Examples Of Courage In Beowulf

Are you courageous? People strive for ultimate greatness. Two important character qualities are strength and nerve, the basis for which courage is shown in people. Courage is the moral strength to push through and stand against difficult times, fear, and danger. Dealing with courage it also questions your humanity and where it lies, what are the intentions of the human heart? The world views courage as a superior attribute and the Bible views courage as an ability that has nothing to do with people but everything to do with confidence and trust.

Courage unto the world is celebrated for bravery and heroic deeds that are accomplished with nerves of steel. Attached to this character trait are valor, legacy, moral strength, and mental invincibility.

It is a piece that is crucial in building up a reputation, something that stands out and to be remembered by after everything fades away.
During the Anglo-Saxon time period, the concept of fate played role in the perspective on courage. Naturally, courage during that era was more of a fatalistic attitude and view on life with no sensitivity towards death. In that time, it was believed that a person’s fate was predetermined. Therefore, a person could act with courage and perceived invincibility because fate had already determined the outcome.
Within the storyline of Beowulf, he displays many acts of courage and valor while slaying various sea monsters and other evil creatures that cross his path.

A couple instances of these courageous acts that he performed are when he fights the demon Grendel with his bare hands and also when he decides to take on the dragon in its lair.

The attribute of courage is very valuable to Beowulf and the people of his time. Perhaps it was a rare characteristic to find in the days when men had to defend land against demons, dragons, and other monsters that dare to lurk from their caves. It may have been important to Beowulf because courage had the potential of increasing the face value of his status as a hero.

The type of courage described in Scripture is different from that in such folk epics as Beowulf. In Scripture, strength is still foundational to courage; yet, it is a different type of strength. According to the world, strength is all channeled from within oneself and is the result of one’s own doing. On the other hand, the strength from a biblical context all comes from only He who can supply the type of strength needed to be

courageous.
Courage is not the absence of fear. A person can have fear and still be courageous. In fact, being courageous is having fear but not allowing the fear to control one’s life. In other words, being courageous involves choosing not to walk in fear. Choosing not to walk in fear is as much of a daily choice as choosing to walk in the light versus choosing to walk in the dark. Being able to lay that issue down before the Lord and surrender it unto Him is a decision. One cannot choose in his own stubborn and prideful heart to gain courage all on his own. It is with the power of Christ that one can have courage in the dark times.
From a biblical standpoint, with God by one’s side, there is so much more potential for greatness.

John 15:5 mentions that having Jesus Christ living within oneself enables a person to walk in the light and do miraculous signs that could never be accomplished apart from God. In the book of Joshua, Joshua himself experienced courage from God. Due to his faithfulness to God, he was blessed in all that he did. He was given the strength and courage he needed to lead the people of Israel through the Jordan River to the land that He had promised His children. In Joshua 1:9, the Lord is speaking directly to Joshua telling him, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go" (Joshua 1 NIV, n.d.). God calls his disciples to stand up with courage and be the type of heroes to which people can

look.
Courage is important in the daily life of any Christian. Fear can be so crippling when it has the chance to take over and completely control one’s life. It can destroy people and their social statuses and also reputations. Courage allows for the body of Christ to fight against all evil powers that have crept into the world since the first sin. Courage is needed to stand against peer pressure, to stand for what is morally right, to step up for Christ, and to evangelize to the world. In general, courage is needed to speak up and to have the confidence to voice opinions on topics that can be controversial at times and which can sometimes set up a person in the line of fire.
Others outside of Christ should see nothing but fearlessness in followers of Jesus. This does not imply that fear is never an issue in the Christian walk; but if one is truly walking alongside God and standing firm in faith, then little will shake that believer. People should see obvious boldness in the life of a believer.
The secular view of courage is contrary to that of the biblical view. Even in the good actions of courage there can be bad intentions. Somehow bettering one’s self tends to make it to the top of the agenda. Granted, secular courage still results in people being helped by those being courageous. In reality, though, secular courage tends to be about self, particularly in Beowulf’s time. The question for Beowulf was how courage could improve and promote his own reputation or legacy. Scripture says that a person’s strength and power comes from God alone. Courage has nothing to do with personal strength, but has everything to with God’s strength.