Heroic identity in the world of Beowulf / / by Scott Gwara.

• Superior document: Medieval and Renaissance authors and texts, v. 2
• Author: Gwara, Scott, 1962-
• Year of Publication: 2009
• Edition: 1st ed.
• Language: English
• Series: Medieval and Renaissance authors and texts ; v. 2.
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (436 p.)
• Notes: Description based upon print version of record.

Readers of Beowulf have noted inconsistencies in Beowulf's depiction, as either heroic or reckless. Heroic Identity in the World of Beowulf resolves this tension by emphasizing Beowulf's identity as a foreign fighter seeking glory abroad. Such men resemble wreccan , "exiles" compelled to leave their homelands due to excessive violence. Beowulf may be potentially arrogant, therefore, but he learns prudence. This native wisdom highlights a king's duty to his warband, in expectation of Beowulf's future rule. The dragon fight later raises the same question of incompatible identities, hero versus king. In frequent reference to Greek epic and Icelandic saga, this revisionist approach to Beowulf offers new interpretations of flyting rhetoric, the custom of "men dying with their lord," and the poem's digressions.

Table of Contents

Preliminary Materials / S. Gwara -- Introduction - A Contested Beowulf / S. Gwara -- Chapter One. The Wisdom Context Of The Sigemund-Heremod And Hunferð Digressions / S. Gwara -- Chapter Two. The Foreign Beowulf And The “Fight At Finnsburh” / S. Gwara -- Chapter Three. The Rhetoric Of Oferhygd In Hroðgar’s “Sermon” / S. Gwara -- Chapter Four. Beowulf’s Dragon Fight And The Appraisal Of Oferhygd / S. Gwara -- Chapter Five. King Beowulf And Ealdormonn Byrhtnoð / S. Gwara -- Conclusion / S. Gwara -- Bibliography / S. Gwara -- Index Of Passages Cited From Old Englishverse Texts / S. Gwara -- Index Of Old English Words, Affixes, Andcollocations Discussed / S. Gwara -- Index Of Latin And Greek Words Andcollocations Discussed / S. Gwara -- Index Of Old Icelandic Terms Discussed / S. Gwara -- General Index / S. Gwara.