In the story “Beowulf” the main character Beowulf is considered the hero in the story. He is a man with super human strength (known for his strength) and known as the great warrior. He fights for the people and not for his own personal gain no matter what the outcome of the battle could be. He is known for his life sacrificing deeds, defeating evil to protect his people, leadership skills, his faith and gratitude, and for being a great mentor to his men and for being and showing characters of an epic archetypal hero. In the story of Beowulf, there are many ways that Beowulf’s presents and shows that he is indeed a hero. Some of his hero like characteristics are that he is loyal, he has a lot of bravery, and the whiling to risk and sacrifice …show more content…
his life for his people’s (the Geats) safety. For example, In the story when Beowulf went to kill and fight Grendel known as the monster. Grendel has just eaten fifty men while they were sleeping in the mead. So Beowulf with confidence knowing he is going to succeed but risks his own life and went on a journey to kill Grendel and make sure that his people were safe and didn’t have to fear. Beowulf was the only person that could kill Grendel with his super human strength, "I had more might in the sea than any man." (Beowulf VIII 534). This shows that Beowulf is stronger than an average human and that Beowulf is confidence in his strength. Later on, Beowulf then trapped Grendel and grabbed him tightly and ripped his arm off and he blead to death. “To Beowulf now the glory was given, and Grendel thence death- suck in den in the dark moor sought” (Beowulf XII 818-821). This shows that he was able to hurt and kill Grendel with his own bare hands and shows how strong Beowulf really is. Another example that shows how Beowulf is a hero when he and his men went to battle the dragon.
The dragon lives in the lake and he guards a horde of treasure in a hidden mound. Beowulf shows his bravery, strength, risking his life, courage and for being a strong reasonable leadership. For example, when Bowlful and his men that he brought fight the dragon, in the middle of the fight his men that he brought to help him battle decided to leave and abandon him except for Wiglaf. Even when they left Beowulf had the courage and strength to still attempted to continue to fight the dragon and ended up killing the dragon on his own. After killing the dragon when Wiglaf stabs him in the stomach and Beowulf stabs the dragon very fatally, Beowulf is left there dying alone, he doesn’t try to escape but sits there knowing this is the end for him. While waiting there he thanks God for the treasure and even when he is dying he is thinking about his people and not himself. The people loved Beowulf and looked up to him, even after his death they will praise him because his actions were for them and to protect him. After his death his legacy’s and the deeds he did for his people will go on and not be un noticed. "They praised his earlship, his acts of prowess, worthily witnessed: and well it is that men their mighty master-friend mightily laud." (Beowulf XLII
3183-3185). In conclusion in the story Beowulf, Beowulf was a leader who was known for his bravery, courage, strength, courageous deeds, fighting for his people even if he didn’t know the outcome. He is a man of his people (the Geats) and putting them first before himself and making sure they are safe and that they don’t fear evil. Beowulf is truly a hero and his legacy will last on forever.
In Beowulf, the protagonist Beowulf is shown as a hero with extrodinary strength. This is not what makes him a hero. By definition, a hero is a man of exceptional quality. However this term does not do Beowulf justice. His self-imposed purpose in life is to help others, and eventually sacrifices his own life in doing so. Beowulf’s battle with the dragon serves as a critique of the notion that Beowulf is a hero. The Dragon section displays many of Beowulf’s heoric characteristics. Beowulf establishes himself as a hero by fighting the dragon, exemplifing strength and courage when fighting the dragon, and sacrificing himself so that others can live.
The English epic Beowulf is able to show normal archetypes just like in most examples of literature. Beowulf follows the normal archetypes just like most novels like To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Both pieces of literature are completely different, but both share the archetypes of; the outcast, the mentor, and the task.
The epic poem Beowulf by Seamus Heaney used character archetypes to explore the values embodied in Anglo-Saxon culture.
This last encounter was destined to define his lasting legacy. He lived as a warrior; it was only natural that he should die as one as well, he hopes to go down in a fiery blaze of glory, pun intended. At this point in time, Beowulf is a seventy-year-old king, he knows he is mortal and isn’t going to live forever. Nevertheless, even as an old man, it was his duty to protect and defend his subjects until the death. Towards the end Beowulf’s death looms closer and it seems like he foreshadows that he is prepared to meet his maker. “When I meet the cave guard: what occurs on the wall, between the two of us will turn out as fate, overseer of men, decides. I am resolved. I scorn further words against this sky-borne foe” (Heaney 2525-2528). Beowulf’s maturity has blossomed to its utmost peak, ironically right before he is laid to rest in the valley of death that is Beowulf’s Barrow. His endeavors throughout this long journey have brought him wisdom and enlightenment. Since the beginning, he has rapidly progressed over time, especially since evolving from his role as a warrior to a king. Initially, Beowulf was insatiable with pleasure seeking activities, but then he
There many ways to describe a hero but in my words the way I describe as is someone who risks dieing everyday for the ones they love or for the people and someone who isnt afraid to stand up to a very difficult task at hand.Beowulf is an excellent example of an archetypal hero in the following in the following three ways: he risks death and glory for greater good of society,he has super human strength,he decapitated grendels mother, and he is a strong responsible leader.In conclusion those are my examples of why beowulf is a hero.
This story is focused on Beowulf, a true hero who goes to Denmark to offer his help in fighting Grendel, a monster who has been haunting them. Beowulf proves to be a hero all throughout the story by protecting Denmark and defeating monsters. The characteristics of a true hero would include fearlessness, strength, and confidence. Beowulf reveals these characteristics during each of his battles.
Beowulf, translated by Burton Raffel, is an old English epic that reflects the Anglo-Saxon culture. This epic is the story of a hero, Beowulf, who goes on several journeys to battle evil. Throughout his journey the reader discovers Beowulf’s strength and courage as he faces his many battles. Beowulf exemplifies archetypes that can be connected to other literature across cultures such as a hero as a warrior, the task, and the shadow.
Beowulf by far endures more than the average person as the poem progresses. He is faced with daunting challenges of defeating three monsters that would kill any other man. Beowulf exemplifies bravery by never backing down no matter what the threat was. He was loyal by honoring his promises of keeping those around him safe and alive. And finally, his unwavering confidence helped him push through the toughest confrontations. These traits and the fights with the three different monsters are what genuinely make Beowulf a hero.
Archetypes can be enforced by using symbols, a pattern, a characteristic, a certain idea or theme, or an image of some kind. They can also be conveyed in dreams, literature, religion, folklore, fantasies, and myths. There are a total of six archetypal groups including: symbolic, character, situational, heroic, and characteristics of the hero’s journey. Within the epic poem, a lengthy poem that portrays a story of a certain hero’s tasks, of Beowulf, originally written by an anonymous Anglo-Saxon poet and translated by R.M Liuzza, effectively portrays many differing archetypal groups. Furthermore, the work of the anonymous poet who created the marvelous epic poem by the name of Beowulf illustrates broadened examples of
A hero not only needs to be physically outstanding, but he also needs to have integrity, moral values and needs to act without thinking in his own benefit. Beowulf has many characteristics of a hero but he also has some defects that make me think that he wouldn’t be considered a hero in today´s world. A hero concept evolves with a culture, Beowulf has many things that the Anglo-Saxons viewed as heroism but he misses many things that are important for a modern hero.
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.
Beowulf has multiple archetype that can be defined as figures, character types, settings, and story patterns that are universally shared by people across cultures. Three that stick out the most are character archetypes, symbolic archetypes, and situational archetypes. The reason these stick out the most to me is because Beowulf goes on an adventure driven by his desire to help. Also Beowulf is the main hero of the novel and is constantly saving the day. Cause Beowulf is depicted as a hero it is easy to say that this show character archetypes. Him fighting the Grendel, Grendel’s Mother and the Dragon can be seen as symbolic and situational archetypes.
While I was reading the epic poem of Beowulf, I found that Beowulf himself seemed to be the hero archetype, which is most likely why the epic poem is named the way it is titled. Throughout the prose poem, Beowulf charms the reader with his alluring character and presents a variety of pleasant traits, such as honor, wisdom, superhuman strength, loyalty, and the courage to risk his life unselfishly in order to save the helpless people. Beowulf exemplifies an epic hero because of his good hearted nature and through his epic, heroic deeds he does to protect the people around him from danger, regardless of who they are. He is also a fair man, even to his worst enemies. He never lets anyone in battle have the upper hand, not even himself, which makes
Beowulf is the poem´s hero, and his character defined the standard hero character. In fact, that hero type is still alive in heroes from the modern culture like Batman. Beowulf the superhero who Hrothgar the king of the town and all the farmers were waiting for. Everyone was so sad because Grendel was eating everything, until
A hero is someone that helps others no matter what the situation. There are many qualities that a hero must posses such as bravery, courage, strength, intelligence and honor. These qualities alone are not enough to make a hero. They must also be pure at heart, fight for the good of mankind and only fight when it is to protect the people and not out of revenge. Beowulf is everything a hero should be, but contains a few qualities that a hero should not posses. When Beowulf sailed with his men to Herot he had one goal, to rid the hall of Grendal. Beowulf was under no obligation to destroy Grendal and never asked for anything in return for his services. A true hero would never ask for money or anything of value. He put his life at risk to save the people of Herot, who he didn’t even know, out of his own good nature Great strength has been a trait that has been identified with heroes in many stories and legends. Than he saw hanging on the wall, a heavy Sword, hammered by giants, strong And blessed with their magic, the best of all weapons But so massive that no ordinary man could lift... (II. 1557-1560) Beowulf possessed great strength that separated him from other men. Being able to use a sword that no ordinary man was able to carry gives the feeling that Beowulf is something more than a human being. It makes him special and causes him to stand out from all other men. Fame is something that makes a hero more noted. Beowulfs popularity had spread all over the world. He never let this go to his head and he never thought that he was better than everyone else because of it. “Your fame is everywhere, my friend,/Reaches to the ends of the earth, and you hold it in your heart wisely...” (II.1704-1706). A hero should not be foolish or full of himself. Unferth said: You’re Beowulf, are you- the same Boastful fool who fought a swimming Match with Brecca, both of you daring and young and proud,exploring the deepest Seas, risking your lives for no reason But the danger? (II. 506-511) A hero should not have to prove to himself or to anyone else that he is brave, fearless or courageous. If he is pure a heart and his intentions are good then he can be considered a true hero.