The Repercussions of Bravery in the Epic Poem Beowulf
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.
The most obvious positive repercussion of bravery would be fame. Through Beowulf’s bravery and his ability to win battles he earned much fame. Soldiers and storytellers alike told tales of Beowulf’s brave deeds. On pg. 121 there are Geats speaking about Beowulf, and they basically sum up the fame of Beowulf’s among the average person. “Telling their sorrow, telling stories of their dead king and his greatness, his glory, praising him for heroic deeds, for a life as noble as his name.”
Another positive repercussion of bravery is wealth. In this epic wealth would include land, money, and most importantly for a warrior, grandiose armor and weapon. In this epic soldiers can earn wealth by displaying bravery on the battlefield (or wherever else they may be battling). One example of this is after Efor and Wulf kill Ongetho, the Swedish king. The passage read, “Efor and Wulf would have treasure heaped in their battle hard hands; he’d repay them their bravery with wealth, give them gold and lands and silver rings, with rich rewards for the glorious deeds they’d done with their swords. Beowulf earned much wealth in all his days as well. As a warrior he gained much treasure, land, and battle gear.
One other positive repercussion of bravery is that power may be achieved through it. He would achieve this power in many ways. First off, he would have wealth. Since wealth is pretty much power he would have already achieved most of his power. Next, since he is famous. Fame is power as well. This is why Beowulf had the option of becoming king instead of Higlac’s heir, because Beowulf had an undeniably good reputation in battle. This is shown on page 97.
In the book Unlikely Warrior by Georg Rauch the main character Georg shows bravery in the face of adversity many times. One example of him showing bravery is on page 217"that night, the following day, and the next night we spent in the fields near a small creek....I rested with my foot propped up high as much as possible. I had a fever and felt miserable." As a reader this shows me that even though he is sick,wounded,and not feeling the greatest.He is taking on that Bravery to go somewhere that may get them shot by their enemies.I also thought as a reader Georg has a lot of courage, and bravery to keep on going moreover and further each day and not to be a laggard like most of the soldiers are.Another example is on page 57 paragraph 1 "I was
The greatest value of Beowulf is his bravery, some may say bravado. There is no doubt that he is a great warrior. Beowulf's heroism belongs to a different time than that of King Arthur or Sir Gawain. For that reason his bragging about his prowess might seem decidedly unheroic. When he tells Unferth "I count it true that I had more courage, More strength in swimming than any other man" (514-15 (41) it might be interpreted in a poor way. What he is saying though is true. In addition, in order for him to succeed he must orally deliver his resume. Nevertheless, bragging aside, Beowulf is undoubtedly a brave man. When Beowulf sets out to kill Grendel's mother he simply "donned his armor for battle, Heeded not the danger..." (1328-29 60). When his sword fails him he uses his physical strength: "On the might of his hand, as a man must do Who thinks to win in the welter of battle Enduring glory; he fears not death" (1420-23 62). Certainly he is in search of fame. Though this is true it must not discount his brave actions. He gains his fame truthfully by doing battle with menaces to society. He does not lie or manipulate to achieve fame, he uses what is rightfully his, his bravery. Beowulf's bravery differs from that of King Arthur's for several reasons. King Arthur by being king must be brave, to rule the state people must respect him. Beowulf's bravery carries the story. One because it details his ascension in fame and secondly it also outlines his downfall.
Bravery is not the only trait in which a hero possesses. A hero needs and has more than one heroic quality, just like no flower is complete without its vibrant colors and sweet smell. Goodness can be compared to that of a flower’s vibrant colors and sweet smell.
After Beowulf serves as King of the Geats for fifty years, he goes to battle one last time to fight a horrible Dragon that is terrifying his people. While others cower, Beowulf shows signs of bravery that define him as a hero. An example of Beowulf showing bravery is when he goes to slay the Dragon even though all his men abandon him. He realizes that the Dragon is more powerful than he is, but he will still not back down.
Bravery is simply finding faith in oneself, accepting risks and danger, and facing fear when no one else will.
By definition, bravery is courageous behavior or character. Most stories, including epic poems, are based around the idea of bravery. Many people hold a common misconception about bravery. They believe that bravery is the same as being without fear. But being brave and being fearless are two different things. Many people skydive, do public speaking, ask questions, or enter relationships not because they are unafraid but because they are willing to overcome this fear. Or perhaps they are willing to go ahead despite the butterflies in their stomachs. To some, this is a foreign concept that prevents them from trying new things. However, others understand that “bravery is being terrified and doing it
A true modern hero is able to set aside fear and act on the matter at hand, which signifies the quality of courage. Being Courageous can set you apart from others, because you are willing to carry out actions that are beneficial for the greater good. Any one can say they are going to do something, but when the claim is backed with actions they truly display courage. Beowulf is the epitome of being courageous. He voluntarily
Bravery is where people have a lot of courage to maybe sacrifice something for someone. There has been a lot of bravery throughout the world, and many people do it differently. Also bravery can be someone who does it when others don’t expect it to happen. Like in the book The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien, the spiders captured the dwarves and Bilbo saved them, and led the spiders away from the dwarves. Such as the quote” I shall draw the spiders off, if I can; and you must keep together and make it in the opposite direction “( Tolkien, 165). Bilbo shows bravery because he led the spiders away from the dwarves, so the spiders wouldn’t hurt them. Bravery is someone who steps up when no one else wants to, and does things for others rather than worry about
Bravery is like a very trusted friend, it will never let you down. That statement holds true in the great epic of "Beowulf." "Beowulf" is the story of a great hero who comes to the aid of a troubled king. Beowulf hears that king Hrothgar is having trouble and immediately comes to help with no questions asked. he defeats the monster, Grendel, with his bare hands. Beowulf then defeats Grendel's mother along with a dragon until he is fatally injured. Bravery is a very admirable characteristic that few people possess.
Bravery does not define heroism. Personally, I agree with the previous claim because acting courageously for egotistical reasons rather than for the benefit of a certain group is not a principle of heroes. In addition, heroes often possess admirable leadership skills which help them to lead the people they empathize with and fight for in a way that benefits them. In the novel entitled Oroonoko, Behn (1997) presents the story of a prince named Oroonoko who experiences several challenges as he enslaved and exploited by British colonialists; consequently, making him starting a revolution that results in his cruel death. In this literary text, issues of power, domination, slavery, social oppression and others are discussed in a thought-provoking
Beowulf’s courage is a characteristic of a hero and this is what makes him one as well. In the story he faces his fears multiple times while trying to save others. One example of his courage would be this quote that states "Often, for undaunted courage, fate spares the man it has not already marked." This is a good example because it shows how Beowulf had the courage to stand up against Grendel and defeat him. In addition Beowulf also put himself in danger while he was fighting the dragon even when he knew he probably not make it. This is an extreme example of courage because it frightened him that he would not make it, but he fought the dragon anyway. I think that these examples show Beowulf’s courage and that is
Beowulf was brave in that he fought many battles for the good of others. In the epic poem, Beowulf fights the monster Grendel, saves his mother and loses his life while fighting the dragon. Next, Beowulf decides to fight Grendel with his bare hands. He could have easily obtained some kind of weapon to fight with. Beowulf was the first warrior ever to have enough sheer bravery to go up against such a monster with neither help nor weapon or shield to aid him. He was a warrior that believed somewhat in fate and in God. Believing that God made the decisions and was in control, Beowulf trusted that his life was in good hands. Defeating Grendel with his bare hands, Beowulf not only proved his bravery but also his loyalty. Defeating Grendel weaponless was another display of magnificent bravery. He kept coming back and defeated Grendel 's mother along with a fire-breathing dragon until he was fatally injured and killed. Bravery should not only apply to warriors but also to everyday people. Beowulf fights Grendel, saves his mother and loses his life while fighting the dragon. After defeating Grendel, Beowulf came back twice in order to kill Grendel 's mother and a fire-breathing dragon. Although during his bout with the dragon, Beowulf was fatally injured. As his services were needed, he always prevailed; Beowulf 's bravery never tired. He
Bravery can be attained without true love and can be used for the wrong reasons, giving it the possibility of becoming a vice. Bravery can be good, and along with the virtue of fortitude, it can help warriors defend, and give others the strength to survive difficult situations. This is shown in “the Story of the Defender”, when Hoka guards the campsite and the elk kill of the day against a possible bear (141-150). In this way the virtue of bravery is used properly. However, it is also quite easy for bravery to become a vice. This can happen when one becomes arrogant - one of the vices of humility - or attains an excess of courage. This can cause one to fight just to show off skill. Another way that bravery can become a vice is when one fights an unworthy opponent, or for a cause that they do not believe in. If a brave person fights a much weaker opponent, they do not show love and mercy which are important components of a virtuous life, and must come before personal advancement and the show of power. Fighting for the wrong reasons, just to show power, or for something immoral is just as fighting an unequally matched opponent because the action of bravery cannot cancel the object of the decision, which is to fight for something one does not believe in, or be lives to be morally
Bravery is the quality of a person who displays courage and fearlessness in the face of danger. Such qualities show splendor and magnificence in a person. Fear and terror sometimes hinder the determination someone can show. Overcoming this fear is what portrays bravery. In Ernest Hemingway’s A Farewell to Arms, Frederick Henry shows bravery by freely joining the Italian army, risking his life for some ambulance drivers and swimming to freedom, being shot at the whole way.
Bravery is a trait that every young boy wishes to have. It is a desire that is embedded into each human being. It is only whether or not he or she acts on this desire to be brave that matter s. Aristotle writes, “{Bravery} courage is the first of human qualities because it is the quality which guarantees the others.” When Beowulf heard of the atrocities that Grendle was committing to the people of Herot, it was bravery that brought him there as their savor, and without fear he would