Based on the Scandinavian culture portrayed in Beowulf to be a good hero and leader you need to be strong, courageous and confident. These traits were shown in Beowulf multiple times, mostly having to do with his fight with the monster Grendel. He was strong enough to stand up to Grendel and claim his victory against his opponent. He was also very courageous by fighting Grendel. He knew how strong Grendel was, attacking the Heorot for 12 winter straights but he still went to help the Danes. Finally Grendel was confident while fighting Grendel because he made a deal, if Grendel doesn't use weapons he wouldn't either. These traits were also showed in Siegmund, another great hero and leader in Scandinavian. He also portrayed all of these characteristics …show more content…
First he was strong enough to stand up to Grendel and claim his victory against his opponent. Everyone knew his strength and therefore believed he was the only one capable of fighting the monster Grendel. In the text the guard for Scyldings tells Beowulf, “I have never seen a mightier warrior on earth” Beowulf was also very strong when he was able to rip out Grendel's shoulder, a monster who made the Danes suffer a tremendous amount. Beowulf was also courageous in his battle because he didn't back down against Grendel. He knew of Grendel's fierce attacks on the Danes but he still came to fight him. While Beowulf is describing his lineage he states, “what dark doer of hateful deeds in the black nights, shows in terrible manner strange malice, injury and slaughter.” Beowulf hears of Grendel's wrath and prepared himself and his thanes to fight instead of backing up and allowing the Danes to continue suffering. Finally Grendel is confident because he wants to fight Grendel without any weapons or armour, he does this because he hears that Grendel doesn't use any weapons so he won't either. This is shown in the text when Beowulf says, “I scorn to bear sword or broad shield, yellow wood, to the battle, but with my grasp I shall grapple with the enemy and fight for life, foe against foe.” Beowulf wants to defeat Grendel with his own …show more content…
This was shown in three great charecters Beowulf, Scyld Scefing and Siegmund. All of these characters had these traits and had great positive impacts on the people around them. Both Beowulf and Siegmund are honorable in the text because of the challenging tasks they have completed, Beowulf had defeated Grendel and Siegmund had defeated a dragon. Both of them have accomplished these hard tasks by themselves without the help of no one else which was worthy of being honored. Scyld Scefing had been a great king and had created a strong empire where they all gave tribute to
Beowulf fights in three battles and wins them all. That shows his bravery and strength. After Beowulf defeats Grendel, people of all ages were “retelling Beowulf’s bravery”(Beers II.
When Beowulf rends his arm, Grendel runs away. This shows his cowardice since he runs instead of finishing the fight on the spot. For the Anglo-Saxons, death in battle was the most glorious type of death, Thus Grendel running away would have reenforced the quality of courage and made him a laughingstock in Anglo-Saxon society. When the battle itself begins, Beowulf decides to fight Grendel bare handed. His comrades, however stay to help him fight.
First of all, Beowulf’s courage helps him have the strength to be in a battle against his enemies. For instance, before fighting with Grendel, Beowulf says “Unarmed he shall face me / if face me he dares. And may the Divine Lord / in His wisdom grant the glory of victory / to whichever side he sees fit” (684-687). Of course, this means that Beowulf has enough courage to be strong and fight Grendel without any weapons. Therefore, his courage helps build up another characteristic that makes up an epic hero, which is his strength.
The story Beowulf contains many different rulers that people follow. Among the various characteristics these men share, a few great qualities shine through, these being generosity, loyalty, and bravery. The leader Beowulf portrays these qualities multiple times throughout the story, which define him as a model of leadership for all times. One of the reasons is that Beowulf always acts decisively and courageously to combat evil, and he is also noble in his actions. He knows how to create peace as well as to wage war.
Beowulf was invincible in his strength. He battles terrifying monster and risks his life. He showcases his heroic stoicism through his super-human physical strength. Grendel was a horrendous monster that was the incarnation of maleficence. Beowulf’s men had tried to use their weapons to fight, but Grendel “ blunted every mortal man 's blade” (Line 485).
Grendel shows up, 4 times the size of Beowulf. He is not scared, Beowulf is fearless. This fight was very violent, Beowulf ending up ripping Grendel’s arm off with is bare hands! Beowulf didn’t need any weapons in this fight, more because he was confident, less because there was no time to grab a weapon. In conclusion this violent fight showed bravery, courage, and
Not only have we seen brute strength, honorable courage, and admirable loyalty shine through beowulf, Beowulf also possess a great trait not many others have; his will to fight to the death, or self sacrifice. Not once throughout the story did Beowulf ever turn down a battle. Not once did he fear or flee his enemy. Not once did he ever give up even if death had him by the throat causing his mind to flood nothing but fearful thoughts and feelings throughout his body. Every battle Beowulf fought, he fought as if it was his last and that is what truly makes him the great warrior he is.
Beowulf possessed the poised demeanor necessary to defeat all evils by the arrogant swing of his sword. The commitment shown by lending his life to the welfare of his people was imperative in order to be called a flawless warrior. Beowulf embodied the determination that Anglo-Saxons saw as unmeasurably valuable. If nothing more than just fiction, Beowulf is the ideal hero of the people from who he originated. “They said that of all the kings upon the earth he was the man most gracious and fair-minded, kindest to his people and keenest to win fame.”
Beowulf shares the same traits with as many other heroes I know about. For example, Beowulf 's willpower can be compared with Henry Cavill 's Superman (Man of Steel). In Beowulf: "The Battle with the Dragon", Beowulf battled the dragon and he noticed that his weapons started to fail him and that he was weakened by his age. In spite of that, Beowulf 's willpower enabled him to continue fighting the dreadful beast. Eventually, after his ally Wiglaf provided Beowulf with some assistance, he was able to break through and deliver the killing blow to the dragon.
While he's fighting grendel's mother which wanted revenge for her only son that she had. For instance, Beowulf’s narrator says “he was weary, that best and strongest of soldiers.” (line 729) The narrator is mentioning on of grendel's characteristic. Furthermore, Beowulf saw that not even his sword would slice grendel’s mother skin off so he had to put his full strength in order to kill grendel's mother.
In part one of “Beowulf” the hero, Beowulf goes to the Danes with courage and confidence to defeat Grendel and the dragon in part two. He had lots more confidence and courage when it was time to face Grendel than he did when it was time to face the dragon. He had more confidence fighting Grendel then
Compare with his encounter with the dragon. Beowulf treated Grendel as an equal by facing him his bare strength alone. “The prince of the Geats was putting his trust in his great strength and in God's favor. Off came the hero's iron mailcoat and hard helmet; he handed over his trusty sword to an attendant thane and asked him to safekeep all that war-gear (X)”. Beowulf’s confidence comes from his belief that he not matters how monstrous Grendel was, he isn’t invincible.
This proves that he is strong and brave because no one else could kill Grendel let alone face him. Beowulf kills Grendel with his bare hands and without armor on. Other warriors could not even kill him with a sword and armor. “Beowulf’s intention to fight Grendel with only his strength proves that he carries the characteristics of a true hero”(Hailey).
Christopher Reeves once said, “A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” Although Beowulf was human, he was not an ordinary individual, hero, or king, for he was a man who displayed superhuman qualities in his efforts to protect the Danish and Geatish people. Beowulf, who was established Geatish warrior that spent his life in battle, showed these extraordinary characteristics that made him an epic hero, one who possesses superhuman, almost god-like qualities. Being constantly on a quest, risking his life for glory and the greater good of society, and being superiorly intelligent, courageous and strong are the three most important reasons why Beowulf deserves such a notable
In the book he attacked while everyone was drunk and passed out sleep. When Grendel attacked Beowulf was laying on the table naked. The soldiers tried to use weapons on Grendel; however, his skin was magically treated so no weapon could harm him. In the movie Beowulf stabbed him with a knife, but he soon realized he had special skin; however, Beowulf dropped the knife and fought Grendel with his hands. In the book Beowulf didn’t use any weapon on Grendel at all.