Examples Of Honor In Beowulf

The poem Beowulf tells the story of three battles that a protagonist, Beowulf, fights. Throughout Beowulf’s battles he displays multiple characteristics the Anglo-Saxon society believed to be significant. There are three principal characteristics Beowulf displays throughout the poem, and they consist of strength, loyalty, and honor. It is these characteristics that make Beowulf an outstanding hero.

The description of Beowulf characteristics occurs when the Geats land in Hrothgar, and speak with the watchman. During conversation the watchman immediately identifies Beowulf as the greatest and most powerful warrior he has ever seen. Further evidence of Beowulf’s strength appears during the battle with Grendel. Beowulf ends the battle by ripping

off one of Grendel’s arms. The battles conclusion displays the superhuman strength of Beowulf. Another feat of strength is displayed when Beowulf lifts a sword the reading credits as “no ordinary man could lift its carved and decorated length”. Sheer power is displayed by Beowulf in these instances.
Loyalty is displayed after Beowulf defeats Grendel’s mother. By leaving Grendel’s mother’s treasure behind Beowulf shows loyalty. Beowulf display of loyalty is justified because the treasure belongs to the Danes. By thanking God throughout the poem loyalty is shown by Beowulf frequently.
Honor is shown by Beowulf in several instances throughout the poem.

All throughout the poem Beowulf does everything he can the honorable way. Beowulf displays honor when he decides to lend a hand to the Danes with Grendel. Beowulf chooses to fight Grendel without a weapon for only one reason, to be honorable. A second instance of honor is shown when Beowulf decides to leave the Danes treasure, formerly possessed by Grendel’s mother, behind for the Danes. Another instance of honor is shown when an elderly Beowulf fights a dragon that torments Beowulf and the Geats. Beowulf shows honor in this situation by fighting the dragon to rid his land of the nuisance by only using a sword and shield. Beowulf believed this to be an honorable decision. He deemed this decision honorable because the dragon had a weapon of its own, and could not be defeated without the use of

weapons.
Anglo- Saxon society chose their epic hero to display these three traits. By Beowulf displaying these traits it shows the importance the Anglo- Saxon society placed on these traits. After reading Beowulf one can conclude that the Anglo- Saxon society believed that being strong, honorable, and loyal are the most important things in life. If today’s society attempted to show only one of Beowulf’s traits the world would be a better place.
In todays society it is difficult to find characteristics to base a hero upon.

If one were to create a superhero to represent characteristics that today’s society deems important, the hero would possess multiple qualities. Important qualities in today’s society include strength, tech savvy, and bravery. Strength is important in today's society, because everyone can look up to someone like Superman. Another perk of possessing super strength is the hero would be able to assist those in need just like Beowulf and Superman. Being tech savvy would be an important trait for today's superhero to possess. Being tech savvy would be important because of how technology has changed the playing field. Without an understanding of technology it would place a hero at a major disadvantage. The next trait a hero would posses is bravery. It is an essential trait for every hero to possess. Bravery allows a hero to leap into battle in the face of

adversity.
After reading Beowulf one cannot look at heros the same way. Beowulf can be used as a point of comparison for all of today’s heroes. The Anglo- Saxons successfully created a hero who has stood the test of time and set the bar for all modern day heroes.