55 Beowulf Essay Topics

One of the most important works of literature translated and read the world over is the Old English poem, Beowulf. This heroic epic tells the story of a great warrior who saves a kingdom from a terrible monster. The poem has been adapted into many different forms, including movies, plays, and television shows. As a result, there is a great deal of interest in writing essays on Beowulf.

When you are assigned to write an essay on Beowulf, it can be challenging to decide where to start. There are many different aspects of the poem that you could focus on, such as the characters, the plot, the setting, or the theme.

If you have been assigned a Beowulf essay writing assignment and have no idea where to begin, you’re in luck! This guide will detail the process of crafting a well-written Beowulf essay and provide you with 55 Beowulf essay topics that will help get you started.

Part 1: How to Start Your Beowulf Essay

Before you start writing your essay, there are a few things that you need to do in order to prepare. First, you need to make sure that you clearly understand the poem. It is essential to read the poem carefully and note any particular passages that stand out to you. These passages will be important when you start to write your essay.

Next, you need to decide what angle you want to take with your essay. For example, do you want to focus on the characters in the poem? The plot? The setting? Or the theme? Once you have decided on a focus, you can start to narrow down your topic.

For example, if you want to write about the characters in Beowulf, you could focus on a specific character, such as Beowulf himself, or you could compare and contrast two or more characters.

If you want to write about the plot, you could focus on a specific event, such as the battle with the dragon, or you could discuss how the plot unfolds overall.

If you want to write about the setting, you could focus on a specific location, such as Heorot Hall, or discuss how the different settings in the poem contribute to the story.

And if you want to write about the theme, you could focus on a specific theme, such as loyalty or betrayal, or discuss how the different themes in the poem contribute to the story.

Once you have decided on your focus, you can start to brainstorm ideas for your essay. First, make a list of all of the ideas that come to mind, and then narrow down your list by choosing the best ideas.

Once you have a list of potential topics, it is time to choose the one you want to write about. Remember that your essay should be focused and well-organized, so make sure that your topic is specific enough to cover it adequately in the assignment parameters you have been given.

Part 2: How to Write Your Beowulf Essay

Now that you have chosen your topic and done some brainstorming, it is time to start writing your essay. There are a few things that you need to keep in mind as you write.

First, you need to make sure that your essay has a clear thesis statement. Your thesis statement is the main point you want to make in your essay. The thesis statement will be the foundation on which your entire essay is built, so make sure it is clear and concise.

Next, you need to make sure that your essay is well-organized with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. The introduction should introduce your topic and provide background information if necessary. Each body paragraph should focus on one specific point supporting your thesis statement. The conclusion should summarize your main points and restate your thesis statement.

Finally, you need to make sure that your essay is well-written. Your sentences should be short and to the point. Avoid using unnecessary words or fillers. And make sure that your grammar and punctuation are correct.

Part 3: How to Finish Your Beowulf Essay

Once you have written your essay, it is time to finish up by proofreading your essay for any mistakes. In addition to basic grammar and spelling, you’ll also want to ensure that you use the correct MLA formatting for citing poems.

MLA formatting for citations requires quotes around the text. After the quotes, you’ll need to put the title of the work in Italics followed by any applicable page numbers, section numbers, and line numbers – in that order and separated with a period mark. The final punctuation should come at the end of the citation outside of the last parenthesis. For example:

“…From the rafters where Beowulf had hung it, was….” (Beowulf 49.834).

And if you are quoting multiple verses, be sure to put a forward slash between each verse as follows:

“Hanging high/ From the rafters where Beowulf had hung it, was/ the monster’s/ Arm, claw, and shoulder and all” (Beowulf 49.833-836).

Be aware that some translations of Beowulf may not provide section or line numbers, in which case, the citation should include the title of the poem and the page number the verse was found on.