Beowulf's Legacy

Many human characteristics derive from the imperative trait of self-interest. This egoistic personality can be observed through the ages. A resulting characteristic from this self-centered behavior is the ambition for a lasting legacy. Self-centered behavior creates an aspiration for a legacy because people want their own names to be well remembered. Therefore, a legacy can create an illusion of immortality and have an eternal impact on future generations. In the epic poem Beowulf, Shield Sheafson, Hrothgar, and Beowulf display a will for a legacy. The Scop reveals the desire for a lasting legacy as an archetypal human trait because a legacy decreases the fear of death by providing a form of immortality and as a result can be seen throughout human history.
Shield Sheafson demonstrates his ambition for a legacy by having a grand funeral. Throughout his reign, Shield has proven his worth as king, earning him titles such as “scourge of many tribes” and “wrecker of mead-benches” (Heany 3). To
By defeating Grendel, a monster who has never been defeated, Beowulf would add to his legacy. To further his reputation, Beowulf decides to not use weapons or armor because Grendel “has no ideas of the arts of war, of shield or sword-play, though he does possess a wild strength” (Heany 16). Beowulf wants to make sure that his reputation is unquestionable because he does not want people to think that the only reason he defeated Grendel was due to his weapons. Since Grendel “has no ideas of the arts of war...though...possess a wild strength”, Beowulf wants to prove that he is equal if not better in strength than Grendel. In reality, it would make sense to use weapons and armor to fight Grendel. However, Beowulf believes that fighting weaponless would make his legacy greater. Beowulf’s archetypal trait of desire for a lasting legacy can be seen through his pride in not using weapons or