1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910778550803321

Autore

Gwara Scott <1962->

Titolo

Heroic identity in the world of Beowulf [[electronic resource] /] / by Scott Gwara

Pubbl/distr/stampa

Leiden ; ; Boston, : Brill, 2009

ISBN

1-282-40048-7

9786612400483

90-474-2502-2

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (436 p.)

Collana

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

Disciplina

829/.3

Soggetti

Heroic virtue in literature

Epic poetry, English (Old) - History and criticism

Heroes in literature

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Note generali

Description based upon print version of record.

Nota di bibliografia

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

Nota di contenuto

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.

Sommario/riassunto

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.