ipl-logo

Beowulf: What Makes A True Hero

675 Words3 Pages

Various amounts of actions and words make a man more than just any being. A man more than himself has to be something bigger than life. That detail makes a hero, that detail makes a man more. In the eyes of children, and the public, a strong warrior must have heart. With this characteristic he can lift a mountain for anyone or thing in need. A hero must be honorable, no lies will be told in his name. Lastly, every man needs courage to win the love of others. Courage that makes evil tremble in its skin. Wiglaf has every characteristic for becoming an amazing hero. This man has proven his loyalty for his King, his belief in the almighty, and the courage of a lion. “None of his comrades came to him, helped him, his brave and noble followers; they all ran for their lives, fled deep in a wood. And only one of …show more content…

He ran, hoping his wounded King, weak and dying, had not left the world too soon.” Once Wiglaf had returned, from his fast and exhausting journey to collect one of the last wishes of the King, he was made a King himself. Beowulf saw and felt his heart through the shield, and under all the armor. Wiglaf was the only man who kept his promise and loyalty to the King. Therefore, Beowulf made sure that the next line, army, and Geats would be as warm-hearted, courageous, and strong as he. Beowulf gave the new King his old golden shield, armor, jewelry, and everlasting gratitude.
After the old, dying King passed on a tower was made with his ashes. Brick by brick it was stretched high into the air for all to see and remember. The gold, which Wiglaf brought from his quick journey, was stored inside. This was a sign of the King’s glory and great leadership. The tower was then named “Beowulf’s Tower.” It would be a reminder to all who passed through on the sea or land that this man, King, was truly a legend. Wiglaf, now King, made his mark by his heroic

Show More
Related

  • Similarities Between Frederick Douglass And Atticus Finch

    413 Words  | 2 Pages

    Through their actions they inspire others to have these same traits. One thing that sets heroes apart from average people is courage. Courage, the ability to endure fear or pain with strength. One of the most difficult things Fredrick Douglass had to do was escape slavery he felt,”The intense desires, now felt, to be free, quickened my present favorable circumstances, brought me to the determination to act as well as to think and speak.” (Douglass 95).

    Read More

  • Anglo Saxon Value Of Loyalty In Beowulf

    186 Words  | 1 Pages

    (33) Beowulf and his men went to fight grendel not to make himself a bigger hero but to honor his father and pay off his debt to Hrothgar. This is a demonstration of loyalty because beowulf chose to go into battle not because he wanted to but because he wanted to show his loyalty to his father by paying off his debt. Wiglaf later, shows his loyalty to beowulf his king by following him in to battle when other men stood back stating

    Read More

  • Beowulf Is A Hero's Place In Society

    633 Words  | 3 Pages

    Hero’s are everywhere in this world sometimes they're around you other times they are far away, but everyone has a different hero. When we see a hero most people look up to that person because they know that they have done something good for someone. A hero’s place in society can be all over the world due to their different senses, but most of them will know when something bad is going to happen or when they know that you will need their help to fight mankind. A hero is someone that you look up too because you know that they do the right thing.

    Read More

  • Wiglaf Vs Beowulf

    372 Words  | 2 Pages

    When going into war you want the best men, you want the meanest and toughest guys, you want the men that won’t give up no matter how bad or one sided things may get. For Beowulf, Wiglaf was that man, he fought with great heart and tons of passion. He had Beowulf’s back and Beowulf had his, they counted on one another when times of war got tough. Wiglaf was the only man out of many to help Beowulf defeat the dragon, proving to Beowulf that he was a good successor. Wiglaf was no doubt our favorite character other than Beowulf for many reasons in our eyes this man was just a great as Beowulf, because just because he wasn’t the leader or warrior that Beowulf was but the reason we think he is so great is because his heart is so big, and

    Read More

  • Pride In Beowulf

    747 Words  | 3 Pages

    Beowulf, born in the land of the Geats, makes the voyage over to the Danes upon hearing the problems troubling the Danes. Even though Hygelac told Beowulf not to, Beowulf went on ahead and he proves his worth, both to his king and the Danes’ king. In the time of crossing the waters, Beowulf kills Grendel, Grendel’s mom, and then a dragon and he inspires one young man named Wiglaf. Wiglaf makes a valiant speech to get Beowulf’s men hustling in the line of defense, but ends up fighting alone. “He picked us out from the army deliberately, honoured us and judged us fit for this action, made me these lavish gifts- and all because he considered us the best of his arms-bearing thanes”

    Read More

  • Was Beowulf A Hero

    285 Words  | 2 Pages

    Was Beowulf a hero? A hero is a person, typically a man, who is admired or idealized for courage. Not just anyone can be a hero it takes a great amount of bravery and great outstanding achievements. In the Anglo-Saxon a hero was to be a warrior. They had to be strong, intelligent, and courageous and be able to face any odds.

    Read More

  • Archetypes In Beowulf Essay

    1011 Words  | 5 Pages

    Additionally, the reader is introduced to Wiglaf who is one of Beowulf’s most trusted men and is with Beowulf when he takes his last breath. Wiglaf can be identified as hero in the poem, because he was the only warrior to help Beowulf fight and defeat the dragon that was destroying their kingdom. The main hero in the poem is Beowulf and he is known throughout many kingdoms for his heroic battle with Grendel and his

    Read More

  • Beowulf Is Not A Hero Analysis

    675 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the epic poem “Beowulf” the character Beowulf is the foundation for all of our modern heroes, but was he really a great hero? A hero is classified as a person who is admired for their bravery, achievements, or nobility. Although Beowulf displays all these qualities, there are several reasons he is not a hero, mainly him being egotistical and arrogant. This is why Beowulf is not a heroic person. Beowulf is often caught bragging about himself and his great accomplishments.

    Read More

  • Selflessness In Beowulf

    467 Words  | 2 Pages

    Every past and modern culture over the course of history, has its hero’s. A hero is a person or figure that others look up to and use as forms of protection. Many cherish the hero’s, they make up who we are today. The Anglo-Saxon hero, Beowulf, and the postmodern hero/hero’s, the soldiers, both show the traits of bravery, selflessness, and loyalty. To have the trait of bravery you have to have lots of confidence in yourself and have courage.

    Read More

  • Beowulf Is A Hero Essay

    626 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the epic Beowulf, translated by Seamus Heaney, Beowulf is depicted as a heroic figure who fights monsters and defends the weak. During its time, Beowulf would be considered a great hero, however in today 's standards Beowulf would only be considered a great warrior. That’s because a hero should value the lives of the people and not seek to be rewarded. Instead, Beowulf committed heroic acts for his own selfish reasons and never shows to values the lives of the people. From fighting Grendel to slaying the dragon, Beowulf only fought because he value the fame and fortune that comes along with those accomplishments.

    Read More

  • Essay On Bravery In Beowulf

    808 Words  | 4 Pages

    The reason for that being, he thought it wouldn’t be fair so he used his strength and overcome the evil creature, descendant of Cain, also known as Grendel. Beowulf shows himself aging as the battles keep coming along. The time arrives to fight the dragon and he was weak and old and somewhat knew he couldn’t do this fight alone. The dragon poisons Beowulf with a bite into the neck, and just before Beowulf is dying Wiglaf steps in scavenges through the dragon’s treasures and then returns to show Beowulf and then speaks, “Now that I’ve bought this bright treasure mound with my old lifeblood look to my kingdom the need of my Geats— I must leave you now”. (2799-2801)

    Read More

  • Examples Of Glory In Beowulf

    353 Words  | 2 Pages

    Forever and ever; your courage has earned it,/ And your strength” (953-956). Beowulf’s life had been remolded by his victory, building a story beyond his

    Read More

  • Why Is Beowulf A Hero

    948 Words  | 4 Pages

    A hero does not fight for fame and glory but for the greater good. A hero is someone who goes through adversity to help others in desperate times. A hero fights evil, and defends people. Beowulf should be considered a hero because he is a strong, brave warrior who defended his people and slayed evil monsters. Beowulf proves himself to be a strong, brave warrior by killing Grendel the monster.

    Read More

  • Gold And Gold In Beowulf Essay

    696 Words  | 3 Pages

    Men would risk their lives for treasure and honor. “Each man, who had sailed with Beowulf and risk the voyage received a bounty” (lines beowulf (1050-1052)). In other words, the men risked their lives on the voyage to receive gold and honor. The Anglo Saxon culture valued gold and treasure more than their own lives. At the end of the poem, while Beowulf was dying he requested that Wiglaf retrieve the gold he had just “won”.

    Read More

  • Beowulf: The Perfect Hero

    1372 Words  | 6 Pages

    The Perfect Hero In every heroic tale, there lies a theme of balance in values. Every hero is said to possess a fatal flaw; whether they overcome this flaw or let it define who they are is up to them. In the epic poem Beowulf, translated by Seamus Heaney, it is not particularly hard for the reader to point out their perceived flaws of our hero: arrogance, pride, egotism. Yet, Beowulf stands tall in the poem as the perfect hero, adored and praised by all.

    Read More

More about Beowulf: What Makes A True Hero

Open Document