The Canon Library
Cover of Beowulf

Medieval · Epic poetry

Beowulf

by Anonymous. A warrior defeats monsters and later faces a dragon, revealing the grandeur and fragility of heroic society.

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Date
c. 700–1000
Origin
Anglo-Saxon England
Era
Medieval
Genre
Epic poetry
Difficulty
Moderate
Length
Medium
Collection
The Western Canon

Subjects and themes

HeroismMortalityCommunity

Why it matters

A warrior defeats monsters and later faces a dragon, revealing the grandeur and fragility of heroic society.

This work is included in the collection on the basis of bloom / broader canon. Its cataloged influence level is 5 out of 5.

Related works

Reading lists featuring Beowulf

Reading path

Essential 100

A century of works that gives the broadest useful first view of the Western canon. 100 books · Advanced.