Heorot

As Heorot or Herot, the mead - hall of King Hrothgar or solid is referred to in the Anglo-Saxon epic poem about Beowulf. Hrothgar was a legendary Danish king who is said to have lived according to the tradition in the 6th century.

Background and Description

Heorot as a name for the hall means " Hall of the deer " ( English: "Hall of Hart" ), this name is still found in many place names in the UK. This is referred to by the unknown author in Beowulf as "the first hall beneath the canopy of heaven " and served as King Hrothgar and seat assembly hall. This hall will be defended in the epic of Beowulf against the demonic monster Grendel.

In the alliterative poetry of Beowulf, the hall is described in the translation as follows:

Then, as I have heard, the work of constructing a building What proclaimed to many a tribe Throughout this middle earth. In time - Quickly, as seeking things happen among men - It was all ready, the biggest of halls. He Whose word what law Far and wide gave it the name ' Heorot '. Z. 74-79

Then, as I was, a work that it was built a building which announced to many tribes throughout Middle-earth. In times - faster than done, things in people - All this was done, the largest of the halls. He whose word was law far and wide, gave him the name ' Heorot '

The men did not dally; They strode inland in a group Until theywere able to discern the timbered hall, Splendid and ornamented with gold. The building in Which did you powerful hero court What the foremost of halls under heaven; Its radiance shone over many lands. Z. 306-311

The men dawdled not, they strode inland in a group Until she could see the wooden shed, Glorious and decorated with gold. The building in which the powerful man held court Was the front (first ) of all halls under heaven; Its glory shone over many countries.

The splendid mead hall Heorot King Hrothgar has been used for years in the night haunted by the vicious monster Grendel that his warriors and devours the hall devastated. Since unexpectedly comes the young man Beowulf with a few faithful to him and offers him to free him from Grendel. Hrothgar welcomes Beowulf with a feast in his hall. On the night Grendel comes from the bog, pulls the heavy doors, and devours one of the sleeping Goths. Beowulf seizes Grendel and this can not free themselves from this grip. He tears himself away by tearing off his arm and flees mortally wounded. This victory is celebrated in the Heorot due. But the following night Grendel's mother appears to avenge her son. Beowulf kills her and is in the hall of Hrothgar then rewarded handsomely with eight horses that were each adorned with golden headgear.: . Z. 1035-1037 The Heorot served both as the seat of government of the king as well as a stay of his thanes ( warriors, followers ). It symbolizes human civilization and culture, and the power of the Danish king - essentially all the good things in the world of Beowulf. Its brightness, warmth and joy forms a contrast to the dark and swampy waters inhabited which Grendel.

Localization of " Heorot "

Fred C. Robinson is also this view: ". Hrothgar (later Hrothulf ) ruled by a royal settlement, whose position can be done with great probability the modern Danish village Lejre than the actual location of the hall Heorot " In the year 2007 is a another publication related to the village Lejre and its role in Beowulf by Marijane Osborn and John Niles entitled Beowulf and Lejre published.

Reception

The hall or the name Heorot is used:

• Beowulf - Movie from 2007
• Grendel, a novel from 1971 by John Gardner
• In the video game Grendel 's Cave.
• "The Heorot " is the name of a pub in Muncie ( Indiana), which sells more than 70 varieties of draft beer and 350 bottled beers worldwide.
• " Chi Heorot ," a student association of Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, is named after this hall.
• The science fiction series Heorot by Steven Barnes, Jerry Pournelle and Larry Niven The Legacy of Heorot. In 1987.
• Beowulf 's Children. In 1995.