“When it Comes to fighting, I count myself as dangerous any day as Grendel” (p. 47). claimed Beowulf. In the old English epic poem Beowulf, translated by Seamus Heaney, an audacious man named Beowulf, ruler of the Geats, was valued as a hero by many. Beowulf was viewed as a gallant hero when he chose to stay with the Danes to help them, rather than returning home to Geatland. In addition, Beowulf was perspicacious. He knew what needed to be done in order to succeed.
By demonstrating much intricacy, the author suggests that two separate forms of pride are present in the attitude of Beowulf although the reader can decipher the actual interpretation in assorted ways. Beowulf has a tendency to show off how essential and valuable he is to those around him by boasting in his past triumphs such as when he says, “They had seen me bolstered in the blood of enemies when I battled and bound five beasts, raided a troll-nest and in the night-sea slaughtered sea-brutes” (Beowulf 419-422). Beowulf gives accounts of his heroic exploits to the
Glory exists today as a more muted idea, something usually not strived for but gained along with winning and success. However, in Anglo-Saxon culture many centuries ago, glory to them was a concept that was a bigger-than-life sort of deal. Glory today is not often something many people die for, though the same could not have been said for the Anglo-Saxons. For some warriors, it was the sheer force of glory that acted as the core of their determination, their reason for existing; their motivations lingering around the idea of existing even in death, as their name would live on. In the poem Beowulf, a warrior had the opportunity to gain the utmost of glory. His strength and willpower assisted him on the journey to make a name for himself even when he is dead.
Beowulf possessed the poised demeanor necessary to defeat all evils by the arrogant swing of his sword. The commitment shown by lending his life to the welfare of his people was imperative in order to be called a flawless warrior. Beowulf embodied the determination that Anglo-Saxons saw as unmeasurably valuable. If nothing more than just fiction, Beowulf is the ideal hero of the people from who he originated. “They said that of all the kings upon the earth he was the man most gracious and fair-minded, kindest to his people and keenest to win fame.” (Heaney
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.
Beowulf is the best epic story. Including perfectly embodies the manners and values such as:
“...So massive no ordinary man could lift its carved and decorated length. He drew it from its scabbard, broke the chain on its hilt, and then, savage, now, angry and desperate, lifted it high over his head and struck with all the strength he had left, caught her in the neck and cut it through, broke bones and all….” Pg72. With ancient understandings and tales in the early times, Beowulf sings of times long forgotten, the times where the only tombs men sought was the battlefield, and their legacies, glory from the most extraordinary of feats. Eras filled with monsters, demons and selfless devotion towards the Glory of God.
Beowulf embodies many universal societal heroic values that are signified in the modern world like courage, bravery, and strength.
All these reason explain why Beowulf was always an honorable man. There should be no doubt in mind that he wasn’t an honorable man. I wrote this essay to inform people of his heroic deeds and why he was he honorable. There are people who think he wasn’t honorable but will have to explain why he wasn’t and I don’t think that someone can explain why he wasn’t honorable better than I explained that he was
Horace’s The Odes introduces the poetic phrase Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori, which is a simplified explanation of a term widely used throughout literature and the world: honor. The sentence translates to “It is sweet and glorious to die for one’s country.” In literature, the phrase symbolizes a variety of heroic characteristics including courage, bravery, strength, and sacrifice. Furthermore, the era in which Horace gained his influence is known for its sacrificial soldiers who died in battle protecting their empire. However, honor has since taken a different connotation: rather than admiring one’s country, one now sacrifices for his or her own gain. In fact, people of the early twentieth century witnessed a near-disappearance of honor,
Furthermore, Beowulf’s death and the downfall of his people highlight the destruction caused by excessive pride. After defeating Grendel and his mother, Beowulf , the warrior, earns a name for himself and eventually rules as the warrior king of the Geats for 50 years. Yet at the end of the poem, Beowulf, similarly to Grendel, lets his insatiable greed consume him. His self-centered desire to gain and maintain fame and glory overrides his duties as a leader of his people, the Geats, and causes him to become irrational. 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
In the Anglo-Saxon poem Beowulf, there is plenty of controversy over whether or not the poem was considered Christian or Pagan. It is understandable that there may be both themes seen throughout this particular work. Beowulf is referred to as a very outstanding piece of British literature during the eighteenth century. Although re-written in the eleventh century, Anglo-Saxon themes represented the ideals of Christianity in a more virtuous, and outright manner. Whereas, in Beowulf, the author makes use of many purposeful situations that lead readers to consider the intentions and major themes that they considered rare at the time. I will discuss how both of these ideologies are seen within this poem, and how Beowulf is a pagan story with undeniable
Strength, honor, and resilience are all words that captures the essence of Beowulf. During the Anglo-Saxon era, Beowulf is a hero who strikes fear in his enemies and relief in his allies. Beowulf is widely-regarded as the most honorable and ruthless hero in all of the world; he defends villages of people from blood-hungry predators, defeats sea monsters, and defeats Grendel and Grendel’s mother in the epic poem Beowulf. However, Beowulf can be an egomaniac at times. For instance, before Beowulf’s epic fight and defeat of the monster Grendel, Beowulf strips nude and fights the monster nude to boast and show off. This can cause Beowulf to be a static character throughout the epic poem; he shows little change as his main goal throughout the whole
The first battle shows Beowulf’s incredible strength, he wins this battle by cutting off Grendel’s arm. Next is the second battle which is against Grendel’s mother. Grendel’s mother is defeated by a sword that is in the hands of Beowulf. Lastly, the third battle is when Beowulf is the King and also very old. During the last battle, Beowulf takes the victory however he is wounded and dies. The following quote: “This monster himself, our mighty king, fight this battle alone and unaided.” shows how other men portray Beowulf.
Beowulf was honorable throughout this epic story. Beowulf was strong, smart, one whom the town was looked up to. When he killed Grendal, the townsfolk were happy and relieved.