In Beowulf’s battle with Grendel, Beowulf is extremely confident. This confidence is very apparent in his attitude. When he first comes to Hrothgar’s court, he tells him that he had “firm resolve when [he] set to sea” (Beowulf 22). This confidence is also apparent in Beowulf’s preparation. He chooses to abandon his armor and weapons in the fight. He very dramatically “[strips] from his shoulders the byrny of steel, / [doffs] helmet from head” (23). Beowulf has a huge advantage on Grendel because he is very strong. He is so strong that the people of his country say that his handgrip is equivalent to that of “thirty men’s strength” (15). Beowulf’s confidence is extremely evident as he prepares to fight Grendel.…
The battle with Grendel highlights Beowulf’s intelligence. Beowulf waits outside the hall for Grendel. Once Grendel is in sight, Beowulf pauses and anticipates Grendel’s next moves, rather than immediately attacking him. This shows that while Grendel has brute strength, Beowulf has strength combined with intelligence, which will ultimately help him prevail. Even while in battle with Grendel, Beowulf has enough wherewithal to recall his earlier bedtime speech where he swore to defeat the beast without a weapon and merely his hands (Hammett 2). Beowulf constantly has his wits about him. This intelligence is essential to an Anglo-Saxon…
In the epic Beowulf translated by Seamus Heaney, Beowulf is depicted as a heroic figure who fights monsters and defends the weak. During its time, Beowulf would be considered a great hero however in today's standards Beowulf would only be considered a great warrior because a hero should value the lives of the people and not seek to be rewarded. Instead, Beowulf committed heroic acts for his own selfish reasons and never shows to values the lives of the people. From fighting Grendel to slaying the dragon, Beowulf only fought because he value the fame and fortune that comes along with those accomplishments.…
It is said that Zeus, the Lord of the Sky, once stated that a true hero isn’t measured by the size of his strength but by the strength of his heart. A person who claims to be a hero can boast about his strength and how many monsters he’s defeated, but he can’t be a true hero if in the end he’s defeating all these monsters to show off. A true and epic hero is the man or woman who has the intent on helping people in spite of overwhelming obstacles. Beowulf, because of his selflessness, valor, and honor, is the epitome of an epic hero.…
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…
The first battle Beowulf is faced with is against Grendel. Grendel decides to attack because he is jealous and hates the joy and happiness he hears from the mead-hall; he decides to attack out of jealousy and annoyance. Beowulf decides to fight Grendel to not only gain glory for himself and to create himself a good reputation, but also to serve as assistance to the people of Herot. At the time of this battle, Beowulf was youthful and proud; he bragged on how he would be able to defeat Grendel and save the people. Beowulf chose to fight Grendel without any weapons in order to be on the same “playing field” as Grendel who was also weaponless. Beowulf asks the king to fight alone, with the help of his men only. He stays awake, awaiting the…
Beowulf is a very courageous character and recounts his acts of courage to every person who will listen. In the poem Beowulf tells of his previous courageous actions in destroying a tribe of giants, defeating sea monsters in the night and returning from battle covered in his enemies blood. Beowulf has come to King Hrothgar to fight an ogre. A monster that has brought misery and death to the Danes for many years. This ogre, Grendel, killed thirty of Hrothgar’s men and caused the great mead hall of Herot to be closed. Beowulf tells King Hrothgar “the monster’s scorn of men Is so great that he needs no weapons and fears none. Nor will I” (lines 262-264) Therefore Beowulf intends to fight the Grendel without his armor or his sword. Beowulf may be so courageous because he believes so strongly in fate shaping his successes in the past. Beowulf believes that if it is his fate to win against Grendel then he will win. If it is his fate to die…
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…
"A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself" -Joseph Campbell. The story I'm writing about is the Epic poem call Beowulf, which was translated by Burton Raftel. Beowulf is a hero who defeated many monster that are killing innocent people. In his life, as a hero, Beowulf shows that he is bossy, independent, and fearless; which are all the qualities of a real Epic hero.…
Everyone needs to make their life like a Beowulf. In the poem Beowulf ,the character, Beowulf, is an example of a true epic hero, who fights with a powerful monster and saves Horthgor’s people. He is the only person who can fight with monsters. He meets unnatural phenomena. He goes into the underworld on a dangerous journey. In the end he is able to kill the most powerful monster. In Beowulf, the narrator says Beowulf has all qualities of an epic hero.…
There are many metaphors for Beowulf’s sword, weapon, his hilt battle flame, the edge, his rare treasure, spiral patterned, precious in it class, shift and skel-edged all are references to his sword.…
In Beowulf’s first of the three brawls, Beowulf is certain he is stronger than his terrible adversary, Grendel, without weapons and armor. “Of force in fight no feebler I count me, in grim war-deeds, than Grendel deems him. Not with the sword, then, to sleep of death his life will…
Beowulf, the great masterpiece of Anglo-Saxon literature, was everything an epic hero should be, but contained a few qualities that a hero should not posses. An Anglo-Saxon hero is a person who had good leadership qualities, is able and willing to provide people with a sense of security, and is willing to go into danger despite possible harm to themselves. (Anglo-Saxon Hero) Beowulf had to be willing to put his own life on the line for the benefit of others. For Beowulf to be a hero he must posses such as bravery, courage, strength, intelligence and honor. He must also be pure at heart, fight for the good of mankind and only fight when it is to protect the people and not out of revenge. (Qualities of Hero) Beowulf exemplifies the archetypal epic hero in three ways. His characteristics show that he is significant and glorified, is on a quest, and has superior or superhuman strength.…
The strength of Beowulf is portrayed by his superhuman capabilities as he defeats monsters that are beyond human strength. He also requires superhuman abilities to bring them down. The monster of Denmark, Grendel, had a spell casted upon him that didn’t allow any soldier’s sword to harm him. Beowulf however, tore Grendel’s arm off with his bare hands and caused the savage beast to bleed out and die.…
In Beowulf one of the main characters Grendel is a vicious monster who feasts on the flesh and blood of anyone who stands in his way. He is considered to be the toughest opponent of Hrothgar and his men. When Beowulf is called to face Grendel, he does not seem fazed by the challenge despite all the stories told about Grendel and his merciless ways. In fact, Beowulf decides it would only be fair if he were to fight Grendel with no weapons, since Grendel uses his bare hands to kill. The lines from this story “ He murders as he likes, with no mercy, gorges and feasts on your flesh, and expects no trouble…” (lines 332-334) perfectly describes Grendel’s ruthless ways as well as Beowulf’s courage.…