Juxtaposition In Beowulf

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An intriguing aspect of Seamus Heaney’s Beowulf involves Beowulf’s speculations about a proposed marriage between Hrothgar’s daughter, Freawaru, and Ingeld of the Heathobards. What is the purpose of Beowulf discussing the fate of this supposed peace-weaving marriage? After careful consideration, it is evident that the juxtaposition of contrasting details about the past and future creates a sense of foreboding. This is an echo of a major message prevalent throughout the poem: the great cyclic nature of positive and negative forces in life. All in all, this promotes themes about the fragility of alliances and the lack of faith in women during the middle ages.
The bleak tone is notable early in Beowulf’s mention of Freawaru. One might argue the
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