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Sacrifice In Beowulf

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Honor. Glory. Gold. Honor. Glory. Gold. These words describe Burton Raffel’s epic, Beowulf. King Hrothgar of Denmark builds a mead-hall and celebrates. This angers Grendel so he rampages in Herot Hall killing Danes. Later Beowulf comes to kill Grendel. Beowulf returns to Geatland. Fifty years later he fights a dragon. Sacrifice can benefit the greater good.” For example, Beowulf is willing to give his life for Hrothgar’s kingdom. Sacrifice can benefit the greater good. First, Beowulf kills Grendel. Then Grendel’s mother comes to the hall to seek revenge. Afterward Beowulf kills Grendel’s mother. Finally Beowulf goes back to Geatland where he gets killed by a dragon. “.. [Beowulf] proclaiming that he’d go to that famous king, would sail across the sea to Hrothgar, now when help was needed.”(29,199-201). These series of events are connected to each other because they portray the same idea. These events show that the character changes for the good. The character change for the good by helping others like with the Danes and the Geats. Grendel breaks into the hall. Moreover Grendel eats one of the Geat soldiers. Then Beowulf stops Grendel from eating him. Lastly Beowulf defeats Grendel to protect the Danes. “[Grendel] grasped at a strong- hearted wakeful sleeper- and was …show more content…

Wiglaf goes to protect Beowulf. “…[Wiglaf’s] mind was made up; he raised his yellow shield and drew his sword…”(104,2609-2610). However Beowulf goes to save the honor of Hrothgar’s friend. “Each of us will come to the end of this life on earth; he who can earn it should fight for the glory of his name…” (69, 1386-1388). Only Wiglaf tried to save a friend. In contrast, Beowulf is in the process of “saving” Hrothgar’s friend. While Wiglaf is already battling to saving a friend. The lines are connected because they show moments when the characters risked themselves to save

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