Beowulf Journal #3: The epic closes on a somber, elegiac note—a note of mourning. What words or images contribute to this tone?

      The epic Beowulf has multiple tones throughout the poem. The anonymous author of the poem uses Anglo-Saxon diction to emphasis the characters and the conflicts in which they go through. Beowulf ruled as the ideal Anglo-Saxon king: brave, generous, and wise, hence the elegiac tone when praising Beowulf on his victories of battle at the end of the poem. However, towards the end of the poem, the tone is rather mournful due to the grieving of the Geats over the loss of Beowulf. During Beowulf’s cremation, Beowulf’s men where “distraught, chanting in dirges/mourning his loss as a man and a king,” (48). The loss of Beowulf left a detrimental feeling community; the grief of their loss was overbearing, for “of all the kings upon the earth/he was the man most gracious and fair-minded/kindest to his people and keenest to win fame” (48). The remorse seen from the Geats’ and other members of the community represent the significance Beowulf had on others and how his bravery and wisdom were respected and idolized. Even though Beowulf died, his previous actions are still to be remembered and praised.