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…
“handed down orders for men to work on a great mead-hall/meant to be a wonder of the world forever.” (68-69) Beowulf’s bravery and courage is shown by risking his own life to defend the Dane’s mead hall from Grendel. The second battle similarly takes place in a home. This particular place is the home of Grendel and his mother. It is located deep under the water of the haunted mere. Beowulf’s bravery is displayed by his determination to fight an offensive battle. He risks his life when “he dived into the heaving/depths of the lake. It was the best part of a day/before he could see the solid bottom.” (1494-1496) The mere is at the bottom of a lake with burning water, and surrounded by gruesome and terrible monsters. Beowulf epitomizes the traits of an epic hero by courageously defending heorot, and bravely attacking the Dam’s lair. The monsters are linked by their family ties. Grendel, the first monster, is the son of the Dam, the second monster. Grendel is a dark, evil, and gruesome monster, “he had dwelt for a time/ in misery among the banished monsters,/ Cain’s clan, whom the creator had outlawed/ and condemned as outcasts.” (104-107) Grendel is a demonic cannibalistic outcast that creates havoc among the Danes. Due to the fear and weakness of the Danes, Beowulf is the only one brave enough to defeat Grendel. Beowulf possesses the physical abilities to destroy Grendel. He is able to observe that Grendel can not be killed by weapons. Therefore, Beowulf demonstrates the only way possible to kill Grendel. By ripping the beast's arm off of his body, Beowulf defeat’s the previously believed ‘immortal’ creature with his overpowering heroic characteristics. Grendel’s mother, the Dam, is the second monster. She is another demonic descendent who has “sallied forth on a savage journey,/ grief-racked and ravenous,/desperate for revenge.” (1276-1278) She unlike Grendel is motivated by revenge, retreated in her lair, and not comparable in strength. Grendel’s mother in a similar fashion could not be defeated by Beowulf’s weapons, causing him to resort to a magical sword. Beowulf's defeat of Grendel's mother displays miraculous perseverance and courage. Both monsters are some form of Grendel, and his confrontation with them undoubtedly demonstrates his heroic capabilities. Beowulf’s power is represented during his battle with Grendel when he defeats him with his bare hands, “Grendel [He] was overwhelmed,/ manacled tight by the man who of all men/ was foremost and strongest in the days of his life.”(787-789) This extreme strength demonstrated by Beowulf proves his success as a hero.
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
hero. Several aspects can be used to describe a hero. Throughout the poem, Beowulf’s characteristics and actions communicate what he trusts in. These battles allow us to follow the traits of a real hero. Both battles are unique and obtain their own individual characteristics. But the battles are tied together through the understanding of Beowulf’s common goal and purpose as a hero. Beowulf’s strength is always triumphant in every conflict faced and he illustrates the qualities of a true hero: bravery, honor, and power.
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
“For a brief while your strength is in bloom/ but it fades quickly; and soon there will follow/ illness or the sword to lay you low… and death will arrive, dear warrior, to sweep you away”(1761-8). Hrothgar bestows his wisdom onto Beowulf after Beowulf has defeated Grendel and his mother. Hrothgar reminds him not to let pride overcome him for everything is eventually defeated due to the power of fate. This exemplifies a theme woven throughout the story of Beowulf. Beowulf is presented as a valiant hero, slaying beasts with his mighty strength and demonstrating the importance of the balance between wisdom and strength, but as the story unfolds Beowulf slowly loses his vitality until eventually he is defeated. This shows the power of fate has on everyone; no exceptions. This paper will demonstrate the heroic qualities of Beowulf and show his gradual decline through the approaches and outcomes of his three battles with the monsters.
Beowulf exhibits many obvious heroic qualities, such as his strength and confidence in battle. These along with more subtle diplomatic actions serve to define him as both a great warrior and leader.
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.
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,
The hero of Beowulf, one of the oldest written Germanic epics, is a leader of the Geats and a hero unlike all others before him. He is able to conquer foes that no one else can, and he charges into every battle with the full force that he can muster, without any of the encumbrances that others may have. His greatest desire is fame and glory, and he performs whatever difficult tasks he believes will bring him closer to that goal. Beowulf’s quest for power drives him to seek fame by challenging Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and finally a giant dragon that causes his death. Though Beowulf’s strength and courage lead him to power and its accompanying responsibility, the power that he accumulates has negative consequences for those who rely on him. This very thirst for power is Beowulf’s fatal flaw, causing him to ignore his duties towards his people and leave his kingdom unprotected and vulnerable; however, it also serves as the force that allows him to accomplish unbelievable feats.
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
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 ...
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
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 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.