The Effect of Point of View on American Literature
“Once the afflictor of men, tormenter of their days-What it meant to feud with Almighty God”(99-103.24).In the poem Beowulf which is a well-known piece of Literature which talks about an brave epic hero who fought his enemies to protect the land of the Danes and gain fame throughout this journey. In Grendel by John Gardner changes the way the reader sees Grendel rather than the way the reader sees him in Beowulf. Grendel talks about a monster who lives with his mother in a cave who discovers the world and became fascinated in it except for the brutal violence that was brought to the world by king Hrothgar and his men. Then we have the poem The Wife’s Lament which is about a woman who was left by her husband and was kicked out by his family. She ran away into the woods feeling lonely and sad wondering where he husband is. Each of these stories differ in point of view which affects the reader’s perception on the characters, and also how the characters are portrayed. The Old English Period,known as the Anglo Saxon Period lasted from 449-1066 AD. Many American Literature genres was composed during this time period such as epic poetry, Bible translations,legal works,chronicles, and many more. During the Anglo Saxon Period the Anglo Saxons consist of certain characteristics that best describes them They consist of have a war like mentality, savage, survival focused,loya, selfish, etcetera. The main topics that was written by them was battle,warriors,dying,fate,destiny,seas, storms,rulers, and nobles;however,in their writings people roles was carefully descriptive and also their roles in society. The poetry that was composed during this time period consists of three main elements;kenning,variation,and litotes. Their poetry also contains lots of rhythm and beats which makes the writing more amusing. Written in third person omniscient, the point of view in the poem Beowulf affects the perception of the characters by seeing Beowulf as an epic hero, and a figure of God. It also portrays Grendel to be a bloodthirsty, vicious monster who is a threat to the land of the Danes. Grendel performs in a very incitement way by acting out his “vicious attacks, his nighttime raids over and over coming to Herot when Hrothgar's men slept, killing them in their bed, eating some on the spot”(262-267.28”.Basically this quote is saying that Grendel is very execrable and evil. Then came along an almighty King to end the Danes fear and suffering from the foul beast. After defeating Grendel and his mother; Beowulf was “extolled [by] his heroic nature...and [was] [given] thanks for his greatness”(442-443.28). This is to say that the Danes exalts Beowulf brave actions. Beowulf was the king upon the earth...most gracious and fair minded,kindest to his people and keenest to win fame”(449-451.38).This goes to show that although Beowulf was a heroic figure he also wanted fame.Grendel on the other hand had a mindset to “relish the sight,[and]intend to tear the life from...bodies”(21-24.22).According to this quote Grendel is a monster craving the flesh of humans. In the story Grendel, the point of view also has an effect on …show more content…
Beowulf is discern as a bad character with a defective motive. Grendel is more of a man, who has emotions. When the men in the story was examining Grendel “it filled [him] with joy,though it was crazy, and before [he] knew [he] could do it, [he] laughed”(Gardner 26). This shows that Grendel is a joyful person just like any other human. When Grendel became fascinated with the world he was “sickened, if only at the waste of it all they killed cows, horses,men, so they left to rot or burn”(Gardner 36).In the literal sense this quote mean that Grendel has a soft heart towards the things in the world, and he is disgusted about what King Hrothgar and his men is doing. Beowulf on the other hand has a violent motive in which “[Grendel] grew more and more afraid of...and at the same time-who can explain it”(Gardner 165). In this quote it describes how Beowulf inadequate actions makes Grendel fear him. Grendel describes that he could see Beowulf’s mind working stone-cold, grinding like a millwheel”(Gardner 161). Beowulf’s thoughts also makes him out to be a faulty character, not just his
“Once the afflictor of men, tormenter of their days-What it meant to feud with Almighty God”(99-103.24).In the poem Beowulf which is a well-known piece of Literature which talks about an brave epic hero who fought his enemies to protect the land of the Danes and gain fame throughout this journey. In Grendel by John Gardner changes the way the reader sees Grendel rather than the way the reader sees him in Beowulf. Grendel talks about a monster who lives with his mother in a cave who discovers the world and became fascinated in it except for the brutal violence that was brought to the world by king Hrothgar and his men. Then we have the poem The Wife’s Lament which is about a woman who was left by her husband and was kicked out by his family. She ran away into the woods feeling lonely and sad wondering where he husband is. Each of these stories differ in point of view which affects the reader’s perception on the characters, and also how the characters are portrayed. The Old English Period,known as the Anglo Saxon Period lasted from 449-1066 AD. Many American Literature genres was composed during this time period such as epic poetry, Bible translations,legal works,chronicles, and many more. During the Anglo Saxon Period the Anglo Saxons consist of certain characteristics that best describes them They consist of have a war like mentality, savage, survival focused,loya, selfish, etcetera. The main topics that was written by them was battle,warriors,dying,fate,destiny,seas, storms,rulers, and nobles;however,in their writings people roles was carefully descriptive and also their roles in society. The poetry that was composed during this time period consists of three main elements;kenning,variation,and litotes. Their poetry also contains lots of rhythm and beats which makes the writing more amusing. Written in third person omniscient, the point of view in the poem Beowulf affects the perception of the characters by seeing Beowulf as an epic hero, and a figure of God. It also portrays Grendel to be a bloodthirsty, vicious monster who is a threat to the land of the Danes. Grendel performs in a very incitement way by acting out his “vicious attacks, his nighttime raids over and over coming to Herot when Hrothgar's men slept, killing them in their bed, eating some on the spot”(262-267.28”.Basically this quote is saying that Grendel is very execrable and evil. Then came along an almighty King to end the Danes fear and suffering from the foul beast. After defeating Grendel and his mother; Beowulf was “extolled [by] his heroic nature...and [was] [given] thanks for his greatness”(442-443.28). This is to say that the Danes exalts Beowulf brave actions. Beowulf was the king upon the earth...most gracious and fair minded,kindest to his people and keenest to win fame”(449-451.38).This goes to show that although Beowulf was a heroic figure he also wanted fame.Grendel on the other hand had a mindset to “relish the sight,[and]intend to tear the life from...bodies”(21-24.22).According to this quote Grendel is a monster craving the flesh of humans. In the story Grendel, the point of view also has an effect on …show more content…
Beowulf is discern as a bad character with a defective motive. Grendel is more of a man, who has emotions. When the men in the story was examining Grendel “it filled [him] with joy,though it was crazy, and before [he] knew [he] could do it, [he] laughed”(Gardner 26). This shows that Grendel is a joyful person just like any other human. When Grendel became fascinated with the world he was “sickened, if only at the waste of it all they killed cows, horses,men, so they left to rot or burn”(Gardner 36).In the literal sense this quote mean that Grendel has a soft heart towards the things in the world, and he is disgusted about what King Hrothgar and his men is doing. Beowulf on the other hand has a violent motive in which “[Grendel] grew more and more afraid of...and at the same time-who can explain it”(Gardner 165). In this quote it describes how Beowulf inadequate actions makes Grendel fear him. Grendel describes that he could see Beowulf’s mind working stone-cold, grinding like a millwheel”(Gardner 161). Beowulf’s thoughts also makes him out to be a faulty character, not just his