Challenges within Anglo-Saxons and Beowulf is represented by good vs. evil (right vs. wrong). The challenges are also represented by their morals and beliefs. Who is Beowulf and why is he so great? How is revenge exacted throughout the poem? What makes Beowulf and Hrothgar similar and different?
There are several elements that make Beowulf one of the most celebrated epic heroes of all time. Beowulf is extremely loyal to his father and King Hrothgar. Hrothgar helped his father in a time of need. He was a brave warrior that feared nothing. Beowulf stated “I’ve never known fear, as a youth, I fought in endless battles.” Page 87 in the workbook, lines 2-3. Beowulf honored his beliefs and morals till his death. God is Beowulf’s savior and the one he counted on. “ I can leave this life happy; I can die knowing the Lord of all life has never watched me wash my sword in blood born of my own family.” Beowulf said on page 92 in the workbook, lines 146-150.
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Beowulf is young and would speak to the young better then Hrothgar would be able to.
He only focuses on the glory of his image.“ I’ve never known fear, as a youth I fought in endless battles. I am old, now, But I will fight again, seek fame still, If the dragon hiding in his tower dares to face me.”said Beowulf on page 87 in the workbook, lines 2-6. Beowulf also cares about the safety of the people. Hrothgar is older than Beowulf, which means he’s wiser as a king because Hrothgar has seen and been through more than Beowulf. Hrothgar cares about the wealth when it comes into his kingdom along with the victories. Hrothgar does not fight evil anymore since he has aged. Beowulf and Hrothgar both seek the safety of the people in the kingdom. They both have experience in combat. Hrothgar and Beowulf both would make honorable
kings. Revenge is executed many times through Grendel. “ A powerful monster, living down in the darkness, growled in pain, impatient day by day the music rang loud in that hall.” page 21 in the textbook, lines 1-4. Grendel snuck into the mead-hall while everyone was asleep and would take thirty men at a time, slam their heads into the wall to kill them, break off their heads and drink their blood; and then eat the rest of their lifeless bodies. Grendel did this every night for twelve years because he could not stand the happiness, laughter, and music that would go on in the mead-hall. Then after Grendel came home to die his mother went to exact revenge on the one that killed her son and hung his whole shoulder up as if it were some trophy. “ No Dane doubted the victory, for the proof, hanging high from the rafters where Beowulf had hung it, was the monster’s arm, claw, shoulder, and all.” page 35 in the textbook, lines 514-517. She wanted to make the pay for what they did to her son Grendel. “ Grendel’s mother carries off one man - Hrothgar’s closest friend.” page 35 in the textbook. The universal monsters are just archetypal symbols of the unfortunate things that happen in the world even today. The way the Anglo-Saxons portrayed the monsters in Beowulf to their own monsters their life. There is always going to be sinful things to test the faith, trust, and word in thy father in both Anglo-Saxon and today's era. Anglo-Saxon’s were faced with many obstacles and battles that tested the cultural beliefs, their morals, and their loyalty. Beowulf, like any other tremendous warrior, had one flaw. His only downfall was his fame. Despite his one flaw, he fulfilled his duties. Anglo-Saxons lives and monsters are no different then today's monsters and everyday life.
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.
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.
"We have not seen great things done in our time except by those who have been considered contemptible; the rest have failed."
Beowulf, the great Geatish warrior, lives a very adventurous life filled with many voyages, battles, and victories. Through all of these events, he meets various people who are considered to be heroes like himself. These heroes, however, are unable to have the same abilities and characteristics of Beowulf. His great achievements cannot be matched by anything that they have done in their lives. Beowulf is a superior hero to Hrothgar, Unferth, and Wiglaf in the epic of Beowulf because he kills every monster that he fights, becomes a widely feared warrior and king, and dies in battle completing his final heroic act.
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 by far endures more than the average person as the poem progresses. He is faced with daunting challenges of defeating three monsters that would kill any other man. Beowulf exemplifies bravery by never backing down no matter what the threat was. He was loyal by honoring his promises of keeping those around him safe and alive. And finally, his unwavering confidence helped him push through the toughest confrontations. These traits and the fights with the three different monsters are what genuinely make Beowulf a hero.
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
...ash between good and evil. Beowulf is a representation of a Godly figure, possibly Christ, whereas his enemies represent figures of darkness, possibly Satan. Due to his battle with Grendel, Beowulf realises the true abilities of Gods power and develops into a more Saint like character who is more concerned with giving help rather than Gaining fame. He seeks Gods guidance, but looks to pagan ideals when he deems so. Although he never completely takes complete advantage of Gods power, he does earn the fame and glory that he fought bravely for.
Beowulf was born to lead and not follow. Beowulf’s character from youth to old seeks out battles with all his devotion to win as a great leader would do. “I risked my life often when I was young. Now I am old, but as king of the people I shall pursue this fight for the glory of winning, if the evil one will only abandon his earth-fort and face me in the open” (Beowulf 2011-15). Beowulf claimed his right as a king to his people and battled against the dragon to protect his people.
As you can see, Beowulf feels strongly about the people. From this point, you can tell that Beowulf will make a good king, because of his desire to please the people. According to him, it was his main focus of the battle.
Many epics have been written and forgotten. Yet, the epic of Beowulf has stayed as one of the premiere examples of a heroic epic. This brings an inevitable question to mind. Why is Beowulf considered a hero?
Beowulf is truly an epic hero, because of his wisdom, strength and bravery. These characteristics keep him set apart from all other character. He would take any risk to defeat his enemy and to gain glory. Even when he dies, he defeated his opponent and gained more glory to his name. In Beowulf, there are series of battles centered around the heroic figure Beowulf, who is 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.
He showed great courage, strength, leadership and intrepidness. Beowulf defeated a beast that swooped up an entire room of people and ate them. He took his men on a dangerous voyage to Grendal’s deep, dark lair. Beowulf also demonstrated strength that a normal man couldn’t when he lifted a sword crafted for giants. Although Beowulf was an Anglo-Saxon hero centuries removed, his heroic attributes still appeal to heroes today. Although Beowulf has super strength, he still shows courage, initiative, selflessness, and desire to make the world a better place just like heroes of
It is no question that Beowulf was one of the b est, if not the best, warrior of his time. His skills of being a tremendous warrior are not to be questioned, but his position as a king could use a closer look. While the qualities of being a great warrior and a great king can be similar, there are some differing qualities to keep in mind. There is an extensive comparison to be made between Beowulf and Hrothgar, as a warrior and as a king and the qualities that each of them bring to the table. On lines 17 00-1739 of Beowulf, Hrothgar gives his famous speech to Beowulf on what it means to be a successful king. Hrothgar feels the need to give Beowulf this advice because he knows that Beowulf will one day need to know how to more than a warrior.