Jealousy In Beowulf

Grendel exhibits human feelings and characteristics in many ways. Although Grendel is a monster “forced into isolation by his bestial appearance and limited imagination” (Butts) he yearns to be a part of society; he craves

One example of Beowulf’s strengths was no other man could do the same tasks, and fight the battles he fought. Beowulf goes into many battles throughout his lifetime. Also, the quote in line 505-506 “If weapons were useless he’d use his hands, the strength in his fingers”. Beowulf also lifts the giant forged sword from the wall and swings it hard enough to cut of Grendel’s mothers head. A sword that is described as “so massive that no ordinary man could lift its carved and decorated lengths.

When the dragon was greeted by Beowulf, “The hoard-guard recognized/a human voice, the time was over/for peace and parleying. Pouring fourth/in a hot battle-fume, the breath of the monster burst from the rock” (ll 704-708). The dragon was only worried about himself and did not care about anyone else. Greed is another motivation of the dragon. He wanted everything to himself, even if it did not belong to him. Beowulf must, “fight a dragon who, angry because a thief has stolen a jeweled cup from the dragon’s hoard of gold, is laying waste to the Geats’ land” (p. 43). If Beowulf did not fight him, the Dragon would burn down Geatland out of his anger. When the battle between the dragon and Beowulf was over, “Wiglaf enters the dragon’s cave and finds a priceless hoard of jewels and gold” (p. 47). The dragon stole priceless things just because he wanted it; it didn’t matter if it was his to take or not. The dragon had a variety if motivations for his

First, Beowulf shows his loyalty to human kind when he defeats Grendel, a monster who terrorizes King Hrothgar's men. Beowulf formulated an intricate plan to defeat the monster who continuously attacks Hrothgar's men, while they were sleeping at the mead-hall. When Beowulf encounters Grendel, when he attacks the mead hall, he is described as,“flooded with fear-but nothing could take his talons and himself from that tight hard grip”(Beowulf,435) This shows the negative emotions and pains that Grendel experiences as he confronts Beowulf, his most powerful adversary. The strong grip that Beowulf squeezes Grendel by can be interpreted as Beowulf’s loyalty to the people who have been constantly terrorized by Grendel, and also the amount of anger

In Gold-Hall and Earth-Dragon: ‘Beowulf’ as Metaphor, it is mentioned that Beowulf’s jump to his death is due to his wanting to be the wergild for his people, thus saving them (Lee, 249). However, if Beowulf truly wanted to save the people, he would have known that his leaving would have been detrimental to the Geats. Instead, Beowulf allows himself to be interested in “ancient gold,” throwing his life away for glory (Beowulf, 2747). This can also be connected to greed. Having participated in two Christian deadly sins, Beowulf is thrown off his throne, paying the price for his deeds.

Grendel- He represents jealousy and he is an outcast. He withers away at the happiness of others. He has hatred in his heart because he cannot share in the joy that others have. He is literally a monster, which is ironic because jealousy itself is often said to be a "monster."

How would one be recognized by others when he possesses extraordinary strength? And for what reason that he decides to service his people? It is such a man—Beowulf, one of the earliest ancient heroes portrayed in the Old English heroic epic Beowulf, demonstrates the intentions with his action. As a valorous warrior and a sage king, Beowulf reveals the most gracious virtue in Anglo-Saxon society through the his integrity, his belief, and his loyalty. His trait— honor—reinforces.

In the Medieval Ages, wealth and jewels were not just a material one would use to buy lavish things or to wear to show an importance in status. Armor, weapons, jewels, coins and wealthy treasures possessed significant value within the warrior realms of duty, protection, heroism, loyalty and accomplishment. Gold can also symbolize a King’s royalty, relationships and fame. Modern-day archeological evidence proves this importance of metal and treasure through the uncovered Sutton Hoo Anglo-Saxon burial treasure-hoard. The significance to Sutton Hoo shows clear evidence that at this time, society thought of gold as a symbol for Pagan beliefs into the afterlife and as precious and delicate.

A medieval hero always seeks his own death, if by his sacrifice his kinsmen will benefit. This is why Beowulf willingly enters the den of his third and final monster: "Now the edge of the sword, hand and hard blade, must fight for treasure." [ll. 2508-9] Treasure means security for his people; therefore he goes, refusing all help, because it is his duty to do well by his kingdom. The Rood poet points out

That beloved king of the Geats, that champion of his people, is dealt a mortal blow by the vile sky-winger. Seventy-year-old Beowulf is less agile than he was in his prime. When his sword glances off the dragon's scales without a scratch, he is unable to develop a new plan of attack. And as he falters, the dragon's jaws snap around his neck. The fight would have been over, if not for Wiglaf, the only one of Beowulf's thanes who is found to be loyal. He rushes to the aid of his king and strikes the dragon's belly, then backs off, allowing Beowulf to administer the last blow to the dragon, even as his own life-blood drains out of him. In his glory days, the disappointment that his sword could not pierce a dragon's scales would not have been the end. He would would have thought of a new angle and stabbed the dragon's soft skin himself. But his glory days are history, a distant memory as he lies in the dragon's lair,

The Brave Benevolent Beowulf In Beowulf the protagonist, Hrothgar, is king of Heorot and is known to be a very courageous and brave king whose sole duty is to protect his people. In this poem there is always danger that comes to attack the people and specifically they are Grendel, his mother, and a dragon. Beowulf, a Geat, is summoned to bring peace and harmony to the land in which evil abides in. In Charles W. Kennedy’s translation of the epic poem Beowulf, the three monsters represent sinful qualities like jealousy, revenge, and evil to show how in society there is always an evil that prevails in the world.

Throughout the epic poem, the possession of wealth and treasure represents a reputation of honor, status, and skill, but were also used to solidify bonds and ensure loyalty. Every king along the lineage of royalty had a duty to spread his riches, a responsibility indicated by the frequent use of “ring-givers” that would even provide, “far-fetched treasures… and precious gear” (36-37). Wealth, a vastly important role in Beowulf, enables the king to manifest his generosity upon society. This act was not only a practice, but also a representation of honor as it was a way to exhibit benevolence to others as well as rewarding their loyal followers. An example would be during the time Beowulf saves the hall of Hereot from the terror and destruction of Grendel. As a result of Beowulf’s heroic acts, Hrothgar showers treasure on him and his men in order to show his thankfulness and goodness. The poet asserts how this giving of gifts signifies the manifestation of Hrothgar’s honor as king.

Grendel starts off his life story by explaining how he is always on the outside of everyone and everything. “Pointless, ridiculous monster crouched in the shadows, stinking of dead men, murdered children, martyred cows....Ah, sad one, poor old freak!” (6). Further throughout the novel, Grendel’s feelings of isolation increase when he realizes the dragon has placed a spell upon him. “Though I scorned them, sometimes hated them, there had been something between myself and men when we could fight. Now, invulnerable, I was as solitary as one live tree in a vast landscape of coal.” (76). Grendel’s consistent separation from the rest of the society causes the reader to feel sorry for him, despite all of his wrongdoings. The only thing that Grendel wishes for is a companion, making him relatable to readers who may feel alone. Grendel is a relatable character that readers may be able to sympathize with because of his isolation and constant feeling of being

“Where is the glory in doing something that others have done” (Rick Riordan, The Lightning Thief). A quote befitting of the character Beowulf who slew the abomination known as Grendel to save the people of Heorot, then killing his vengeful mother using the sword Hrunting and finally as his last legendary exploit he brought down a mighty dragon to save his kingdom, the most prominent definition of an epic hero and the epitome of what the ideal Scandinavian hero is. On the surface, this may seem like Beowulf is a selfless hero willing to go to great lengths to save the people around him but after deeper analysis of the story, it may be that Beowulf’s pride and search for glory is what truly drives him.

Many readers of the poem Beowulf may find it difficult to distinguish the 'good' kings from the rest – indeed, almost every man who holds a throne in the epic is named at one point or another to be 'good'. By examining the ideals of the time period as identified by the 'heroic code', it becomes clearer that a truly 'good' king is one who generously distributes treasure and weaponry to deserving retainers to honour courage and strength displayed in battle and to encourage the defense of the kingdom (Intro). When Beowulf ascends the throne of the Geats, the heroic traits of courage and strength for which he was so highly praised as a warrior do not serve well in making him a good king. Indeed, by exhibiting the traits of a thane, that is, by