Examples Of Integrity In Beowulf

Throughout history, honor has always been a very important aspect in life, whether it be codified or just ingrained in someone’s brain. These ideals are emphasized in works of literature throughout the ages. The major characters including Beowulf in the folk epic Beowulf, Sir Gawain in Le Morte D’Arthur, and John in Brave New World all strive to maintain their honor and integrity, which ultimately results in their demise. In Beowulf, the great leader Beowulf courageously fights Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and finally the dragon, but in the end, his heroic actions lead to his death. Le Morte D’Arthur features Sir Gawain, who maintains his honor by fighting Sir Launcelot over and over, but eventually dies from his injuries as well. Lastly, in Brave New World, John, or “The Savage” kills himself after trying and failing to maintain his honor and integrity, which has been tainted by his thoughts and actions.

The folk epic Beowulf

features Beowulf, who constantly displays traits of the common Anglo-Saxon ideals of what it means to be honorable, but as the story progresses, trying to maintain this honor results in his demise.

Some common honorable qualities include being courageous, intelligent, heroic, and a strong leader. Beowulf presents all of these characteristics when he fights Grendel, a malignant monster, described as “A dark death-shadow the ravaging demon” (120). Despite his ferociousness, Beowulf goes on to fight him fearlessly, not only assessing his tactics as he attacks and eats a thane, but fighting without armor or a sword to show off his physical strength and confidence, which further engages the reader’s attention. Beowulf successfully defeats Grendel’s revenge seeking mother when he “Seized the ring-hilt and swung the sword, / Struck with fury, despairing of life, / Struck with fury, despairing of life…” (1053-5). He goes into the battle without fear and displays honorable

characteristics, while still defeating the Troll Wife. Beowulf eventually becomes king of the Danes and embarks on one last battle to fight the dragon who poses a threat to his kingdom and reputation. He goes into the battle ready to fight, bearing no sword, believing, “It shall be fare with us both in the fight at the wall”(1495). Beowulf attempts to maintain his honorable image, but after his thanes abandon him and only Wiglaf stays to help fight, he is fatally injured when the dragon, “Fierce and flaming; fastened its fangs / In Beowulf’s throat; he was bloodied with gore; / His lifeblood streamed from the welling wound” (1612-14). Altogether, Beowulf strives to maintain his honor through fighting various battles, but tragically perishes while doing so. This element is very similar in the Arthurian tale Le Morte d’Arthur, because while Sir Gawain tries to maintain his honor, he is fatally injured and dies as well.
Le Morte d’Arthur takes place during Medieval times, when honor was codified, achieved by being brave and following the chivalric code, all of which Sir Gawain attempts to do. This, though, ultimately leads to his untimely death. Sir Gawain challenges the traitor Sir Launcelot, the man who killed his brother in battle, and he accepts. They commence in battle, and end up sword fighting for over three hours, and once Sir Gawain’s strength diminishes, “Sir Launcelot redoubled his blows, and with one, catching Sir Gawain sidelong on the helmet, sent him reeling to the ground” (229). Instead of killing him, Launcelot spares Gawain’s life, and he is left to heal while his integrity subsides. In an attempt to maintain his honor, he challenges Launcelot again, and as Gawain moves to slash his opponent, his wound reopens. He heals, and to sustain his honor, prepares to challenge Launcelot, but is called to battle Sir Modred, a knight who decided to usurp the throne in King Arthur’s absence. After the long battle, Arthur finds Sir Gawain on the brink of death. Gawain explains to him that, “It is at Sir Launcelot’s hands that I suffer my own death: the wound which he dealt me has reopened” (232). Sir Gawain attempts to maintain his honor by fighting Launcelot over and over, but as a result, he is fatally injured and dies. Very similarly, John in Brave New World strives to maintain his honor and integrity, but ultimately fails leading to death through suicide.
Brave New World includes John, also known as “The Savage” who grew up in a reserve, who fails to uphold his honor and integrity as an individual and kills himself. When Bernard and Lenina visit the reserve, they come across John, who has not been tainted by the ideals of their own society. He grew up with ideals of family, community, monogamy, and chastity ingrained in his brain, but all of these are challenged when he finds himself falling for Lenina. Bernard convinces John and his mother, Linda, to come back to England with them, and John is encountered with strong feelings of lust, especially when Lenina attempts to kiss him. When she leans in, “The Savage caught her by the wrists, tore her hands from his shoulders, thrust her roughly away at arm’s length” (194). His honor is challenged once more after he decides to live in a lighthouse away from the rest of society, when many people encounter him and he gives in, and participates in an orgy. John awakens the next morning, and, “He lay for a moment, blinking in owlish incomprehension at the light; then suddenly remembered—everything” (258-59). He panics, and that evening when people come knock at his door and he does not answer, they open the door and find that, “Just under the crown of the arch dangled a pair of feet” (259). John comes into civilization where his honor and integrity are challenged, and in the process of trying to maintain it, he gives in and ends up dying, making the reader feel great sympathy towards him. This death is very important because John was the last person who had the potential to change the society’s ideals, and live an honorable life.
Altogether, the works Beowulf, Le Morte d’Arthur, and Brave New World all present the characters Beowulf, Sir Gawain, and John, who work hard to maintain their honor, which ultimately leads to their demise. Beowulf lives an honorable life through defeating Grendel and the troll-wife, but in his last attempt to live a noble life, he fights the dragon and loses his life. Le Morte d’Arthur features Sir Gawain, a knight who works to maintain his honor by dueling another knight but ends up dying because of his injuries. Brave New World features John, a man who fights to uphold his honor and teachings, but ends up failing and kills himself. Overall, these links are included in all three works to engage the reader and make them become attached to the character who strives to live an honorable life, but end up tragically dying in the end. Though honor is a major part of life to show a person is good and moral, it can be taken too seriously and lead to one’s demise.