Heroic Beowulf
Beowulf was written in the eighth century by an unknown author. This story is centered on Beowulf, the main character, who goes to Denmark to offer his aid in fighting off, Grendel, the monster who has been haunting them. Beowulf most definitely proves to be a hero. His heroism is demonstrated first when he kills Grendel, then when he kills Grendel’s mother, and finally when he kills the dragon, called Worm. This makes him a hero because he risks his own life to save the people of Denmark.
The reader first experiences Beowulf’s heroism when he encounters and then kills Grendel. Grendel was a constant threat to the survival of the Danish people because he was using them as food. One night Beowulf awakes to find Grendel over his bed. Rather than trying to escape, Beowulf not only faces Grendel but also pursues him when he tries to escape. Like any other hero Beowulf purses the danger until it is conquered.
The reader experiences Beowulf heroism a second time when he kills Grendel’s mother. Grendel’s mother wanted to avenge her son’s death and went back to the mead hall where a lot of warriors slept and attacked them. Beowulf came and was ready to fight but Grendel’s mother fled. Disregarding his own safety Beowulf relentlessly tracks Grendel’s mother to her cave, where the head of the chieftain was found. Despite how huge Grendel’s mother was, Beowulf stuck it out till the end and eventually stabbed Grendel’s mother leading to her death.
most important work from Anglo-Saxon literature. The poem tells the story of Beowulf, a warrior from Geatland, which is now present-day Sweden. His self-imposed purpose in life is to help others, and eventually sacrifices his own life in doing so. Beowulf's battle with the dragon serves as a critique of the notion that Beowulf is a hero. Even though Beowulf was seeking glory, he still was a hero. Beowulf is a hero because the definition of a hero is “the willingness to make a personal sacrifice for…
dragon. At the beginning of the story, Grendel is devastating King Hrothgar’s mead hall in the Heorot, so Beowulf and his men are called over from the land of the Geats to help protect the mead hall against Grendel. In the view of the coast-guard, Beowulf’s position is like a hero. “ People from Geatland have put ashore. They have saied far over the wide sea. They call the chief in charge of their band by the name of Beowulf. They beg, my lord, an audience with you, exchange of words and formal greeting…
The Decline of a Monster Beowulf perfectly illustrates the characteristics of what it means to be considered a perfect hero. The poem clearly shows his heroism in two completely different eras, Beowulf as a young man and then again when he is much older. This is shown through battles of three monsters, Grendel, Grendel’s Mother, and the dragon; each is progressively more difficult than the last. But as the poem digresses it is easy to see that the biggest monster that Beowulf fights is himself…
Beowulf was a loyal warrior to Higlac, King of the Geats and also Beowulf’s uncle. Achilles was a supernatural being, born from a mortal and a goddess. Achilles was favored by both the gods and the mortals, readers see an example of this during his fight with Hector when Palla Athena helps Achilles turn the favor of the fight into Achilles’ hand’s (Iliad 105108). Not only were both heroes born into a higher power, but both proved their heroism through battles. Beowulf’s loyalty to keep his men and the Danes saf…
to contemplate while reading Beowulf are heroic and evil forces. Symbols brought to attention in Beowulf are Grendel’s Hand and Mead Hall (Heorot). With the use of archetypes and symbols, the novel of Beowulf is easily classified as an epic. Beowulf’s heroism is the main archetype expressed in the novel. As indicated “ Consider now, famous son of Healfdere, wise prince, gold-friend of warriors, now I am ready for the venture, what we spoke of a while sense; if I should depart from life in thy…
depict instances where lack of courage is shown. The prevalence of bravery juxtaposed with cowardice within the novel and the film suggests that acts of heroism are situational and dependent upon one’s exhibited characteristics at any given occasion. Both the novel and the film represent at least one character as having traits compatible to heroism. In the novel, Queen Wealtheow possesses bravery in a situation where she had very little to be optimistic about. She was the sister of Hygmod, young king…
actually Beowulf’s, and how much of it is because the monsters are so fantastical? The supernatural aspects of this poem are crucial to its success, for Beowulf would not be half the hero that he is without the fantastical beasts and monsters within the story. The supernatural is essential to not only make Beowulf an epic, but to also solidify Beowulf’s reputation as gallant hero. If these monsters were taken at just face value, with their supernatural aspects disregarded, Beowulf’s heroism would not…
When Grendel’s mother seeks to avenge the demise of her son, Beowulf once again shows great courage and bravery by going through dark swamps and a cave to track her down and slay her. Because of his bravery and heroism, when Beowulf returns home he is named King. However, Beowulf’s bravery does not end here. About fifty years later, a dragon seeks revenge against his kingdom forcing Beowulf to protect his people again. Although he no longer has youth on his side, Beowulf insists on going to…
Differences between Hamlet's mental/emotional conflicts and Beowulf's physical battles Beowulf is an epic poem from an unknown author. The main point and theme of Beowulf is about heroism of a warrior with courage who becomes an epic hero; not only by his strength in the battles but also by his social obligations. In Williams Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet, Hamlet’s mental and emotional conflict is based on a tragedy of revenge. It is the differences of Beowulf and Hamlet, that also make it the same…
Violence in Literatures The role of violence is used in literatures to improve people’s situation in life, which leads to gaining respect and creating heroic characters. It is needed to advance the plot and strengthen the symbolic meaning of work. Violence is used as a means of creating and maintaining people's world, which is shown in literatures Beowulf, Hamlet, and Clockwork Orange, where violence is necessary to their way of life and is used in quest for respect and success. In the play Hamlet…