Examples Of Courage In Beowulf

“Often, for undaunted courage, fate spares the man it has not already marked.” (Heaney 572-573). Courage is a major theme that is also found in people today. Courage is not the only theme in Beowulf that is found in society today. Themes such as violence and comitatus are also shown in modern society. Every warrior during the time of Beowulf showed courage, were violent, and lived by the idea of comitatus. All theses themes lead back to our society, including issues we face today. Courage is one of the more common themes in the book. Beowulf constantly shows courage in every battle that he fights. Beowulf’s main acts of courage come the battles with Grendel and the dragon. The first battle with Grendel is the first piece of evidence that shows Beowulf’s valor and strength. During the battle with Grendel, Beowulf’s men were not able to injure Grendel with any of their weapons. Beowulf “was not inclined to allow his caller to depart alive” (Heaney 790-791) and he used his bare hands to defeat

The concept of comitatus is the idea that everyone protects the king at all costs even if it means that the warrior gives up his own life. Warrior must avenge the death of their king if he is killed. If they do not avenge him, they can no longer be a warrior for the next king. This idea is seen when “time and again Beowulf’s warriors worked to defend their lord’s life, laying about them as best they could wither their ancestral blades.” (Heaney 793-796). In return for their bravery in war the king rewarded Beowulf with victory gifts. His victory gifts included:

An embossed ridge, a band lapped with wire arched over the helmet: head-protection to keep the keen-grounding cutting edge from damaging it when danger threated and the man was battling behind his shield. Next the king ordered eight horses with gold bridles to be brought through the yard into the hall. (Heaney