Theme Of Courage In Beowulf

Beowulf is an epic hero being the central character presenting himself as larger than life, showing high skills, courage, and virtue. Skill, courage, and virtue are shown as values by the Anglo-Saxons. An epic hero is the central character of an epic, a long narrative poem that recounts the adventures of a legendary hero in pursuit of a goal of national importance. All epics consist of an epic hero, a quest, valorous deeds, divine intervention, and great events. An epic hero is larger than life, typically born noble or semi-divine, and presents courage, skill and virtue against opposing, often evil, forces. In the case of Beowulf, he presents courage through his three main fights, he presents skill through how he fights, and he presents virtue through loyalty, generosity, and heroism. Beowulf was also

No coward could have walked there as Beowulf did. The Geats imagined the feeling and sight of the heat of the dragon’s breath flooding down through the hidden entrance. As they lost some hope, they roared out a battle cry, which hung in the dragon’s ear. The dragon rose, angrily, knowing a man had come near his tower. The dragon then blew his fire, causing the Earth to shake. Beowulf was prepared, as he held his shield in front of him while facing the entrance. The flames had beaten him, Beowulf fell. Beowulf was once a king, but now a defeated warrior. The Geats ran for their lives, except for Wiglaf. Wiglaf watched his king, Beowulf, lay suffering and burning, remembering all his lord had done for him. Wiglaf is determined to go help Beowulf kill the dragon with any consequences that may come. Wiglaf and Beowulf kill the dragon, and Beowulf asks Wiglaf to bring the dragon’s treasures to him. Wiglaf brings Beowulf the treasure, finding him gasping for breath, near to death. Very faintly, Beowulf is able to speak the words and tell Wiglaf to lead his people and take the treasures Beowulf leaves