non heroic values. In the movie, Beowulf struggles to keep true characteristics of a hero. He lies about the fact that he killed Grendel's mother. When instead he actually had an adulterous rendezvous with her and also with his queen’s handmaid. The epic expresses Beowulf having true heroic ethics and actions.
Beowulf keeping the best interest of the people in mind, is shown in the story, Beowulf, on page 62, lines 815 to 824. These lines state, “ Beholding the treasure he spoke, haltingly: ‘For this gold, these jewels, I thank our father in heaven, Ruler of Earth- for all of this, that His grace has given me, allowed me to bring to my people while breath still came to my lips. I sold my life for this treasure, and I sold it well. Take what I leave Wiglaf, lead my people, Help them; my time is gone.” Beowulf wants the best for his people and he sacrifices his life for them. Before he dies, all Beowulf asks, is that a lighthouse is built in his memorial.
In the culture displayed in Beowulf, the bonds of friendship and kinsmanship are very important to the characters. As Beowulf has a bond to Hrothgar because of his relationship to his father Ecgtheow, he chooses to journey to her realm which is under gloomy monster-infested waters and face her. Beowulf is a warrior who is bold, brave, and unafraid of challenges. In this grueling battle Beowulf comes close to perishing, as his sword Hrunting fails him. However he finds an ancient sword in the cave and uses it to kill her.
Which is why ultimately he is already doomed, even from the beginning. For example, Beowulf is shown to be a strong leader and an overall charming guy. Often, he uses this to his advantage to get what he wants. On page 44 line 155 the coastguard to the Land of the Danes is suspicious of Beowulf so he tell’s him of his previous “victories” saying, “I drove five great giants into chains, chased all of that race from earth.”. Beowulf’s pride is so high he doesn’t realize that chasing a whole race from earth might be impressive, but not a thing to boast about.
Beowulf might have served as a good moral story to the Anglo-Saxons, but when adapted to christian values, it contradicts itself. As an illustration, Beowulf was originally written to represent the perfect hero according to the Anglo-Saxons. This is evidenced since throughout the whole poem, Beowulf not once demonstrates a fault, and even at the moment of his death, he has not failed in his purpose, as he has defeated the dragon, has died a heroic death: (lines 2702-2711) “Once again the king gathered his strength and drew a stabbing knife he carried on his belt, sharpened for battle. He stuck it deep into the dragon 's flank. Beowulf dealt it a deadly wound.
As a king, Beowulf must learn not only to think in the now but to plan for the extensive future for not just himself but for his entire race. In the eyes of several of the Geats, Beowulf’s dauntless encounter with the dragon is morally questionable because it dooms them to a kingless state in which they remain vulnerable to attack by their enemies. He throws consequence out the door and reverts to being the hero. But since all of these kings were great warriors in their youth, the tension between these two important roles seems inevitable and ultimately irreconcilable. Fame was worth the
Often in the poem Beowulf, Beowulf has boasted in himself and his own accomplishments. In the Christian Bible it states, “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”(Jeremiah 9:23). In the poem Beowulf, Beowulf was asking King Hrothgar
Both of the characters have religious beliefs that they constantly pray to and rely on. Gilgamesh prays to his higher powered gods, like Anu, for guidance and protection. Beowulf only prays to one god the entire time, thus hinting the Christian aspect in the epic poem Beowulf. Both of them rely heavily on their respective Gods for help and guidance. Most people during the time Beowulf was written were part of the Christian faith, while the people during the time of Gilgamesh were all polytheistic.
Performing these acts alone just to get the fame forms the quality of selfishness in Beowulf. Beowulf is putting all of his strength to be credited as a hero, but he displays acts of selfishness which marks him as an insignificant
In the epic poem ,Beowulf, the protagonist, Beowulf, is a leader who fights for the betterment of society while being the one that many look up to. Beowulf is a Christ-like figure because of his selfless leadership to protect others, not for himself. Beowulf is seen as a Christ-like figure because he is unearthly . Jesus and Beowulf are leaders who make loving decisions and