Epic of Beowulf :: Epic of Beowulf Essays

Significance of Scyld ScefingScyld Scefing often deprived his enemies, many tribes of men, of their mead-benches. He terrified his foes yet he, as a boy, had been found a waif fate made amends for that. He prospered under heaven, won praise and honor, until the men of every neighboring tribe, crosswise the whale&8217s way, were obliged to obey him and pay him tribute. He was a noble king (BEO 4-11).At first glance to any reader, the above act that opens Beowulf may seem perplexing. Why is this poet rambling about some other great ruler? In fact, another 50 or so lines argon dedicated to this Scefing character. Wasn&8217t this poem titled Beowulf? It appears that the poet of Beowulf is rambling, ranting unrelated events and appargonntly digressing from the main topic. However, even though no concrete conclusions or links are presented between Scefing and Beowulf, the reader learns soon enough that the seemingly digressive poet had in truth, slyly and with all intention inserted some indirect indications in the tale of Scefing. As the poem reaches its finale, the reader recognizes in an epiphany the sophisticated construction employed by the poet in the weaving of Scefing as foreshadowing of Beowulf. In retrospect, Scefing is essentially Beowulf himself. It is stated that Scefing is a warrior, a conqueror, gifted the spoils of his enemies as he defeated them. Beowulf was interested in the spoils and trophies of war in a similar fashion, always mindful to bring a piece or two of any recently dominated monsters back with him for display purposes. In addition, the poet mentions the pure prosperity, praise, and honor of Scefing and in parallel form, the reader is unresolved to the wealth, recognition, and reverence for the hero Beowulf. From the double victories over Grendel and his mother to the final battle against the dragon, Beowulf retains his status and his persona as a hero, a definite king and without a doubt a noble one. As the reader recalls Scefing was also described as a noble king, the pieces and reasoning of the previously digressive tangent chop-chop falls into place.&8220Then Scyld departed at the destined hour, that powerful man sought the Lord&8217s protection. His own close companions carried him down to the sea, as he, master of the Danes, had asked while he could still speak (BEO 26-30). This is the exact sequence of events which happens to Beowulf, his &8220destined hour being the fatal wound inflicted by the dragon.