Alienation and Loneliness

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In narrating the exploits of the legendary Beowulf, Wilbur portrays him with the mindset of someone from the mid-20th century: the hero feels estranged from society. Despite Beowulf's heroic deeds and the acclaim he earns for his valor, he remains disconnected from those around him. He is not a typical community member and lacks any close family or friends to confide in. This isolation breeds feelings of alienation and loneliness, perhaps because he is both a hero and a king. While the Old English hero was deeply integrated into his community—given that societies of that time consisted of warrior bands and small kingdoms often embroiled in conflict—the modern Beowulf finds himself an outsider in a world that views peace as the norm and war as an exception.

Beowulf endangers his life fighting the monster, but this act further separates him from those he saves. He confronts the “monster all alone,” as everyone else is paralyzed by fear. After the battle, Beowulf falls into a deep sleep, his head “harder sealed than any stone.” Having endured an experience unique to him, he finds it impossible to share his feelings with anyone, which deepens his sense of alienation. His loneliness seems to persist throughout his life, as even in death, he remains misunderstood by those who mourn for him.

The hero’s sense of alienation is also highlighted through various themes. Each of these themes emphasizes how Beowulf is distanced from society, whether due to his circumstances or his perception of them.

Duty and Responsibility

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Wilbur argues that Beowulf never questions his heroic duties and obligations. Yet, the poet subtly suggests that fulfilling these roles contributes to his feelings of isolation.

Beowulf is described as being “to his battle reconciled,” indicating that he accepts the responsibility of fighting the monster, despite the risks to his own life. He takes on the duty of facing the monster alone, ensuring no one else is put in danger. The people willingly let him bear this burden; they retire for the night, leaving him to confront his fate. After he saves them, they thank him with numerous gifts. However, these gifts also symbolize his ongoing duty and obligations. He receives a horse, armor, and weapons—tools that will help him take on additional responsibilities as a hero. Both he and others expect him to continue fighting more monsters. As the final stanza shows, he rises to kingship and continues to perform great heroic deeds, though he remains somewhat distant from others. His commitment to his responsibilities to others also distances him from these very people.

Appearances and Reality

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The poem's narrator appears to interpret events from Beowulf's perspective, making it difficult for readers to determine whether the descriptions are objective or swayed by Beowulf's emotions. For example, do people's behaviors genuinely change after the monster is defeated? The second stanza describes them as "strangely warm," while the fifth stanza calls them "strangely cold." Is it the people who change, or is Beowulf himself transformed by the experience? Are the people distancing themselves from him, or is this just his perception? Wilbur doesn't explicitly clarify whether this narrative is factual or influenced by Beowulf or the speaker's point of view.

Similarly, the idea of childishness connects to the theme of appearances versus reality. The speaker describes it as a "childish country," which could suggest that the people are childlike in their fear of the monster. There might not be an actual monster; it could simply represent their fear of the dark, as it only attacks at night. Additionally, the monster is described as child-like, though large and menacing. When Beowulf...

(This entire section contains 219 words.)

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defeats this child-like creature, the country sheds its childishness.

Wilbur explores a theme that goes beyond Beowulf's story. He questions how we distinguish between appearances and reality, proposing that any story can be told from the perspective of each observer or participant, with their viewpoint shaping the narrative.

Nature and Its Meaning

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Wilbur uses imagery of nature to highlight the poem's core themes. In the first stanza, Beowulf's initial view of the land is depicted as almost too perfect and somewhat dreamlike. The old Roman road seems abandoned, perhaps because people steer clear of the area due to the monster. The "attentive" flowers and "garrulous" grass suggest that the land is in need of Beowulf's help. The land's oddness is attributed to the monster's influence.

In the fifth stanza, the use of nature imagery serves another purpose. It might symbolize the hero's feeling of isolation or a change in how the country perceives him. Even though the landscape still feels unreal, it has changed. The day is described as becoming "swiftly old," and the flowers seem "wrong." Instead of expressing joy or relief, the natural surroundings are unexpectedly bleak and uninviting.

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