1. Consider Heaneyʼs comment, “...the poem possesses a mythic potency” (Introduction, xii). Based on your reading of his introduction what do you think Heaney means by this phrase? What is “mythic potency”? Do you agree with Heaney?
I think one heavy implication Heaney makes with describing Beowulf with potency due to its mythological nature is that mythology itself has an advantage over more realistic styles of literature. Mythology allows two human characteristics to flourish within the literature: creativity (or imagination) and belief.
Creativity and imagination, both on part of the author and the audience allows for a much more eccentric form of a story arise without completely distorting the events that happened. The poet of Beowulf accounts for the intersection of the histories of the Geats and the Danes. In reality, their encounter probably was more like two parties of neanderthalic peoples meeting together in harmony, exchanging bear pelts for roast venison. However, this tale lacks a certain excitement for poetry and retelling. The mythology behind Beowulf contributes to its longevity through oral tradition.
The poet, understanding the culture in which he was writing well, is well acquainted with the norse mythology. By using and referencing this mythology in his work, he escapes excessive side-stories and superfluous background information. Beowulf and norse mythology work in synergy, both supporting and further exemplifying each other. The intended audience not only understands the story, but also believes it, looking to it as source of moral code. For the modern reader, it is not quite as easy to relate to it, forcing the reader to be even more aware of this factor.
I think one heavy implication Heaney makes with describing Beowulf with potency due to its mythological nature is that mythology itself has an advantage over more realistic styles of literature. Mythology allows two human characteristics to flourish within the literature: creativity (or imagination) and belief.
Creativity and imagination, both on part of the author and the audience allows for a much more eccentric form of a story arise without completely distorting the events that happened. The poet of Beowulf accounts for the intersection of the histories of the Geats and the Danes. In reality, their encounter probably was more like two parties of neanderthalic peoples meeting together in harmony, exchanging bear pelts for roast venison. However, this tale lacks a certain excitement for poetry and retelling. The mythology behind Beowulf contributes to its longevity through oral tradition.
The poet, understanding the culture in which he was writing well, is well acquainted with the norse mythology. By using and referencing this mythology in his work, he escapes excessive side-stories and superfluous background information. Beowulf and norse mythology work in synergy, both supporting and further exemplifying each other. The intended audience not only understands the story, but also believes it, looking to it as source of moral code. For the modern reader, it is not quite as easy to relate to it, forcing the reader to be even more aware of this factor.
I think the "mythic potency" that Heaney describes in his introduction evokes the elemental, almost primal atmosphere of the poem and its rendering human courage, loyalty, suffering, destruction and mortality.
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