Beowulf's Pride

Generations of literature attempt to answer the long waiting question: What makes a hero? Seamus Heaney’s translation of the classic epic poem Beowulf is often referred to when defining a hero however, this is not an appropriate comparison. Character Beowulf wields the strength of thirty men but lacks the strength of an honest hero. The great warrior faces many horrible problems through out the epic however the one problem that Beowulf faces and is ultimately defeated by is his own selfish pride. Warrior Beowulf’s sickening dependency on honor, glory, and pride withholds the tittle of Hero from the strong fighter. Beowulf comes face to face with three inhuman beasts through the poem every time his army trailing behind him but him refusing

Most analytical criticisms of the poem show the great warrior’s want to protect and help others as the bases for his determination, critic Robert Schmuhl claims “the Anglo-Saxon classic of heroism and moral nobility,”first comes to mind when the title Beowulf is uttered (“Critics’ Choice” 1). Beowulf’s decision to fight Grendel without weapons is seen as a attempt at leveling the playing field for the enemy. Beowulf states that Grendel cannot use weapons and therefore he would not use weapons. This leveling is Beowulf’s nobel heroism even if it means fighting a huge monster without weapons. Beowulf’s fight against Grendel’s mother takes place mostly underwater away from the help of his army. The warrior dives into the waters without help wanting to protect his men from the beast’s wrath he is also aware that only he can hold his breath the longest and that no other man could withstand the amount of breathless swimming. Beowulf shows his leadership once more when fighting the dragon, again he asks his men to stay out of the fight wanting to keep his army safe from the dragon. Beowulf received many measures from his first tow battles which he denied. When Beowulf returned to his homeland he offered all his measure to his king who in turn doubled the treasure. The warrior was not fighting for the rewards but because it was