Beowulf is one of the oldest heroic poems that still exists. Likewise, it has been a theory for many that this poem has inspired authors and screenwriters alike in the creative process of fictional heroes for shows, movies, games, and books. Nonetheless, Beowulf 's trait of a modern-day superhero can be evaluated in almost every type of fictional hero that exists. For example, Beowulf is brave, even willing to die for the greater good, he is abnormally stronger than most humans which in a way makes him superior, and he is somewhat of a natural leader that everyone seems to admire. When comparing this character to other fictional characters, one that particular fits these same characteristics, and that person is Jon Snow. He plays cast in the popular television show, Game of Thrones. Jon Snow shares three fundamental characteristics of Beowulf such as, self-sacrificing for the common good, strength and abilities that are not seen in typical humans, and having natural leadership skills …show more content…
In Beowulf 's case, he first demonstrates his abilities and strength when he confronts Grendel. Hundreds of people have fought Beowulf with swords and other weapons and have failed. However, Beowulf only wanted to fight with his fists stating that Grendel is "unschooled in skills to strike against me, to shatter my shield, so I shall bear no blade in the night if he sees fit to fight without weapons"(607-610). When he finally fought Beowulf, he was able to easily rip Grendel 's hand off with the narrator noting that Beowulf 's hand grip was "harder than any other he ever had met in all Middle-Earth"(671-672). Now comparing to Jon Snow, he also shows abilities that no one else seems to be able to accomplish. First, Jon Snow can cheat death after his betrayal by the Night 's Watch. Second, he is shown as an incredible swordsman that no one else can seem to rival in the
In Beowulf, the protagonist Beowulf is shown as a hero with extrodinary strength. This is not what makes him a hero. By definition, a hero is a man of exceptional quality. However this term does not do Beowulf justice. His self-imposed purpose in life is to help others, and eventually sacrifices his own life in doing so. Beowulf’s battle with the dragon serves as a critique of the notion that Beowulf is a hero. The Dragon section displays many of Beowulf’s heoric characteristics. Beowulf establishes himself as a hero by fighting the dragon, exemplifing strength and courage when fighting the dragon, and sacrificing himself so that others can live.
Of the many characteristics of a hero, being better than the ordinary man is the trait most easily found when studying a character. Beowulf exhibits almost god-like strength throughout his quest. For example, “He twisted in pain, / And the bleeding sinews deep in his shoulder/ Snapped, muscle and bone split and broke.” (Beowulf 815-818). His strength is once again demonstrated in his fight with Grendel’s mother. After he realizes hand-to-hand combat is futile, Beowulf swings a sword “so massive that no ordinary man could lift/ It’s carved and decorated length.” (Beowulf 1560-1561). Yet another example of Beowulf’s strength is his presentation of Grendel’s head to the Danes. After slicing off Grendel’s head in one blow, Beowulf orders his men to carry the head back to Herot. However, the head of the monster was “too heavy for fewer than four of them to handle” (Beowulf 1636-1637). After arriving in Herot, Beowulf “carried that terrible trophy by the hair,/ Brought it straight to where the Danes sat” (Beowulf 1647-1648). The second trait that demonstrates that Beowulf is better than the ordinary man is his incredible honor. When preparing for his fight with Grendel, Beowulf decides not to use ...
Some heroes show their strength in the form of smarts, emotion, physical strength, and much more. Beowulf displays a remarkable amount of physical strength, and mental strategies.
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 showed these god-like talents in his underwater battle with Grendel’s mother. Beowulf's strength is shown in this fight when he picks up the sword that is described to be:“so huge and heavy of itself only Beowulf could wield it in a battle” (Heaney 302). Everyone thought Beowulf was defeated they all reacted in sadness : “They bowed grey heads, spoke in their sage, experienced way about the good warrior, how they never again expected to see that prince returning in triumph to their king. It was clear to
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.
He shows this by simply ripping Grendel’s arm off in fight between them. Also Beowulf shows him being strong by purposefully opening up the hall again to make the monster come so he can kill it. “He might think less of me if I let my sword go where my feet were afraid to, if I hid behind some broad shield: my hands alone shall fight for me, struggle for life against the monster.” (265-269). He exemplified great courage when he defeated Grendel and his mother to save Hrothgar's kingdom. Also Beowulf really shows strength just by being able to fight everyone and protect the town all by himself. No one else wanted to help the townspeople or had the courage to do so, so Beowulf is really strong in all aspects, mind and body. This is exactly how Beowulf was really
Beowulf shows physical strength in the story by defeating Grendel. In line 219 of Grendel’s mother, it tells how Beowulf killed her. “…cut it through, broke bones and all.” His strength is also told in line 213 of how he “lifted the sword that was so massive that no ordinary man could lift.” Beowulf’s determination, or his will to win, was throughout the story, even up until his death. A quote that describes this is, “…he cut the beast in half, slit it apart. It fell…”(line 185). He shows courage along with his cousin, Wiglaf, when they defeat the fire dragon. In line 189 it says, “…their courage had killed it, two noble cousins had joined in the dragon’s death.”
Throughout the story, Beowulf fights three battles against frightening monsters. Beowulf, the prince of the Geats, was a well known warrior with extreme strength who makes a promise to protect his people under any circumstance. In the poem, his strength is tested, but he uses it to save many people in battles against: Grendel, Grendel 's mother, and a dragon. Before, during, and after each of these battles Beowulf shows many similarities and differences in his actions.
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 is one of the oldest heroic poems that exists to this day. Likewise, it has been a theory for many that this poem has inspired authors and screenwriters alike in the creation process of fictional heroes for shows, movies, games, and books. Nonetheless, Beowulf’s trait of a modern-day superhero are shown everywhere. For example, Beowulf is brave, even willing to die for the greater good, he is abnormally stronger than most humans which in a way makes him superior, and he is somewhat of an natural leader that everyone seems to admire. When comparing this character to other fictional characters there is one that particular fits these same characteristics, and that person is Jon Snow. He plays cast in the popular television show, Game of Thrones. Jon Snow shares all the characteristics of Beowulf, such as self-sacrificing for the common good, being abnormally strong, and having natural leadership skills.
The warrior ethics in Beowulf and The Tale of the Heike are similar and different at the same time. Their ethics are similar in ways that they wear their clothing. Their differences are that they fight different. Not everyone believes in the same things.
Besides being boastful, another characteristic of an epic hero that Beowulf displays is extraordinary strength. Thought the story, Beowulf proves that he is extremely strong and he even leaves this impression on the Danish people. When Beowulf meets Hrothgar for the first time, Hrothgar describes Beowulf’s hands as those “that moved with thirty men’s strength” (380). Beowulf is just one person, but has the strength of many men, which makes him perfect for fighting Grendel who is also exceptionally strong. In fact, when Grendel comes to attacks Herot, he “[s]natched up thirty men” (122). Beowulf has the same strength as a powerful monster. Later on in the poem, when Beowulf fights Grendel, Grendel realizes that his “strength was deserting him,
Furthermore, Beowulf teaches the reader a lesson. The greatest strength comes from the mind and not the weapon. Within the three cultural elements lie the true meaning of a hero. Beowulf is not just a man who has a sword and can fight. He is a man with humility, honor, and respect, but Beowulf doesn’t always use a sword when fighting to win his battles. In many of the battles he fought, it was with his hands . When Beowulf battles Grendel’s mother he had dropped his sword and said that “if weapons were useless he’d use/ His hands, the strength in his fingers”(489-90). Although Beowulf is able to conquer the worst monsters and enemies, time takes its toll on him. Only then will Beowulf fall and a new hero will rise. To become a true hero, honor and respect are the keys to unlock the
The epic hero Beowulf was also very skillful when it came to battles. When he first fought Grendel, Beowulf had no idea what he was up against. Instead of just attacked Grendel, he waited until the monster had killed one of the other men in the hallway while Beowulf watched under the guise of sleep. Then when Grendel came to claim Beowulf's life, he knew that hand to hand combat was the only way to defeat this foe. The monster latched onto Beowulf's arms, but Beowulf did the same to Grendel.