These two stories have a shared theme, which is to sacrifice oneself for a greater purpose. In Beowulf he shows sacrifice to Hrothgar by risking his life to fight the monster grendel in order to protect hrothgar and the people. In My Sister's Keeper a teenage girl named Kate is battling cancer and her little sister Anna is the donor for all the parts she needs. Anna sacrifices herself and her body parts to help Kate regardless of what it is she needs to donate. Both of these characters put their own lives at risk to save another.
The main theme of Beowulf is to sacrifice oneself for the greater good. Beowulf says “I had a fixed purpose when I put to sea. As I sat in the boat with my band of men, I meant to perform to the uttermost what your people wanted or perish in the attempt, in the fiend's clutches. And I shall fulfill that purpose, prove myself with a proud deed or meet my death here in the mead-hall”(57). In this quote Beowulf risks his own life to go out and fight the monster grendel for the greater good of the people. He is willing to fight Grendel even if it means he could die.
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In addition to Beowulf's theme My Sister's keeper also shares the theme of sacrificing oneself for the greater good.
In this case the greater good is her sister Kates life. Kate can't take on the battle of cancer by herself, her younger sister has to donate bone marrow, blood, or even a kidney to keep her sister healthy. The girls are loyal to each other's wishes and just wants what's best for one another. At one point Kate got very sick and the only way she was going to live is if she got a new kidney. Anna is her perfect match and can be the solution for this, however Anna would have to be careful for the rest of her life and could possibly not wake up from surgery. Anna has to sacrifice one of her kidneys to save her sister even though it could mean life or death for her as
well. In Beowulf and My Sisters Keeper the themes are both the same. Beowulf's theme and My Sisters Keepers theme is that sacrificing oneself can benefit for the greater good. Beowulf was willing to fight to protect his people, and in My Sister's Keeper her sister was fighting to keep her sister alive by donating her body parts for whatever her sister needed.. The theme of the two stories are important because they symbolize how important one person sacrifice can be for other people.
Beowulf’s fight against the dragon shows Beowulf as a hero. Although Beowulf had previously defeated two other foes, he stands fast and fights his most formidable foe yet, the dragon. Dragons were notoriously difficult to kill, and the poem states that it was a great man, who could kill a dragon, even if it meant losing one's life. While others cower away Beowulf fights the dragon. Beowulf defeats the dragon but loses his life in the same instance. Like the classical hero Beowulf loses his special status in death. Beowulf sought no compensation for his services; the mere satisfaction of helping others was pay enough. Like his two previous battles Beowulf fights for those who could not fight for themselves.
Beowulf is very faithful to the kingdom in which he works with and serves. He says to Hrothgar, “If there is any favour I can perform / beyond deeds of arms I have done already, / anything that would merit your affections more, / I shall act, my lord, with alacrity” (1822-1825). Even if he is home, all the way across the seas, he would drop whatever he was doing and come to help Denmark defeat its evil that comes to that land. He shows his undying dedication to helping the king and the kingdom that he lives in. Beowulf then tries to defeat this dragon, that is, his final battle. He has been in “retirement” and has not fought in quite some time, but he still is being depended on by his kingdom to fight off this evil. Sadly, he does die, but he was so dedicated, brave, and strong enough to fight off this dragon to make sure all is safe. It was, “that final day was the first time / when Beowulf fought and fate denied him / glory in battle” (2573-2575). Each characteristic has a special part of an epic hero, but faithfulness can really set the tone for a hero's life.
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
Beowulf is proud in the sense that he has no fear. He is willing to go to any length and any condition in order to protect the Danes. “My lord Higlac might think less of me if I let my sword go where my feet were too afraid to, if I hid behind some broad linden shield;”. Beowulf is explaining how he will use no weapons on Grendel to kill him, and in my opinion he thinks it would be cowardly to do so. He is humble because he is okay with dying and he lies his fate in Gods hands. “And if my death does take me, send the hammered mail of my armor to Higlac, return the inheritance i had from Hershel and he from Wayland. Fate will unwind as it must!” Beowulf is putting the fate of his life into God’s hands and is willing to die in the chance to kill Grendel for the safety of
“In my youth I engaged in many wars”, Beowulf boasts to his warriors, which is certainly true. Throughout his life, he faces many deadly foes, all of which he handily defeats, save one. His story focuses on the most challenging, as well as morally significant of foes, Grendel and the dragon. These creatures reveal much about society as well as Christian virtue at the time. Even after Grendel and the dragon are defeated physically, the two monsters pose a new threat to the hero on a higher plane. Beowulf is not only at risk of losing his life, but his humanity, virtue, and even spirituality.
Beowulf’s fight against the dragon shows Beowulf as a hero. Although Beowulf had previously defeated two other foes, he stands fast and fights his most formidable foe yet, the dragon. Dragons were notoriously difficult to kill, and the poem states that it was a great man, who could kill a dragon, even if it meant losing one's life. While others cower away Beowulf fights the dragon. Beowulf defeats the dragon but loses his life in the same instance. Like the classical hero Beowulf loses his special status in death. Beowulf sought no compensation for his services; the mere satisfaction of helping others was pay enough. Like his two previous battles Beowulf fights for those who could not fight for themselves.
...in his willingness to lay down his life to fulfill the Green Knight’s request of King Arthur’s men. Beowulf is known among the people as a selfless hero in their times of need. Not only did Beowulf have immense physical strength, but he also had a burning desire for his people’s safety. It is for this selflessness and concern for others that Beowulf is the better hero.
When Beowulf hears about the Grendel, he decides for himself to go to the rescue of the Danes. Beowulf is not mandated to assist the Danes; he simply performs the task out of good will. And before the battle against Grendel, Beowulf speaks his faith, “And God in His wisdom shall glory assign, / The ruling Lord, as He deems it right” (516-517). Beowulf is unsure of what the outcome of the battle would be, but he trusts that God will make the right decision. When Beowulf is summoned to assist with the battle against Grendel’s mother, Beowulf accepts the challenge again with nobility. And before the fight against Grendel’s dam, Beowulf speaks his faith, “O gracious ruler, gold-giver to men / As I now set forth to attempt this feat, / Great son of Healfdene, hold well in mind / The solemn pledge we plighted of old, / That if doing your service I meet my death / You will mark my fall with a father’s love. / Protect my kinsmen, my trust comrades, / If battle take me. And all the treasure / You have heaped on me bestow upon Hygalec” (578-586). Many years pass after the battle against Grendel and his mother, Beowulf is met with yet another challenging force. As a king Beowulf could have sent his men to slay the fire drake since he is the king. Instead, Beowulf decides to lead his men into battle. Prior to the battle, Beowulf speaks to his men with faith, “Not one foot’s space / Will I flee from the monster, the ward of the mound. / It shall fare with us both in the fight at the wall / As Fate shall allot, the lord of mankind. / Though bold in spirit, I make no boast / As I go to fight with the flying serpent”
Beowulf is an interesting story in that it has a meaning that is firmly rooted in fantasy creatures based in mythical origins while providing insight into religious ideals and practices of the time. It also speaks of tradition and the struggle of man against things perceived as evil. In this tradition especially, Beowulf is an incredible allegory regarding the struggle of good and evil in the Christian tradition.
During the battle with Grendel, Beowulf knew that many men had tried to defeat him and many men had failed. That didn’t stop Beowulf though, he knew that if someone had any chance to defeat the beast it was him, even if that meant he might possibly die. He knew that if he didn’t take the chance that many more men would die. He sat out to fight Grendel and after a long battle Grendel was finally defeated, Beowulf risked his own life to save others. Although Beowulf thought that he was finished with Grendel’s threats he wasn’t. Grendel’s mother was enraged because of her son’s death and began to terrorize the king’s men, much like her Grendel had done. Everyone knew that Beowulf was the only one able to stop her, so once again he set out to risk his life to save others. Beowulf was almost defeated during this fight, but he finally killed Grendel’s mother, because of this he became king of the Geats and ruled without fighting for 50 years, until the Dragon attacked and burnt down his house, that is. Even Beowulf knew that his chances of winning this fight were small, but he knew what he had to do. At the end of the fight Beowulf was victorious, the Dragon was dead, but Beowulf suffered an injury from the dragon and also died. Because of Beowulf’s sacrifices the people were finally safe once
Every battle he entered he knew he was either going receive glory or die. Beowulf, with his superhuman strengths decided to be a Good Samaritan and fight for Hrothgar. Risking his life for the Danes to have the glory of their land being free from intruding monsters. Before the battle with Grendel’s mother Beowulf says, “ wisest of kings, now that I have come to the point of action, ask you to recall what we said earlier… if I should fall and suffer death while serving your cause, would act like a father to me afterward. If this battle kills me, take care of my young company… with Hrunting I shall gain glory or die” (73-74). This quote shows that there is a chance that he might not survive. He stays loyal to his people and his self and does all he can to receive glory. Beowulf’s last battle was against the Dragon. As an older king, Beowulf was aware his last days were nearing him. Knowing that, Beowulf was willing to risk his life one last time for the greater good of his kingdom. Pretty much sacrificing himself and passing on his throne for glory one final time. As Beowulf is taking his last breaths he explains, “to the everlasting Lord of all, to the King of Glory, I give thanks that I behold this treasure here in front of me, that I have been allowed to leave my people so well-endowed on the day I die…” (101). As Beowulf speaks those words, the reader can obviously understand that he fought and died for glory and the
... enormous risk that all the instincts of self-preservation resist”(Hanning 60). Beowulf is always ready to take the risks for the fame.Beowulf “fight Grendel alone and without weapons to maximize his chance for glory; if he fails he is fully aware that it will mean death”(Hanning 61). This clearly shows his bravery and how hard he goes to gain glory, and he values them all more than his life. His bravery keeps him to fight for glory, and this quality clearly makes him an epic hero.
In “Beowulf” translated by Burton Raffel, the character Beowulf is portrayed as a brave, courageous, and very pious man. In the pagan tale the underlying motif of Good vs. Evil heightens these characteristics even to the point where Beowulf comes across as a symbol for God and Christianity. He battles “the demon” Grendel (ln. 16), Grendel’s mother, and a fierce dragon, all in order to save those who need aid, primarily the people of Herot. This too is very Christlike because he is serving those lower than himself for the sole purpose of doing the right thing. Although Beowulf is very brave all throughout, he becomes boastful and greedy from the time he first battles Grendel to when he takes on the dragon.
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
Beowulf’s death at the end of the book took me by surprise. Even though he foreshadowed his own death in multiple ways, I never expected him to die. The entire beginning of the book was about fate and how heroes passed on their legacy, but I was not anticipating such a sudden death. However, he died as any hero would want, defending his people's honor and receiving much fame and glory.