What are some good characteristics for a person to have? Bravery? Of course! No one desires to be a coward in life. Loyalty? Definitely. Being loyal is important in any friendship or leadership situation. How about modesty? Listening to a bragging friend is not something that anyone wants to do. Bravery, loyalty, and modesty—all good attributes to be found in a person. The character Beowulf, in the story Beowulf, possesses all of these qualities and more. He is brave, loyal, and modest. Countless stories can be found that are about dragons and how ruthless they are. In Beowulf, Beowulf not only defeats Grendel, a wicked monster, but he also retrieves a victory over a dragon who is a threat to his kingdom. Beowulf knew that his life was on the …show more content…
They brag about their many talents and accomplishments, leaving the person on the other end of the conversation feeling that worn out from listening to the same thing over and over again. Fortunately, there are people who do not excessively brag about their latest achievements. They simply know what they have done, and they leave it at that. Beowulf was most like the latter. In Beowulf, there was no evidence spotted that seemed to imply that Beowulf went around boasting about the monsters that he had killed and replaying the events over and over again until people had begun to wish that he had not scored a victory over the monsters. Instead, he knew what he had done and he did not brag. This shows modesty in one of its highest forms. Brave people can be inspiring. A loyal friend can be comforting. Modesty shows character. These three qualities are good to possess. Beowulf, in the story Beowulf, is brave, loyal, and modest. He was a good leader and he fought for the well-being of his people. As a result, they loved Beowulf, and even after he died, he was remembered throughout his land. Possessing these three special characteristics can make anyone a candidate for a good leader, just like
Heroes. They are here for us when we need them. Without fail, they come to our rescue and save us from our sinful desires and offer an escape from the sin filled world we live in. At least that is the hero we think of when it comes to modern-day thoughts on a hero. One thing is true about a hero, that they have distinct qualities that set them above normal people.
Beowulf is willing to risk his life by battling battles to protect the people. There are three main battles. The first battled Beowulf had to fight was against Grendel. The second battle, Beowulf had to fight was against Grendel's mother. The third battle, Beowulf fight was against a dragon.
Wherever human beings are accumulated together in large numbers, they need leadership. Even a school needs a principle to mentor and escalate the school’s rank. Armies need generals to lead them to a courageous victory. Civilians need governments, captains of industry and intellectual leaders of thought as well. However, There are characteristics common to most great leaders that can be picked out.
Characteristics that simply describe Beowulf. It does not take long to see that Beowulf is no ordinary man. Through his many acts of valor, Beowulf exhibits feats only superhuman capabilities could allow him to do. Beowulf is described as being “greater and stronger than anyone anywhere in this world... "(Beowulf).
A character name Beowulf can be characterized as an Anglo-Saxon hero more so than an epic hero because of his actions. Some criteria of the Anglo-Saxon hero is bravery and generosity. Beowulf shows bravery throughout the book Beowulf. Bravery is a very difficult thing to have because it can be very dangerous, or you could be risking your own life for the good of the people. However, the hero himself did
Boasting and self-possession were another common custom of the Anglo-Saxons. (“Anglo-Saxon Warfare Group”). Beowulf represents a quintessential Anglo-Saxon hero through his confident poise, his willingness for self-sacrifice, and his tenacity through near-impossible odds. Beowulf possessed the trait of self-assurance, almost to the point of hubris. Beowulf quickly rose through the ranks and was entrusted by King Hrothgar simply by asserting himself as the leader and savior of the Danes.
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).
To start off both Sir Gawain and Beowulf are loyal and show it throughout their poems. Beowulf shows he is loyalty toward his people the citizens of Geatland over which he rules. This is expressed in the quote “For this, this gold, these jewels, I thank Our father in Heaven,, Ruler of Earth or all of this, that His Grace has given me, Allowed me to bring to my people while I breath Still came to my lips. I sold my life for this treasure, and I sold it well.
Beowulf reveals an act of arrogance throughout the epic poem Beowulf; therefore, it makes him an irrelevant hero. Beowulf claimed “that he needs no weapons and fears none” when fighting the monster. Stating that he can defeat a monster with his bare hands makes Beowulf very boastful. This quality of boastfulness expresses Beowulf’s thoughts on heroism. He only did heroic deeds for his desire.
However, in today’s society, boasting is usually viewed as self-centered or egotistical. It is viewed differently today than in Beowulf’s time because boasting has changed. Today, many people boast to talk highly about themselves or imply that they are more important than others. Despite
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 goes to fight the monster and “Beowulf arrays himself in armor, not at all worrying about his life.” Overall, if you think about it, Beowulf truly is a hero. This is because he even puts forth maximum effort to fight. He truly believes in justice and peace for the village.
The definition of a true hero is very subjective as people have their own opinions on what makes someone a hero. Some people might consider someone who does the right thing a hero, for some it may be people who fight for their country. The characteristics of a hero might vary, but in the epic “Beowulf,” Beowulf is sought out to be the hero because of three main traits; his noble cause, code of honor, and his strength and courage. Each of these traits makes up the hero he is portrayed to be. One of the first qualities described in the epic is the act of a noble cause.
I am old, now, but I will fight again, seek fame still, if the dragon hiding in his tower dares to face me." (52) To Beowulf, even as an older and supposedly wiser man, his main reason for fighting monsters continues to be to gain more fame. Other heroes, like Gilgamesh and Odysseus, usually do heroic deeds to help their kingdoms and men. For example, Gilgamesh kills the heavenly bull to avoid a famine from wrecking his kingdom, while Odysseus works to save his men throughout the story multiple times. Loyalty towards himself before anyone or anything else, is one of the qualities that separates Beowulf from other traditional heroes.
Every culture, every time period, will find a flaw in every hero: Beowulf is no exception. To an Anglo-Saxon of the time period, Beowulf is the perfect hero, without a doubt. He is a shining example for his people to live by. A life lead by ambition and driven by the desire to protect, Beowulf?s story is one to be acknowledged.