preview

The Geatest Of Them All In Beowulf

Decent Essays

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

Get Access