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

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Gwara, Scott, 1962-

Series:

Medieval and Renaissance authors and texts ; v. 2.

Medieval and Renaissance authors and texts, 0925-7683 ; v. 2

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Beowulf.

Heroic virtue in literature.

Epic poetry, English (Old)--History and criticism.

Epic poetry, English (Old).

Heroes in literature.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (436 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Leiden ; Boston : Brill, 2009.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

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.

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.

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references (p. [375]-396) and indexes.

ISBN:

1-282-40048-7

9786612400483

90-474-2502-2

OCLC:

568225156

Publisher Number:

10.1163/ej.9789004171701.i-420 DOI