Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics give it a powerful effect. He rebuts suggestions that the poem is an epic or exciting narrative, likening it instead to a strong masonry structure built of blocks that fit together. He points out that the poem's theme is a serious one, mortality, and that the poem is in two parts: the first on Beowulf as a young man, defeating Grendel and his mother; the second on Beowulf in old age, going to his death fighting the dragon. The work has been praised by critics including the poet and "Beowulf" translator Seamus Heaney. Michael D. C. Drout called it the
Maxims (Old English poems) well. The reference in "Maxims I" of "A king has to procure a queen with payment, with goblets and with rings". and in "Maxims II" the gnome "The king belongs in his hall, sharing out rings". are evidence of this. In addition, both poems contain themes that coincide with the most famous Old English poem "Beowulf". "Maxims I" refers to Cain just as "Beowulf" does and contains maxims for the wife of a hero returning home from his exploits which is similar to Beowulf returning home from his adventures. Like "Beowulf", "Maxims II" refers to a dragon. "The dragon belongs