As said by Tomy Beta, “you are the fairytale told by your ancestors.” This quote is directly referring to the importance of ancestry and how it plays a part in a person's life, and the way they are perceived by others. In Beowulf, this idea of ancestry proves to be one of the biggest ways Beowulf finds his identity, and achieves his goals. Ancestry, in this sense, is not only a part of your life, but a part of your past and future generations. Additionally, the way a person is perceived can be tied to their motivation in pursuing heroic acts. Once these acts are performed, depending on their ancestry, it can have a major or minor effect on the way people view their authority. Beowulf’s family motivates him to create a legacy for himself. Beowulf’s …show more content…
In Beowulf, and many other ancient texts written around the same time period, family is one of the most prized and important things. Making your family proud of your accomplishments, and carrying on their past traditions and values, is vital to being a successful, well known person. “I can leave/ This life happy; I can die, here,/ Knowing the Lord of all life has never/ Watched me wash my sword in blood/ Born of my own family” (Line unknown, around pg. 110). Right before the death of Beowulf to the dragon, when he says this, it really gives the reader a huge insight on how absolutely vital it was for Beowulf to carry on his family tradition of dying an accomplished person. It directly illustrates that he feels his life is complete, and has brought him to a satisfying end. Now, what is interesting is the fact that Beowulf is actually saying that he has died fulfilled because he has never killed one of his kin. Although it definitely states this, his statement also possesses deeper meaning, that washing his sword in the blood of his family also means not carrying on tradition. This would be valid to say, as a result of the other lengths he took throughout the book to ensure well being for his future and present generation. “The Geat leader, resolute in his helmet, answered in return: "We are retainers from Hygelac's band. Beowulf is my name" (340-343). This shows that one of …show more content…
Throughout the book it can appear that Beowulf’s actions are all performed not for his personal gain, but to carry on traditions and legacy for his family name. In some respects this is true, but one of Beowulf's final goal in his life is to become king of Geatland, and also be a respected, well known leader. In order to achieve this, Beowulf’s takes daring risks in his actions in order to build his reputation. An example of his accomplishment was presented after his defeating of Grendel’s mother, when he awarded for his actions. “He had been poorly regarded/for a long time, he was taken by the Geats/for less than he was worth….but presently/every affront to his deserving was reversed” (2183-2189). This idea of accomplishing one's goal after so many years of overlook highlights Beowulf’s uncanny motivation. In order to become this person of high status, he persevered through all of his battles, and took risks that could have, if not achieved, sent his reputation on a downfall. Another interesting idea presented by the dialogue in the book was the way that Beowulf and others viewed his daring actions. “Beowulf, / tell us what your trip to far off places/brought you… your search for war in Herot?” (1986-1990). This explicitly tells us that Hygelac believes Beowulf’s departure, while purposefully aimed to assist Hrothgar, also possessed a part of unknowingness for what was happening. It was instead a
Beowulf has been known for who his father is. Everywhere he goes the first thing he tells people is who his father is and what his father has accomplished. “My father was a famous soldier, known far and wide as a leader of men. His name was Edgetho.” (pg. 46).
Being remembered, in death, is a very immense part of the Anglo-Saxon code, and with that, Beowulf seemed to believe that defeating Grendel’s mother would grant him more fame than he had previously received. As explicated in the epic, “So fame comes to the men who mean to win it and care about nothing else!” (Lines 507-509) Beowulf cared about his name, and with that, he knew it was in him to fight for that name and to make it heard through his life and generations afterward. After understanding what it means to be truly glorified, and what it means to be remembered, years after one’s death with fame, one can recognize the reasoning behind Beowulf’s actions.
Beowulf attempted to comfort Hrothgar and the warriors by exclaiming, “Let your sorrow end! It is better for us all to avenge our friends, not mourn them forever”. He then aims to convince Hrothgar that “for the glory of his name, fame after death is the noblest of goals”. Beowulf believes it is worth dying for a good
In the epic poem “Beowulf,” good lineage is important for social interactions. A character born into a well-known, wealthy family will more likely to be accepted into society than a character who was born to a poor or strange family. When brought up in a distinguished home, a character is thought to be well-mannered while a character brought up in a deprived family is thought to be uncivilized. Coming from different backgrounds does not mean that these characters cannot act alike. Grendel terrorizes the Danes and kills many people which is not far from the actions of Queen Modthryth.
The epic poem “Beowulf”, translated by Burton Raffel, focuses on a hero by the name of Beowulf who goes on a quest to rescue King Hrothgar and his people from an egregious monster by the name of Grendel. This Anglo-Saxon tale gives insight into the values and beliefs of the people from whom the story originated. Their war-centered ideology and views on loyalty and courage were the principles that the Anglo-Saxon culture was founded upon. While warfare was a focal point in their lifestyle, it was far from a savage, barbaric state of fighting. Honor and prestige were bestowed upon those who died during battle and selflessness for fellow warriors was a fundamental belief.
Glory is the prime motivation for Beowulf in his story. Beowulf wants to be remembered for the great deeds he has done in his lifetime, like Hrothgar. Hrothgar, the king has earned his glory in his youth. “To Hrothgar was given such glory of war, such honor of combat, that all his kin obeyed him gladly…” (Part 1) Hrothgar is now old and unable to protect his kingdom, and Beowulf decides that he will step in and help because of the glory it will give him.
Questions of Honor: Beowulf Beowulf’s honor and integrity can be questioned throughout the entirety of the epic poem, Beowulf. Whether or not his actions are inspired by his own pompous arrogance or confidence, one can argue that he is a hero nonetheless. Evidence and experience prove that Beowulf is more of a fearless hero than an excessively prideful man, and his hubris is more than justified due to the formidable duties he is able to execute. Throughout the poem, Beowulf expresses his intense strength and courage to the fearful people in the poem. His daring sense of self-assurance is backed by his victories against all three monsters, (even though he suffers a tragic death after facing the dragon, it is a defeat nonetheless).
Beowulf is a historical poem that was made in the 8th century. Beowulf has taught many people in the world that we should always fight and succeed when it comes to our obstacles. Beowulf is a story that is mostly fighting the people that Beowulf fights for is his king and allies after all he is a strong warrior.he fights lot in the story and someone he fight is grendel a evil monster he fights and dies as a loyal soldier. Beowulf is a wonderful book that poems admiration and loyalty in every way possible. Beowulf was a strong warrior to show how he was i have this quote directly said by beowulf himself”If death does take me send the hammered mail to Higlac and return the inheritance i had from hrethel l and he from wayland fate will unwind
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.
Beowulf had done the unthinkable—he had killed a demon that no warrior of Denmark could have done. This opened several new doors for Beowulf, including one that promised of honor, glory, and riches. Beowulf had achieved his goal of fame, a goal which had created a poem of a hero that birthed and shaped a story to be told even years later. Furthermore, Beowulf’s fame was set in stone by Hrothgar, the king who owed Beowulf his everything, including his thanks. After giving Beowulf the speech to further glorify his prominence, Hrothgar declares, “Glory is now yours/
Loyalty, one of the main themes throughout Beowulf, is an important aspect of the Germanic culture. Loyalty in the Heroic Code is a bond between the king and his warriors; loyalty to the king is first above all, even family in this text. If the warriors lack the loyalty for their king, the urge to protect their king and tribe is diminished. Beowulf’s king, Hygelac, gave him permission to help the Danish king and his people. Beowulf exerts his loyalty to Hrothgar by protecting the king’s people, and killing Grendel.
I am old, now, but I will fight again, seek fame still, if the dragon hiding in his tower dares to face me” (2511-2515). In conclusion, Beowulf is an epic hero. Although he made risky decisions, he did them for his people. He possessed the qualities of a hero; bravery, loyalty and fearlessness.
This is seen multiple times throughout the poem beginning with his quest to kill Grendel. Beowulf personally sought out permission from Hrothgar to help the Danish people. Beowulf was able to help the suffering community; furthermore, he had a chance to receive great recognition for his actions. After defeating Grendel, Beowulf was given the opportunity to receive more glory and once again help Heorot by taking the life of Grendel’s mother. This was an extremely dangerous challenge because he knew her capabilities.
"He gave Herdred all his support, offering an open heart where Higlac's young son could see wisdom he still lacked himself: warmth and goodwill were what Beowulf brought his new king. " This shows Beowulf's loyalty to Higlac his late King, and to his family. Beowulf would not be dishonorable by taking what wasn't rightfully his; he would rather stand by Higlac's son and teach him all he knows. Beowulf is the hero to his King's son and country, by staying loyal and having honor.
In particular, Beowulf’s action of traveling to the land of the Danes to save them from Grendel and his mother is a noble act. However, the motive of this decision is fueled by the hero’s desire for greed, fame, and power. After returning from his quest, Beowulf informs his king, Hygelac, “‘Thus the king acted with due custom. I was paid and recompensed completely, given full measure and the freedom to choose from Hrothgar's treasures by Hrothgar himself’” (Heaney 2144-2149).