Integrity and Faithfulness
Beowulf was written by Seamus Heaney about an amazing hero who shows all characteristics of an epic hero and exhibits both integrity and faithfulness to both his clan and family.
While fighting Grendel, Beowulf knows his strength and power is more advanced than Grendel, so he decides to fight fair; Beowulf fights Grendel with no armor or weapons. “The monster's whole/body was in pain, a tremendous wound/appeared on his shoulder. Sinews split/and the bone-lappings burst. Beowulf was granted/ the glory of winning; Grendel was driven/under the fen-banks, fatally hurt,/to his desolate lair” (Heaney 814-820). This quote shows how incredibly easy it was to defeat Grendel. When Unferth started to doubt him, Beowulf, in the most polite way possible, counter argues by saying why he is worthy of the fight. Beowulf claims, "Well, friend Unferth, you have had your say/about Breca and me. But it was mostly beer/that was doing the talking. The truth is this:/when the going was heavy in those high waves,/ I was the strongest swimmer of all" (529-534). Beowulf proves Unferth wrong and is the new savior and joy of the town after defeating Grendel with nothing but his bare hands. Beowulf shows how much stronger he is than any other by defeating both Grendel and his mother.
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The King says, bragging about Beowulf, “Nor have I seen/my mightier man-at-arms on this earth/ then the one standing: unless I am mistaken,/he is truly noble. This is no mere/ anger-on in a hero’s armor” (247-51). People really do believe in Beowulf and how he presents his faithfulness so everyone. Beowulf will not give up until the job is done and the people who need protecting are protected and safe. “Inside Heorot/ there was nothing but friendship…/not yet familiar with feud and betrayal” (1016-8). Beowulf brings everyone together with peace and
Beowulf, the epic tale of a Danish society plagued by evil beasts, reveals many thought-provoking and admirable character traits of the main character and hero, Beowulf. Firstly, he shows chivalry through his interactions and actions towards the king of Heorot, showing him the respect and honor he deserved. Secondly, he demonstrates bravery in all battles above and beyond the standard of the times and the standard of his fellow fighters. He owes his bravery in part to his seemingly immeasurable strength, having more power in each fist than that of thirty men. Lastly, he demonstrates a trait that applies to people for his time and ours, pride.
It 's more than that, as my coming here has proved. No man above us will ever know whether Unferth died here or fled to the hills like a coward.” (pg. 64). This is where Grendel realizes that Unferth really is a good man.
Beowulf is the perfect hero, both tragic and epic. He is larger than life with his impressive strength and drive that helps him defeat an assortment of monsters, such as Grendel and Grendel's mother. His overconfidence and pride makes him a tragic hero. In lines 678-684, Beowulf boldly states, "When it comes to fighting, I count myself as dangerous as Grendel. No weapons... unarmed he shall
Beowulf is a poem that based in the 10th and 11th century that revolved around the idea of good vs evil. The poem is named after Beowulf who is a supernatural hero that slays any evil that crosses his path but is a real sweetheart when it comes to other people or the king. Beowulf is to be considered an epic poem because the hero in the story creates acts of being courageous and even superhuman in some cases, reflecting timeless values such as courage and honor, and the poem reflects unforgettable values with honor and courage. Typically in an epic poem, one will see a character or “the hero” who has outstanding courage and commit superhuman deeds and show values to other people in that era. “Then he drew himself up beside his shield./The fabled warrior in his warshirt and helmet/trusted in his own strength entirely/
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).
Beowulf attempted to comfort Hrothgar and the warriors by exclaiming, “Let your sorrow end! It is better for us all to avenge our friends, not mourn them forever”. He then aims to convince Hrothgar that “for the glory of his name, fame after death is the noblest of goals”. Beowulf believes it is worth dying for a good
The epic poem “Beowulf”, translated by Burton Raffel, focuses on a hero by the name of Beowulf who goes on a quest to rescue King Hrothgar and his people from an egregious monster by the name of Grendel. This Anglo-Saxon tale gives insight into the values and beliefs of the people from whom the story originated. Their war-centered ideology and views on loyalty and courage were the principles that the Anglo-Saxon culture was founded upon. While warfare was a focal point in their lifestyle, it was far from a savage, barbaric state of fighting. Honor and prestige were bestowed upon those who died during battle and selflessness for fellow warriors was a fundamental belief.
The continued honor shown in Beowulf’s character shines through when Beowulf never mentions that Unferth’s trusted sword was no match for Grendel’s mother. Beowulf could have simply boasted how the sword was useless and ineffective against the female beast, yet he was silent out of respect for Unferth. Finally, during Beowulf’s time as ruler (fifty winters), another beast arrives: a dragon. This time, Beowulf is much older and is in a much weaker state than when he first defeated Grendel and his mother. However, that does not deter Beowulf from going out and defending his kingdom.
Beowulf embodies many universal societal heroic values that are signified in the modern world like courage, bravery, and strength. In the poem, Beowulf displays courage. “Now, I mean to be a match for Grendel, settle the outcome in single combat” (Heaney 425-426). This quote shows courage because he’s telling them that he can fight Grendel and wants to weather he wins or loses.
Strength, honor, and resilience are all words that captures the essence of Beowulf. During the Anglo-Saxon era, Beowulf is a hero who strikes fear in his enemies and relief in his allies. Beowulf is widely-regarded as the most honorable and ruthless hero in all of the world; he defends villages of people from blood-hungry predators, defeats sea monsters, and defeats Grendel and Grendel’s mother in the epic poem Beowulf. However, Beowulf can be an egomaniac at times. For instance, before Beowulf’s epic fight and defeat of the monster Grendel, Beowulf strips nude and fights the monster nude to boast and show off.
He had no fear fighting off Grendel, but he did have fear fighting the dragon, but he was not going to give up. Beowulf was so loyal to the Geats he died after killing the dragon. The soldiers in the world are loyal to our country by protecting the citizens and obeying orders. Some soldiers die fighting, but most soldiers would be happy to die that way knowing that they fought for our
Beowulf is an epic hero because of his strength. His strength isn’t the same as an ordinary man, “He twisted in pain and the bleeding sinews deep in his shoulder snapped muscle and on split and broke” (lines 337-340). No ordinary man would be
But it was mostly beer that was doing the talking. The truth is this: when the going was heavy in those high waves, I was the strongest swimmer of all." (529-534) 2. Beowulf competed in “swimming contests” with other warriors when he wasn’t battling monsters. II.
Beowulf went through so much to prove he was worthy enough to protect their kingdom and defeat Grendel. The story Beowulf was a great story to read and a great movie to watch; however, the battles were very eye catching and had a lot of extravagant and heroic doings of Beowulf. The first scenario that I’m going to discuss in the movie and story of Beowulf is The Battle with Grendel. In the movie Grendel attacked Beowulf in the Heriot while everyone was dancing and singing.
After Beowulf arrives at the Danes’ land, he meets Unferth, a thane of King Hrothgar, who challenges Beowulf by saying, “‘No matter, therefore, how you may have fared in every bout and battle until now, this time you’ll be worsted; no one has ever outlasted an entire night against Grendel’” (Heaney 525-528). Unferth’s envy motivates him to challenge Beowulf by convincing him that he cannot defeat the man-monster, Grendel. However, Beowulf ends up severing the beast’s arm off, committing a feat others thought was impossible. The hero displays his courage and strength by fighting a murderous creature unarmed and triumphantly winning.