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King arthur and the round table research paper
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Dragon Slayers When a person thinks of a hero today, they would most likely think of a superhero out of a comic. Similar to the super-powered hero today, a dragon slaying hero was very popular in older myths and stories. The way reason they approached the situation was not always the same though. The three heroes I will compare all have different reasons to kill their enemy. They also have different outcomes after their fight. First off, Apollo and his fight with the monstrous python of Delphi. Apollo was only a young boy when he decided to fight the python. He was convinced and given a bow with arrows by Hephaestus. The python was very impish and killed often, which was why Hephaestus wanted Apollo to kill the python in the first place. Apollo eventually slays the python, and as soon as he finished it off, he began to play the victory song. This is what gave Apollo the title “God of Music”. Second, Sigurd and his dragon, Fafnir. Sigurd was the son of a king who died before he was born. The only thing Sigurd had from his dad was a bits of his broken sword. This sword would eventually be remade for Sigurd. The sword, Gram, was made by Regin, who is Fafnir’s brother. Regin convinced Sigurd to fight Fafnir by agreeing …show more content…
to making him a sword. Fafnir was widely known as the dragon that guarded the treasure. The treasure had a curse that followed the owner until it was returned to the rightful place. The curse was what drove Fafnir to kill his father. Originally, Regin and Fafnir’s father was the one who would not share the gold, but now that Fafnir was the one who held it, he was to meet the same fate. Sigurd did not approach Fafnir face-to-face. Odin told him to dig and sit in a network of pits where Fafnir travels daily. The pits would work as a drain for the blood, so Sigurd did not die after he slayed the dragon. When Sigurd slayed the dragon, he gained the treasure and the curse. The curse would eventually take Sigurd’s life, but not immediately. Finally, Beowulf and his dragon.
Beowulf was originally only supposed to fight Grendel, but when a deal was broken between Grendel’s mother and Beowulf, a dragon was awoken. The deal made between the two was that as long as the cup awarded to Beowulf after defeating Grendel was to stay with Grendel’s mother, there would be no terror put on to the people. The cup was found by one of the men that heard the story about how Beowulf killed Grendel’s mother and how he could not find the cup because it was used as a bait. Beowulf was the king of the land at that time and had to protect his people, but he knew that he would not be able to come back and tell his story after this fight. Beowulf ended up killing the dragon, but he also payed the ultimate
price. In conclusion, the dragon slayers have their similarities and differences. Whether it is the final outcome, or the reason why the hero decided to fight the dragon. They all killed the dragons for the greater good, just like any true hero would do. The bravery and fearlessness shown by all three is what you would only see from a true hero. Heroes have changed greatly over time, but will always remain brave.
When thinking about epic heroes people mostly have different type of images. Some might think of achieving small tasks is being a hero. Others might think of heroes that are powerful. Similar to what some people think today the Anglo-Saxon also beloved in heroes that are strong, famous and successful. For them it was Beowulf that they admired and thought of him as a hero. Equivalent to Beowulf The 13th Warriors were also known to be epic heroes. One of the significant illustration that both Beowulf and The 13th Warriors show is the importance of strength in battles.
Beowulf wants to fight Grendel, a monster wreaking havoc, and is boasting that he is more powerful and courageous.
The story begins with Grendel taking the lives of countless innocent men. It seems to all that there is no one who can face this great monster who lives down in the swamp. The king, Hrothgar, becomes concerned for the health of his country and seeks out help from someone of great strength. In hearing this, Beowulf sees it as an opportunity to increase his popularity and fame. Upon arrival, he is anxious to come face to face with the great beast. In addition, he declares that he will fight Grendel without any weapons to prove who is truly the strongest. After his victory, Beowulf gets his fame and becomes king of another land for fifty years.
When Beowulf finds out about his home being destroyed, he decides that he is going to kill the dragon himself. Although Beowulf is very old at this point, he still has the confidence to slay the dragon. Beowulf has been king for fifty years, and he knows that all of his experiences in battle is enough for him to defeat the dragon.
After Beowulf’s arrival in Herot, King Hrothgar recalls a time when Beowulf’s father also entered the land of the South-Danes. However, Beowulf’s father, Ecgtheow, arrived under much different circumstances. Ecgtheow was running from a dispute and Hrothgar gave him refuge and healed the feud, indebting Ecgtheow to the gracious King Hrothgar. Beowulf most likely had heard this story from his father, giving him knowledge of the South-Danes and his family’s debt. Thus, it is no coincidence Beowulf chooses to cross treacherous seas, pursuing a vile creature by the name of Grendel. Beowulf sees Grendel as an opportunity to repay a family debt. The fight against Grendel causes Beowulf to suffer the pain of battle, but ultimately Beowulf defeats the beast, repaying his father’s debt. Beowulf’s repayment of his father’s debt displays the power of his word and his growing
The mighty warrior Beowulf volunteered to help fight off the monster, Grendel. Beowulf showed great bravery because even though Grendel over sized Beowulf, he still accepted the challenge. He also showed strength, Grendel’s head was so massive that four men each had to carry it, but Beowulf could handle the head all by himself. Lastly, Beowulf revealed loyalty by coming to Hrothgar’s assistance, to help with defeating Grendel. Even after Beowulf became King he went to his last battle to defeat the dragon without any help from his
Beowulf’s life was truly epic struggle. The monsters he battled made it so. Grendel and the dragon, capable of crushing men physically, stood for evils that could just as easily crush men in spirit. These two beasts represented society’s greatest fears, as well as detriments, and Beowulf fearlessly took them on. Grendel taught the hero a valuable lesson about maintaining one’s humanity in a world dominated by the dogs of war. The dragon, showed Beowulf’s mortality, his imperfection, but the hero eradicates it nonetheless, saving his people from not only physical threat, but sin. Bringing in such spiritual and moral dimensions, these two beasts certainly give the story of Beowulf depth.
Beowulf was a true hero, in the eyes of many, through said traits. He fought a number of battles and was triumphant in all, except his last battle. Beowulf possessed the skills and power necessary to kill Grendel, the monster who had been terrorizing the Danes for over a decade, with his bare hands. While fighting, Beowulf detached Grendel’s arm from his shoulder, which was later hung up as a trophy. Beowulf eventually put an end to Grendel’s life, and naturally, Grendel’s mother had pursued Beowulf. Although Grendel’s mother was an even deadlier monster than her son, Beowulf once again proved his abilities by slaying her, as well. He slashed her neck with a sword that carried unbearable weight. Afterwards, he carried her head with only his own arms, while it took the a...
In the beginning of the story, a mythical monster named Grendel who is attacking King Hrothgar’s mead hall Herot. When Beowulf hears of this tragedy, he volunteers to go and fight the mythical beast. The author wrote, “So Beowulf chose the mightiest men he could find the bravest and the best of the Geats, fourteen In all.” Once Beowulf arrives, he is given a feast and then decides to stay in Herot overnight to confront Grendel. Grendel then arrives and kills one of the Geats before Beowulf can get into the battle. Beowulf then goes hand-to-hand against Grendel and ends up tearing off Grendel’s shoulder. Grendel then retreats to his lair to die. This is only a mere example of why Beowulf is a hero.
In the beginning of the novel, Beowulf takes interest in the plight of Hrothgar, King of Denmark, and wants to help him fight Grendel. Grendel is a large monster that has been harassing members in the mead-hall of the Heorot. Beowulf owes Hrothgar a favor, due to the fact that Hrothgar saved his father in years past. Hrothgar is honored to have Beowulf attempt to fight the swamp monster, and decides to hold a feast in his name. When Grendel shows up to the feast, Beowulf illustrates his bravery by fighting Grendel without any armor. When Beowulf wins the battle by ripping Grendel’s arm off, everyone in the mead-hall praises Beowulf for his acts of courage. In this scene, Beowulf proves that he is a hero by fighting off a monster that everyone else was afraid of. This made him look
Beowulf’s generosity leads him to the shores of Heorot after hearing the news of Grendel’s gruesome murders. Beowulf being the kind warrior that he is offers his help to king Hrothgar. Beowulf explains that “...news of Grendel, hard to ignore, reached me at home: sailors brought stories of the plight you suffer in this legendary hall, how it lies deserted, empty and useless once the evening light hides itself infer heaven’s dome. So every elder and experienced councilman among my people supported my resolve to come here to you King Hrothgar, because all knew of my awesome strength…” (pg. 29). Beowulf’s battle with Grendel not only symbolizing his strengths, courage, and bravery but also the youth of a warrior. Beowulf proved that he was young and strong enough to face Grendel with out any weapons. ...
When the story begins, Beowulf has gone to the land of the Danes to kill Grendel for the people, not for the glory. Beowulf brings his own hand picked, group of soldiers with him throughout his battles, and refuses to allow help from others. Beowulf also tells the readers he will not use weapons unless necessary. Before the battle against Grendel, a Denmark officer states, “A chosen warrior who bravely does battle with the creature haunting our people, who survives that horror unhurt, and goes home bearing our love” (ln. 210). Also, when Beowulf’s men abandon him in the battle against the dragon, he does not choose to run in fear, but to continue fighting. In this moment much like in his past, Beowulf shows how honorable he really
Apollo is one of the most widely renowned Greek god in ancient history, and one of the few gods to have both the same Greek and Roman name (Apollo). An online article, “Apollo,” said that he started out as the god of herdsmen, and “Apollo's identification as god of music, archery, and medicine came after his oracle was established at Delphi” ( “Apollo”). The article on GaleNet also mentioned that much later, he was commemorated as the god of the sun. Apollo is known for his powers in prophesying and his musical abilities with the lyre, a type of harp. He is also acknowledged as an athlete, particularly an archer, and a healer. He is said to have been the god to teach mortals the art of medicine. Apollo is an amazing character in Greek mythology,
On a farm in the country in medieval times, a girl named Celestia was adopted. The couple who adopted her was named Jack and Ann, they had a son named Nick who is seventeen and very kind and loving to Celestia. Celestia’s dream was to become a Dragon Rider but she never told anyone because girls couldn’t be a Dragon Riders. She gets to have her own room and she gets to explore some part of the eighty acres that the couple owns. Nick takes her to a meadow that is called Future Meadow that has a small clearing in the middle and only one person is allowed into one at a time. While she is there she finds an injured baby dragon. It is white and blue with amber eyes that are hypnotical to look at. Celestia goes to pick the dragon up and receives
Beowulf’s first accomplishment as an epic hero was his battle with Grendel. Grendel was a huge beast, a descendent of Cain, who ruthlessly murdered innocent Danes because he felt pity for himself. Upon hearing of the Dane’s problem, Beowulf set off to help the Danish without having been called upon. Even though Beowulf had men backing him, He drew battle with Grendel alone and without armor or weapons. Yet, Beowulf emerged victorious with the arm of Grendel as his trophy. Beowulf then went on to kill Grendel’s vengeful mother and a huge fire-breathing dragon who thought it had been done wrong by the Geats. Alas, the killing of the dragon would be Beowulf’s last great battle for the dragon took Beowulf’s life in the struggle for his own.