Beowulf: Sigemund Episode Essay

one of the best literary devices the author of Beowulf uses is the use of cases and digressions. Each of these successivenesss and digressions tell another story unconnected from the main piece of Beowulf, but sets up an introduction to the main plot. One such result, the Sigemund episode, tells of valiant King Sigemund who received glory and honor by means of his killing of the dragon and possession of the hoard. Sigemund became a formal and experienced king, single to be betrayed and brought to his downfall. Beowulf was much(prenominal) the same as Sigemund, and both(prenominal) were great examples of heroes.The Sigemund episode introduces a comparison to Beowulf, foreshadows Beowulfs downfall, and parallels the irony of Beowulfs shortcomings. As we count on in the future(a) lines Sigemunds name was known everywhere. / He was perfectly valiant and venturesome, / a fence round his fighters and flourished therefore (897-898), the author introduces Sigemund as an excelle nt comparison to Beowulf. The author uses the Sigemund episode to set up a better understanding of the character of Beowulf by describing a king much like himself.This allows the ref to understand the character of Beowulf and know what a noble and valiant character he was. The author presents Sigemund as a bear warrior who cudgeled the dragon, much like the victorious warrior that Beowulf was. And within the Sigemund episode, Heremod is introduced as a wicked king, an exact opposite of Sigemund and Beowulf. This allows the reader to compare the three kings, and resurrect Beowulf as a noble king such as Sigemund. another(prenominal) purpose of the Sigemund episode within Beowulf is to foreshadow Beowulfs defeat and downfall.Sigemund is a noble and mighty king, but is led to his defeat in the following lines The king was betrayed, ambushed in Jutland, overpowered / and done away with (901-903). This defeat of Sigemund foreshadows Beowulfs defeat and death during the battle with t he dragon. As Sigemund and Beowulf are both valiant kings, they both are led to their failure and death. This part of the Sigemund episode gives the reader a glimpse of what is to come for Beowulf in the rest of the poem. From this episode, the author uses irony that Beowulf result become a great and mighty king, but also give come face to face with his destruction.The author uses this irony to connect the characters of Sigemund and Beowulf. non only does the Sigemund episode foreshadow the downfall of Beowulf, but it also sets up a choice that Beowulf has to make. Beowulf has to either chose to be like Sigemund, a unfearing and noble king, or take the path of Heremod, an evil king. This gives the reader a sense of uncertainty of the choice Beowulf will make. As the reader, the choice that Beowulf will make is obvious, but this is a huge choice of character for Beowulf.It gives a chance for Beowulf to prove his character, and allows the reader to understand the trustworthiness o f Beowulf once he does chose to be a noble king. Among the various episodes and digressions within Beowulf, Sigemunds episode sets up the best foreshadowing of Beowulfs life. In all, Sigemunds episode clues the reader in with what type of character Beowulf is. Sigemund is the perfect comparison to Beowulf, and this allows the reader to expect what is to come for Beowulf. Sigemunds hymn apart from the main plot of Beowulf accomplished the task of introducing and setting up the destiny for Beowulf.