The Old English poem known as Beowulf derived many years ago during the middle ages. The main character himself Beowulf, has two stages of his life. One is of course him being in his youth and the other being in his old age. In his youth, he is distinguished as this heroic perfect hero with many Germans traits of that time. They were very prideful, very courageous and very loyal. These great traits empower him when he encounters evil that he must endure and overcome. Beowulf depicts a Germanic warrior society, where relationship between the king and his thanes, or warriors is of paramount importance (“Beowulf”). So within this time, he is faced with killing the trollish, monstrous creature Grendel and battling against Grendel’s mother. He puts …show more content…
Due to King Hygelac’s, and his son dying in battle, Beowulf succeeds as king. Though Beowulf’s recruitment to that world was inevitable given his royal blood (his mother was King Hrethel’s daughter), the hero’s memory fixes on his loyalty to his grandfather Hrethel, first of the Geatish Kings (Clark 134). He now has to take up the mantle of ruler and proves himself to be a worthy one. He has many of the qualities that are needed to be a ruler and at the same time he is still a warrior at heart. He continues to protect his people and at all costs. He is distinguished as a well-respected hero. This takes place in a fifty year gap from him being in his youth to his …show more content…
He now prepares to defeat yet another creature, in order to keep peace in his land. He then battles against the dragon where he endures pain throughout the long fight. He is now an older man, fighting to win the battle. Wiglaf, his young kinsman, stays by his side. Beowulf, did not give up and managed to overpower the dragon. Beowulf calls Wiglaf and the other warriors to him; he chastises those who fled-many of them were Beowulf’s most trusted veterans and allies, and yet when they faced the dragon they were still afraid-he praises Wiglaf for his courage and loyalty, and then succumbs to his wounds (“Beowulf”). Unfortunately, he becomes mortally wounded and dies. The poem ends with his funeral. The Geats lose their heroic king. For them it is an awful thing because they will be without a ruler. More importantly, a ruler like Beowulf is not replaceable. He was their leader, their protector, their king and above all their hero. He did the best he could to protect his family, the Geats. He was also well regarded by many for all his courage, bravery, and ultimate heroic
The poem goes on to explain how he rules his kingdom for 50 years after defeating Grendel and Grendel’s mother and returning home. As an old man, even after his previous battles, he continues to be a good king of his people. He soon learns of the havoc that a dragon is bringing to his kingdom in his late years (Beowulf 79-80). He chooses to protect his kingdom and go to fight the dragon, even though he is not physically strong anymore. This is an important point in the story for Beowulf’s character-
The importance and pride that warriors take on their duty and reputation. Beowulf is an optimistic poem with heroic and evil figures who shows us the super natural events. Grendel is a monster who stays near the grand hall where Hrothgar is the king. “A powerful monster, living down in the darkness. Growled in pain impatient as day after day the music rang.”
Beowulf Journal #1 To start off Beowulf, the book talks about this great warrior king that was talked about by the danes. This great king was named Shield Sheafson, he was the one who founded the ruling house. His son, Beow, became very famous because of his father and the power that he will hold. When Shield's time came he was put on a boat with many different weapons and other precious gear. But once this happened Beow became in charge, but his success was mostly lived through his son, Halfdane, and then his grandson, Hrothgar.
Darian Aker Mr. Tate English IV 27 September, 2017 Beowulf Essay In this epic, the main character, Beowulf, faces many horrendous monsters. However, as the reader, and the interpreter, I am asked to explain how Beowulf portrays the qualities of an archetypal epic hero. After reading of his battles, his character displays great acts of courage, intelligence, and strength, while warriors revel as Beowulf defeats the creatures. Following his battles, Grendel and Grendel’s mother, Hrothgar and his men celebrate and thank him for his acts of bravery with many cherished gifts.
In this part of the poem, Beowulf has "[grown] old and wise, As warden of the land" (2208b-09). He's lived a long, productive life, which was rare for people back then. He has established his title as a hero, by fighting Grendel and Valk-komma* and by establishing peace for the Danes, the people he has ruled.
As the poem Beowulf is divided into three terms, Beowulf continuously battles against villains in the poem. Beowulf also has some physical traits as a warrior since he is muscular and strong. He is the only one who could fight against Grendel. After Beowulf kills Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the dragon, he becomes the savior of the Danes and the
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 is a strong heroic hero who shows honor,selfless,courage. Beowulf is a strong heroic hero in a way because heroes are protectors and he protected his people of his town. So he is a hero in fact a strong one and a loyal one. There is lots of ways he shows loyalty one i can show is “I had a fixed purpose when i came to sea as i sat in the boat with my band of men I meant to perform to the uttermost what your people wanted or perish in attempt in the fields clutches i shall fulfill my purpose prove myself of proud deeds or meat my death her in the mead-hall”(pages 632-639).I chose this quote because it shows that beowulf would give his head for his people. I think that beowulf wanted to die for his king after all that is the reason
In the epic poem Beowulf, the protagonist, Beowulf, faces three “monsters” at different times in his life. The poem begins with Grendel, a monster who attacks only in the dark of night, tormenting the kingdom of Hrothgar. The last two sections of the epic detail the conquering by Beowulf of Grendel’s mother and the dragon. The battle between the monsters and Beowulf represent the theme of good versus evil in the poem, as well as the fusion of pagan and Christian ideals in the changing Germanic society. Grendel’s mother’s actions directly juxtapose the role of a woman in this time period, and the greediness of the dragon with his treasure contrasts with the virtues of what would be considered a good king.
The story tells of many characters who faced the same circumstances as Beowulf, yet failed to respond in a similar and valiant effort, like Beowulf. For example, when facing the dragon nearly all of his hand picked soldiers coward in fear. Beowulf then showed humility by turning down his first offer to be king. When Hrothgar died, he offered Beowulf the throne; however, he refused, which allowed the rightful heir, Hrothgar’s son to be placed into power. This decision exemplifies the value he placed on ethics and honor.
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. That’s 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.
Forever and ever; your courage has earned it,/ And your strength” (953-956). Beowulf’s life had been remolded by his victory, building a story beyond his
With the battle to protect the city against the dragon, even though Beowulf was king he fought the dragon. He fought the dragon because no one else could. No one was as selfless as he was to risk his life to protect the city. Without Beowulf these monsters would over power good and there would be no balance between good and evil.
I am old, now, but I will fight again, seek fame still, if the dragon hiding in his tower dares to face me” (2511-2515). In conclusion, Beowulf is an epic hero. Although he made risky decisions, he did them for his people. He possessed the qualities of a hero; bravery, loyalty and fearlessness.
As Beowulf has a bond to Hrothgar because of his relationship to his father Ecgtheow, he chooses to journey to her realm which is under gloomy monster-infested waters and face her. Beowulf is a warrior who is bold, brave, and unafraid of challenges. In this grueling battle Beowulf comes close to perishing, as his sword Hrunting fails him. However he finds an ancient sword in the cave and uses it to kill her. He was setback by the loss of the sword but he prevailed and defeated the troll-dam.