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Bravery In Beowulf

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In the beginning of the poem, a legendary monster named Grendel who is attacking King Hrothgar’s mead hall herot causing serious damage. Beowulf heard of this tragedy and volunteered to go and fight the beast. Beowulf displays great bravery in everything he does. No man could be looked down upon by lack of defense because both Beowulf and Wiglaf demonstrated heroic bravery. Many stories have been written and forgotten. Yet, the tale of Beowulf has stayed as one of the examples of a great hero. This brings an unavoidable question to mind. Why is Beowulf considered a hero? Many stories have been written and forgotten To begin with, before facing Grendel; Beowulf “reiterates his intent to fight Grendel without a sword leaned up on one arm/guardian …show more content…

Beowulf frightened Grendel by the power of his strength. Shortly after doing this, Beowulf “lowered his sword and roared out a battle cry/so loud and clear it reached through the hoary rock/ hung in the dragon’s ear”. Higlac’s follower remembered his final boast standing erect, stopped the monsters flight/fastened those claws in his fists till they cracked” (280-285). Impressive and reckless actions like that show Beowulf’s courage and glory. He appears more heroic in the battle because he’s killing the dragon to protect his people and risking his life. In spite of Beowulf’s actions he is seen even more heroic because he's battling Grendel by himself. Beowulf show the same character when fighting the dragon, as well does Wiglaf, who helps him and didn't run away like all the other men that went with Beowulf. In the poem Wiglaf said “I remember how we sat in the mead-hall, drinking and boasting how brave we'd be when Beowulf needed us” (705-715). Wiglaf is showing that he is loyal to his king and also displaying bravery. Meanwhile, In the poem Grendel displays a lack of honor when the poem says “he grabbed thirty men / from their resting places” (122-123). Attacking men in their sleep when …show more content…

The poem mentioned christianity and paganism. In the poem christianity was a little more popular and talked about how men would let god decide if it’s their faith to die in battle. For example, Beowulf says “ my hands alone shall fight for me/struggle for my life against the monster/God must decide who will be given to death’s cold grip ” Beowulf is extremely courageous in this section really showing that he is not scared of anything and is always ready for anything. This can also be seen in line (505-510) “ if that shining woven had not helped/Holy God who sent him victory/gave judgment for truth and right, ruler of the heavens ”. However, In the movie christianity wasn't is popular as the poem described it. For example when Beowulf became king in the movie he said “ the time of heroes is dead Wiglaf, the christ God has killed it “. In the movie Beowulf didn't seem like a christian at all and it seemed like he was paganism. The reason for this is because in the movie Beowulf says to the man they captured after battle “ the Gods will not allow my death by your feeble blade “. Beowulf’s character changed a lot from the movie compared to the poem. When Beowulf approaches Hrothgar and offers to kill Grendel, he is already a very accomplished warrior who has achieved many things, and he is a hero to the people. His willingness to help the kingdom from Grendel as a way of returning a favor makes him noble. Many stories have been

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