In the epic Beowulf, translated by Seamus Heaney, Beowulf’s first intention when traveling to the Daneland was to keep his father’s friendship with Hrothgar intact. Although Beowulf had a sounds cause for traveling to the Daneland, the fame and glory Beowulf later received became his main focus and motivated him to continue entering life threatening battles. This piece of literature showcases the accomplishments and celebrations of a young Geat named Beowulf. Throughout the entire epic, Beowulf has many achievements which influence his god-like appearance within the Anglo-Saxon society. The average reader may be so mesmerized with his talents, they might overlook the fact that Beowulf continues to enter battles in order to boost his self…
Summary: The ideal king in the Anglo-Saxon culture first gains power and wealth through successful wars, and then gains loyalty through friendships and generous gift giving. King Sheafson described in the first part of Beowulf exhibited courage, greatness, power and wealth - all attributes important to the popularity of kings.The ideal king in the Anglo-Saxon culture first gains power and wealth through successful wars, and then gains loyalty through friendships and generous gift giving. King Sheafson described in the first part of Beowulf exhibited courage, greatness, power and wealth - all attributes important to the popularity of kings. He was a, "a wrecker of mead-benches." (1.5). Then, realized that loyalty is best attained through fairness and friendship (1.24-25). King Sheafson first proves himself through success at war and after gains popularity & loyalty through friendship and gifts. King Hrothgar was not always a gentle lord. He may seem measly because he does not fight the monster. Look closely when Hrothgar says, "I was then in the first flush of kinship, establishing my sway over the rich strongholds of this heroic land (3.465-66)." King Hrothgar first by conquered in war, resulting in the acquirement of money and goods. Then, as he aged, he became a "treasure giver" (4.607), giving "gifts to others" (6.950). He also developed loyalty through friendships, especially felt at the teary & sentimental goodbye when Beowulf left. King Hrothgar follows the ideal set forth in King Sheafson in that he was successful at war and then gained loyalty through friendships & gifts.Beowulf also exhibits the ideal king because he first is powerful and then (eventually) honorably attains kingship. We witness in detail the phases of kingship with Beowulf. During the first phase of the poem, he is proving himself. He describes stories where he wards off sea monsters and he selflessly fights the two monsters for King Hrothgar.…
In the midst of his adolescence Beowulf was a remarkable warrior who was depicted generally through his accomplishments of dauntlessness and quality complete of his legendary swimming test against Breca, Beowulf wonderfully speaks to the qualities and direct associated with the Germanic bold code, for instance, pride, thoughtfulness, and dedication. Consequently conquering Grendel's mother and Grendel supports his strength reputation along these lines setting up himself as the legend (Gummere, 4). Other…
In epics, the faithfulness and loyalty of characters are put to the test in relationships and conflicts. Through these situations, some thanes fail to live up to the ideal of loyalty. However, Beowulf maintains loyal to his alliances through all struggles which illustrates his extraordinary faithfulness. In the epic Beowulf, Beowulf emphasizes the ideal of loyalty throughout his relationship with his lord Higlac and his host Hrothgar.…
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…
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and Beowulf share several similar qualities. Each story suggests that honor, truth, and heroism are the most important values a person can exhibit, though in each tale these are manifested in different ways. Both characters, in attempts to keep these values, make mistakes that endanger their lives.…
In the epic poem, “Beowulf”, the fate of nations rest on the shoulders of one man and the forces opposed to all that is good are defeated. In this Old English epic, the character of Beowulf is immortalized as an iconic hero in literature. He is known for the killing of the evil monster Grendel, descendant of Cain, and his revengeful mother. Later in his life, with his age increasing and strength failing him, he manages to kill a dragon who threatens a nation, and finds an heir to his throne, the only warrior brave enough to stay and face the beast alongside his king. Beowulf demonstrates many traits of the “Epic Hero” such as boasting about heroic and brave deeds but also accomplishes such arduous feats as defeating monsters of great size and evil force from threatening kingdoms and killing the innocent public. In addition, Beowulf exercises exemplary leadership from youth to his second phase of life as King of the Geats.…
Beowulf was a brave warrior who followed the warrior’s code throughout the entire story. The warrior’s code was something that Beowulf and other warrior’s followed, this code stated the warrior should never run away he should always stand and fight. During this essay I will talk about how Beowulf not only met the warrior’s code but went far beyond the norm through his three great battles…
1. I believe that Beowulf allowed Grendel to slaughter one of the Geats before taking action himself because in my opinion he was awaiting the moment when Grendel attacked him so the monster could be aware that Beowulf’s strength matches his.…
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…
Beowulf is loosely divided into three parts, each of which centers around Beowulf’s fight with a particular monster: first Grendel, then Grendel’s mother, then the dragon. One can argue that this structure relates to the theme of the epic in that each monster presents a specific moral challenge against which the Anglo-Saxon heroic code can be measured and tested. Beowulf’s fight with Grendel evokes the importance of reputation as a means of expanding one’s existence beyond death. Grendel’s great and terrifying nature ensures that Beowulf will long be celebrated for his heroic conquering of this foe. His subsequent encounter with Grendel’s mother evokes the importance of vengeance. Just as Beowulf exacts revenge upon Grendel for killing Hrothgar’s men, so too must Grendel’s mother seek to purge her grief by slaying her son’s murderer. Beowulf’s final encounter with the dragon evokes a heroic approach to wyrd, or fate. Though he recognizes that his time has come and that he will thus not survive his clash with the dragon, he bravely embraces his duty to protect his people, sacrificing his life to save them.…
Joseph Campbells idea of the monomyth and the hero is that there is stages of a heros journey. He states in Hero with a Thousand Faces, "A hero ventures forth from the world common day into a region of supernatural wonder: fabulous forces are there encountered and a decisive victory is won: the hero comes back from this mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boons on his fellow man" (Campbell 30). The three stages of the monomyth are separation, initiation, and return. These stages can be applied to the heroic myth, Beowulf. It is known for adventure and fits Joseph Campbells description of a hero's journey.…
What do you think of when you see the word "hero?" A person who possesses great skill and courage, no doubt; one who uses those attributes to aid others in ways large or small, but what about Beowulf? While he may not spring to mind, Beowulf perfectly emphasizes heroic qualities-those of an epic hero. In the Anglo-Saxon folk epic Beowulf, he uses strength, skill, and a little help from the gods to defeat a series of deadly and monstrous foes. Beowulf's honor, courage, and prowess in battle mark him as one of literature's great epic heroes.…
Upon reading or watching the epic tales of heroes, it is easy to overlook the connection they all share. From his writings in, A Hero With A Thousand Faces, Joseph Campbell brings to light the journey of a hero in “the rights of passage: separation – initiation – return: which might be named the nuclear unit of the monomyth.” (Campbell, 30) The epic tale of a hero follows the universal pattern of Campbell’s monomyth beginning with the separation, or call to adventure - leaving one’s family, friends, or tribe. Followed by the initiation of the crossing the threshold into the world unknown where he encounters trials and is victorious. S/he can then return home with a “boon” to aid and/or restore his/her world. According to Campbell, “[o]ther [monomyths] string a number of independent cycles into a single series (as in the Odyssey).” (Campbell, 246) In Beowulf, the poet has sent Beowulf on his journey of the monomyth. However, like Csmpbell has written, Beowulf’s journey consist of three miniature monomyths that can be connected into one hero’s journey that take several decades of his life to complete.…
Beowulf is a poem that exploits both loyalty and honor within its characters. The protagonist Beowulf is a complex character that possesses both of his traits and many more to demonstrate his heroism. The greatest honor to him was to die in a valiant battle. Therefore, he was fearless and fought with ferociousness, not caring if he lives or dies. At the end, he gets rewarded wealthily and becomes a hero in everyone’s eyes. However, the loyal people, who emerge in the situations when a brave act is needed to protect people in a great danger, get the gods protection due to their noble deeds and get eventually classified as heroes.…