An Analysis Of British Literature Essay -- essays research papers

An Analysis of British Literature     Death is inevitable and what happens after death go forth al substances be amystery to the living. For this reason, the afterlife has always been a topicwhich artists have chosen to explore in their works. Throughout the chronologyof British literature, artists have used societys views as a basis to examinethe afterlife, and look at it in new ways. The afterlife has been a theme inBritish Literature from the Anglo-Saxon period of Beowulf to the twentiethcentury make-ups of Dylan Thomas. The mysteriousness of the afterlife makes ita topic which artists will always be eager to analyze.     During the Anglo-Saxon Period which lasted from 449 AD to 1066 AD, thepopular vox populi of the generation was that a individuals life was predetermined by Wyrd,the Old English word for fate, and there was nothing which the individual coulddo to change his destiny. The most famous writing from this epoch is the epicpo em Beowulf. Beowulf, the main character, had no fear of the evil monsterGrendel because he believed "Grendel and I be called/ Together," by fate. Healso displayed his reliance in the beliefs of society when he told Hrogthgar "Fatewill unwind as it must." When Grendel died, the soldiers "had no semse ofsorrow, felt no regret for his sufferings," because they believed Grendel wasdestined to die, and there was no way to defy destiny. They also did not pityGrendel because they considered him to be entirely evil because it was his fate.The Anglo-Saxons strong belief in fate led to them not fearing death as much asduring other times periods in British Literature. Beowulfs strong belief infate was a reflection in the societys pagan belief in fate. Due to the factthat the society at the time of Beowulf was pagan, they did not believe in theafterlife.     The Christian revision to Beowulf illustrated a different outlook ondeath and the afterlife. When monks were copying the story, they realized itdealt with pagan ideals, and they incorporated Christian ideals into the text.The monks included the concept God was the ultimate one who controls fate. Thiswas shown when Beowulf told Hrogthgar "God must decide/ Who will be given todeaths cold grip." The monks also inserted the idea that there is an afterlife.When... ... inthe afterlife.     Throughout the chronology of British literature, artists have presentedmany different perspectives on the afterlife. There are views which I agreewith, and there are views which I dont agree with. One of the ones which Isupport is John Donnes idea of death not being a terrible thing because itleads to the afterlife which is a better place. I support this idea because Ihave been raised in a rather spiritual family, and it has been instilled in methat death is not bad, and there is an afterlife to go to. I also agree withthe ideas in "Ulysses" and "Do No t Go Gentle Into That uncorrupted Night" that oneshould struggle to make the most out of his life and to make it meaningful.This idea is very appealing to me because I believe a person should alwaysattempt to make the most out of what he/she is given, and it is important tonever give up. While I dont agree with the poems which state that there isntan afterlife, analyzing and view about them has been valuable for me becauseit has forced me to consider my views, and to build up a stronger support of myviews to counter the ideas presented in these poems.