Courage And Strength In Beowulf's Hero

As the fire dragon approaches him, the iron shield “began to melt, and for the first time in his life that famous prince fought with fate against him, with glory denied him” (lines 110-113). When realizing fate is against him in this battle, a little piece of Beowulf dies. Although, right after his shield begins to melt Beowulf still fights with that power and bravery he has always had since he was young. “He knew it, but he raised his sword and struck at the dragon’s scaly hide” (lines

He then arrives in the hall, which was well protected more firmly than before, tearing the door off its iron fasteners with a touch. He then saw the sleeping warriors, such a sight he relished, to which, his heart laughed and intended to “tear the life from those bodies”. He then grabs a sleeping geat and tears him apart with his jaws. Next he grabs an alert Beowulf but was instead seized himself and his claws were bent back by one of Beowulf’s hands, which struck fear into the monster. Beowulf then has both hands and his men proceed to attack Grendel with their swords but it doesn’t harm him.

Beowulf showed strength as he fought a battle that seemed no end. Beowulf’s strength had lead him to victory when he “lifted the sword high over his head and struck with all the strength he has left, caught her in the neck and cut all the way through, broke bones and all, He body fell to the floor, lifeless, the sword was wet with her blood.” (page 54, line

Initially, the warrior is considered a hero because of his mighty triumphs against Grendel and his mother. Later, Beowulf redefines himself as a hero due to his leadership skills while being the king. The story says that Beowulf was so respected and feared as a leader that all other countries would not even dare to threaten him. Finally, at the end of the poem, Beowulf again displays his greatness at the battle against the dragon. Once considering Beowulf’s accomplishments, it is clear that his life centered around his heroic deeds.

Beowulf is about a warrior from Geatland who takes on the task of getting rid of a monster named Grendel who is terrorizing King Hrothgar’s land. He then kills the monster and it’s mother a while later only to face that his own kingdom is being terrorized many years later by a dragon. He successfully destroys the dragon, but not without giving up his own life. The 13th Warrior is about Northmen warriors, and an Arab, who takes a journey to another land to rid them of some type of “creatures”. King Hrothgar needs these 13 men to get rid of these “creatures” who won’t stop killing off the people of his village.

Beowulf does however own up to it and tells the queen that he must do this because he has brought this on his people. However in the story Beowulf also does it for his people but to him it’s more as fame than just saving his kingdom. Beowulf has the courage in both the film and the story but it takes a true hero to understand that it’s not always about becoming popular or for the fame of his people. He now must go and kill off this dragon for his kingdom to save his people because he had brought it on them. He must decide whether he wants to live or kill more of his people.

The Anglo-Saxon time period is marked with trials of courageous men sacrificing themselves for the sake of others in battle. By defeating the egregiously violent monster Grendel, Beowulf not only becomes a true Anglo-Saxon due to his bravery, but he demonstrates the Anglo-Saxon value of fame. The poet displays Beowulf’s bravery through his actions and words throughout the epic story. When Beowulf encounters a fearsome dragon, the poet mentions that “He [Beowulf] had scant regard/for the dragon as a threat, no dread at all/of its courage or strength” (Beowulf 2347-2349). Beowulf, had such confidence in himself that he believed he could defeat a dragon by himself.

Bilbo really had no choice and went along with the adventure where they faced trials. Fighting trolls, meeting unusual people, and having illusions of food since the dwarves were starving while soon fighting giant spiders that were trying to eat them. These were some of the most outrageous challenges that Bilbo and the dwarves had to face. But their real goal was to get the Arkenstone from dwarf lands guarded by a deadly dragon. Smaug, the dragon that attacked these lands and killed most of the population of dwarves to claim that land as his own, then comes into play and gives the group a difficult time by trying to eat them and burning them to ashes; since Bilbo decided to take a golden cup.

He irrationally decides to battle with the dragon that was causing mayhem in his kingdom alone. This is evident when the speaker describes Beowulf’s decision to face the dragon alone by stating that, “the prince of rings was too proud,/ to

Beowulf embodies many universal societal heroic values that are signified in the modern world like courage, bravery, and strength. In the poem, Beowulf displays courage. “Now, I mean to be a match for Grendel, settle the outcome in single combat” (Heaney 425-426). This quote shows courage because he’s telling them that he can fight Grendel and wants to weather he wins or loses. “No weapons, therefore, for either this night: unarmed he shall face me of face me he dares” (683-685).