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Theme of heroism in the Odyssey
Critically analyse the character Beowulf from the epic poem Beowulf
Theme of heroism in the Odyssey
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Beowulf is introduced as an all mighty character known for slaying giant beast across the country. When introducing himself, he states that his father is “a famous soldier, known far and wide as a leader of men...wise men all over the earth surely remember him still” (45). He has sailed to Herot to defeat a ferocious monster named Grendel, who was “spawned in that slime, conceived by a pair of those monsters born of Cain” (42).
Beowulf is a very bold and heroic man and knows it. He brags and boasts of his accomplishments and and previous victories. He’s very proud of who he is and what he can do for the prince of Herot. Beowulf always speaks highly of himself but never in an obnoxious way. He demonstrates bravery by volunteering to fight
Grendel. No one ever sent for him, he just took it upon himself to help the people and prince of Hrothgar. Beowulf fought and defended his pride literally until the day he died. He is an intensely selfless person, once again referring to the way he sacrificed his time and well being just to help Hrothgar. The only time he was rewarded with treasure was towards the end of his life when he battled to dragon that was protecting the gold. Being the hero that he is, Beowulf knows of his strengths and never doubts himself. In the poem, it states that he is stronger than anyone in this world. When fighting Grendel, he had so much confidence in himself that he fought the monster in the nude with nothing but his bare hands as a weapon. Beowulf is almost like a supernatural being himself, from ripping Grendel’s arm off to holding his breath when fighting Grendel’s mom in her underwater lair. Although he did fight the mother in armour, I do not think it lessened his bravery or courage any less. He never backs down from a challenge, no matter how big the obstacles. He is also remarkably smart in his fighting tactics. The way he sort of creeps in the mead hall waiting for Grendel to appear or his decision to fight Grendel’s mother in his amour. Before he’s even in a situation, he knows what he’s up against and the best way to fight
Bravery is like a very trusted friend, it will never let you down. That statement holds true in the great epic of "Beowulf." "Beowulf" is the story of a great hero who comes to the aid of a troubled king. Beowulf hears that king Hrothgar is having trouble and immediately comes to help with no questions asked. he defeats the monster, Grendel, with his bare hands. Beowulf then defeats Grendel's mother along with a dragon until he is fatally injured. Bravery is a very admirable characteristic that few people possess.
The greatest value of Beowulf is his bravery, some may say bravado. There is no doubt that he is a great warrior. Beowulf's heroism belongs to a different time than that of King Arthur or Sir Gawain. For that reason his bragging about his prowess might seem decidedly unheroic. When he tells Unferth "I count it true that I had more courage, More strength in swimming than any other man" (514-15 (41) it might be interpreted in a poor way. What he is saying though is true. In addition, in order for him to succeed he must orally deliver his resume. Nevertheless, bragging aside, Beowulf is undoubtedly a brave man. When Beowulf sets out to kill Grendel's mother he simply "donned his armor for battle, Heeded not the danger..." (1328-29 60). When his sword fails him he uses his physical strength: "On the might of his hand, as a man must do Who thinks to win in the welter of battle Enduring glory; he fears not death" (1420-23 62). Certainly he is in search of fame. Though this is true it must not discount his brave actions. He gains his fame truthfully by doing battle with menaces to society. He does not lie or manipulate to achieve fame, he uses what is rightfully his, his bravery. Beowulf's bravery differs from that of King Arthur's for several reasons. King Arthur by being king must be brave, to rule the state people must respect him. Beowulf's bravery carries the story. One because it details his ascension in fame and secondly it also outlines his downfall.
The main character, and protagonist, Beowulf is first introduced in the novel by means of ancestral lineage. Born into greatness, Beowulf makes his reputation indisputable through action. With the King Hrothgar as witness, Beowulf declares his intentions to aid the Danes by way of slaying the awesome beast Grendel who has caused havoc among the lands. "Now I mean to be a match for Grendel, settle the outcome in single combat." As every great hero fulfils his boast, Beowulf did not fall short. Though the destruction of Grendel brought relief and rejoicings- a mother's wrath would cause it to fall short. Again, the mighty Beowulf takes on this mighty beast, descendant of Cain. As Hrothgar desperately states: "Now help depends again on you and you alone./ Seek it if you dare."
Beowulf exhibits many obvious heroic qualities, such as his strength and confidence in battle. These along with more subtle diplomatic actions serve to define him as both a great warrior and leader.
Beowulf 's courage originates from his certainty that he can overcome creatures utilizing distinctive techniques. Hailey W. Odessa states Goodness, unwaveringness, civility, equity, and courage all portrays the attributes a perfect saint would have. At that point she says in the lyric Beowulf, there is one character that conveys all and a greater amount of these expressed attributes, and that character is without a doubt the hero known as Beowulf. We as a whole need to comprehend life is an exceptional voyage. Beowulf 's life changed when he got more seasoned. The main question is the thing that makes somebody a saint? Components of being a legend are appeared all through Anglo-Saxon fundamental qualities. A standout amongst the most prestigious
There are several heroic characteristics, all of which Beowulf possesses. First of these characteristics is honor. Honor is showing a sense of integrity in one’s actions. When Beowulf went to the land of the Danes to kill Grendel, he did it not because he wanted money, but because he wanted to help out the Geats. Beowulf felt as if it was the right thing to do since he had been successful in past deeds which he proudly says in lines 321-322, where he says “They had in remembrance my courage and might. Many had seen me come safe from the conflict,”. Beowulf expected no reward for his action, but rather just being able to “put another notch in his belt.”
In conclusion, although Beowulf possessed many heroic qualities he would not be considered a hero in today’s world. A hero varies from culture to culture. The Anglo-Saxon appreciated different things in a person that what do not we appreciate today. Many things have changed a lot with time, the requisites for being considered a hero have also changed. Today we do not like to solve problems with war. Pride and honor are not as important as the willingness one has to help others. Beowulf is not feeling that contact with people he doesn’t identify with them because he believes himself better, a part of a hero´s cycle is to be identified with the community. To be part
The character Beowulf, “a man of great strength and bravery” (Magill 388), is a hero in the way he defends his neighboring country, Denmark. When the word that a hostile creature, known as Grendel, was killing tons in Denmark, Beowulf set sail to help defend the people and rid them of the hideous monster.
... enormous risk that all the instincts of self-preservation resist”(Hanning 60). Beowulf is always ready to take the risks for the fame.Beowulf “fight Grendel alone and without weapons to maximize his chance for glory; if he fails he is fully aware that it will mean death”(Hanning 61). This clearly shows his bravery and how hard he goes to gain glory, and he values them all more than his life. His bravery keeps him to fight for glory, and this quality clearly makes him an epic hero.
Beowulf displayed great courage and honor throughout his journeys and battles; he was an epic hero. An epic hero is a person who is viewed as larger than life and possesses values of a certain society. From the time of Beowulf’s battle with Grendel to his brawl against the dragon, he has showed everyone what being an honorable hero looks like. His heroism is revealed through both youth as a young warrior and wisdom as a reliable king. He never backed down and didn’t give up when situations were tough. Beowulf had obligations to fulfill and went about every aspect of his life with courage and strength. He cared for his people and was willing to take on anyone that threatened them or his kingdom. He sincerely was the hero of his time.
Throughout the course of history, there have been many heroes and stories about said heroes. Beowulf is one that is included among these heroes as he exhibits many qualities of a hero, such as honor, bravery, and strength. These qualities are all shown several times throughout the story of the hero Beowulf.
Beowulf was a highly skilled and great fighter, but because of his over-confidence in himself the fire-breathing dragon kills him. Beowulf’s excessive pride is evident from the very beginning of the epic. He is almost always boasting about himself to one person or the other. In the first part of the epic, when Beowulf first travels to Hrothgar’s kingdom to rid him of Grendel, he talks about the mighty deeds he has done in his life. “Hail, Hrothgar, health ever keep you! I am Hyglelac’s thane and kinsman; mighty deeds I have done in my youth…they saw themselves how I came from combat bloodied by enemies where I crushed down five, killed a tribe of giants, and on the waves at night slew water-beasts; no easy task, but I dove out trouble from Geatland-they asked for it, the enemies I killed.”(Beowulf p73) One can easily picture him standing proud and tall in front of a multitude of fellow warriors, proclaiming all the deeds he has accomplished in his lifetime.
Beowulf himself displayed a massive amount of bravery in this story. He was the leader to the Geats and the bravest of them all. “He heard of the horror Grendel was bringing to the town and quickly commanded a boat fill out. (Narrator, page 44 lines 112-113)”. He was being brave and risking his life. He commanded, only leaders command things so that shows he was a leader and a brave one at that. “Beowulf arose with his men around him ordering a few to remain with their weapons, leading the others quickly under herots steep root into Hrothgar presence (Narrator, page 47 lines 229-233)”. Beowulf ordered and led them as leaders do. He was a very brave warrior and taught his followers to never be afraid. The ideal of conduct of the Anglo-Saxon culture exemplified bravery and leadership and throughout Beowulf he displayed that through his actions and words. However, Beowulf exemplified many more characteristics of Anglo-Saxon ideal of
Beowulf is an incredibly strong, loyal, and brave hero. To prove his strength he fought treacherous monsters to stop the mayhem and fear that they had been spreading. He was very loyal to the king, never turning his back to him, and always fighting in valiant battles for him proving his extreme loyalty to a king that does not even rule over him. Beowulf shows his bravery by fighting monsters that other heroes refuse to fight because they know death only awaits them if they even attempt. He is not scared of these monsters and he always fights bravely and vigorously, to earn his honor and glory as a hero. Beowulf is an epic hero through his incredible strength, his loyalty, and his bravery.
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.