A woman is walking all alone at night when suddenly a man jumps out and takes her purse. Another man witnesses the crime and chases after him to retrieve the woman’s purse. He tries to catch the thief but he soon realizes he cannot catch up to him and lets the thief get away. Whether or not he was able to get the woman’s purse back or not shouldn’t make him any less of a hero. In the poem Beowulf and in John Gardner’s novel Grendel their ideas of what a hero is differs from each other. Beowulf in the poem Beowulf is perceived as a hero for destroying monsters and being able to help out others with their needs. But in the novel Grendel, Beowulf is not considered a hero because of the bad intentions he has behind wanting to be a hero even though he achieves the heroic feats. Unferth on the other hand has good intentions with his actions. So is Unferth somehow the most honorable character even though he is not able to kill the Grendel?
In the epic poem Beowulf the character Beowulf is an Anglo-Saxon hero because he embodies the main characteristics of a hero. He embodies courage, strength, and determination to do what is right. Throughout the epic
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poem of Beowulf he shows these characteristics in many battles. When Beowulf hears of what the Grendel is doing to Hrothgar’s people, he volunteers to fight the monster. He is never asked to try and fight the Grendel, but he knows it’s the right thing to do for the Danes. Beowulf shows his honor to the Grendel by fighting him with only his bare hands. “He has torn off my arm at the shoulder”! (Pg 121) Beowulf does not use a weapon against the Grendel because he thinks it is unfair. But he is still able to tear Grendel’s arm out of his shoulder socket. Beowulf was an Anglo-Saxon hero at his time because he possessed all of the traits associated with being a hero while having the intentions to back them. The idea of being a hero in the epic poem of Beowulf means having good intentions then achieving those intentions. Beowulf is different in John Gardner's novel Grendel because he is not the true hero he was in the poem Beowulf. He is still achieving most of the same stuff in the novel Grendel but he isn’t doing them with same kind of intentions."Be so kind as to give us some advice, old man. We've come on a fairly important errand." (Pg 116) Beowulf shows he is arrogant and doesn’t have time to put up with the coastguard because he has to kill the monster that they are unable to. In Grendel he is still helping out Hrothgar’s people by coming over to try and destroy the Grendel but he is only doing it for his reputation. Instead of saving people's lives because it would be the right thing to do. Beowulf wants to be the guy everyone looks at as a hero and is not trying to be a hero for the greater cause. Beowulf in Grendel is no hero because he has all the wrong intentions behind the outcome of his actions. Unferth does not play a big character role in Beowulf, but in Grendel he can be looked at as the hero of the story. The only thing Unferth wants in the novel is to be considered a hero. "Except in the life of a hero, the whole world's meaningless. The hero sees values beyond what's possible. That's the nature of a hero”. (Pg 65) Unferth knows it is going to be challenging to kill the Grendel but he believes he is a true hero and has what it takes to kill him. He stands up to the Grendel and continues to try and fight him even though he embarrasses him on multiple occasions. When Unferth challenges the Grendel he is sober unlike that of the other warriors. This makes the Grendel upset and therefore won’t give Unferth an honorable death. However, Unferth sees himself as a hero despite that the Grendel won’t take his life and that he cannot take the Grendel’s life. Unferth never does anything heroic that had a big positive outcome, but his intentions were always for the best. What it takes to be a hero is a little different in everyone's mind.
To be considered a hero in Beowulf you have to have certain characteristics like being strong or courageous. The Anglo-Saxons thought these were important characteristics to have in a hero. But to John Gardner a hero is someone who tries his best for a greater good even if they are shortcoming in their attempt to be heroic. Unferth is considered to be the most honorable person in Gardner’s novel Grendel because he has good intentions for trying to kill the Grendel. His intentions are aimed at trying to stop the Grendel from murdering innocent lives even if his own life is taken in the process. Although Unferth is unable to accomplish the heroic feat of killing Grendel he is still the most honorable person for trying with everyone’s best intent in
mind.
The book Grendel, written by John Gardner, and the poem Beowulf, translated by Seamus Heaney, both have very distinct opinions on what role each character plays. The translator of Beowulf and the writer of Grendel follow the idea that everyone has a story. A story is the writer’s perspective on a character’s personality, the way people in the story see and treat the character, and the way it ties the ideas together. There are many examples in these two writings of this concept, but the main instances connect with the lives of Grendel, Beowulf, and Unferth.
In my opinion Beowulf is can be considered a hero. Beowulf can be considered a hero because of the characteristics he displays that resemble heroes. He displays all of the characteristics that heroes have. Throughout the story Beowulf stays true to himself and is morals showing that he is a hero. Beowulf is a hero due to his courage, loyalty, and justice.
In both John Gardner’s Grendel, and the poem Beowulf, there are significant differences between characters, and the way they are portrayed in each of the tellings. The interpretation of a hero is usually altered in order to fit the audience, such as, Saddam Hussein in America is made out to be this monster whereas, in his home country Iraq, he is looked at as a hero and idolized by some. In each telling, Grendel and Beowulf have many similarities in how they are described in each writing, but each character is also shown in a different light in each of the writings.
Beowulf is a classic hero in Beowulf for he fits the epitomized romantic mold so perfectly. His appearance is that of a hero, he is large, muscular, and intimidating. His intentions are also in the right place, he wishes to free Hrothgar’s people from the evil that is Grendel. He is a mature man, one who in the face of belittlement responds respectably and effectively. “Then up spoke Unferth…”Are you that Beowulf who with Breca swam on the broad sea-swell struggling together proud wave-wrestlers wagering your lives with reckless boasting risking for praise deep water-death?...” Beowulf answered…”and you were never known for such deeds nothing to brag of renowned as you are for killing your brothers…” (p.17-18 Beowulf) Beowulf doesn’t put Unferth down; rather he reminds him that he has no place to talk of heroic deeds and moves on.
... being a hero. Unferth comes in contact with Grendel as he says “You think I came without a hope of winning- came to escape indignity by suicide!” (Gardner 89). Grendel does not believe Unferth is a heroic figure because he believes Unferth is not facing his fears. Unferth believes highly in his heroic ideals; however, Grendel crushes Unferth’s beliefs as he denies him to die a hero.
The clear definition of a hero is often open to interpretation and has never been clearly defined. In the translation of the epic poem Beowulf by Seamus Heaney, it is often debated whether the main character Beowulf is actually a hero or not. Beowulf displays hero-like characteristics through his bravery, loyalty, brute strength, confidence and protective nature. He is a crystal clear example of an Anglo-Saxon hero in his time period. In the present day he should be considered a hero as well. He displays heroism through his fights with Grendel, Grendel’s mother and the dragon while managing to protect his people and eventually sacrifice himself.
First off, Beowulf shows the characteristic qualities of an Anglo-saxon hero by being selfless. Beowulf would always help everyone and he helped the townspeople by getting rid of Grendel. Beowulf risked his life just to save the people of the town, and he did just that. He took Grendel's life, and ripped his arm off. Another way Beowulf is selfless is that the last thing Beowulf tells Hrothgar is to take care of his men if he dies in battle. His first thought was towards his men and what would happen if he died. Another example of Beowulf's selflessness is when "Beowulf gave a battle-sword to the
A hero not only needs to be physically outstanding, but he also needs to have integrity, moral values and needs to act without thinking in his own benefit. Beowulf has many characteristics of a hero but he also has some defects that make me think that he wouldn’t be considered a hero in today´s world. A hero concept evolves with a culture, Beowulf has many things that the Anglo-Saxons viewed as heroism but he misses many things that are important for a modern hero.
Beowulf, the heroic figure in the poem, is known throughout the land as a courageous man who performs great deeds of valor. He is a Geat, who later becomes the king of the Geats. Beowulf’s strength seems to be a gift from God. As a noble and kind man, Beowulf comes to Herot to save them from God’s foe. Before Beowulf initiates battle with Grendal he exhibits a sense of fairness in not using a weapon against the monster.
A hero is someone who is admired for their courage and bravery, as well as their noble accomplishments. They are respected by almost everyone, due to their kindness and charitable mindset, that drives them to fight for the good of others. Beowulf is the perfect representation of a hero, based on multiple characteristics that he displays throughout the novel. Along with his characteristics, Beowulf also takes on many “hero like” challenges and tasks. In the novel, Beowulf is praised and admired throughout the kingdom for his bravery, humility, and selflessness.
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.
Beowulf and Grendel (Gunnarsson 2005) depicts a very different protagonist than the one in the epic (Heaney 2000). The Beowulf in the film learns how to have mercy as the movie progresses, while the epic Beowulf is very flat. This is due to the fact that the modern culture is very different from that of the epic. Our culture isn't content with such characters. We want our characters to have more lifelike characteristics such as emotions and a change of heart.
Though these two stories are told from opposite perspectives, Grendel and his counterpart from Beowulf are almost exactly interchangeable in both action as well as thought, since both characters’ main conflict, as well as the climax, are perfectly symmetrical. How could they not? They are both the exact same character, the same monstrous quadruped that terrorizes the same Danish kingdom. The amount of similarities present is insurmountable. Both renditions of Grendel go through isolation, are subject to insurmountable suffering, as well as sharing a sense of incredulous hatred towards mankind.
During Grendels first encounter in the poem, Grendel slayed the Danes of Heorot in the night, while they were sleeping. In the movie, it shows how Grendel breaks into Heorot during the night, but while the Danes are having a celebration for Beowulf and his warrior’s arrival from his across the journey at sea. During the only fight of Grendel and Beowulf, the poem describes Beowulf ripping Grendels arm off with his bare hands after breaking into Heorot, vs. the movie showing Grendel tied up with a chain trying to escape Heorot as Beowulf slams the door on his arm, cutting it off. Grendel’s mother, a swamp hag who lives in a deserted lake, comes to Heorot looking for payback in the death of her son.
A hero is someone that helps others no matter what the situation. There are many qualities that a hero must posses such as bravery, courage, strength, intelligence and honor. These qualities alone are not enough to make a hero. They must also be pure at heart, fight for the good of mankind and only fight when it is to protect the people and not out of revenge. Beowulf is everything a hero should be, but contains a few qualities that a hero should not posses. When Beowulf sailed with his men to Herot he had one goal, to rid the hall of Grendal. Beowulf was under no obligation to destroy Grendal and never asked for anything in return for his services. A true hero would never ask for money or anything of value. He put his life at risk to save the people of Herot, who he didn’t even know, out of his own good nature Great strength has been a trait that has been identified with heroes in many stories and legends. Than he saw hanging on the wall, a heavy Sword, hammered by giants, strong And blessed with their magic, the best of all weapons But so massive that no ordinary man could lift... (II. 1557-1560) Beowulf possessed great strength that separated him from other men. Being able to use a sword that no ordinary man was able to carry gives the feeling that Beowulf is something more than a human being. It makes him special and causes him to stand out from all other men. Fame is something that makes a hero more noted. Beowulfs popularity had spread all over the world. He never let this go to his head and he never thought that he was better than everyone else because of it. “Your fame is everywhere, my friend,/Reaches to the ends of the earth, and you hold it in your heart wisely...” (II.1704-1706). A hero should not be foolish or full of himself. Unferth said: You’re Beowulf, are you- the same Boastful fool who fought a swimming Match with Brecca, both of you daring and young and proud,exploring the deepest Seas, risking your lives for no reason But the danger? (II. 506-511) A hero should not have to prove to himself or to anyone else that he is brave, fearless or courageous. If he is pure a heart and his intentions are good then he can be considered a true hero.