Do you mean tragic hero? He's not a tragic hero because he gets punished for something that is absolutely his own fault and he knows it - he goes after the dragon's hoard, the dragon kills him. A tragic hero is destroyed by something he did unknowingly, not realizing that he has been mistaken all along.
I'm trying to use the idea that Beowulf has a flaw of excessive pride, is informed that he has this problem, but fails to fix his fault by the end of the poem. He did not need to fight the final battle but did so because of his pride.
The only reason Beowulf can be successful is his constant modesty. He attributes all of his victories to God, embodying ideal Christian behavior. In the context of the story if Beowulf had become proud he would have failed. Beowulf’s success is only possible because of his lack of pride.
In Beowulf’s world, pride will only lead to death. When Beowulf first arrives in Hrothgar’s kingdom, Hrothgar warns him about what happens to men who become too proud and attempt to fight Grendel. Hrothgar says, “how many times have my men…sworn to stay after dark/ and stem that horror with a sweep of their swords (480-6). Those men get drunk and swear they will defeat Grendel, and pride forces them to do what they said they would: fight Grendel. No one has ever succeeded because they are too proud. However, Beowulf does not become proud, and so he can succeed.
You May Also Find These Documents Helpful
-
Beowulf is such a unique and distinctive character. He shows people the true definition of an epic hero. He is the type of hero that people would look up to. He is a confident leader for many, and that is what makes him who he is. Beowulf’s main characteristics are loyalty, bravery, and strength.…
- 379 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
My synopsis is going to be about two heroes. One of which is a literary hero from a famous world renowned poem called, “Beowulf”. The other hero is just as popular, but this hero has fought for the equal rights of African Americans. His name is Martin Luther King Jr. Both hero’s share similar qualities and traits that a hero must have. This essay will give you fact upon fact of how both heroes’ are great men.…
- 334 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
Pride and honor can be lost or won. In the movie Beowulf and Grendel, and in the elegy of Beowulf, pride and honor are very important things to all of the characters. The Beowulf of the old English story is seeking honor by killing Grendel, the Beowulf of the movie is looking to preserve his honor by justifying the killing of Grendel, which swore he would do. In both the movie and the book, the Danes have lost there pride, they have failed to defeat Grendel and must rely on an outsider to do the dirty work and save them.…
- 580 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
When Grendel attacked, he patiently waited while the monster ate one of his companions, perhaps contemplating the best angle of attack . He also realized that no weapon could bring harm to Grendel, which may account for his vow to fight him unarmed. Instead of being looked at as his pride, Beowulf's decision can be seen as his intelligence, even wisdom. Wisdom, in addition to his intelligence, was another quality Beowulf possessed. In his fight with the dragon, which would be his final battle, Beowulf was wise enough to understand that he was older than in his past and this would most likely be his last fight . These examples, though not emphasized greatly in the story, show that Germanic tribes honored leaders who were capable on the battlefield both physically and mentally. They desired a leader and a warrior who could not only lead them in battle through his actions, but also through his strategies and…
- 881 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
Beowulf had much pride, which was rare for his time. His pride is always fighting his responsibility to the people around him. He never asks for help, even if he may need it. Beowulf is reckless and races Brecca in the open sea for seven days to satisfy a foolish bet. His pride was the reason he battled all the monsters. He wanted to secure the protection of his people. After hearing…
- 652 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
I have only read the first half of Beowulf thus far and will post an update next week. However, Beowulf's actions nor words have seemed overly prideful to me. My viewpoint may be different than others, however. I have seen pride destroy important life opportunities, I have seen people…
- 411 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
In order to establish Beowulf as an epic hero in the piece of literature Beowulf, he must possess all or most of the characteristics of an epic hero. An epic hero is the central figure in an epic who has superior qualities and risks personal danger to pursue a grand quest. There are ten specific characteristics that one must have to be considered an epic hero. One must be significant and glorified, on a quest, and responsible leader. One must also have superior or superhuman strength, intelligence, courage, and ethics. Lastly, one must risk death for glory or for the greater good of society, perform brave deeds, and reflect the ideals of a particular society.…
- 1031 Words
- 5 Pages
Good Essays -
Beowulf's traits, good and bad, define him as a hero by Anglo-Saxon standards. But his arrogance, greed and selfishness contradict the modern, humanistic image of a hero. When it comes to Beowulf getting what he wants, nothing will stand between him and his goal. No amount of lives lost is too many for Beowulf, and the high cost to others only contributes to his glory. In his own time and culture, he was the ultimate hero of legend because he saved his people from monsters attacking them. But he falls far short when compared to today’s standards of selflessness, in which heroes are defined by risking their lives for others, and thus valuing their own less. Today’s heroes know that he may not make it out of the…
- 780 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
Beowulf was very boastful of himself to others. This characteristic was shown to the reader by “-have watch me rise from the darkness of was, dripping with my enemies blood. I drove five great giants into chains, chased all of that race from the earth. I swam In the Blackness of night, hunting monsters out of the ocean, and killing them one by one; death was my errand and the fate they had earned.” (152-157) Beowulf loves the attention that his “mighty” strength gave him. When people mourned over Beowulfs’ death, the author let us know he was well like by the people for example: “-crying that no better king had ever lived, no prince so mild, no man so open to his people so deserving of…
- 620 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
In the epic poem of "Beowulf" the main character is the hero in the land of the Geats and the Danes. Beowulf is helpful, courageous, and determined. He proves to be the bravest and most daring. On his journeys he shows how being a hero is not only determined on brute strength, but by interior qualities as well. Beowulf is helpful to the Danes by freeing them from their 12 long years of panic and terror.…
- 652 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Throughout history, humans have always looked for a courageous and strong person that they can call on and label him or her as their hero. In the Epic poem Beowulf, origin unknown, the titular character Beowulf was a warrior who preformed epic feats against the terrors of Geatland. Beowulf, the main character allows his physical strength, noble qualities, and his victories to characterize him as a hero.…
- 67 Words
- 1 Page
Good Essays -
Beowulf’s first heroic traits were his use of strtength and courage. With his courage he was able to stand up and protect his fellow people and with his strength it helped him defate his eniemies. For example, in the battle with Grendel,”And defate, the tears torn out of Grendel’s/ Taut throat, hell’s captive caught in the arms/ Of him who of all then men on earth/ Was the strongest” (346-349). In this quote Beowulf showed great strength in the battle with Grendel. He made his enemy run for his life. With Beowulf’s strength he had made the people feel safe again. Everyone thought he had amzing courage for coming face to face with the evil Grendel. In addition, “But so massive that no ordinary man could lift/ From its scabbard, broke the chain on its hilt” (488-490). In the quote, Beowulf showed his strength and lifted a sword that no regular man could lift. His strength allowed him to dominate in battle. If it were not for his pure strength or couage, he would not have been able to dafate Grendel or his mother.…
- 678 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Part A- Beowulf like all epic hero’s is strong loyal and brave. These characteristic are what define Beowulf, and instill fear is his enemies. He boasts about “(driving) / five great giants into chains” (248-249) and “In the blackness of night, hunting monsters” (251). Beowulf protects his followers and king, and is proud of his accomplishments. He strives for greatness, his words are arrogant but his actions shine through his overbearing pride and give him the capability to be heroic. (Part B) Beowulf is an epic hero; he takes great pride in his actions, unlike Grendel who feels jealous of humans which causes him to be spiteful towards them: “ Grendel snatched at the first Geat / He came to (and) Ripped him apart” (313-314). Grendel’s pride lays in the fear he instills on humans, without pride Grendel would be a monster with no motive to kill. Furthermore, Beowulf’s pride stems…
- 379 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
The great actor, Robert Downey Jr., once said, “I think that we all do heroic things, but hero is not a noun, it’s a verb. In the epic poem “Beowulf,” the main character, by the same name, fits this quote perfectly. Beowulf sets off on a journey to rid the land of the Danes of the evil that has haunted it. Beowulf is a true epic hero because he embodies traits that were highly valued in his time and he possesses seemingly supernatural traits.…
- 539 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Pride can be destructive. In the poem Beowulf, we can observe that pride has always been a really dangerous, even deadly flaw. The paradigm of pride really obvious in this poem. We are going to study Beowulf's battle against Grendel, where we can observe the importance of reputation.…
- 491 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays