How Does Beowulf Show Courage

Bravery and courage are interchangeable words used to describe the mind of a person who faces difficulty and pain without fear, according to Dictionary.com. Bravery is displayed all throughout the heroic tale of Beowulf, named after its protagonist Beowulf. Knowing that Grendel was a very dangerous character, Beowulf chose to offer up his services to halt the terror being caused by Grendel. No one had to seek him out; rather he came on his own accords simply for the good of these people living in King Hrothgar’s kingdom. He put himself in dangers way even though he no real tie to these people, and not asking about any sort of payment before going out on the hunt. This act alone is what made Michael Stitt call him a “brave fighter” (Stitt) even before going on any missions.

He chose to not hide behind weapons and shields as most would do when facing someone who has killed so many who have tried to stop him in the past. Only a man so sure of his abilities and so brave would face that difficult situation weaponless and without a drop of fear. In Robert E. Bjork’s book A Beowulf Handbook, Bjork even points out the time at the conclusion of Beowulf, when at the protagonist’s funeral when he is praised for being such a brave warrior by other “brave and noble warriors” (Bjork 284) who have become the brave warriors that they are by following in Beowulf’s footsteps. Beowulf’s bravery became an example for all of the warriors who would follow after him in Herot and even in other lands as his story spread all