Beowulf Unorganised Doc.

Topic: Explain the meaning of ‘’Kill me! Kill me! You know why you can’t kill me, my friend/’Cause I died many, many years ago when I was young’ in Beowulf as well as themes of loyalty, reputation and envy. Many of the characters in Beowulf are, like in most epics, defined by their status. But, in addition to status, the Anglo-Saxon culture also adds an element of honor. To the Anglo-Saxons, a character's importance, as well as their wealth and status, where measured not only in monetary terms, but it was also measured in terms of honor, fame, and accomplishments.
Beowulf shows remorse for his past deeds, his lost of honor was his death, an unbearable suffering which made him feel like a walking dead, he tried to show his friend that shame is worse than death, it’s like a bleeding wound, even when walking it hurts, this was a spiritual death to Beowulf so to emphasize his mistakes in the past as those actions represent his character inexistent to present. What were Beowulf mistakes which caused him great sadness and pain?
Greed for power and other benefits lead to surpass his honour, and in order to achieve them he even cooperated with the enemy of his people for his personal goal.
Two phases of his life, separated by fifty years, correspond to two different models of virtue, and much of the moral reflection in the story focuses on differentiating these two models and on showing how Beowulf makes the transition from one to the other. Hrothgar, king of the Danes, is one example of the Anglo-Saxon measurement of importance in Beowulf. In Canto 1 the story teller describes his wealth and importance, not as mounds of gold or jewels, but instead as his ability to "[lead] the Danes to such glory." and as his tendency to "In battle, [leave] the common pasture untouched, and taking no lives." Through this display of compassion for the commoner who doesn't fight in battles, Hrothgar proves the full extent of his honor and therefore the extent of his wealth and status. Beowulf, the hero-prince, also proves his true wealth and status through his deeds as defender of the Danes. As he fights and defeats Grendel, Beowulf Earns Fame and wealth from his companions, and from the Danes, but more importantly, he earns honor raising him to the level of an example hero. Grendel, on the other hand, is the total opposite of Beowulf. He has no wealth, no honor, and he in infamous as an evil killer. This lack of wealth and honor defines Grendel as a symbol of evil and corruption. In addition to using Honor and wealth to define a character's character, the story-teller(s) have incorporated alternating Biblical and Paganistic motifs in the epic-poem.

Apart from Wealth, Honor, And other motifs, character is also shown through a certain Man vs. Wild motif. This motif shows the difference between mankind's ways (good), and evil's wild nature (evil). Grendel for one, is totally wild and is therefore shown as evil. His wild home, "Grendel, who haunted the moors, the wild marshes, and made his home in a hell not hell but earth." shows his wild, untamed, and therefore evil nature. Grendel's wilderness is countered in mankind's ways, especially Beowulf's. Beowulf is tame and civilized, the epitomy of goodness and purity. Beowulf doesn't fight evil in a wild manner, rather, as shown in his first battle with Grendel. First off, Beowulf is pure and shows this before his battle when he removes his armor and vows not to use a weapon to defeat Grendel. Defeating Grendel, he shows that man, without armor and weapons, can defeat evil in any form including that of his foe Grendel. This deed serves throughout the epic serves as a symbol of Beowulf's Goodness. Beowulf has many other such archetypal, symbolic themes and motifs, but the most important themes that serve to add depth to the characters are the wealth, honor, religious, man, and wildness themes. These themes don't only serve to define a character, but they also factor in as a motive for their actions.

Have you ever contemplated your reputation after death? A substantial societal principle during the era of "Beowulf" included a person’s notoriety after death. Hrothgar advises Beowulf to remain generous and selfless throughout life. He shows Beowulf what happens when somebody begins life with good deeds, then transforms into a narcissistic monarch much like King Heremod. Once King Heremod died, people remembered his self-centered acts rather than the generosity he showed when he ascended the throne. When a ruler makes a self-centered decision, the judgment voids his good deeds and taints his name after death. However, when a good king dies the people show their gratitude by creating an elaborate funeral. The people cremate the bodies and bury them with nonpareil treasures to show appreciation. The last survivor of a race states that when a person has nobody to share their gold and treasures with, their treasures have no meaning. By remaining generous, a person becomes well liked and their life has purpose. In order to live a commendable life and leave a meritorious reputation after death, one must remember to remain generous and selfless consistently throughout life. Although King Heremod started out as a wise and ambitious ruler, however, after his motives began to shift towards his personal interests, his name was associated with contemptible connotations. Hrothgar tells Beowulf not to follow Heremod's example as an avaricious and egocentric monarch. Heremod once ruled with generosity and kindness, then transformed into a self-centered and covetous leader. He “. . . grew bloodthirsty, gave no more rings/to honour the Danes. He suffered in the end . . . . his life lost happiness” (1719-1722). King Heremod ceased practicing generosity, and as a result he lost his happiness and prominence as a good leader. As his reign continued, the people were wary of his judgment and no longer looked up to him as a strong and virtuous leader.