Self Discovery In Beowulf

Beowulf, a character who never traveled on the journey to self-discovery. Throughout the story, he tried so hard to prove to himself that he was worth more than just a name.  He decides to fight a monster named Grendel to save the village of Herot and to bring glory to his name without a shield, mail shirt, and a sword.
He believed that he since Grendel does not use weapons, neither should he. Slaying a monster, with his bare hands will bring greater honor to him, so he thinks. He is characterised as a static character.  A static character is a character who lacks little or no inner change. They do not develop or grow throughout the novel also in the conclusion. Beowulf , in the beginning of the story, only fought Grendel for glory and fame.

Before he came to Herot, he fought monsters without the thought of this could be the last battle he ever fought, “I’ve never known fear, as a youth I fought In endless battles”(pg.52), proving to himself that he needs these battles to live better. The people of Herot showered him with glory and honor for the death of Grendel, while another monster sought out revenge. Grendel’s mother, blinded by anger and loss, strikes against the village to cope with grief. Beowulf fights her with a sword and cannot leave a scratch, deciding to use bare hands to kill her. Beowulf ends up proving that no weapon can kill or scratch any monster, only the use of bare hands. Beowulf ends up saving the village again earning the title of “king of the Geats and rules in peace and prosperity”(pg.52), proving again that every battle is for glory and wanting the value to his name.  In time, fifty years past, and yet  another beast comes along wanting to fight Beowulf. Beowulf is old and still seeks fame, by fighting the dragon, “I’d use no sword, no weapon, and if this beast Could killed without it”(pg.52), validating that he still got it. Beowulf at the end of the novel, comes to terms that it’s ok to use a weapon, “ I feel no shame, with shield and sword And armor, against this monster:when he comes to me I mean to stand”(pg.52), stating that fate will end up choosing your future.