Grendel is the most frightening personification of physical Evil. As the author put it, Grendel lives “in a hell not hell but Earth”. There is no actual description of Grendel and it invokes the darkness and the fear of that which is unknown to humans. Grendel is a hybrid of the worst kind. He is part human and part beast- living in the darkness- evil misfit, vicious and cruel, cannibalistic and vengeful. He has no morals and poses a physical threat to mankind. One man’s self-defense is destined in a fight against Grendel. He depicts evil as an omnipresent being and stalks all men by following them- unseen, hiding in the dark, never visible but always there. Evil is always insatiable, and there is no sin big enough. Beowulf represents all that is good in mankind, the strength and courage needed to involve Grendel in a one-to-one fight with his bare hands. Beowulf stands firm and Grendel pushes away from his powerful embrace and ultimately destroys himself.

Evil knows no end and Grendel’s mother; Heorot is the moral evil, and she attacks Beowulf the very next day. The Mosaic code, “an eye for an eye” has been depicted to perfection in this tale. Moral vengeance, the need to quench the thirst for revenge is what drives Grendel’s mother to fight. She only takes one life and then runs for her life from the hallways. There are the slight perverse twists of events, Beowulf bursts into her home, and she is waiting for him with a warm embrace. Now Beowulf is consumed with self-doubt and most of his men give up on his cause too. Now, he uses Grendel’s magic sword doused in his blood and is ultimately victorious. This victory is, in essence, Beowulf’s entry into adulthood. He now faces complex choices and decisions. The war wounds and the fact that Beowulf is a mere mortal have awakened a deep sense of righteousness in the king.

Finally, Beowulf faces the ultimate challenge and goes into battle against the dragon. It is a monster of epic proportions- one who is not a humanoid and is vicious and fearsome. The dragon personifies metaphysical evil. The physical power of this evil lies in the ability to set things on fire and to take flight at his will. It is the evil that men arouse by theft. Beowulf is no thief and has to protect and fight for the honor of his people. Old age knowledge has made him tired and slow and walked with his head held high into the last battle with knowledge that this will be his last. The rising and setting of the great human spirit, the contrast of age and the amalgam of wisdom and pride are what this tale hints at.

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The Poem “Beowulf”: Prologue Analysis Essay (Critical Writing)

• To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
• As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
• As a template for you assignment

The objective of a literary analysis is to study and, at times, assess a literary work or a facet of a literary piece. As with any analysis, one must disassemble the topic into its component elements. Examining the many components of a literary work is not a goal in itself, but rather a means to a greater appreciation and comprehension of the work as a whole. Any study of a poem could, for instance, focus on the many sorts of imagery or the link between tone and content. The attached extract is a piece from the Beowulf’s poem. The prologue contains extensive use of poetic elements, including imagery, alliteration, litotes, and kennings. The paper will discuss the extract’s key themes and characters, as well as its use of poetic techniques.

The prologue employs allegory to communicate a message that is not directly stated in the extract. Allegory, which comprises genres such as fable, metaphor, and apologue, may contain several layers of meaning that the reader must interpret to comprehend. Essentially, literary allegories illustrate circumstances and occurrences or represent abstract concepts via tangible things, people, and activities. This prologue exemplifies the personification approach, in which a fictitious figure in this instance, Wielder of Wonder, in line 18 openly embodies an idea or a type of a strong man. As in most allegories, the dramatic action “represents” something that is not explicitly expressed.

Old English literature, often known as Anglo-Saxon literature, is employed by Beowulf in the prologue. English literature for a description of this time within the context of the history of English poetry is used in the prologue. This is alliterative writing; one of its characteristics is the kenning, a metaphorical word used in place of a common noun (“spear-armed Danes “for “a strong man”) in line 2 of the extract. The kenning is an essential element of Old English poetry.

A kenning is a typically stereotyped representation that defines one entity in context of another; for example, in Beowulf’s preamble, the sea is referred to as the whale path (Line 10). Another example of kenning in the Beowulf ’s foreword is the phrase “mead-bench tore” (line 5), which describes a sturdy man, emulating the size of the seat at the Germanic feast.

Heroic poetry is a descriptive verse, which is exalted in tone and employs a noble, dramatic, and formal style to chronicle the exploits of magnificent warriors and kings. It is often improvised and sung or read to the accompaniment of stringed instruments. It is passed down from bard to bard verbally over decades. The known corpus of heroic poetry varies from very ancient to contemporary works created over a vast geographical region (the Danes). It contains what are likely the oldest forms of this verse: panegyrics honoring a hero’s ancestry and accomplishments, as well as laments on his death as described as,” awing the earls. Since erst he lay” (line 6).

The narrative is enlivened by Beowulf’s use of poetic elements like alliteration, hyperbole, and imagery. For instance, practically every sentence of the extract has alliteration. The recurrence of a letter that resonates with the phrase guarantees that each line stimulates the creativity and feelings of the listener, ultimately increasing the listening experience. Imagery from the extract from Beowulf’s poem is challenging and usually amusing, since it appeals to the senses.

Beowulf uses powerful imagery when he relates how people saw him emerge from the wars by stating, “For he waxed under welkin, in wealth he throve” (Line 8). The frequent use of imagery in Beowulf’s extract also gives the epic poem vitality and zest. For example, the author compares the ocean to a whale-path (Line 10). Therefore, the inclusion of kenning enriches the epic prologue’s poem’s imagery.

Furthermore, the prologue from Beowulf’s poem uses exaggeration, which makes the piece more interesting, captivating, and theatrical. The prologue, for instance, exaggerates Beowulf’s powers by describing him as, “the Wielder of Wonder, with world’s renown” (Line 17). This shows that, in the contest with the enemies, the poet relates the King’s powers and strengths to his, “the prowess of people-kings” (Line 1). This is an exaggeration as there is no evidence to the readers that the King is the strongest “world’s renown” (Line 17).

The prologue also employs hyperbole to indicate an exaggerated statement. For example, the poet states that the King, “…waxed under welkin…” (Line 8). This is a hyperbole as the statement meant that he not only gained fame among his people, but also he grew in fame under the eyes of the heavens. In this case, the heavens are a perception of the mind, and cannot tell the exact activities within the heavens that made the King to be famous. Therefore, using poetic techniques not only gets the reader’s imagination going, but also makes the poem interesting to read.

The prologue also employs symbolism to represent a range of concepts. For instance, the poet claims, “Oft Scyld the Scefing from squadroned foes,” which is translated as the Shield Sheafson, the contemporary English connotation for the great-grandfather of Hrothgar, the King of the Danes, during Beowulf’s time. In this case, the first line of the prologue is devoted to the Scyld’s reign and to his intricate funeral. As such, Scyld Scefing is a mythical figure, meaning, Scyld was the originator of the tribe of the Scyldings long before Beowulf’s section began. Consequently, his ship funeral based on the prologue in the poem is a noteworthy ritual. Hrothgar, the aged king of the Danes, welcomes Beowulf’s support in fronting the menace of the enemy.

The title figure embodies one of the prologue’s primary ideas, which is fidelity. Beowulf is faithful throughout his whole life, which is one of the primary reasons Beowulf thrived as a king. Consequently, Beowulf felt obligated to repay charity by giving forth his son, “To him an heir was afterward born” (Line 12). Therefore, Beowulf is more devoted than driven by the virtues of the master and the lordship of the king.

Allegiance to the King is also prominent in the prologue, making the rest of the Kingdom to the King’s leadership to be adored, “till before him the folk, both far and near.” To mean that the king had both friends and enemies, and in this regards, the servant leader, stays faithful to his king and aids the King in vanquishing the monster. Thus, Beowulf is more devoted than driven by the virtues of the master and the lordship of the king. Therefore, the prologue’s central topic is fidelity, loyalty and lordship.

The prologue shows that the extract is derived from an epic poem, which describes a lengthy narrative poem that designates a hero’s hardships and victories. The foreword describes Beowulf’s journey from wars to the Danes. Even the coast guard reports that in all the years he has served his King, he has never encountered a bigger and strong man in the king by claiming, “Wielder of Wonder, with world’s renown.” He has the demeanor of a magnificent leader, a champion, and maybe a prince, despite his youth by positing, “what honor the athelings won!… gave him gifts: a good king he!” The account demonstrates his extraordinary strength, bravery, and endurance. As a result, he faithfully serves the King with due respect and honor. The poem is an epic because it is mostly about how brave Beowulf is.

Litote is a figure of speech and a kind of oversimplification whereby a feeling is communicated humorously by denying its opposite. When a situation is downplayed, the reader or listener may better comprehend its gravity since their perception can be more horrifying than the scenario itself. During a storm, for instance, stating “It’s not the best weather today” would be an example of litotes, conveying via sarcastic subtlety that the weather is indeed terrible.

In Beowulf’s prologue, the narrator uses litote in the line, “to favor the folk, feeling their woe.” In this case, it is a hyperbolical understatement to argue that the same folks that would receive favor are the same people that will be under woe, meaning distress, and sorrow. As such, the reader then imagines a tense scenario since the author encourages them to do so.

In conclusion, the Beowulf’s prologue is a balance of beginnings and ends, of youth and age, with Beowulf’s youth predominating. The preface is an epic since it covers Beowulf’s life and vividly depicts his heroic and amazing actions. While the epic has historical significance, it is more engaging as a powerful piece of art. The epic also employs poetic elements to enhance the reader’s experience. The frequent use of alliteration enhances the imagination of the listener, since the sound of the words resonates with the activities described by the poet in the epic.

Additionally, the use of analogies, images, and exaggeration enhances the poem’s atmosphere. Symbolism is also prevalent, and it helps readers connect the items mentioned in a prologue to what they signify. Beowulf and King Hrothgar are primarily responsible for illustrating the notion of loyalty throughout the epic.

Other key themes, such as vengeance and jealousy, depict how the culture of the period exhibited these two characteristics. As the author describes how several characters in the poem exchanged gifts as a sign of gratitude, it is clear that hospitality and charity are present. The preamble is historically significant, but it is more noteworthy as a strong piece of art.

Bibliography

Arbi, Siti Angreini. “Analysis of Imagery in Five Selected Poems by Maya Angelou.” British ( Jurnal Bahasa dan Sastra Inggris ) vol.7, no. 1 (2019): 43-59.

Ashurova, Shahnoza. “”Beowulf”-the largest monument of Anglo-Saxon epic poetry.” Chet tillarni o’qitishda dolzarb muammolar, innovatsiyalar, an’analar, yechimlar va badiiy adabiyotlar tahlili, vol. 1, no. 01 (2022): 75-78.

Buzec, Mihaela. “Functional Names in Beowulf: An Analysis.” Studia Universitatis Babes-Bolyai-Philologia, vol. 64, no. 4 (2019): 185-194.

Christensen, Alexander. “Beowulf and Litotes: A Pragmatic Approach.” Schwa (2020): 23.

Jenkins, Priscilla. “Conscience: The Frustration of Allegory.” In Piers Plowman, pp. 125-142. Routledge, 2019.

Park, Jong-Seong. “ What Is an Oral Heroic Epic Poetry?–Overcoming The Limit Of The Iliad .” International Journal of Korean Humanities and Social Sciences 5 (2019): 57-65. Web.

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Zálešák, Ján. “ The Flaws of Heroism in Old English Literature .” (2022): 1-60. Web.

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Beowulf - List of Free Essay Examples And Topic Ideas

Beowulf, an epic poem from the early Middle Ages, is one of the most important works of Old English literature. Essays on Beowulf might explore the narrative structure, characters, themes of heroism, loyalty, and mortality. Additionally, discussions could delve into the historic and cultural context in which Beowulf was written, the Christian and pagan elements within the text, and the poem’s enduring legacy in the canon of English literature. Comparisons might also be drawn with other epic heroes and narratives, or the modern reinterpretations and adaptations of the Beowulf saga. A vast selection of complimentary essay illustrations pertaining to Beowulf you can find in Papersowl database. You can use our samples for inspiration to write your own essay, research paper, or just to explore a new topic for yourself.

Anglo Saxon Values in Beowulf

 In the longest epic poem of Old English, Beowulf, there are many symbols, allusions, and traditions weaved through out the historical piece. Anglo-Saxon tradition in Beowulf accurately illustrates and is effected by the traditions of Anglo-Saxon culture. By comparing and contrasting Anglo-Saxon values to the text of Beowulf, we are able to analyze how Beowulf was composed and influenced by the culture. We therefore, are able to dissect where the values or ideas of Anglo-Saxon culture may have been exaggerated […]

Beowulf Good Vs Evil

In the relationship between the individual and society, Beowulf is glorified as a hero and has a long tenure as king due to him following the warrior code of ethics. Set in the Anglo-Saxon society, people during this time lived in constant jeopardy as war was extremely rampant. These poor conditions only allowed men of great bravery and courage to be admired by the people. Characters in the poem take pride in ancestors who have acted courageously, and they attempt […]

Grendel is not Necessarily a Monster

The epic poem Beowulf portrays a story about a hero, Beowulf, fighting several monsters, including Grendel and his mother, and a dragon that eventually kills him. Grendel, a novel by John Gardner, describes situations that led Grendel to become who he is in Beowulf and helps readers understand the motives behind his behaviors. Some might argue that the monster is Grendel; however, after reading both texts, I argue that Grendel is not necessarily a monster. Instead, humans are the real […]

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Beowulf Character Analysis

In the legendary poem “Beowulf”, which was produced anonymously by an Anglo-Saxon poet, Beowulf is the great warrior of the Geats. Beowulf comes to the aid of Hrothgar who is the king of the Danes because Herot is being attacked by the great monster, Grendel. In short, Beowulf kills Grendel with his bare hands by ripping off his arm and his mother by sword. On the surface, one can interpret the poem as a great entertainer. Much like popular works […]

The Iliad and Beowulf

The Iliad and Beowulf are both epic poems. Poems have requirements to be considered an epic. The poems have a similarities and differences. Both of these poems have a heroic figure that determines the fate and destiny of nations, interact with supernatural beings, and have similar themes. In both poems, the actions of the hero determine the fate of their people. In Beowulf, Grendel must be stopped at all costs. Beowulf stabs him deep in the shoulder. So deep in […]

Grendel’s Mother Illustrates

There are three very complex monsters in the poem. Grendel's mother is the symbol of Cain from the Bible. Grendel symbolizes man's sin and greed. Grendel is the monster from Hell. God condemned him because of Cain and Abel. Grendel has the kindom under his control. Grendel appreance is odd looking. Beowulf then rescues the kingdom from Grendel, and therefore from their actions of their gluttony. The dragon represents evil. The dragon is represents the seperent and could be thught […]

Beowulf Christianity Vs Paganism

 Fate and allusions play big role in the telling of the epic poem “Beowulf”, translation by Seamus Heaney. But the most prevalent, and most important is the Christian allusions. Unlike books, and poems today “Beowulf” contains many Biblical references, for example that any success, power, wealth is a gift from Gods grace or that Gods protection must be earned, that shapes the way the epic poem is told by instilling Christian beliefs into the characters un-Christian behaviors. Throughout the story, […]

Beowulf and Grendel Comparison

Beowulf is a heroic epic poem written by an anonymous Anglo-Saxon poet, circa 1000 A.D, making it one of the oldest surviving literary works in Old English Literature. Beowulf follows the story of a young Geatish warrior who uses his strength, courage, and bravery to slay a monster named Grendel, who terrorizes the kingdom of Hrothgar, the King of the Danes. In Beowulf, Grendel is depicted as a man-eating monster who represents evil and is a descendant of Cain, the […]

Many Epic Heroes Throughout the Course of History

There have been many epic heroes throughout the course of history. Some of these heroes include Odysseus, King Arthur, and Siegfried. Epic heroes are legendary, having their stories passed down through generations. These heroes each experienced trials and hardships, eventually being able to overcome their obstacles in various ways. They were forces of good, fighting evil noted in their legends. Beowulf can be seen as a fellow epic hero by sharing characteristics of the heroic heroes. These characteristics allow them […]

Beowulf Poem Vs Movie

The poem Beowulf describes his continued quest for glory; with a moral directed at young adults and teens warning them of the emptiness caused by putting their career before family and friends. During his life he made a singular commitment not to have a family in order that he may prevail when challenged in combat. He gave no thought to being married and baring heirs, in lieu of living a solitary life. His military training taught him to travel at […]

The Hero’s Journey in Beowulf

Beowulf is an old English epic, if not the oldest. In which he aids Hrothgar, the king of the Danes, because his Heorot hall is in danger due to Grendel. The Heorot hall is very significant because Hrothgar created it. Grendel is a reckless and violent monster who has been unhappy ever since he was born. Beowulf is not only able to kill Grendel when he goes to attack the Heorot, but also Grendel's mother. Beowulf is a hero who […]

Translated by Burton Raffel

Beowulf, translated by Burton Raffel is a story that fits perfectly into the epic hero genre. Beowulf, the main protagonist, is a Geat with superhuman abilities that takes down the evil within the Danish land. He is the definition of a hero. He is a courageous leader who takes down evil and brings peace to the people he is protecting. Throughout the story Beowulf is faced with many challenges, but at the end he is able to overcome them no […]

The Story of Beowulf

The story of Beowulf has been passed down from generation to generation. Beowulf has all the ideal characteristics of an Anglo-Saxon hero. The story tells about a brave fighter with inhuman strength that defeats and kills two descendants of Cain. In old age the warrior even manages to kill a dragon, which eventually would lead to his death. Beowulf's author is unknown, but the character Beowulf represents how the Anglo-Saxons imagined their glory seeking heroes' to be because he is […]

Hubris Leaders in the Odyssey and Beowulf

Margaret MacMillan once said, “Hubris is interesting, because you get people who are often very clever, very powerful, have achieved great things, and then something goes wrong––they just don't know when to stop.” This quote is evident in both epic poems Beowulf, by an unknown author, translated by Seamus Heaney and The Odyssey, by Homer. These works tell the tales in which two separate leaders fight the unimaginable fight; however, they both struggle to find a balance between confidence and […]

The Battles Amongst Beowulf

In the Old English poem Beowulf, the interpretation of monsters is revealed by the relation between the hero Beowulf and the monsters Grendel, Grendel's mother and the dragon. These strange creatures including the humanoid monster Grendel and his mother and the fire-breathing dragon whose breath bursts from the rock' (l. 2557) commit catastrophic acts towards human. Yet, each of the monsters possess their own reasons regarding to their evil deeds. Whereas, Grendel is displeasured with the peoples of the Danes […]

The Women in Beowulf

There are three very complex monsters in the short story. Grendel’s mother is the symbol of Cain from the Bible. Grendel symbolizes man’s sin and greed. Grendel is the monster from Hell. God condemned him because of Cain and Abel. Grendel has the kingdom under his control. Grendel appearance is odd looking. Beowulf then rescues the kingdom from Grendel, and therefore from their actions of their gluttony. The dragon represents evil. The dragon is represents the serpent and could be […]

Good Works Without Hoping

Is it possible to do good works without hoping for something in return? In Beowulf, an epic poem that was written at the end of the tenth century, the protagonist Beowulf performs many great deeds. However, it is not clear whether he did them for Hygelac and the good of the Danes or for his own pride. An examination of Beowulf's speeches and stated motivations can help answer this question. Ultimately, although Beowulf seems to be a loyal subject of […]

Heorot in Beowulf Epic Poem

In English literature, an epic poem is a continuous long journey that a hero takes in order to overcome great boundaries and dangers. Epic poems were the first forms of literature to be told orally. In the early ages, epic poems would emphasize cultural values and traditions. Beowulf is the story of a man who becomes a hero when desperate help is needed at the Heorot by Hrothgar, King of Danes. There are multiple examples that resemble the journey Beowulf […]

Beowulf Story Began in Modern Time

Beowulf story began in modern time. The story Beowulf was design in many different styles. The story was written in the time of 449 A.D. when the Anglo-Saxons invasion began. During this time multiple colonies were invading England to colonies. This was important because of how much the colonies were similar in warrior culture. While the England was changing from Christian to and paganism culture. The changing of their religion played a major role on some of the events that […]

Beowulf is One of the most Highly Favored

Beowulf is one of the most highly favored Anglo-Saxon epic poems of the Anglo-Saxon period. The only thing known for sure is that Beowulf is a poem of narration of 3,182 lines and that it was converted to manuscript somewhere between tenth and twelfth centuries. The logistics behind Beowulf are unknown. The answers to the questions who wrote it, when did they write it, where was it written, or what was the purpose of writing it are all uncertain (Anglo-Saxon […]

Beowulf: between Myth and History

Beowulf was bound to get praise from different sectors of the world where some revered him as a hero because of the exploits which he had in defeating his enemies and creatures which had come to terrorize his people. The narrative that the author brings to focus is the role which people have come to understand Beowulf with and where the history of that tale came to have an origin. The myth and history section that I have chosen is […]

An Epic Hero is a Brave

An epic hero is a brave and noble character in an epic poem, admired for great achievements or affected by grand events. Beowulf was a perfect example of an epic hero because he was very loyal, brave, and hard-working. He was very good at everything and had many characteristics that made him an epic hero. Everyone looked up to Beowulf because he protected them. Everyone knew they could trust in Beowulf's word because he was very trustworthy. Beowulf was loyal […]

The Elements of Christianity in Beowulf

Beowulf introduces a number of religious aspects the entire way through the story such as continuously particularize stating that God is his protector and his savior. For example when Beowulf relates his hard fought and long vital battle with Grendel’s Mother, he states that “the fight would have ended straight away if God had not guarded (protecting) me” this showed that God had helped him through the fight against Grendel’s mother a much stronger being than Beowulf. Then later on […]

The Epic Beowulf is a Story

The epic Beowulf is a story of a supernatural hero purging supernatural enemies from the world. This standard concept alone is simple enough, however, the symbolism is hidden in many ways. One of the major under-the-surface reflections of the story is that Hrothgar and Beowulf are written to be the same person, only as two split personalities that contrast from each other. Writers and storytellers tend to position themselves within the tales they pass on. As egotistical as it is, […]

Beowulf and Sir Gawain: Compare and Contrast

Beowulf and Sir Gawain are very noble and honorable warriors. But, they are both very different. In both the epic poems they relate back to heroes that are “legendary” and have “awe-inspiring lore”, having the protagonists undergo strenuous journeys and fulfilling their deeds of good riches. Creating the image of their struggles and how they overcame it in their society. To start they are both heros, A hero is the main character in a story who is noble and courageous, […]

Beowulf as a Hero and Leader

Hero's is a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. Beowulf was Epic poem about Beowulf fighting three monsters and defeating two of them. The epic poem Beowulf describes the most heroic man of the Anglo-Saxon times. Beowulf is the hero He shows that he is a great man by always doing brave things, he is a leader and courageous. He shows all of the qualities and traits that a true hero possesses. Throughout […]

The Mead Hall

The Mead Hall can be seen as the heart of a Hrothgar's kingdom in the epic Beowulf', the reason behind this is it offers coziness and warmth to the warriors and the villagers. Because of this, the merit of the mead halls were ineffable. Often, the Mead Hall's would be embellished in all kinds of gold and different forms of jewelry, since it is the most important building in the Anglo Saxon Culture. Heorot is the palatial mead hall in […]

Beowulf Epic Hero

A hero can be defined in many different ways. Some of the characteristics heroes often possess include bravery, strength, persistence, and loyalty. In the poem Beowulf, the main character, Beowulf, is a Scandinavian prince who embodies many of these heroic qualities. Beowulf is a poem that was written anonymously between the 8th and the early 11th centuries; this was a time when the Anglo-Saxons ruled most of Northern Europe. Beowulf is about a man who sails to Denmark to fight […]

Beowulf Vs Hercules Comparison

The origins of the two heroes, Beowulf and Hercules, are associated with divine heroes. They were honorary and royal servants of their country and communities, they lead their communities to heroic events and battles. In most of their stories, the two warriors usually have a successful ending. These two concerns were of similar European origins. To be more specific, these two concerns have inspired two different generations in German history ("Compare and contrast Beowulf and Hercules"). Hercules came before Beowulf. […]

Beowulf and Judith Comparison

According to the book, The Norton Anthology, English Literature, “Beowulf is the oldest of the great long poems written in English more than twelve hundred years ago. It is now widely believed that Beowulf is the work of a single poet who was a Christian and that his poem reflects well-established Christian tradition.” The Norton Anthology, English Literature book states, “One of the biblical books from which Elfric drew material was the Book of Judith. We do not know the […]

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How To Write an Essay About Beowulf

Understanding the epic of 'beowulf'.

Before embarking on writing an essay about 'Beowulf,' it's imperative to have a thorough understanding of the epic poem. 'Beowulf' is one of the earliest known works in English literature, an epic tale that recounts the heroic deeds of its eponymous protagonist. Begin your essay by exploring the historical and literary context of 'Beowulf'. This includes understanding the Anglo-Saxon culture, the poem's oral tradition, and its themes such as heroism, loyalty, and the struggle between good and evil. Having a solid grasp of these elements will provide a strong foundation for your essay.

Developing a Thesis Statement

Your essay should be guided by a clear, concise thesis statement. This statement will determine the focus of your essay and should offer a unique perspective on 'Beowulf'. Your thesis could address a wide range of topics, from the exploration of its thematic elements to its significance in Anglo-Saxon literature, or even a character analysis of Beowulf himself. Ensure that your thesis is specific and debatable, setting the stage for a compelling argument.

Analyzing the Text

A critical part of your essay will be the analysis of the text. Use specific examples from 'Beowulf' to support your thesis. This might include analyzing key scenes, discussing the development of characters, or exploring the use of symbols and motifs. Pay attention to the poem's language, style, and structure. Your analysis should go beyond summarizing the plot and delve into a deeper examination of how these elements contribute to the overall meaning of the poem.

Addressing Critical Perspectives

In addition to your own analysis, consider incorporating critical perspectives on 'Beowulf' from scholarly sources. This might include academic articles, literary critiques, or historical analyses. Discussing these perspectives can provide a broader understanding of the poem's significance and its reception over time. Be sure to critically evaluate these sources and integrate them effectively into your argument.

Concluding Your Essay

Conclude your essay by summarizing your main points and restating your thesis in light of the analysis you have provided. Your conclusion should tie together your analysis and critical perspectives, offering a final insight into the poem's significance or its impact on literature. A strong conclusion will leave your reader with a deeper understanding of 'Beowulf' and the reasons for its enduring value in the literary canon.

Review and Edit

Finally, review and edit your essay for clarity, coherence, and grammatical accuracy. Ensure that your arguments are well-organized and your evidence is clearly presented. Consider seeking feedback from peers or instructors to further refine your essay. A well-written and meticulously edited essay will effectively convey your insights on 'Beowulf' and demonstrate your understanding of this seminal work in English literature.

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• Beowulf Summary

The poem begins with a brief genealogy of the Danes. Scyld Shefing was the first great king of the Danes, known for his ability to conquer enemies. Scyld becomes the great-grandfather of Hrothgar , the king of the Danes during the events of Beowulf . Hrothgar, like his ancestors before him, is a good king, and he wishes to celebrate his reign by building a grand hall called Heorot . Once the hall is finished, Hrothgar holds a large feast. The revelry attracts the attentions of the monster Grendel , who decides to attack during the night. In the morning, Hrothgar and his thanes discover the bloodshed and mourn the lost warriors. This begins Grendel's assault upon the Danes.

Twelve years pass. Eventually the news of Grendel's aggression on the Danes reaches the Geats, another tribe. A Geat thane, Beowulf, decides to help the Danes; he sails to the land of the Danes with his best warriors. Upon their arrival, Hrothgar's thane Wulfgar judges the Geats worthy enough to speak with Hrothgar. Hrothgar remembers when he helped Beowulf's father Ecgtheow settle a feud; thus, he welcomes Beowulf's help gladly.

Heorot is filled once again for a large feast in honor of Beowulf. During the feast, a thane named Unferth tries to get into a boasting match with Beowulf by accusing him of losing a swimming contest. Beowulf tells the story of his heroic victory in the contest, and the company celebrates his courage. During the height of the celebration, the Danish queen Wealhtheow comes forth, bearing the mead-cup. She presents it first to Hrothgar, then to the rest of the hall, and finally to Beowulf. As he receives the cup, Beowulf tells Wealhtheow that he will kill Grendel or be killed in Heorot. This simple declaration moves Wealhtheow and the Danes, and the revelry continues. Finally, everyone retires. Before he leaves, Hrothgar promises to give Beowulf everything if he can defeat Grendel. Beowulf says that he will leave God to judge the outcome. He and his thanes sleep in the hall as they wait for Grendel.

Eventually Grendel arrives at Heorot as usual, hungry for flesh. Beowulf watches carefully as Grendel eats one of his men. When Grendel reaches for Beowulf, Beowulf grabs Grendel's arm and doesn't let go. Grendel writhes about in pain as Beowulf grips him. He thrashes about, causing the hall to nearly collapse. Soon Grendel tears away, leaving his arm in Beowulf's grasp. He slinks back to his lair in the moors and dies.

The Danes, meanwhile, consider Beowulf as the greatest hero in Danish history. Hrothgar's minstrel sings songs of Beowulf and other great characters of the past, including Sigemund (who slew a dragon) and Heremod (who ruled his kingdom unwisely and was punished). In Heorot, Grendel's arm is nailed to the wall as a trophy. Hrothgar says that Beowulf will never lack for riches, and Beowulf graciously thanks him. The horses and men of the Geats are all richly adorned, in keeping with Hrothgar's wishes.

Another party is held to celebrate Beowulf's victory. Hrothgar's minstrel tells another story at the feast, the story of the Frisian slaughter. An ancient Danish king had a daughter named Hildeburh ; he married her to a king of the Frisians. While Hnaef, Hildeburh's brother, visited his sister, the Frisians attacked the Danes, killing Hnaef and Hildeburh's son in the process. Hengest, the next leader of the Danes, desired vengeance, and in the spring, the Danes attacked the Frisians, killing their leader and taking Hildeburh back to Denmark.

After this story is told, Wealhtheow presents a necklace to Hrothgar while pleading with her brother-in-law Hrothulf to help her two young sons if they should ever need it. Next she presents many golden treasures to Beowulf, such as necklaces, cups, and rings. Soon the feast ends, and everyone sleeps peacefully.

In the night, Grendel's mother approaches the hall, wanting vengeance for her son. The warriors prepared for battle, leaving enough time for Grendel's mother to grab one of Hrothgar's counselors and run away. When Beowulf is summoned to the hall, he finds Hrothgar in mourning for his friend Aeschere . Hrothgar tells Beowulf where the creatures like Grendel live‹in a shadowy, fearful land within the moors.

Beowulf persuades Hrothgar to ride with him to the moors. When they reach the edge of the moors, Beowulf calls for his armor, takes a sword from Unferth, and dives into the lake. After a long time, Beowulf reaches the bottom of the lake, where Grendel's mother is waiting to attack. Beowulf swings his sword, but discovers that it cannot cut her, so he tosses it away. They then wrestle until Beowulf spies a large sword nearby. He grabs it by the hilt and swings‹killing Grendel's mother by slicing off her head. Still in a rage, Beowulf finds the dead Grendel in the lair and cuts off his head as a trophy.

As they wait, the Danes have given up all hope for Beowulf because he has been underwater for such a long time. They are shocked when Beowulf returns with Grendel's head and the hilt of the sword (which melted with the heat of Grendel's blood). They bear the hero and his booty back to Heorot, where another celebration takes place. Beowulf recounts his battle; Hrothgar praises him and gives him advice on being a king. A grand feast follows, and Beowulf is given more priceless treasures. The next morning, the Geats look forward to leaving Denmark. Before they leave, Beowulf promises aid for Hrothgar from the Danes. Hrothgar praises Beowulf and promises that their lands will have an alliance forever. As the Geats leave, Hrothgar finds himself wishing Beowulf would never leave.

The Geats return with much rejoicing to their homeland, where their king Hygelac and his queen Hygd greet them. In an aside, the narrator compares Hygd to the queen of the ancient Offa, who is not tamed until Offa comes to subjugate her. Beowulf tells his lord the events of his trip to Denmark. In the process, he tells another story that had previously been unmentioned. Hrothgar betrothed his daughter Freawaru to a prince of the Heathobards in order to settle an old feud. Beowulf speculates that someone will goad this Heathobard prince to take vengeance upon the Danes for all their past wrongs. Hygelac praises Beowulf for his bravery and gives him half the kingdom. They rule the kingdom together in peace and prosperity. Hygelac is killed in a battle soon after, so Beowulf becomes king of the Geats and rules the kingdom well.

In the fiftieth year of Beowulf's reign, a monster arises to terrorize the Geats. A treasure trove was left by an ancient civilization, which guarded it jealously until only one member of the race was left. After the last person's death, a fire-breathing dragon found the treasure and guarded it for three hundred years. One day, a slave stumbled upon the treasure and stole a cup as an offering to his lord. The dragon awakened to find something missing from his treasure, and began his rampage upon the Geats.

One day, Beowulf learns that this dragon has destroyed his own great hall. This attack sends him into deep thought. Soon he orders a shield to use for battle, but not without a heavy heart at what may happen to him. He recalls Hygelac's death in battle and his own narrow escape from this battle. He recalls a number of battles he has seen as he travels to the dragon's lair with eleven of his thanes. The servant who stole the cup leads them to the lair.

As they wait to attack the dragon, Beowulf recounts the Geat royal family's plight, in which Hygelac's oldest brothers killed each other and left their father to die of a broken heart. Beowulf says he served Hygelac well, and a sword (named Naegling ) that he won while serving Hygelac will help him save the kingdom once again. Beowulf leads the charge to the dragon's cave. The shield protects him from the dragon's flames, but his men flee in fear, leaving only one man behind. This man is Wiglaf , Beowulf's kinsman through Ecgtheow. Wiglaf becomes angry, but swears that he will stay by Beowulf's side.

Just then the dragon rushes up to them. Beowulf and the dragon swing at each other three times, finally landing mortal blows upon each other the last time. The dragon is beheaded, but Beowulf is bitten and has a mortal poison from the dragon flowing through his body as a result. Wiglaf bathes his lord's body as Beowulf speaks on the treasure. He says that Wiglaf should inherit it as his kinsman; then he dies.

After his death, the cowards return, to be severely chastised by Wiglaf. He sends a messenger to tell the people of their king's death. The messenger envisions the joy of the Geats' enemies upon hearing of the death of Beowulf. He also says that no man shall ever have the treasure for which Beowulf fought. Wiglaf and Beowulf's thanes toss the dragon's body into the sea. They place the treasure inside a mound with Beowulf's body and mourn for "the ablest of all world-kings."

Beowulf Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for Beowulf is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

What lines are considered in each "cantos"?

I'm not sure what you means by "lines considered".

Beowulf Interview Questions

Why Beowulf should be hired, would of course... depend upon the job description. Beowulf is smart, creative, loyal, and innovative. He would make an excellent employee.

why do the geats carry Grendel's heavy head all the way back to Herot?

It's sort of a trophy to them.

Study Guide for Beowulf

Beowulf is an epic poem originally told in the Old English between the 8th and 11th centuries. Beowulf study guide contains literature essays, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About Beowulf
• Beowulf Video
• Character List
• Lines 1-193 Summary and Analysis

Essays for Beowulf

Beowulf essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Beowulf.

• Christianity and Danish Paganism
• Loyalties and Abilities: The Function of Heroism in Beowulf
• "Malignant by Nature," (137) Grendel as Man's Violent Impulse
• Liuzza and Heaney's Beowulf: A Comparison
• The Image of Women in Old English Literature

Lesson Plan for Beowulf

• About the Author
• Study Objectives
• Common Core Standards
• Introduction to Beowulf
• Relationship to Other Books
• Bringing in Technology
• Notes to the Teacher
• Beowulf Bibliography

E-Text of Beowulf

Beowulf e-text contains the full text of Beowulf.

• Lines 1-193
• Lines 194-709
• Lines 710-915
• Lines 916-1250
• Lines 1251-1649

Wikipedia Entries for Beowulf

• Introduction

Photo by Chris Steele-Perkins/Magnum

Make it awkward!

Rather than being a cringey personal failing, awkwardness is a collective rupture – and a chance to rewrite the social script.

by Alexandra Plakias   + BIO

A man knows he should speak up about the sexist behaviour of his coworkers, but doesn’t, because they’re his friends and he doesn’t want to make it awkward. A tenured professor is bothered by her colleague’s flirtatious remarks, but says nothing, because it would be awkward to bring it up. A person runs into a recently bereaved coworker, and wonders whether to address their loss, but doesn’t know what to say, so doesn’t mention it.

We often joke about awkwardness; it’s a staple of contemporary comedy. The exclamation ‘Awkward!’ functions as a light-hearted deflection, defusing social tension. The reality is heavier. Awkwardness can be funny, but it can also be serious – it inhibits our ability to act even when we know we should, and it can shut down or pre-empt conversations about important topics like menstruation, money, menopause, mortality. The desire to avoid awkwardness acts as a powerful social inhibition, preventing people from speaking up, and motivating compliance with problematic social and moral norms. So, which is it, then? Is awkwardness a funny, quirky, everyday occurrence, something we should learn to live with and even embrace? Is it a serious social inhibitor with negative implications for moral decision-making and social change? Or – in truly awkward fashion – might it be both?

It often seems that awkwardness is a personal problem. Indeed, one of the most surprising things I discovered while writing my book Awkwardness (2024) was just how many people self-identify as awkward – and how attached people become to this label. Movies and popular culture reinforce the idea of awkward people, typically portrayed as socially inept misfits who stick out and don’t fit in with trends or social norms. This focus on individuals suggests that the best way to avoid awkwardness is through silence and conformity – to imitate others, blend in, and say nothing.

But this is only part of the story, and it gets awkwardness wrong in important ways. Yes, awkwardness is caused by a failure to conform to existing social norms. But this failure isn’t individual and, rather than think in terms of awkward people, we ought to think in terms of awkward situations. And yes, awkwardness can be painful, and unpleasant. But it’s not embarrassing, and it’s nothing to be ashamed of. Contrary to popular belief, our awkward moments aren’t cringeworthy. Rather than cringing inwardly about them, we ought to examine them more closely. Because once we realise the true nature of awkwardness, we can stop seeing it as an individual failure and start seeing it as an opportunity for social change. In short: we should take awkwardness less personally, and more seriously.

W hat is awkwardness? This turns out to be a tricky question. Most of us know it when we see it (or experience it), but definitions are hard to come by. Partly that’s because empirical work on awkwardness tends to treat it as a type or symptom of embarrassment. But this is a mistake. Embarrassment happens when an individual commits a social gaffe; its characteristic facial and bodily expressions involve a kind of apology. Embarrassment is thus a kind of social repair. But awkwardness is different: it’s not something an individual causes, and it’s not something an individual can resolve on their own; it’s a social rupture. The failure involved in embarrassment is a failure to conform to existing norms. Awkwardness is different: it happens when we don’t have a social script to conform to. In other words, embarrassment happens when we violate socially prescribed scripts; awkwardness happens when we lack prescriptions to guide us.

People often feel like awkwardness is about them – that they are awkward, or not. But awkwardness is a collective production. More accurately, it’s a collective failure. Awkwardness is a kind of normative negative space, offering what Adam Kotsko calls ‘insight through breakdown’. It arises when people find themselves suddenly without a social script to guide them through an interaction or an event. The term ‘script’ carries associations of playacting, and that’s not a bad way to understand awkwardness. But the lesson of awkwardness is that, in the dramedy of life, we’re not just the actors, we’re the writers.

Is this a date, or a work dinner? When two people land on different answers: awkward!

The sociologist Erving Goffman recognised that social interaction is a kind of performance in which we occupy various roles. When a performance fails, the actor feels discredited – to use Goffman’s term, he loses ‘face’. Maybe he’s trying to play a role his audience won’t grant him (for example, a failed attempt to flirt, or a rejected marriage proposal) or he loses his composure and botches the performance. We usually perform one self at a time: our roles and our audiences are ‘ segregated ’, thereby preventing the kind of uncomfortable clash that can happen when, say, you run into your boss while out on a date, or have to talk about sex with your parents. But sometimes this clash is unavoidable, and things can get awkward. A character on the TV show My So-Called Life (1994-5) summed up the problem: ‘What I, like, dread is when people who know you in completely different ways end up in the same area. And you have to develop this, like, combination you on the spot.’

The ‘on the spot’ nature of social performance marks a disanalogy with theatre: unlike an actor memorising a script, the social scripts that guide everyday interactions are highly flexible and shift quickly, without explicit negotiation or reflection. A single person will play many roles in the course of a day, or even a single afternoon. In this sense, our interactions are more like social improvisation than scripted drama. And like improvisation, successful social interaction depends on a cooperative partner willing to go along with the scene.

The social cues by which we navigate the world range from the explicit – a dress code; the ‘no presents’ written on a party invitation – to the nearly imperceptible. Even where cues are explicit, there are often unspoken understandings in place: what counts as ‘black tie’ or ‘festive cocktail attire’? Is the request ‘no presents’ really to be taken literally, or is it merely a polite pretence that everyone will ignore? Slight changes in a conversational partner’s speech pattern; a gaze held just a little too long; a centimetre of physical distance – any of these can shift people’s understanding of the interaction taking place. Is this a date, or a work dinner? Are they about to hug, kiss or shake hands? When two people land on different answers: awkward!

A wkwardness thrives in uncertainty. This explains the link between awkwardness and silence: since silence can mean so many things, it makes it difficult to coordinate on and curate an interpretation of a situation. For example, is no one speaking up because no one else has a problem with the sexist comment someone just made? Or is everyone as uncomfortable as I am, but equally unsure how to act? Sometimes silence is acquiescence; other times, it’s a form of protest. In contrast to an explicitly voiced objection, the silence on an issue can be hard to read.

Indeed, awkwardness is fundamentally a kind of social disorientation. There’s a certain comfort in being able to socially situate oneself. That’s not to say that hierarchies are comfortable or beneficial for everyone – far from it. But even as social rejection and downranking hurt, there is a different kind of discomfort that comes along with being socially lost and disoriented, and this is the discomfort associated with awkwardness. This disorientation is built into the very etymology of the term: it derives from the Middle English ‘awk’, meaning ‘wrong’ or ‘clumsy’, and the English suffix ‘-ward’, denoting direction or orientation – yielding ‘facing the wrong way’. But just like passing someone on a road, facing the right way depends on knowing how things are done around here.

Awkwardness requires the presence of others: individuals aren’t awkward, interactions are

Knowing social scripts is one thing; truly internalising them is another. From the Italian sprezzatura to the French nonchalance to the Chinese concept of wu wei , various traditions have admired the ability ‘to practise in everything a certain nonchalance that shall conceal design and show that what is done and said is done without effort’, as the 16th-century Italian diplomat Baldassare Castiglione put it. By contrast, contemporary putdowns like ‘try-hard’ or ‘pick me’ show that it’s not enough to know the social script; its execution should look effortless.

This is one way awkwardness functions to distinguish insiders and outsiders. It’s also why we should be wary of labelling others ‘awkward’. This gets awkwardness wrong – it’s not a personality or character trait, but something that emerges from social interactions. Awkwardness requires the presence of others: individuals aren’t awkward, interactions are. This might seem surprising: people often describe themselves (or others) as ‘awkward’, and it seems that some people do have more difficulty navigating social interactions than others. But there are practical as well as theoretical reasons for resisting the idea that awkwardness is an individual trait. The label ‘awkward’ is not as innocuous as it seems: it’s ambiguous, and it obscures more than it reveals.

For example, suppose I describe my colleague Rob as ‘awkward at parties’. This is ambiguous: am I saying that he feels awkward at parties, or that he makes me feel awkward at parties? Or both? This ambiguity creates a dangerous space for bias or even ostracism: I may mistake my own discomfort at Rob’s presence for a property of Rob – projecting my own feelings of awkwardness on to him in a sort of pathetic fallacy. For example, suppose Rob is in a wheelchair, and I have little experience interacting with wheelchair users. I might feel some uncertainty about how to approach the situation, worrying about saying ‘the wrong thing’ or not knowing whether to stand or kneel while speaking with him. Using the term ‘awkward’ risks placing responsibility for my discomfort on to Rob. Not only is this fundamentally unfair, but it means that I’m less likely to try to remedy my ignorance – what arrangement would make Rob most comfortable? And since I’ve now classified Rob (in my own mind, if not to others) as ‘awkward’, I may be less likely to seek out interactions with him in the future. As the feminist scholar Sara Ahmed writes in The Promise of Happiness (2010): ‘To create awkwardness is to be read as being awkward. Maintaining public comfort requires that certain bodies “go along with it’’.’

W e can now begin to see how awkwardness becomes threatening, and how it can be weaponised, as Megan Garber has argued in The Atlantic . Because awkwardness is often aversive, those perceived as causing it risk ostracism. Changing social norms and rituals isn’t easy; adopting new ones can be costly. The person whose presence reveals the inadequacy of the status quo thus presents a threat. For example, in a department where the men routinely take clients to a strip club after dinner, or tell sexually explicit jokes in meetings, the presence of women colleagues might make things awkward, as they are forced to confront the clash between their workplace rituals and professional norms. One option would be to accept this conflict as of their own making, and adjust their behaviour accordingly. But too often, it’s the presence of the women that is blamed: now it’s awkward to tell those jokes, because there are women here. Blame falls on those perceived as different for ‘making’ things awkward. In many cases, though, it was awkward all along: that awkwardness was just being borne by someone else, as they tried to conform to others’ expectations.

Understood in these terms, awkwardness won’t necessarily become any less unpleasant to experience. But it’s worth paying more attention to when and where it arises, and be more willing to tackle it head-on. An unspoken expectation in many social interactions is that people already know how to navigate them. People avoid admitting social ignorance, and we are embarrassed by those who do, as if they’ve violated some unspoken social norm. But why should not knowing which pronoun, title or fork to use be any different from not knowing where the bathroom is, or what time the café opens? The reluctance to ask that social norms be made explicit reveals a deeper expectation: that social interaction should appear effortless. Awkwardness highlights the fact that our interactions are scripted. Its aversiveness shows the extent to which people prefer not to be reminded of this fact. And the lucky among us may not have to be.

We engage with physical infrastructure daily, often without thinking about it. That thoughtlessness is a privilege: when I walk into the lecture theatre and reach for the light switch, it’s more or less at arm’s reach, and I expect that to be the case in every room I walk into. Sometimes, the cord that pulls down the screen is a bit too high for me and I have to stand on a chair, and this is mildly annoying, embarrassing even. At that point I begin to feel irritated with the design of the room. I might wonder, who is it made for? Social scripts are like light switches and cords – we reach for them automatically, only really noticing their placement or existence when they’re not where we expect or need them to be. Of course, that’s not true for everyone. For many people, navigating the demands of daily life requires giving a good deal of thought to the placement of light switches, doorknobs and the like. For people who are neurodivergent, who struggle with reading facial cues, or who find themselves in unfamiliar social settings, the world is full of rooms with unpredictable, unreachable infrastructure. Awkwardness is a reminder that social infrastructure exists and that it is not equally accessible to everyone.

Because awkwardness is felt as a form of social discomfort, it doesn’t attach to everyone equally

The good news is that with effort and attention, social resources can be made more accessible. Awkwardness highlights where that work needs to happen. Understanding the social origins of awkwardness also helps reconceptualise it. Instead of thinking about it as a personal failure – a cringeworthy source of personal embarrassment, or shame – it can be recognised for what it is: the result of collective ignorance or absence.

And this is where the trope of the awkward misfit does a disservice. When awkwardness is understood as an individual failure to fit in, the response is supposed to be: do better; conform; learn the script. But that’s not always possible. Nor is it always desirable. In some cases, those norms are not serving everyone – or anyone. For example, many job interviews now eschew small talk and follow-up questions, following a scripted formula in which candidates are all asked the same questions with no follow-ups. This may feel awkward, especially for interviewers used to casual chit-chat. But that same chit-chat might unfairly skew the process by emphasising considerations of ‘fit’ and disadvantaging candidates who have less in common with interviewers. Professors may feel awkward asking students to share their pronouns, but this takes the burden of awkwardness off the students who might otherwise have had to jump in and correct people’s assumptions.

The upshot is that awkwardness isn’t something an individual should, or even can, fix on their own. To view awkwardness as shameful, or embarrassing, is therefore not just a philosophical mistake but a practical one: it is to miss out on an opportunity to repair the social infrastructure. Take the case of pronouns again: someone who finds it awkward to state their pronouns, but understands this awkwardness in terms of shame, might see the problem as stemming from a lack of courage or assertiveness, and feel bad about their failure to speak up. This puts the burden on them, going into new social or professional situations, to summon up the courage to change how they introduce themselves, which can make new interactions a source of stress or anxiety. If we understand awkwardness in terms of social scripts, things are different: the person might work with friends or colleagues to think about ways to build pronouns into introductions, or emails, or the structure of meetings.

But it’s important, too, to be mindful of who’s doing this work. Because awkwardness is felt as a form of social discomfort, it doesn’t attach to everyone equally. Social expectations of who does the work to make others feel comfortable – and correspondingly, who is held accountable when people feel uncomfortable – intersect with scripts around gender and social status. Women are often tasked with managing others’ moods and are expected to get along with others; this ‘emotional labour’ includes the work of repairing social interactions that become awkward. There’s a privilege in not worrying about others’ discomfort.

All of this might seem like a lot to put on a minor, everyday irritation. If we’re used to thinking of awkwardness as the kind of thing that crops up on bad dates, or a minor annoyance of office life, then what I’ve been saying so far might seem a bit overblown. Doesn’t everyone have awkward moments, and is it really such a big deal? The answer is that some of us have more awkward moments than others. And some awkward moments are a big deal: it matters that we have social scripts to talk about grief, or harassment, or race, because not talking about these topics erases an important part of people’s experiences. The silence associated with awkwardness can function to erase important parts of people’s experiences. But if we listen to it carefully, it can also tell us where more work is needed. The work of building our social infrastructure often goes unremarked upon. Awkwardness alerts us to the fact that our social norms are under construction. It’s an opportunity to examine the work that goes into our social lives, and why that work so often remains invisible.

In the drama of life, we don’t have to settle for being actors – we can be writers, too. Not everyone can afford to do this work. Not everyone’s contributions receive equal credit. But for those of us willing and able, awkward moments are an alert that our current social scripts are not working, and an opportunity to get to work writing better ones.

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Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Beowulf — Beowulfs Traits Of An Epic Hero

Beowulfs Traits of an Epic Hero

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