Theme Of Courage In Beowulf

548 Words2 Pages

Beowulf’s Courage

As a person walks the journey of life through the peaceful valleys and momentous mountains, there are many character traits that will help him on his way. One of the greatest character traits to help him on his journey, is the trait of courage. Courage is the fortitude and stamina that a person has to overcome difficult circumstances. Courage helps a person to face even the toughest trials in life. Beowulf, from Beowulf translated by Charles W. Kennedy, shows great courage through his trials as he fights battles with ferocious creatures and explores deep under water caverns.
First, Beowulf shows his courage as he battles the beast Grendel. Grendel, a fearsome monster of great power has been raiding and killing the people of the Scylding realm, and for “Twelve winters’ time the lord of the Scyldings had suffered woe, sore affliction and deep distress” (Beowulf, 12). Beowulf, a thane from Geat Land, arrives by ship to help destroy the creature Grendel. While all his warriors slept, Beowulf stayed awake and waited for Grendel to attack (14). As assumed, Grendel at...

Show More
Related

  • Examples Of Pride In Beowulf

    160 Words  | 1 Pages

    Beowulf wants to fight Grendel, a monster wreaking havoc, and is boasting that he is more powerful and courageous.

    Read More

  • An Analysis of the Epic Poem, Beowulf - Bravery in Beowulf

    499 Words  | 1 Pages

    Bravery is like a very trusted friend, it will never let you down. That statement holds true in the great epic of "Beowulf." "Beowulf" is the story of a great hero who comes to the aid of a troubled king. Beowulf hears that king Hrothgar is having trouble and immediately comes to help with no questions asked. he defeats the monster, Grendel, with his bare hands. Beowulf then defeats Grendel's mother along with a dragon until he is fatally injured. Bravery is a very admirable characteristic that few people possess.

    Read More

  • Beowulf, Burton Raffel: Definition Of An Epic Hero

    808 Words  | 2 Pages

    Since the beginning of Beowulf, the character Beowulf shows courage in everything he does. This is proven when he battles Grendel, a descendant of Cain that haunts the halls of Herot. Beowulf being a mighty protector of men, holds the monster down until his life leaps out (Beowulf lines 472-475). As Beowulf battles Grendel, he is determined to

    Read More

  • The Courage, Strength, and Integrity of Beowulf

    449 Words  | 1 Pages

    direction is like trying to hit a cloud with a bow and arrow.  A hero is also

    Read More

  • Fearlessness In Beowulf

    562 Words  | 2 Pages

    This story is focused on Beowulf, a true hero who goes to Denmark to offer his help in fighting Grendel, a monster who has been haunting them. Beowulf proves to be a hero all throughout the story by protecting Denmark and defeating monsters. The characteristics of a true hero would include fearlessness, strength, and confidence. Beowulf reveals these characteristics during each of his battles.

    Read More

  • Courage In Beowulf

    1935 Words  | 4 Pages

    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

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast Essay On Beowulf

    533 Words  | 2 Pages

    The mighty warrior Beowulf volunteered to help fight off the monster, Grendel. Beowulf showed great bravery because even though Grendel over sized Beowulf, he still accepted the challenge. He also showed strength, Grendel’s head was so massive that four men each had to carry it, but Beowulf could handle the head all by himself. Lastly, Beowulf revealed loyalty by coming to Hrothgar’s assistance, to help with defeating Grendel. Even after Beowulf became King he went to his last battle to defeat the dragon without any help from his

    Read More

  • Beowulf: An Embodiment of Heroic Anglo-Saxon Virtues

    2074 Words  | 5 Pages

    Beowulf 's courage originates from his certainty that he can overcome creatures utilizing distinctive techniques. Hailey W. Odessa states Goodness, unwaveringness, civility, equity, and courage all portrays the attributes a perfect saint would have. At that point she says in the lyric Beowulf, there is one character that conveys all and a greater amount of these expressed attributes, and that character is without a doubt the hero known as Beowulf. We as a whole need to comprehend life is an exceptional voyage. Beowulf 's life changed when he got more seasoned. The main question is the thing that makes somebody a saint? Components of being a legend are appeared all through Anglo-Saxon fundamental qualities. A standout amongst the most prestigious

    Read More

  • Heroism In Beowulf

    606 Words  | 2 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast Sir Gawain And Beowulf

    1226 Words  | 3 Pages

    Beowulf takes on the challenge of killing Grendel and later Grendel’s mother because he wants to show everyone how tough he is and that he can take on anyone if he wanted to. In other words, he is trying to be this powerful man who no one can ever defeat. Beowulf does not look at the task as a challenge, but rather a way to show everyone that he is the strongest and heroic man of them all. When Beowulf goes into any sort of battle, he refuses help from anyone. He does not want to feel or look, he is so focused on himself and his pride that he does not see the elevating problem in himself. Both Beowulf and Sir Gawain serve a king in their task, but they are taking on the task for different reasons that are instantly shown by their

    Read More

  • Beowulf: A Courageous and Strong Hero

    566 Words  | 2 Pages

    An epic is a long narrative poem on a serious subject. It usually is about

    Read More

  • Beowulf A Hero Essay

    768 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the beginning of the novel, Beowulf takes interest in the plight of Hrothgar, King of Denmark, and wants to help him fight Grendel. Grendel is a large monster that has been harassing members in the mead-hall of the Heorot. Beowulf owes Hrothgar a favor, due to the fact that Hrothgar saved his father in years past. Hrothgar is honored to have Beowulf attempt to fight the swamp monster, and decides to hold a feast in his name. When Grendel shows up to the feast, Beowulf illustrates his bravery by fighting Grendel without any armor. When Beowulf wins the battle by ripping Grendel’s arm off, everyone in the mead-hall praises Beowulf for his acts of courage. In this scene, Beowulf proves that he is a hero by fighting off a monster that everyone else was afraid of. This made him look

    Read More

  • Beowulf and Anglo-Saxon Symbolism

    843 Words  | 2 Pages

    Beowulf’s generosity leads him to the shores of Heorot after hearing the news of Grendel’s gruesome murders. Beowulf being the kind warrior that he is offers his help to king Hrothgar. Beowulf explains that “...news of Grendel, hard to ignore, reached me at home: sailors brought stories of the plight you suffer in this legendary hall, how it lies deserted, empty and useless once the evening light hides itself infer heaven’s dome. So every elder and experienced councilman among my people supported my resolve to come here to you King Hrothgar, because all knew of my awesome strength…” (pg. 29). Beowulf’s battle with Grendel not only symbolizing his strengths, courage, and bravery but also the youth of a warrior. Beowulf proved that he was young and strong enough to face Grendel with out any weapons. ...

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Beowulf By Seamus Heaney

    792 Words  | 2 Pages

    He was looking for a way to become known, so he arrived with his fellow Geats to help the Danes. Beowulf had access to many weapons, armor, and warriors, but he still decided to take on the deadly challenge alone and without protection. He doesn’t think of the consequences, or abilities of the opponent. “‘When it comes to fighting, I count myself as dangerous any day as Grendel.’” (47: 677-678). Beowulf is overconfident in his abilities, and doesn’t take into consideration how many people Grendel has killed. He goes in with his own men not expecting to see him again. “None of them expected he would ever see his homeland again.” (47: 691-692). This is why the inner threat of Beowulf was more barbaric. Grendel was indeed a worthy opponent, and very dangerous, but Beowulf’s careless actions could have

    Read More

  • Beowulf as an epic

    683 Words  | 2 Pages

    Beowulf’s first accomplishment as an epic hero was his battle with Grendel. Grendel was a huge beast, a descendent of Cain, who ruthlessly murdered innocent Danes because he felt pity for himself. Upon hearing of the Dane’s problem, Beowulf set off to help the Danish without having been called upon. Even though Beowulf had men backing him, He drew battle with Grendel alone and without armor or weapons. Yet, Beowulf emerged victorious with the arm of Grendel as his trophy. Beowulf then went on to kill Grendel’s vengeful mother and a huge fire-breathing dragon who thought it had been done wrong by the Geats. Alas, the killing of the dragon would be Beowulf’s last great battle for the dragon took Beowulf’s life in the struggle for his own.

    Read More

More about Theme Of Courage In Beowulf

Open Document