Grief and Lamentation at Beowulfs Funeral Beowulf (The Funeral - Canto XLIII) The Song of Beowulf is one of the
oldest English heroic epics. The author is unknown, the date of composition is uncertain for it includes religious elements both of Christian and heathen character. It was probably composed somewhere about 700 A.D. 5by an Anglian poet in the vicinity of Northumbria. But the manuscript, and it is the only one, which still survives, was written down in West Saxon, three hundred years later about year 1000. From the structural point of view the poem is divided into two great narrative themes: young Beowulfs fight against Grendel 10 and the monsters mother, finished with Beowulfs victory; the latter, Beowulfs reign and his fight at the end of his life against the fire dragon, fight in which Beowulf finds his death even though he defeats the monster. The poem opens with a praise of the deeds of the Danes, Scyld 15and his descendants. One of those Hrothgar builds a great hall, Heorot, which is continually subjected to continuous nightly attacks from the monster Grendel who has killed Hrothgars thanes during 12 years. Finding out of the tragic position of the Danish king Beowulf comes across the sea with 14 fighters to 20give assistance. He fights unarmed with Grendel, who mortally wounded goes to his lair. For his great courage Beowulf is gifted by Hrothgar with gold. Over the night the hall is attacked by Grendels mother. She kills and carries off the atheling Aeshere, the kings beloved councilor. 25Beowulf follows her into the mare and cuts off her head. Beowulf and his men return to their land where he gives Hygelac, Hrothgars gifts. After Hygalacs death Beowulf gets to the throne, where he reigns for 50 years. The end of his reign is darkened by the invasion of a dragon. 30 Beowulf and 11 companions go out to meet it. All companions, except Wyglaf fly to a wood. He wounds the dragon, which Beowulf kills, with his last powers, though the monster set his teeth in Beowulfs neck, wound that caused the heros death. The body was burnt on a great funeral pyre and his ashes were buried 35together with the dragons treasure. Canto XLIII describes the funeral of Beowulf emphasizing the grief and disappointment of the Geat race. They gather to
mourn their king and to pay an ultimate tribute to him. Beowulf is referred to in the lines of this final part as their great chief, the cherished lord, their lord, the gentlest of men, the most gracious, the kindest to his people, the keenest for frame. Through these figures of speech it is underlined the idea of the people belonging to its king, the fact that Beowulf was a perfect king committed to his subjects, the perfect impersonation of the Germanic code of rules. The whole people mourn their beloved leader, but his fellow thanes and athelings have an important part in the funeral rites. They are the ones who recite a dirge to declare their grief but also to praise the qualities of their king, his manhood and the prowess of his hands/ they raised his name but above all to regret the immense loss. The poem ends with the writer mentioning the Germanic heroic code: This was the manner of the mourning of the men of the Geats, sharing the funeral rites, praising their king and mourning his fall. The whole atmosphere of this canto is created by the unknown author through mean of underlining Beowulfs qualities, his peoples appreciation and respect for him that make harder the acceptance of his death. Beowulf is a social, historic, priceless document for it describes the life, the customs and superstitions of Anglo-Saxon tribes, the kingship custom, and the loyalty towards those belonging to the same tribe. And most of all it creates a national hero, a model of virtue, courage and intelligence, to be remembered and cherished over the time. LUCIANA URSU ENGLEZ-ROMN AN I
