Symbols & Symbolism in Beowulf

Lesson Transcript

'Beowulf' is an epic poem that's rich in symbols and symbolism. In this lesson, we'll explore the meanings behind the mead hall, Grendel's cave, the golden torque, and the use of water.

What Is a Symbol? In literature, symbols are used to represent abstract objects and characters and to bring relevance to the material, keeping ideas fresh and germane even when they're centuries old. The symbols and symbolism used in Beowulf aid in our understanding, bring the story to life by creating visual connections, and allow us to relate to the story. There are a number of symbols and uses of symbolism in Beowulf, ranging from the extravagant to the subtle, and the obvious to the hidden. In this brief lesson, we're going to cover four of them: the mead hall, Grendel's cave, the golden torque, and water.

The Mead Hall In Beowulf we're introduced to two dierent mead halls. Hygalec's in Geatland and Hrothgar's Heorot in Denmark. These mead halls symbolize the sense of community that that men felt. 'Inside Heorot there was nothing but friendship,' says the poem's schop.

These men had been through battle together, and when they returned to their mead halls, they knew their loyalty would be rewarded. They could relax with stories that helped foster and share reputations. The mead hall is an important symbol in medieval culture, because it's the gathering place for warriors, who could rest after their travels and battles. In the mead hall, warriors sought refuge from a dicult and dangerous world. This makes Grendel's reign of horror even more unsettling, because for twelve years, Heorot is a place where no one feels safe.

It's also a symbol of the power of the king. In the mead hall there is food, entertainment, drink, and merriment. The mead hall was central to medieval warrior lives, and it became the symbol of the celebration of their devotion to their king and their honor. It's supposed to be a place where there's no tension, no worry, and no fear. The hall is also a symbol because of its construction. It towers over all the other structures of the land, and is lavishly decorated with treasures and gifts from around the kingdom. Grendel's invasion marks an assault on the center of life for the Danes, and Heorot becomes the place where Beowulf achieves his rst victory. This is an important moment because it sets the stage for who Beowulf will be and how he will be remembered. 1/3 The Monsters' Cave Grendel and his mother are outcasts who live in a dark, dank cave in a swamp. They believe that their choice of living space will keep them out of harm's way, but they have underestimated their foe, Beowulf. Both Grendel and his mother know that Heorot is o limits to them, making Grendel's assault on the great hall even more attractive. Ultimately, the cave is a place of evil, a place for monsters alone.

It's Beowulf's mission to rid the land of the monsters; to make the world safe again and free from the evil they present. When he dispatches Grendel and subsequently braves the darkness of the cave to extinguish Grendel's mother, he is bringing the light back to the world of the Danes. Beowulf says it this way: 'I have wrested the hilt from the enemies' hand, avenged the evil done to the Danes; it is what was due.'

The Golden Torque To honor Beowulf's accomplishment of ridding Heorot of the monsters, Hrothgar's wife Wealhtheow gives him a golden torque, or golden necklace. This is meant to be a demonstration of the loyalty between her people and Beowulf. It's a great honor, and it is not taken lightly. The necklace commemorates an important time in Beowulf's life. He has defeated the monster, and he is now truly a hero.

The schop tells us, 'The cup was carried to him, kind words spoken in welcome and a wealth of wrought gold graciously bestowed: two arm bangles, a mail-shirt and rings, and the most resplendent torque of gold I ever heard tell of anywhere on Earth or under heaven.'

When Beowulf returns to Geatland, he presents Hygleac with some of his treasures, including the golden torque. Hygelac proudly wears the torque into battle against the Frisians. He dies in battle, wearing the necklace that symbolized kinship, but that also brings torment and tragedy.

This dual nature is shown in these words from the poem: 'Hygelac the Geat, grandson of Swerting,wore this neck-ring on his last raid at bay under his banner, he defended the booty, treasure he had won.'

Water It is no surprise that water plays a role in this epic poem, since the Scandinavian people made their livelihood by the sea. The rst encounter with water is the swimming contest between Beowulf and Breca. Beowulf tells the tale, which includes sea monsters and the battles that ensued in order for him to claim victory. We watch as Beowulf chases Grendel back to his cave in the swamp, and we are on the edge of our seats when he battles Grendel's mother in the water, but he emerges victorious. 'There is a danger in the sea, whether it be wild waves or sea monsters.'

2/3 After Beowulf defeats the dragon, his followers push the carcass over the cli and back into the sea where it belongs. Also, as Beowulf is dying as a result of his wounds, he asks his trusted friend Wiglaf to make sure he's buried where he can be seen from the sea. He will be the reminder that even in a frightening world, you can always count on the hero.

Lesson Summary Beowulfis an epic poem that uses symbols and symbolism to add depth to the meaning of the poem. Symbols represent abstract objects and characters. The symbols in Beowulf help engage us, create images for us to hold on to, and give meaning to the poem. They provide a way for us to understand the importance and impact of the language.

The mead halls, the monsters' cave, the golden torque, and water are some of the symbols used in the poem that help us understand the meaning behind its concepts. Mead halls are places where warriors gather, the cave is evil itself, the golden torque is representative of loyalty, and water tells us of the Scandinavian way of life.

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