The epic poem Beowulf provides the comparison of two major battles with Grendel and the Dam. The two battles, although under different circumstances, provide proof of Beowulf’s strength and heroic traits. In the first battle Beowulf protects the Danes against their enemy Grendel, in a fair and defensive fight that resolves the issue. In less than a day, the Dam strikes and Beowulf is determined to defeat her. In the mere Beowulf is the aggressor and almost dies, but courageously continues and obtains a victory. Beowulf is known for his courage, bravery, and not only physical but also mental strength. We learn from both battles that Beowulf embodies the qualities of a true hero. Beowulf’s strength in both battles complete his own hero development and his mission. The two settings provide Beowulf with both a defensive and offensive battle. The first battle takes place in Heorot, the mead hall, which metaphorically represents the heart and home of civilization. Heorot is a lavish hall made for the thanes to gather; the famous hall was built by King Hrothgar who …show more content…
Beowulf’s fair play and confidence in the battle with Grendel exemplifies his heroic traits. In the second battle, Beowulf is less confident when he says; “If this combat kills me, take care of my young company, my comrades in arms.” (1480-1481) Despite his lack of confidence, Beowulf does not hesitate to attack the Dam in her lair. His lack of confidence doesn't stop him from exerting his strength and power to protect other people. He is also caring for and honoring his soldiers which demonstrates heroic traits. Beowulf’s attitude and actions in both battles further develop his role as a true
2. We first meet Beowulf when he goes to the land of the Danes. He had been known for his strength and courage. In the book Beowulf, he has three major battles. The first battle took place in Herot, against Grendel. Grendel was the only reason Beowulf had gone to the land of the Danes. He wanted to further glorify his name and prove he could really defeat anyone or anything. Beowulf decided to fight without wreapons and in the end he came out victorious. He had severed Grendel’s arm to give to the kindgom as a sign of his power and so that they would always remember him. The killing of Grendel led to his second battle, which took place at Grendel’s cave, at the bottom ...
In today’s society when asked about heroes many would name contemporary heroes such as Spiderman, Superman, Batman, and many others, but early heroes are often overlooked. Early heroes are written about in many different societies including Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome, and Anglo-Saxon England. One early epic poem delineated by the Anglo-Saxon’s in the eighth century is Beowulf. Beowulf is the tragic hero of the story, and a temerarious Geatish warrior, who fights three battles. As can be seen through his fights with Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the dragon, Beowulf’s fights become progressively more difficult throughout the epic.
Throughout this paper I plan to examine the positive and negative repercussions of bravery in the epic poem “Beowulf.” I shall demonstrate how the consequences of bravery were beneficial in this epic. I shall also demonstrate how bravery did not always lead to a propitious outcome. The person who demonstrated the most bravery throughout this epic was obviously the main character, Beowulf. Throughout the span of his lifetime he became well renown for his bravery, but due to his bravery his life is lost in battle.
While fighting the Dragon Beowulf shows feats of strength and courage that define him as a hero. The classical hero displays a special quality that separates him from the rest of
Beowulf displayed great courage and honor throughout his journeys and battles; he was an epic hero. An epic hero is a person who is viewed as larger than life and possesses values of a certain society. From the time of Beowulf’s battle with Grendel to his brawl against the dragon, he has showed everyone what being an honorable hero looks like. His heroism is revealed through both youth as a young warrior and wisdom as a reliable king. He never backed down and didn’t give up when situations were tough. Beowulf had obligations to fulfill and went about every aspect of his life with courage and strength. He cared for his people and was willing to take on anyone that threatened them or his kingdom. He sincerely was the hero of his time.
The phenomenal strength and endurance of an epic hero manifests in the character of Beowulf throughout the Anglo-Saxon poem, Beowulf. For example, Beowulf brags to Hrothgar and his men of defeating several sea monsters and later dismembers a monstrous demon named Grendel along with killing his mother. To top that all off, in his dotage, he even defeats a mighty, fire-breathing dragon. Not only does he show powerful strength, but he shows a great amount of courage as well. The obstacles and battles of monsters and war are challenges that Beowulf is never hesitant to take on. These heroic properties of bravery, strength, and benevolence show that Beowulf is one of the most quintessential examples of an epic hero.
Throughout the lines of “Beowulf”, the theme of heroism is perceived as righteous, noble, and admirable, and all of these qualities can be seen within the physical society and characters within the poem. The great
Since the first conception of heroes manifested they have provided a lasting impression and serve as amazing role models for children and teens in civilizations across the globe. There are many heroic tales that have been around longer than a millennium from the epic poetry of Ancient Greece to the stories from the Old Testament, but only one epic still survives from Anglo-saxon bards: Beowulf. Beowulf serves as a good role model for many because he left the comfort of his home to help those in another kingdom for no wish for reward, much like our modern day soldiers. “In his far-off home Beowulf, Higlac’s follower and strongest of the Geats - greater and stronger than anyone anywhere in this world - heard how Grendel filled nights with horror
Beowulf also shows courage in all of his battles. His intelligence is far above any others. He used the sword made by the giants to kill Grendel’s mother. In lines 210-222, it describes how he was quick and saw the sword “hammered by giants, strong and blessed with their magic…and struck with all the strength he had left, caught her in the neck and cut it through…”
One iconic story, Beowulf, has been told throughout the centuries. Beowulf was written to tell a tale of a hero who triumphed through the land to make a name, and did so by beating the best. Beowulf was an individual who had god like qualities, a man who can do the impossible and would risk his life for anything. In the story of Beowulf we see a lot of heroism, courage, boasting from the men, such as Beowulf himself and King Hrothgars men. “When it comes to fighting, I count myself as dangerous any day as Grendel (Norton 55)”. Beowulf was symbol of greatness, from a warrior to a king.
In Beowulf, he displays countless actions of bravery. One that really stands out in the text is when he is elderly and has to face the dragon that is rampaging and destroying his kingdom; “I won’t shift a foot when I meet the cave-guard: what occurs on the walls between the two of us will turn out as fate, overseer of men, decides” (----------). When he declares that he will not shift a foot when he sees the dragon, Beowulf’s faith in himself and the forces beyond him will lead him through the battle without fear. It also shows the fate of the two of them has already been foreseen; Beowulf knows that he will die with the dragon alongside him. Even though he understands his fate will be sealed by his choice to fight the dragon, he bold enough to take responsibility and protect his kingdom. When Beowulf heard of the atrocities that Grendel was committing to the people of Herot, it was his actions that proved him strong and worthy as their savior. “…deny myself the use of a sword and a broad yellow shield in battle; but I shall grapple with this fiend hand to hand…” (---------). Beowulf makes his battle with Grendel more than a simple slay-the-monster task by announcing that it will be a hand-to-hand combat. This quote exemplifies Beowulf’s confidence in his strength, even though it is reckless. Being weaponless did not hinder Beowulf’s capability to defeat Grendel, though. "[Grendel] twisted in pain,
Beowulf’s bravery comes from his confidence that he can defeat monsters using different strategies. Hailey W. Odessa states Goodness, loyalty, courteousness, evenness, and bravery all describes the traits an ideal hero would possess. Then she says in the poem Beowulf, there is one character that carries all and more of these stated characteristics, and that character is indeed the protagonist known as Beowulf. We all need to understand life is an unforgettable journey. Beowulf’s life changed when he got older. The only question is what makes someone a hero? Features of what it means to be a hero are shown throughout Anglo-Saxon main values. One of the most renowned works from that time period is Beowulf. The story tells us of how one man,
Beowulf was known for his heroic skills of fighting. The protagonist of the epic poem is, Beowulf a famous hero who fights the monsters, Grendel, his mother, and a fire-breathing dragon. According to the text one of Beowulf’s features is, Beowulf brags and encounters reveal him to be the sturdiest, ablest warrior around.
Beowulf is a hero in the eyes of his fellow men through his amazing physical strength and courage. He fought in many battles and won all besides his last. Beowulf was powerful enough to kill the monster Grendel, who had been terrorizing the Danes for twelve years, with his bare hands. When the two battled off Beowulf grabbed Grendal’s arm and ripped it off at the shoulder. Beowulf then fought Grendel's ...
“In my youth I engaged in many wars”, Beowulf boasts to his warriors, which is certainly true. Throughout his life, he faces many deadly foes, all of which he handily defeats, save one. His story focuses on the most challenging, as well as morally significant of foes, Grendel and the dragon. These creatures reveal much about society as well as Christian virtue at the time. Even after Grendel and the dragon are defeated physically, the two monsters pose a new threat to the hero on a higher plane. Beowulf is not only at risk of losing his life, but his humanity, virtue, and even spirituality.