Beowulf Masculinity Analysis

Beowulf The Man Beowulf, an Anglo-Saxon epic poem, has many male characters that represent their tribes with many masculine qualities. Beowulf is from Geatland and fights for his father, for pride, and for the protection and well-being of his people. Throughout Beowulf, many masculine qualities are displayed in many different aspects, such as fighting enormous monsters, having superhuman strength, and telling boastful stories. Throughout the poem, Beowulf fights numerous monsters that have devastated many prestigious warriors that have come before him. One of the most significant battles that he is involved in is fighting Grendel in Hrothgar’s meadhall. Beowulf travels to Heorot to fight Grendel to settle a debt that his father owed Hrothgar. Beowulf is the only man strong enough and courageous enough to fight Grendel because of his superhuman strength. We read an encounter of this fight when Heaney translates, “Venturing closer, / his talon was raised to attack Beowulf / where he lay on the bed; he was bearing in / with open claw” (744-747). The fight between Grendel and Beowulf is hard fought by both

Beowulf does not depend on using weapons because he believes that it is not fair if his opponent does not use weapons. In addition to that idea, he does not use them because he is too strong to use any normal sword or weapon. The sword forged by the giants is the only sword that Beowulf uses successfully against one of his opponents. Beowulf’s strength is displayed in his battle against Grendel when he defeats Grendel with Beowulf’s hand grip. Heaney translates, “Fingers were bursting, / the monster back-tracking, the man overpowering,” to show Beowulf’s superior strength over his enormous foe (759-760). Beowulf has many boastful tales to tell because of his strength aiding him in all of his