The Geatest of Them All The English epic Beowulf is a story in which the characters and their actions display the values of the Anglo-Saxon society. The main character is a great warrior who embarks on many journeys and faces many foes. The epic was written during the Anglo-Saxon period and demonstrates many of the values including the hero in Beowulf. In the epic, Beowulf displays the characteristics of an epic hero including being a great warrior, facing supernatural foes and being a national hero throughout the sections. During the Anglo-Saxon period, being a great warrior was a major step to gaining fame and becoming chief of the tribe. Beowulf, the Prince of the Geats, demonstrates his capability of being a great warrior throughout …show more content…
His first opponent Grendel was a blood thirsty “powerful monster” (Beowulf l. 1), who has been ravishing Herot Hall for years. The monster was so evil that no Dane could defeat him, leaving it to Beowulf to slay the beast for the hopeless king Hrothgar. After Beowulf defeats Grendel, Grendel’s mother attacks Herot Hall seeking revenge. After Grendel’s mother kills Hrothgar’s best friend, King Hrothgar sends for Beowulf to assist him battling another monster. Even as he travels to confront Grendel’s mother, he encounters more monsters: “The fight / Brought other monsters swimming … who beat at his mail shirt, stabbing with tusks and teeth” (Beowulf ll. 464-467). After years have passed and Beowulf has defeated monster after monster in his youth, his last opponent, the dragon, is a monster he cannot defeat. Although Beowulf boldly faces the dragon, “mean[ing] to kill / This monster himself” (Beowulf ll. 112-113) he becomes injured and Higlac helps finish the dragon off. Regardless of the outcome of the battles, the famous warrior faces many supernatural foes throughout his …show more content…
Before the first battle with Grendel takes place the epic mentions that Beowulf “was loved by the Geats” (Beowulf l. 118) inferring that he was already nationally famous for his heroic efforts. Years after the battle with Grendel and Grendel’s mother, Beowulf being the famous warrior of the Geats earns him the throne of his people. Beowulf being the King of the Geats “has ruled in peace and prosperity for fifty years” (Beers, et al. 87), being a successful king has earned him even more admiration from his people. Even as Beowulf is dying, his heir to the throne Wiglaf promises to “build [him] a tomb” (Beowulf l. 208) in the shape of a tower “and call it / Beowulf’s tower” (Beowulf ll. 121-213) to show his loyalty and respect to his great King. The reaction of Beowulf’s death in Wiglaf and his soldiers demonstrate the loyalty and respect the Geats have for their heroic king. Overall, Beowulf becomes a national hero because of his capabilities as a warrior which later earns him the throne and the favor of his
Beowulf establishes his identity as a warrior and a hero by recounting his successful endeavours:
Beowulf is an epic about a hero who takes on great challenges and adventures. This story dates back to the Anglo-Saxon period. The character Beowulf, encounters the virtues of the Anglo-Saxon culture and beliefs. The traits the he encounters from the Anglo-Saxon society are strength, bravery, courage, and the desire to help the helpless. The character of Hrothgar establishes to Beowulf how to be a successful king.
“Epic heroes possess qualities that mere mortals lack. Bravery beyond compare, superhuman intelligence, strength or skills and a driving desire to find success.” This is a description of what an epic hero is and it perfectly describes Beowulf and his actions throughout the story. Anglo-Saxon heroes are willing to risk their lives in order to do what’s right. Beowulf went to battle
Starting as a warrior and later becoming the king, Beowulf left behind a legacy. Beowulf portrays many traits of a hero. According to the Beowulf History Channel documentary, implies that he was a “superhuman” (History Doc.). Beowulf was known as “the strongest of the Geats” (Beowulf 195). According to the epic Beowulf, Beowulf was “stronger than anyone anywhere”(194). He was like no other anywhere else. Beowulf was not scared of battle, and felt like the best way to die was in battle.Beowulf was fearless. He voluntarily put himself in danger in order to protect his people and friends. Beowulf sailed across the sea to Denmark “in friendship” to
In Beowulf, Beowulf fights three monsters. He uses different methods, techniques and weapons, and wins different trophies each time. Next, the first fight Beowulf encounters is with Grendel, an evil powerful monster that lives at the bottom of the marsh. Also, Grendel was killing and hunting down Hrothgars men and warriors slept in the hall. Hrothgar is the king of Danes.
Beowulf is a Geatish hero who fights the monster Grendel, Grendel's mother, and a fire-breathing dragon. Beowulf's boasts and encounters reveal him to be the strongest, warrior around. Beowulf increase his reputation by fighting monsters and dragons. This was important to him because he wanted to protect his people. “Beowulf, a prince of the Geats, had killed Grendel, Ended the grief” (Raffel,49 829-831). Beowulf had killed this monster name Grendel that no one could ever defeat except him and the people from the Geats were thanking Beowulf for defeating this monster. Little by little he was gaining reputation to his name by defeating stronger opponents. When he kills Grendel’s mom he gains more reputation from the people and it was important to him because he wants to be the strongest warrior/king. Beowulf always wants to fight alone because
Originating in the Anglo-Saxon period, the epic poem Beowulf portrays a legendary hero. Beowulf established the earlier form of heroism, and was then later introduced in to the English culture. Praised and admired by many people, Beowulf possesses several distinct traits that allow him to be defined perfectly as an ideal Anglo-Saxon hero; his eagerness to seek glory and fame, rather than richness and treasures, his loyalty and graceful attitude not only to his rulers but also to his followers, and his contradictory beliefs of faith and fate
The epic poem Beowulf describes the most heroic man of the Anglo-Saxon times. The hero, Beowulf, is a seemingly invincible person with all the extraordinary traits required of an Anglo Saxon hero. He is able to use his super-human physical strength and courage to put his people before himself. He encounters many monsters and horrible beasts, but he never fears the threat of death. His leadership skills are outstanding and he is even able to boast about all his achievements. Beowulf is the ultimate epic hero who risks his life countless times for glory which to him meant eternal life.
First and foremost, Beowulf is a very strong warrior; he hails from the land of the Geats and is their best soldier. He is what many would call a thrill seeker and is drawn to danger, adventure but most of glory. Beowulf sets off in search of such glory and lets the seas take him where it may; this leads him to the town of Herot. Once there he is given a great opportunity by the great King Hrothgar, to prove his strength and obtain much glory. The task is to kill the terrible creature that haunts the town night after night, a creature named Grendel. Beowulf finds out more
“The epic hero often battles for good, or accomplishes a set of tasks to complete an important goal.” (Jankowski 1) One of the many hero’s of British Literature is Beowulf. He is a epic hero because he exhibits all the
An epic, is a lengthy narrative poem concerning about social and political organization, and events significant to a culture or nation. In Fred Robinson words, much of Beowulf is devoted to show the Germanic heroic code, in different aspects, which values strength, courage, bravery and loyalty in warriors; hospitality, generosity, responsibility and political skill in kings; ceremoniousness in women; and good reputation in the inhabitants.
Beowulf is a true epic hero because he is fearless, very strong, and well honored. Beowulf portrays all of the traits of a hero throughout the epic. He never hesitated to kill a monster, or even to give a helping hand at any time. He could always back up his boast with perfection. Beowulf is not a god, or a supernatural man, but he was the closest man to
Beowulf is an example of Anglo-Saxon epic poetry. An epic poem is a narrative poem that that tells the stories of an amazing hero’s life. In Beowulf, great heroism is expressed through a character that travels extreme lengths to show his strength despite the odds he faced. The most prevalent characteristics are the features of heroic traits and the containment of grim realism. The first characteristics of heroic traits in Beowulf are seen on page ten when the writer said, “firm with our Lord’s high favor and his own bold courage and strength.
Throughout history, literature has both mirrored and defined culture. Beowulf is the national epic of England, and it falls into the heroic poetry category. Scops passed down the story of Beowulf for many generations until it was finally written down. The story about Beowulf is that he would fight anything to gain fame or to protect people. Even though it is an ancient piece of literature, Beowulf can be viewed as an allegory for different stages of a man’s life.
Beowuf is an Old English epic that reflects the cultural values of Anglo Saxons Anglo Saxon beliefs are shown through Beowulfs actions throughout the epic. His actions defined him as a great hero because of the many journeys he encounters to help defend Hrothgar. One of the main Anglo Saxon beliefs illustrated in the story is thee idea of personal indebtedness. Additional beliefs that are represented are fame and fate, which are depicted through all three episodes. An element of an epic are archetypes, which are a literary devie that present a pattern of an action, character type, or an image. The archetypes that shaped Beowulf are hero as a warrior, battle between good and evil, and a devil figure.