Digression Importance
In the story, Beowulf, there are numerous digressions--Unferth's challenge to Beowulf, the tale of Sigemund, Queen Hygd’s introduction, and more-- meant to strengthen Beowulf’s prominence as the epic’s main heroic character or to point out the vital occurrences in their history that effect the story. The lifestyle in which the epic addresses relies on a phonic system of storytelling, the author puts in digressions that don’t only remind the audience of imperative ancient events but additionally connects the characters’ shared histories and culture. These digressions don’t distract from the narrative composition of the epic. They are meant to add to the poem’s abundance by handing over more knowledge about the culture and characters’ backgrounds.
Such as the digression in the story when Unferth brings up Beowulf’s swimming challenge. Unferth means to dispute Beowulf’s honor, judgement, and skill by bringing up his previous defeat. Making him to be so incompetent that he would lose a swimming contest to his friend. This would make the Danes question if Beowulf is worthy and powerful enough to kill Grendel or struggle and fail, which Unferth does.
Beowulf retorts with his version of the story, that is substantially diverse from Unferth’s. He describes various fights with sea monsters throughout the match, which he triumphed in, and mentions how Unferth or Breca were “ever much celebrated for swordsmanship” or “facing danger” on the battlefield. (ln 585) This emphasizes Beowulf’s greatness and strength to be proven accurate, which shows he is worthy of facing Grendel and branding Unferth as undeserving of high reliability.
The greatest digression is the introduction of Shield Sheafson, which is meant to foreshadow Beowulf’s entrance. Early on, when the beginning of the epic starts with Shield’s story and the danish kings’ lineage might come off as weird and not correctly suited in an epic about Beowulf, the great Geat hero. Why do they start story off explaining a Dane when it's about a Geat?
With additional analysis, a critical affinity can be seen with Shield and Beowulf. That being how they managed to free the Danes. With Shield starting out as the first emancipator of the epic, that acts as a red flag for when Beowulf comes in later on. Also Shield was discovered as a dismal and forsaken youth, while Beowulf is discernible for his scandalous childhood. The obvious contradictory of their fortunes is distinctly emphasized by the author.
A purpose could be to glorify Shield and the Shieldings. It establishes the Danes as a great and honorable race that should not be taken lightly. If the poem began with the miserable state of Heorot that serves as the only foundation of Beowulf’s quest, it would paint the Danes as a weak and pitiful race of people, which would have greatly dwindle Beowulf’s greatness.
Finally, the evident difference of Shield and Beowulf's funerals. The funerals have a illustrative worth that raises the creative worth of the epic. Shield’s being the beginning of the glorious time to come and Beowulf’s being the end of a great era in history and the start of a distraught and uneasing future.
In the story, Beowulf, there are numerous digressions--Unferth's challenge to Beowulf, the tale of Sigemund, Queen Hygd’s introduction, and more-- meant to strengthen Beowulf’s prominence as the epic’s main heroic character or to point out the vital occurrences in their history that effect the story. The lifestyle in which the epic addresses relies on a phonic system of storytelling, the author puts in digressions that don’t only remind the audience of imperative ancient events but additionally connects the characters’ shared histories and culture. These digressions don’t distract from the narrative composition of the epic. They are meant to add to the poem’s abundance by handing over more knowledge about the culture and characters’ backgrounds.
Such as the digression in the story when Unferth brings up Beowulf’s swimming challenge. Unferth means to dispute Beowulf’s honor, judgement, and skill by bringing up his previous defeat. Making him to be so incompetent that he would lose a swimming contest to his friend. This would make the Danes question if Beowulf is worthy and powerful enough to kill Grendel or struggle and fail, which Unferth does.
Beowulf retorts with his version of the story, that is substantially diverse from Unferth’s. He describes various fights with sea monsters throughout the match, which he triumphed in, and mentions how Unferth or Breca were “ever much celebrated for swordsmanship” or “facing danger” on the battlefield. (ln 585) This emphasizes Beowulf’s greatness and strength to be proven accurate, which shows he is worthy of facing Grendel and branding Unferth as undeserving of high reliability.
The greatest digression is the introduction of Shield Sheafson, which is meant to foreshadow Beowulf’s entrance. Early on, when the beginning of the epic starts with Shield’s story and the danish kings’ lineage might come off as weird and not correctly suited in an epic about Beowulf, the great Geat hero. Why do they start story off explaining a Dane when it's about a Geat?
With additional analysis, a critical affinity can be seen with Shield and Beowulf. That being how they managed to free the Danes. With Shield starting out as the first emancipator of the epic, that acts as a red flag for when Beowulf comes in later on. Also Shield was discovered as a dismal and forsaken youth, while Beowulf is discernible for his scandalous childhood. The obvious contradictory of their fortunes is distinctly emphasized by the author.
A purpose could be to glorify Shield and the Shieldings. It establishes the Danes as a great and honorable race that should not be taken lightly. If the poem began with the miserable state of Heorot that serves as the only foundation of Beowulf’s quest, it would paint the Danes as a weak and pitiful race of people, which would have greatly dwindle Beowulf’s greatness.
Finally, the evident difference of Shield and Beowulf's funerals. The funerals have a illustrative worth that raises the creative worth of the epic. Shield’s being the beginning of the glorious time to come and Beowulf’s being the end of a great era in history and the start of a distraught and uneasing future.