Beowulf's Pride Essay

Beowulf is one of the oldest, most renown poems from between the 7th and 10th century. The author is unknown, however, in the 21st century students from all over still read and study this epic poem about a magnanimous man named, Beowulf. Beowulf is a man of unrivaled strength and courage. With great strength and courage in the 7th century comes great rewards and acknowledgments. But, with this famous stature at times comes intense pride and boastfulness. Beowulf exemplifies such pride all throughout his adventures as a great savior. As readers, we begin to ask ourselves whether or not this pride that Beowulf embodies is an asset to him or a tragic flaw. At times within the poem, Beowulf’s pride achieves him astonishing accomplishments, but,

it ultimately leads him to his death. Thus, his pride becomes a tragic flaw.
Beowulf comes to help King Hrothgar at the beginning of the poem.

During his meeting, Beowulf himself exemplifies his pride and boastfulness to the king when he is asked to speak of his great accomplishments. Discussing why he had come to help, a small factor was when no one back home had tried to stop him. We learn this when Beowulf claims, “…every elder and experience councilman among my people supported my resolve… because all knew my awesome strength.” (415-418) Instantly, readers can characterize Beowulf as boastful and full of pride. Nowadays, if someone would self-praise themselves in such a manner, people would begin to overlook that person. But, in the period which this poem is written in, they are praised. With this, Beowulf grants himself access to the king and his acceptance. Unfortunately, after he would help the king with his threats, his fate brings him

death.
Beowulf's pride would only take him so far— King Hrothgar, himself, warns him not to have too much pride because it is a dangerous thing. After Beowulf defeats the kingdom’s enemies, and is thus rewarded, he is warned by the man who gave him power and his accolades to not go to far. King Hrothgar has seen men’s pride fail them, so he warns Beowulf of such instances. When Beowulf is in the future, Hrothgar explains, “…because of goof things that the Heavenly Powers gave [such men] in the past he ignores the shape of things to come.” (1750-1752) Beowulf is urged by the king to not go too far, for he will find himself in a terrible state of affairs. Readers learn that this warning of what could happen to him actually does happen when he battles with a dragon.
Near the end of his prodigious life, Beowulf comes face to face with a dragon.

In this event, Beowulf could have saved himself. Nevertheless, his pride overcomes his ability to make a decision that would have left him unscathed. But, “…the prince of the rings was too proud to line up with a large army against the sky-plague. He had scant regard for the dragon as a threat…” (2345-2348) Instead of fighting with an army of men against the sky-plague (dragon), Beowulf wanted to make sure that all the glory would be his when he engages in battle with it autonomously; exclusive of any outside help. Hence, Beowulf wastes his life as a consequence for such an imprudent

decision.
After a good deed, it is adequate to be proud of one’s self. To be proud simply means to feel a deep pleasure as a result of your achievements. Pride, almost word-for-word, is defined the same way. But, it is when one is “too proud” (2346) that this proudness turns into boastfulness and allows someone to become negatively prideful. The character Beowulf portrays this exact meaning. Through his actions, Beowulf ultimately leads himself to death. In poems, a tragic flaw is a flaw that leads a character to his downfall. Therefore, the ample amount of pride which Beowulf possesses becomes his tragic flaw in the end.