Goldgyfan or Goldwlance: A Christian Apology for Beowulf and Treasure.

A literary criticism of the epic poem "Beowulf" is presented. The author argues that the poet struggles to reconcile the poem's pagan elements with religious values, and initiates a discussion about the role of treasure in the poem. Critics who see Beowulf as avaricious are cited, but the author arg...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Published in:Studies in Philology Vol. 107; no. 1; pp. 1 - 25
Main Author: Marshall, Joseph E.
Format: Literary Criticism
Published: University of North Carolina Press Winter2010
Subjects:
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
Description
Summary:A literary criticism of the epic poem "Beowulf" is presented. The author argues that the poet struggles to reconcile the poem's pagan elements with religious values, and initiates a discussion about the role of treasure in the poem. Critics who see Beowulf as avaricious are cited, but the author argues that Beowulf has a Christian attitude toward wealth. He notes Beowulf's interest in dispensing gifts to his retainers, for which he would need treasure.