“Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.” was once said by Robert Kennedy. Taking risks does not mean someone will alway have a good outcome, some of the times they will fail over and over again and think they will never achieve, until they take one more try and get it right and accomplish something exceptional. So why do people take risks? Why are some so willing to risk everything in life to attain something so small? What makes these outcomes so extraordinary that people are remarkably eager to do anything to get there? This all boils down to the very stories and essays that are read today. But, how do the characters we read about take risks? What are their motives for doing such things? In this unit, people and characters …show more content…
take risks to prove a point and to ultimately benefit humankind which results in the characters seeking attention for their actions.
People want to prove a point because it shows that they are powerful and able to accomplish. The riskier the point is, the more respect they would earn. Beowulf, and Emily from “Blackheart”, take risks to prove a point. Beowulf was trying to prove the point that even at the age of 70, he was just as powerful as he was at his prime age of 20. He risked his life and the lives of others to fight a dragon that was terrorizing the Geats. Beowulf thought he was strong enough to kill the beast on his own but ended up needing help from Wiglaf (lines 60-94). Beowulf took the risk to prove a point because he wanted to still be superior over everyone else. Unfortunately it did not end with good results, for Beowulf was obviously not as robust as before and needed support from Wiglaf. Emily a young girl who was the main character in “Blackheart” also took a risk to prove a point. She was a lonely child who sought out attention because her parents were never there for her. Emily came close to Blackheart, the vicious part-wolf who would kill anyone in sight. Emily was never allowed to be near the dog but wanted to prove that they can change. Like her father said “You could sing a dog away from a bone” …show more content…
and that is what Emily tried to do. After many nights of “bonding” with Blackheart, she felt somewhat comfortable and decided to bring him out of the cage and into the courtyard with only her singing. But, soon she got weary and could not sing no more, and it was left to the reader’s interpretation of what happened to Emily and Blackheart (lines 252-264). Emily took the risk to prove a point because she wanted to show that people could change. She thought her singing would calm Blackheart down and not become aggressive towards her and change him for the better good. Although it did not prove that people could change, it still showed Emily taking a risk to prove a point. She took her father’s words for granted and thought this would change how her parents viewed her. When the characters, in this unit, take risks it was coherent that they were doing it for attention that they desired. The risks that Beowulf and Emily took were not worth it because it conclusively ended up hurting them in some shape or form. Beowulf showed the other warriors how much he has weakened and how he is not at his prime anymore. They could treat and look at him differently than before. Emily was left to the reader’s interpretation, but for most readers she was murdered by the dog, which was not beneficial. It is normal for people to take the risk to help others. Many famous leaders take the risk that is needed to run a great country, community or club. Not only does this help others but it also gives the attention to the risk taker as well for being a positive person. Beowulf and the astronauts from The Challenger took risks to help benefit humankind. Beowulf took that risk to aid the Danes who suffered from Grendel’s blows. Beowulf ended up killing Grendel which saved the Danes who were able to rehabilitate Herot again (lines 341-350). He took the risk to help humankind because he wanted to receive the attention he sought out for. Beowulf knew that helping the Danes, Hrothgar would praise him highly as the strongest man in the world. People from all over would look up to him with awe. The astronauts from the space shuttle Challenger, also took risks to benefit humankind. On January 28th. 1986. Challenger, the space shuttle was scheduled to take off. Everything went smoothly but right after take off it wistfully came to an end. The explosion killed everyone who was on board, “The courage it took … the Challenger Seven, were aware of the dangers, but overcame them, and did their jobs brilliantly… It’s all part of taking a chance and expanding man’s horizons” (lines 10-12, 30-31). The astronauts took the risk to benefit humankind because they knew even if they did not survive, it would still leave an impact on the world. Astronauts are the only people who are able to give us insight on how space actually is and it takes their courage to be able to go up in space knowing the potential risks involved. In the end, characters take these risks so they would be recognized for their great achievements. The risks that Beowulf and the astronauts of the Challenger took to benefit humankind was most definitely worth it because it ultimately ended helping everyone out. With Beowulf the citizens were able to go on about their normal lives after Grendel was killed. It also gave Beowulf the attention he wanted which lead to him being the king of the Geats. The astronauts were able to inspire everyone to continue the voyage into space, despite the few failures it had. It gave space exploration the attention is deserved and allowed the United States to become more determined to explore the unknown. In this unit, taking risks, many characters were able to prove a point and to benefit humankind which resulted in the characters gaining the attention they deserved.
Other readers might not view the risks the same way because it was mainly left up to the judgement of the reader. Some would say Beowulf was never trying to prove that he was still as strong as he was during his prime, but just acting on what is natural to him, or how the astronauts were never seeking to benefit humankind but just trying to do their job as someone who was trained to travel to space. The world would be a better place if people took risks because it allows everyone to reach out of their comfort zone. Lets use space missions for an example. If no one took risks, we would never know what was beyond the atmosphere, or what life is like in zero gravity. All of the world accomplishments would never happen because many were achieved from taking risks. As Jim Robin says, “If you are not willing to risk the unusually, you will have to settle for the
ordinary”.
A successful person will always promote the taking of risks because a lot of times the best things in life happen when we feel scared and vulnerable. When risks are involved there is a great probability of failure. Failure is not necessarily a bad thing. Failures serve as learning experiences. Experiences where you can dissect what worked and what didn't work. But Gawande explains how, "the only failure is the failure to rescue something." He explains how risks are essential, but at the same time risks must be taken with a careful eye. The careful eye being that one must be able to distinguish when something has gone array and being able to control the situation. If you take a risk and things do not go as planned, this doesn't mean it’s a failure just yet. You must be able to adjust and attempt to rescue it. I took the risk of cheating. This does not mean it’s a failure just yet. I've become aware that things have not gone as planned. I have acknowledge that there is a problem. My job now is to change my current situation and attempt to rescue it. My situation should only be considered a failure, if and only if, I am unable to rescue and change my cheating
“If the battle takes me, send back this breast-webbing that Weland fashioned and Hrethel gave me, to Lord Hygelac. Fate goes ever as fate must.” Of course we see kings all the time in most novels. Beowulf, the character was supposed to advanced and become one of the strongest men alive. But at the end he fails, we learn that he dies and at last he wasn't really that big. But a doom in a story it's more heart pounding. Especially when a son gets taken away from his father. The call to action. In "Beowulf" the call to action is when the character Beowulf is called in by King Hrothgar. He is brought in to be talked to. Hrothgar's kingdom in the Danes (Denmark) is pounced by the villain/monster of Grendel. Now it is Beowulf's responsibility. The weight on Beowulf's shoulders is to go find Grendel, Grendel's mother and the forever lasting fire breathing dragon. We can relate to the quote above because us readers assume that he will defeat all three and be the best of the best. But Beowulf himself doesn't believe his own lies. He boasts' about him declaring he has the required skills to defeat all three enemies. At
Ernest Gaines novel, A Lesson Before Dying, is a story about, Jefferson, a black man who is wrongfully charged with a crime he did not commit. He cannot get a fair trial because he is a black man in the south. He is sentenced to be executed, but before he dies Grant, an educated black man, teaches him how to walk like a man, so people do not think of him as a hog. "Beowulf" is an epic poem over one thousand years old, which was told from one generation to another. It is about, Beowulf, a great hero who defeats three different monsters to save the kingdom. In his last battle he is much older than before and is killed by a dragon. A hero does something that other people do not do and he does things for others, and other people look to a hero for guidance.
“…people need not fear the unknown if they are capable of achieving what they need and want" (79). Both protagonist learned about the dangers of fear through the tribulations of their journey. Although life may constantly though curveballs our way, it is important to learn how to take risks. One must to have the audacity to continue on. Odysseus, a courageous Greek hero, would not have made it very far if he was apprehensive of taking risks. Instead, he sought
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
Everyone has taken risks whether they be big or not, they will lead you down the path you choose in life. In the short stories Beowulf, Black Heart, and The Deep taking risks was a big part in all three. In Beowulf, there is many risks that he took, but the main one was that he risked his life to save the people that he loved. In the second book Black Heart by Mark Brazaitis, the girl risked her life to make friends with something she knew could kill her because she was so lonely. In the final book, The Deep by Anthony Doerr the main character made risks every day because he never knew if he was going to wake up to see the next.
Beowulf knows that he has the strength to stop this monstrous creature from killing more people, so he does what is best for others and battles the dragon. Beowulf told his people that he should risk his life once again for them, “I risked my life often when I was young. Now I am old, but as king of the people I shall pursue this fight… Men-at-arms, remains here on the barrow, safe in your armor… This fight is not yours, nor it is up to any man except me…” (2511-2534). Beowulf knows that he had the ability to defeat the dragon but was not sure if he would end up alive or not. Even though he was not sure of his life he still did not back down from confronting the dragon because he knows that is was for the best of others. Beowulf calculated the happiness and the pain of others in order to make his decision; he knows that by killing the dragon he will reduce the amount of pain of others. Reason why this action makes Beowulf a hero is because Beowulf sacrifices his life to reduce the amount of pain the dragon was causing to others; Beowulf follows Bentham’s utilitarian idea by calculating his decisions between happiness and
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.
The character of Beowulf stands as a hero to the ancient Danes because of his actions. He is constantly being cited as a "war-chief" and a "gold-giver" (61). Beowulf has achieved fame through what he has done with his own hands. His identity as a leader is based upon the Danish society’s emphasis on personal action, as opposed to the delegation of responsibility through conscious thought. It is this very sense which spurs Beowulf to fight the dragon: "In my youth I engaged in many wars. Old guardian of the people, I shall still seek battle, perform a deed of fame, if the evil-doer will come to me..." (59). Beowulf derives his power from a strong link to the past. Without his history of glorious deeds, he would see himself bereft of the very power which qualifies him to be a good King. Beowulf’s bravery never comes in to question, he does meet every challenge head-on, with deadly attention. The society which labels Beowulf as a legendary hero, recognizes his actions and his bravery as a integral part of his definition as a hero. Without the society to support th...
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
Have you ever been in a situation where you had to face many adversities that came your way? Or have you been put into a predicament where your loyalty was being put into question by the people who meant the most to you? Many people will end up in situations where they don’t know what the correct resolution will be; that will cause them to get out of character and do things that they normally wouldn’t do. This sometimes causes consequences to humans to have to betray their loyalty to someone who means a lot to them. However, how can one ultimately overcome the adversities that they are faced with? Beowulf translated by Burton Raffel is the first English Literature masterpiece that became well known. The
challenges. “A man cannot become a hero until he can see the root of his own downfall” Aristotle. Beowulf has many adventures and he fights Grendel and other monstrous creatures but he was very sure of himself. He was born being strong and we as an audience do not identify with that. “Of living strong men he was the strongest” . Beowulf had qualities that any other man had, but he
Throughout life a man makes many descions which determine the way his life will be lived and the way it will end. All choices a man makes in his life have consequences and each man must account for them. In life, every man must reap what he has sown. The values a man holds to be important in his life govern the choices he makes. The epic Beowulf is a good example of this truth. In the story, Beowulf is a god-like human who possesses a strength and warrior spirit unmatched by anyone. The choices he has made resulted in this power and it is also those same choices that play a part in his end.
There are many traits that are possessed by those who seek heroism. Whether it is in real life or in fiction, every hero desires these character traits in the past, present, and future. IN my opinion, the two traits that are most prominent in the poem Beowulf are bravery and goodness.
Are there any similarities between life in modern America and the world of Beowulf? Is it possible for such a technology oriented world such as ours to have anything in common with a world which had not even heard of electricity? Has this technology really separated us from prior civilizations? Is our thinking today any different from the thinking of ancient cultures? Although it may not seem to be true, there are actually many similarities between our world and that of Beowulf’s. These similarities are readily seen in all forms of media and entertainment, as well as noted sources of culture such as music and movies. If the similarity between the two cultures is accepted, it will not be hard to comprehend Beowulf.