In Beowulf, the poet signifies Beowulf’s dwindling faith and confidence through each of Beowulf’s three major battles.
Before Beowulf’s fight with Grendel, “[he] assured the Danish queen that his heart was firm and his hands were ready.”() Beowulf came from the Canes to fight the monstrous Grendel and free the people of fear and despair. Also to mention is the fact that Beowulf entered the fight “weaponless and unafraid” (). His lack of armor is in hopes to earn glory for his people. Hi confidence signifies his pride .His pride seems to aid him in the most difficult of battles. Boastfully, Beowulf had hung [Grendel’s head], arm, claws and shoulder and all [on the wall]”. Beowulf’s physical capabilities allows him to easily tear off Grendel’s
…show more content…
arm. The fight was quick and didn’t cause him much effort. He takes Grendel’s arm as a trophy displaying his youth and heroic nature. This fight brings him to the height of his courage. Although Beowulf has no hesitation in his battle with Grendel, he is not as confident about his battle with Grendel’s mother.
Upon hearing about his battle with Grendel’s mother he proclaims “let us go, as quickly as we can, and have a look at this lady monster”(). Beowulf still has the same amount of drive and will during his second battle. Before his actual fight he tells Hrothgar to “ “() . Beowulf shows some doubt in his survival. The uncertainty of his survival of the battle is more than likely due to the amount of monsters he will have to encounter on the way to Grendel’s mothers cave. He is beginning to care more about the welfare of his people instead of his own reputation, so he doesn’t allow any others to come with him. Beowulf is aware of his possible death, but still goes into the fight fearless. Beowulf is still young during this fight so he still possess great strength. During the battle, “Beowulf struggled unlike his fairly easy kill against Grendel. Beowulf “angrily throws his sword to the side” and was “held helpless” at one point. Beowulf attributes his finding the Giants sword to God himself, all throughout the battle Beowulf never fails to keep his faith in God. Beowulf’s struggle to defeat the lady monster weakens his confidence for future battles and somewhat foreshadows his fate in his battle with the …show more content…
dragon. Whereas Beowulf is virtually indestructible to Grendel and his mother, his life is in jeopardy from the beginning against the dragon.
Beowulf has this underlying feeling that his death is near. The author emphasizes Beowulf’s reluctance to meet death, to “give ground like that and go / unwillingly to inhabit another home / in a place beyond” (2588–2590). Beowulf’s faith is shown in this quote because he will be stepping into another realm, heaven. Beowulf “strode calmly, confidently, toward the tower”. He seeks out this monster because he is still a hero that protects all the people, but has taken what the dragon represents personally and feels he must do something for his people. Beowulf was truly fighting for his people. Beowulf struggled extremely during this fight with the dragon but dies relieved “"I should have been able to acquire for my people / before my death-day and endowment such as this (2794-95)." He still has his childlike youth and request that a treasure from the dragon lair be brought back to his
people. The hero Beowulf portrays with each of these monsters, show that his confidence is influenced by what kind of monster he faces. Although all of the fights show his confidence, they each bring on a different meaning. Beowulf displays a different kind of hero with each monster he seeks out.
From the moment he is introduced, it is clear that Beowulf is confident in his abilities. He boldly tells Hrothgar that he will fight Grendel, the monster causing trouble for the Danes, “hand to hand.” Beowulf also seems at peace with whatever the outcome of the battle may be, stating that “Wyrd,” also known as fate,
Even from an early age, Beowulf took every opportunity he could to show off his strength and fearlessness. When he first introduces himself to King Hrothgar, a Danish warrior by the name Unferth recognizes Beowulf and brings up a story from his youth. He explains to the entire hall how Beowulf had challenged another young man, named Brecca, to a swimming match and lost. Unferth says to him, ¨both of you daring and young and proud… risking your lives for no reason? All older and wiser heads warned you not to, but no one could check such pride¨ (Raffel 23). It is clear that in this story, that Beowulf´s pride consumes him and fuels his reckless actions. He goes on to tell Unferth about how he had stayed behind to fight 9 monsters, while Brecca
to land he managed to kill nine sea monsters with his bare hands and still
This last encounter was destined to define his lasting legacy. He lived as a warrior; it was only natural that he should die as one as well, he hopes to go down in a fiery blaze of glory, pun intended. At this point in time, Beowulf is a seventy-year-old king, he knows he is mortal and isn’t going to live forever. Nevertheless, even as an old man, it was his duty to protect and defend his subjects until the death. Towards the end Beowulf’s death looms closer and it seems like he foreshadows that he is prepared to meet his maker. “When I meet the cave guard: what occurs on the wall, between the two of us will turn out as fate, overseer of men, decides. I am resolved. I scorn further words against this sky-borne foe” (Heaney 2525-2528). Beowulf’s maturity has blossomed to its utmost peak, ironically right before he is laid to rest in the valley of death that is Beowulf’s Barrow. His endeavors throughout this long journey have brought him wisdom and enlightenment. Since the beginning, he has rapidly progressed over time, especially since evolving from his role as a warrior to a king. Initially, Beowulf was insatiable with pleasure seeking activities, but then he
Beowulf wants to fight Grendel, a monster wreaking havoc, and is boasting that he is more powerful and courageous.
Next, Beowulf decides to fight Grendel with his bare hands. He could have easily obtained some kind of weapon to fight with. Beowulf was the first warrior ever to have enough sheer bravery to go up against such a monster with neither help nor weapon or shield to aid him. he was a warrior that believed somewhat in fate and in God. Believing that God made the decisions and was in control, Beowulf trusted that his life was in good hands. Defeating Grendel with his bare hands, Beowulf not only proved his bravery but also his loyalty.
Beowulf is “the strongest of the Geats -- greater / and stronger than anyone anywhere in this world” (ll.110-111). Even though he is famous for his massive strength, Beowulf has other attributes that are noticeable other than his strength. These attributes, arrogance, bravery, and a strong love for his people are what make Beowulf become such a powerful, epic hero. Beowulf is arrogant. He constantly brags about his supreme strength. The “strongest man alive” lets people know that he is the most powerful person around by saying, “no strength is a match for mine” (l.267). Beowulf does not think that he could ever be destroyed by anything. He obviously never questiones how his fighting ability would be when he was around seventy. Since Beowulf is convinced that God is watching over him, his ego makes him act as if he is invincible, because of the idea that he has a guardian angel. But, as Beowulf gets older, wiser, and fights in more battles he should realize that there was a possibility that he can die. Beowulf also boasts about his many battles, and is proud of himself for winning all of them. One of these triumphs is the battle in the water when he meets up with nine sea monsters which he killeds, and fights with a monster that is digging its jaws into Beowulf’s flesh. Beowulf proclaims that “ I fought that beast’s last battle, / left it floating in the sea” (ll.290-291). This epic tale reads that while Beowulf is in battle with Grendel’s mother, all he cares was about the fame he would get for defeating her. Unferth thinks that Beowulf was arrogant, by saying, “ You’re Beowulf, are you the same / Boastful fool who fought a swimming / Match with Brecca” (ll.239-241). Yes, Beowulf is a boastful fool that loves the attention that his strength gives him. A strong man and an arrogant one, Beowulf is also brave. Even after all of the horror stories that he hears about Grendel, he still fights the cursed beast without any hesitation. When he battles with Grendel, he does it without the things that everyone else would use--weapons. This shows that Beowulf is not scared of anything in the world. He also must be brave to fight a sea monster after swimming in the ocean for days. He went straight into battle exhausted, from the strenuous journey across the ocean.
His life was on the line but he was courageous enough to go against Grendel. When Beowulf also said, “Of force in fight no feebler I count me, in grim war-deeds, that Grendel deems him.” (678-679) This quote also shows Beowulf’s courageousness because he believes that Grendel is no better than him. This also proves that Beowulf wasn’t afraid to fight Grendel. Many outstanding achievements were accomplished by Beowulf. He fought off formidable foes and became king of Geatland where he ruled for 50 years. Beowulf’s most outstanding achievement, in my opinion, is when he fights off the mighty dragon who threatened his land and his people. Despite his old age he still felt that it was necessary to fight the dragon. The poem states “Atheling brave, he was fated to finish this fleeting life, his days on earth and the dragon with him, though long it had watched o’er the hoard,” (2350-2353) From this quote it seems as if Beowulf knew he was going to die but was willing to die to protect his people and to continue to live up to his legacy. It is very outstanding to
Beowulf is a hero that shows honor respect and courage. In lines 710-1007 is where the battle with Grendel happened. Thinking of the destruction that he will get, Grendel bursts into Heorot. Grendel tears the door from its hinges with his hands and quickly becomes a Geatish warrior while Beowulf carefully looks around. When Grendel reaches out to pick Beowulf up, he is surprised to find his arm gripped with a strength than he never knew could even happen. Confused and frightened Grendel doesn’t want to run back to the safety of the swamplands. He tries to escape, but Beowulf wrestles him down to the ground. The crash around the hall, making noise on the walls and smashing the mead-benches. Grendel begins to panic in pain and fear; the sound
In his fight with Grendel, Beowulf has his whole crew of Geats with him in the mead hall. This gave Grendel a lot of distraction before he attacked Beowulf. Beowulf also took off all of his armour and hid it with his weapons so that he may fight Grendel without any protection. “When it comes to fighting, I count myself as dangerous and day as Grendel.” (Beowulf, 39) This is a very brave and smart act and it is what will win him the fight, but he still used his men as a sort of shield. Grendel kills one of Beowulf’s men, then pursued Beowulf himself. When fighting Grendel, Beowulf showed his amazing strength by ripping off Grendel’s arm. Grendel skulked off into the night to die. “Grendel was driven under the fen-banks, fatally hurt.” (Beowulf, 55). When morning arrives Beowulf is showered with gifts for his victory.
Pride, gloating, and other flaunting of one’s achievements is quite common in the story of Beowulf. These prideful speeches have an irreplaceable purpose in the narrative of Beowulf. When reading this wonderful classic it is imperative to consider whether or not the reader should conclude that these fantastical feats are factual, why this prideful speech was included, what value these speeches had in the society of Beowulf and, is this exultant speech pattern still used in some forms today. Overall Beowulf has lofty language which makes it such a beautiful and surviving composition.
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
None of Beowulf’s weapons were useful, he barely avoided a crushing death from Grendel’s mother’s knife, and was attacked by the mere’s beasts and monsters by all sides. However, Beowulf fought on. In order to continue fighting, Beowulf relied “on the might of his arm. […] Life doesn’t cost him a thought” (107). By killing both enemies with only strength and courage, Beowulf displays many characteristics found in a hero. He is strong, persistent, and fights not caring about his life. In his fight with Grendel, Beowulf holds him in a handgrip so strong that the monster’s “sinews split.” Doing such a task requires enormous power, since sinews, which is a firm tendon that connects a bone to another bone, is very difficult to break. The ability of Beowulf to break Grendel’s arm with only a handgrip demonstrates his strength and power to overcome any obstacles. Beowulf sees Grendel as an obstacle that must be destroyed to satisfy his duty and obligations. That is why he crushed and defeated Grendel very efficiently and brutally. Similarly, Beowulf uses the same mindset when he attacks and kills Grendel’s mother in her
Beowulf served as king for fifty winters until a dragon denied him victory in battle, and ended his reign. The dragon was awoken from its slumber when a runaway slave stumbled upon a hidden path that led to its’ den. The slave stole a cup from the dragon’s treasure in hopes to buy his master’s forgiveness. The cup pardoned the slave’s punishment from his master but resulted in terror for the rest of Geatland. Beowulf’s pride and supremacy led him to fight the dragon alone. Beowulf did not fight the dragon to protect others, but rather for fame. The poet’s narration of the battle includes literary devices that reinforce the concept that failures occur when we lose sight of God.The battle begins with the dragon breathing fire as Beowulf repeatedly swings his sword. Beowulf struck the dragon with his sword, but the sword broke before injuring the dragon. The vivid imagery, “the dragon leaped with pain, thrashed and beat at him, spouting murderous flames, spreading them everywhere” (2580-2582), allows the reader to imagine Beowulf’s last battle. Alliteration also proves that Beowulf is losing the battle. The author says, “and for the first time in his life that famous prince fought with fate against him” (2573-2574), to emphasize Beowulf’s decline and defeat. Beowulf knew that his life was coming to an end, for he had lost God’s presence and started fighting for his own gain and glory. The last piece of
When Beowulf goes to fight the dragon he is extremely old. It seems he has no hope to slay the horrific beast. So why even bother trying, right? This time Hrothgar drops a philosophical knowledge bomb by saying “He forgets the future, unmindful of fate. But it comes to pass in the day appointed his feeble body withers and fails; Death descends and another seizes his hoarded riches and rashly spends the princely treasure, imprudent of heart.” Beowulf takes this to heart. Instead of dying and wasting his life. He takes the dragons life with his. In this wildly glorious act Beowulf not only solidifies himself as a hero, but ensures that his kingdom will carry on without fear of the dragon razing their