Pride in Beowulf

893 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: 123 essays on character analysis

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.
Initially, to determine anything about a text it is important to derive its’ factuality. Before considering why these dialogues were included one must ascertain whether or not to take them as hyperbole or fact. When questioning this looking at the text of Beowulf as a whole is quite enlightening. The prideful speeches always deal with what had happened in the life of the person; which is an indication that truthfulness must be discovered by other means. The prideful speeches of Beowulf are true because if all the characters simply said that they did all of these mighty and heroic deeds, but did not, how would they be able to live up to them as they do? Beowulf himself is a prime example of this. Throughout the story he makes seemingly outlandish claims, but then shows immense talent, strength, and courage to back up exactly what he says. Hyperbole usage is there and it must be pointed out that exaggeration does happen, but the truth of the matter is: Beowulf achieved everything that was said about him proving truth.
By the same token, it is imperative to consider the worth and purpose of these lofty speech portrayed in Beowulf. Taking notice of ...

... middle of paper ...

...ndel’s mother. He tell the truth of his previous accomplishments and the reader has no doubt he means every word that he speaks. Good orators today possess all of these characteristics and it is easy to see how they are related to the custom of speaking in Beowulf’s time.
In summation, the magnificent work of Beowulf is full of a different pattern of speech than that of which is commonly used today. The reading of Beowulf must be done with the consciousness that the prideful speeches of the characters are truly factual but may include some hyperbole, the listings of accomplishment are integral to Beowulf, that the value these speeches have in the society of Beowulf is immense and, that today’s culture still uses many parts of this speech pattern. Overall the use of pride in Beowulf causes this to be a timeless classic uniquely its own.

Works Cited

Public Domain

Show More
Related

  • Pride In Beowulf's Pride Quotes

    216 Words  | 1 Pages

    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

    Read More

  • An Analysis of the Epic Poem, Beowulf - Beowulf and His Pride

    565 Words  | 2 Pages

    to land he managed to kill nine sea monsters with his bare hands and still

    Read More

  • Examples Of Pride In Beowulf

    160 Words  | 1 Pages

    Beowulf wants to fight Grendel, a monster wreaking havoc, and is boasting that he is more powerful and courageous.

    Read More

  • Beowulf's Warrior Code

    893 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the anglo saxon society in which Beowulf took place, there was a warrior code which resulted in everyone trying to gain power over one another. Everyone lived by a heroic code that encouraged battles, feuds, and murders and rewarded the victor with treasure. By showing your insecurities or weaknesses in this age you will be taken advantage of. Beowulf understands the heroic code and uses his pride to get the upper hand on everyone else, Beowulf boasts himself as an invincible hero and goes in battle with out an ounce of fear. Beowulf’s justifies his excessive pride through his . Lastly, Beowulf’s pride made him a leader and led by example to defeat the dragon and ultimately sacrifice himself in the process. Beowulf’s desire for pride

    Read More

  • Explaining the Three Stages in "The Hero's Journey"

    1745 Words  | 4 Pages

    Beowulf is an epic poem telling the story of Beowulf, a legendary Geatish hero who later becomes king in the aforementioned epic poem. While the story in and of itself is quite interesting, for the purpose of this paper it is important to look at the character more so then his deeds, or rather why he did what he did.

    Read More

  • Humility In Beowulf

    1316 Words  | 3 Pages

    Boasting, as vastly shown in the epic poem, was not an uncommon method of introduction in the Middle Ages. In the world of Beowulf, the concept of boasting does not carry the negative connotations that it normally does today. In a warrior society, such as that of Beowulf, manly valor was so highly prized in the world full of

    Read More

  • Honor And Integrity In Beowulf

    844 Words  | 2 Pages

    In Beowulf, the essence left behind by a true hero is extremely important. In epics such as this one, leaders tend to have the determination and boldness of a hero. On the other hand, the main character, Beowulf, does not only display these certain traits. In this heroic poem, respect and trust come naturally. Honor and integrity are present throughout the poem. There are many moments in Beowulf that manifest the many traits that a person should have. This proves how important these attributes are to the characters and the Anglo-Saxon society. Although Beowulf has no known author, it embodies many of the beliefs and morals of the early Germanic society. The author of this epic poem uses many approaches in order to demonstrate that respect and trust are fundamental characteristics of a leader and hero.

    Read More

  • An Ego of Kingly Proportions

    1525 Words  | 4 Pages

    Damrosch, David, and David L. Pike. “Beowulf.” The Longman Anthology of World Literature, Compact Edition. New York: Pearson, Longman, 2008. 929-970. Print.

    Read More

  • Courage In Beowulf

    1935 Words  | 4 Pages

    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

    Read More

  • Beowulf: A Study of Kingship

    423 Words  | 1 Pages

    For the most part, Beowulf’s characteristics describe those of a triumphant warrior who played a major role in defending the lives of his fellow citizens, while leading a thriving country. Although Beowulf soon became king, he died for his people, and was remembered as a victorious fighter. Beowulf is at least in part a study of kingship because it discusses the qualities that produce a good king, the disadvantages during his rule and how he overcame them, and the problems that arose upon his death.

    Read More

  • Beowulf's Glory

    899 Words  | 2 Pages

    Throughout the epic Beowulf attempts to introduce himself as someone worthy of glory by boasting of his skills and deeds. These boasts show Beowulf’s glory seeking tendencies. One of these boasts

    Read More

  • Beowulf and the Power of Speech

    4013 Words  | 9 Pages

    “Anyone with gumption/ and a sharp mind will take the measure/ of two things,” states one of the Danish warriors in Beowulf: “what’s said and what’s done” (287-289).  Beowulf is, above all, a poem about language, about storytelling: the stories told of the great ones, and the stories the great ones hope will be told about themselves.  It is a poem about the importance of boasting and vows, the power of the word made flesh, and the crucial link between worda ond worca, “what’s said and what’s done.”  The bulk of the poem's content does not concentrate on what is happening in the present action of the tale, but on the telling what has happened and what will happen.  Through language, the Danes and the Geats state their intentions and define themselves as a people; they recall the past exploits that shape the present, and "a battle-scarred veteran, bowed with age,/ would begin to remember the martial deeds/ of his youth and prime and be overcome/ as the past welled up in his wintry heart" (2112-2115).  Stories of times gone by and boasts of past accomplishments link the characters to their past; vows of deeds to come and the promise of glory after their deaths help to carry them into the future.  As parallels between the past and the present are constantly drawn, the heroes use the example of earlier warriors in hopes of accomplishing the great deeds that will win them similar renown.

    Read More

  • Examples Of Pride In Beowulf

    1337 Words  | 3 Pages

    Pride manifests itself into many different forms and will sometimes overshadow a person 's good judgement, in turn affecting their actions. It is truly the cause for the rise and fall of men for centuries and thus has become one of the greatest concepts to be addressed in British literature. Throughout the literary works studied this semester, some form of pride has always presented itself as a major theme.

    Read More

  • Beowulf: The Epic Hero

    1145 Words  | 3 Pages

    Beowulf, written between the 8th and 10th centuries, is an epic poem set in southern Sweden. The poem illustrates the Anglo-Saxon’s strong belief in the heroic code. The loyalty between the warrior and his king bound the culture together. The warrior was the ultimate hero who represented strength and courage. Beowulf, the hero in the poem, illustrates the Germanic principles of the heroic code. Through the battles and character interactions, Beowulf converges loyalty, strength, courage and forgiveness into the hero archetype.

    Read More

  • Revenge of Beowulf

    1194 Words  | 3 Pages

    Beowulf is an epic poem that, above all, gives the reader an idea of a time long past; a time when the most important values were courage and integrity. The only factors that could bestow shower fame upon a person were heroic deeds and family lineage. Beowulf, as the paradigm of pagan heroes, exhibited his desire to amass fame and fortune; the only way to do so was to avenge the death of others. This theme of retribution that is ever present throughout the poem seems to color the identities of its characters.

    Read More

More about Pride in Beowulf

Open Document