Beowulf summary

Beowulf Summative Assignment

Beowulf’s journey to Denmark is short, it outlines that he crossed what we know today as the North Sea. Upon arrival Beowulf is greeted by a guard from Herot. This guard from Herot asks of Beowulf’s origin and reasoning for traveling to Denmark. Beowulf is called to Denmark to fight Grendel as it terrorizes Hrothgar’s men. Later on Grendel’s mother and a dragon that savagely attacks his kingdom. Leading up to the attack on Grendel Beowulf boasts about his victories and boldly states that he will kill Grendel. Beowulf’s skills are often found in heroic characters, such as supernatural abilities, knowledge, and mythical weaponry. Beowulf engages in conflict with Grendel, yet like no other man he fights with no armor or weapons. Beowulf states that “Grendel is no braver, no stronger than I am! I could kill him will my sword; I shall not (Beowulf 677-679”. Beowulf containing his heroic knowledge knows that Grendel has casts a spell to prevent swords from penetrating his skin. Out of brute strength which godly people would have possessed, Beowulf tears Grendel’s arm off causing him to flee. Causing Grendel to flee he would have been viewed as a hero, for no man has been able to kill the monster. Beowulf’s brute strength could be viewed as supernatural aid, as Beowulf is far stronger than any other man that has attack Grendel. In an attempt to strike revenge Grendel’s mother whose name is not given attacks Herot once more slaughtering the town people. When looking at heroic traits there is a call to action, in which case Grendel’s mother calls upon Beowulf. Also in correspondence with heroic traits they have a flaw, a flaw which Beowulf would not be able to slash Grendel’s mother’s skin. A mystical sword that was given to Beowulf, Hrunting couldn’t manage to dig in to her skin. So in what seemed like defeat Beowulf locates at sword hung by a chain, breaks the chain and attacks her once more. A sword that was mended together by giant had managed to kill her, but her blood causing all but the handle to melt away. In the case of Beowulf fighting Grendel’s mother would be a case of super natural powers against each other. Towards the end of Beowulf’s reign he is challenged, in-fact his last challenge. This last challenge is to conquer a dragon that has burnt down his kingdom. The dragon burning his kingdom is Beowulf’s 3rd call to action. Beowulf and his men march to attack the dragon in his tower, but Beowulf’s men flee. Courageous and brave Beowulf and Wulfgar are all who stand in the face of an overwhelming force. In the battle Beowulf slowly is losing, but Wulfgar manages to slay the dragon. Unfortunately to the people under Beowulf’s rule will lose him, for Beowulf’s band of Geats had ran away leaving him helpless. Beowulf had died in a way that people of the time would see as heroic, for he protected his people at the cost of his life. Dying in a great fashion would make his death seem honorable in accordance to the culture Beowulf’s journey was far from over, he would be sent away on the water. He would be sent with all of his closest riches so it can profit him in the afterlife. Throughout Beowulf’s journey he portrays characteristics that we have learned throughout the class and as well what one views a hero. He lives an honorable and lavish life, and looked for the greater of all. He is called upon when the odds seem overwhelming and accepts the call. He uses his supernatural aid to help him destroy all those who oppose him, whether it is his brute strength to his knowledge of situations. Then sent away in terms of a king after his death, his fame would live on which he states are the only thing to live on after death. “Fame after death is the noblest of goals (Beowulf 1388-1389)”