Beowulf Recognition Essay

In most heroic tales, there is a hero who will risk their life no matter what to complete their task. However, risking their life certainly does not mean that they are doing it for the benefit of others. The epic poem Beowulf, depicts Beowulf as an altruistic hero who slayed both Grendel and Grendel's mother to receive recognition for his actions. Yearning for recognition is not an act of altruism. Altruism is defined as the principle or practice of unselfish concern for or devotion to the welfare of others. Within the poem, it is evident Beowulf’s actions only reflected his morals and did not display any characteristics of altruism, only arrogance, selfishness, and avarice.

Initially, during the battle with Grendel's mother, Beowulf is able to defeat her swiftly after being aided by a sword that was placed within the cave.

He effectively put an end to her and afterwards he found Grendel lying in a corner, where he then cut off his head as a sign of proof to display to Hrothgar that he completed his mission. As stated in the poem, “Found him lying dead in his corner, armless, exactly as that fierce fighter had sent him out from Herot, then struck off his head with a single swift blow. The body jerked for the last time, then lay still,” (line 541-545, pg 423). It was unnecessary to cut Grendel's head off to display to the king that both of the monsters were dead by his hands. This demonstrates Beowulf's arrogance because the king knew Grendel was not going to attack them anymore, but Beowulf needed to show his superiority. He wanted to prove that he was capable of completing both tasks and display his abilities to the king. Being altruistic does not mean flaunting one's abilities to display their capable self, however, Beowulf does indeed do so.
Moreover, throughout the poem, Beowulf always yearned for fame and recognition.

It is evident that he wants recognition for what he has done and the tasks he has completed throughout his life. He did not need to mention his accomplishments to Hrothgar, but instead he did to display his worthiness to kill Grendel which was only to receive recognition for his actions. This demonstrates Beowulf’s selfishness in how he will only do something to gain fame. In addition, as mentioned in the passage, “I've never known fear, as a youth I fought in endless battles. I am old, now, but I will fight again, seek fame still,” (line 2-4, pg 87). Beowulf is fighting the dragon not for the sake of his kingdom, but to receive fame. This portrays how self-centered he is, therefore Beowulf would not have tried to kill the dragon if he knew that he was not going to receive fame for it which does not display altruism.

Furthermore, in the poem, the last moments of Beowulf's life, he uttered his final words to build a tomb dedicated to him. As he was dying, he did not show any emotion of love or sorrow to Wiglaf, only to express that he wanted a grave dedicated to

him.
Have the brave Geats build me a tomb, when the funeral flames have burned me, and build it here, at the water's edge, high on the spit of land, so sailors can see this tower, and remember my name, and call it Beowulf’s tower, and boats in the darkness and mist, crossing the sea, will know it (line 207-214, pg 94).
As depicted, Beowulf just wanted a shrine of himself to show other sailors who he is. Beowulf demonstrates yet another characteristic that does not tie into altruism, which displays his avarice, or greediness. Therefore, throughout his life, his accomplishments revolved around greed, if at the end all he wanted was a tomb for him to be remembered by.
Consequently, Beowulf’s characteristics do not claim him to be an altruistic hero. Altruistic heroes complete tasks in helping others and not in the welfare of themselves. However, Beowulf did not display that within the poem and completed tasks for himself, which demonstrated his arrogance, selfishness, and avarice. In conclusion, it is evident Beowulf is not an altruistic hero due to the fact he puts his needs first than others to acquire wealth, power, and fame. Altruistic heroes do not demonstrate those qualities, therefore it can be well known that Beowulf is most definitely not a selfless hero.