“Inspired again by the thought of glory, the war-king threw his whole strength behind a sword-stroke and connected with the skull” (Heaney 181). This quote from the Seamus Heaney translation of Beowulf embodies the warrior mentality that defines courage throughout the poem. Beowulf is driven by the secular version of courage: the thought of glory, heroism, and accomplishment which can be achieved through hard work and dedication to the task. This contrasts with the biblical view of courage which states that courage is to trust and follow God with confidence and boldness. While both of these worldviews require confidence, the biblical definition of courage can only be achieved through and with God. Throughout the book we see that Beowulf repeatedly …show more content…
Beowulf is driven by the thought of glory, fame and renown. He is already widely known for his valor and strength, and yet he desires to prove himself to an even further degree to achieve greater glory. His motivation is recognition for his accomplishments. Beowulf is still quite a leader of men, in spite of his flawed views. His men admire him and follow him. The biblical view of courage is also driven by glory and fame, but not for man, for God. The purpose of people on earth is to bring glory to God and to bring him fame. This is shown in Exodus, “But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth” (Exodus 9.16). Man’s courage and successes through God are in turn a method of bringing glory to The Creator. People’s accomplishments show God’s power and will at work in and through people’s lives, and serve as a testimony to …show more content…
As is said in Jeremiah, “‘For I know the plans I have for you’, declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (Jeremiah 29.11). One knows that they can put their futures in the hands of the loving God because he promises that he has plans for them. Not only does this verse assure somebody that God has a plan for them, it assures them that his plan is all coming together for their good. When one places their fate into the hands of God and give up trying to force their will on their lives, then they will be able to feel the joy of being in God’s will. Romans says “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12.2). This differs from the secular view of Beowulf. The only plans for Beowulf’s future were his own. He trusted not in God, but in his own strength and nerve to determine his path. Beowulf believed that his own greatness and power was enough to impose his own will on his life. As Beowulf says "Often, for undaunted courage, fate spares the man it has not already marked” (Heaney 39). He is asserting that anyone can control their fate through nerve and will-power. This behavior served Beowulf well for the majority of his life, until the time which he met a foe with greater strength and will power he
This quotation provides a sense of Christian values and shows the hero's dependency on God. According to the poet, Beowulf realizes that his strength comes from the Almighty rather than from his own merit. Beowulf is shown as a brave warrior.
Beowulf’s courage is a characteristic of a hero and this is what makes him one as well. In the story he faces his fears multiple times while trying to save others. One example of his courage would be this quote that states "Often, for undaunted courage, fate spares the man it has not already marked." This is a good example because it shows how Beowulf had the courage to stand up against Grendel and defeat him. In addition Beowulf also put himself in danger while he was fighting the dragon even when he knew he probably not make it. This is an extreme example of courage because it frightened him that he would not make it, but he fought the dragon anyway. I think that these examples show Beowulf’s courage and that is
In the poem Beowulf, the protagonist is portrayed as a heroic figure who strives to spread his name and glory out across the land in order to be remembered. Although his acts may not entirely be for the right reasons, Beowulf does express his heroic qualities of bravery, arrogance, and brute force.
Beowulf is a hero that shows honor respect and courage. In lines 710-1007 is where the battle with Grendel happened. Thinking of the destruction that he will get, Grendel bursts into Heorot. Grendel tears the door from its hinges with his hands and quickly becomes a Geatish warrior while Beowulf carefully looks around. When Grendel reaches out to pick Beowulf up, he is surprised to find his arm gripped with a strength than he never knew could even happen. Confused and frightened Grendel doesn’t want to run back to the safety of the swamplands. He tries to escape, but Beowulf wrestles him down to the ground. The crash around the hall, making noise on the walls and smashing the mead-benches. Grendel begins to panic in pain and fear; the sound
Beowulf 's courage originates from his certainty that he can overcome creatures utilizing distinctive techniques. Hailey W. Odessa states Goodness, unwaveringness, civility, equity, and courage all portrays the attributes a perfect saint would have. At that point she says in the lyric Beowulf, there is one character that conveys all and a greater amount of these expressed attributes, and that character is without a doubt the hero known as Beowulf. We as a whole need to comprehend life is an exceptional voyage. Beowulf 's life changed when he got more seasoned. The main question is the thing that makes somebody a saint? Components of being a legend are appeared all through Anglo-Saxon fundamental qualities. A standout amongst the most prestigious
There are many traits that are possessed by those who seek heroism. Whether it is in real life or in fiction, every hero desires these character traits in the past, present, and future. IN my opinion, the two traits that are most prominent in the poem Beowulf are bravery and goodness.
Bravery is like a very trusted friend, it will never let you down. That statement holds true in the great epic of "Beowulf." "Beowulf" is the story of a great hero who comes to the aid of a troubled king. Beowulf hears that king Hrothgar is having trouble and immediately comes to help with no questions asked. he defeats the monster, Grendel, with his bare hands. Beowulf then defeats Grendel's mother along with a dragon until he is fatally injured. Bravery is a very admirable characteristic that few people possess.
This passage, spoken by Beowulf himself, illustrates not only his confidence in himself, but also in God. He knows that he is strong, but he also knows that it is God who really grants victory. He must be in good graces with God in order to win his battle. He knows that he cannot survive without God’s approval.
Beowulf displayed great courage and honor throughout his journeys and battles; he was an epic hero. An epic hero is a person who is viewed as larger than life and possesses values of a certain society. From the time of Beowulf’s battle with Grendel to his brawl against the dragon, he has showed everyone what being an honorable hero looks like. His heroism is revealed through both youth as a young warrior and wisdom as a reliable king. He never backed down and didn’t give up when situations were tough. Beowulf had obligations to fulfill and went about every aspect of his life with courage and strength. He cared for his people and was willing to take on anyone that threatened them or his kingdom. He sincerely was the hero of his time.
Beowulf wants to fight Grendel, a monster wreaking havoc, and is boasting that he is more powerful and courageous.
Beowulf has this underlying feeling that his death is near. The author emphasizes Beowulf’s reluctance to meet death, to “give ground like that and go / unwillingly to inhabit another home / in a place beyond” (2588–2590). Beowulf’s faith is shown in this quote because he will be stepping into another realm, heaven. Beowulf “strode calmly, confidently, toward the tower”. He seeks out this monster because he is still a hero that protects all the people, but has taken what the dragon represents personally and feels he must do something for his people. Beowulf was truly fighting for his people. Beowulf struggled extremely during this fight with the dragon but dies relieved “"I should have been able to acquire for my people / before my death-day and endowment such as this (2794-95)." He still has his childlike youth and request that a treasure from the dragon lair be brought back to his
In Beowulf’s younger years, he personified all of the best values of the heroic culture when saving another kingdom from their demons. Beowulf’s willingness to sacrifice his life in order to save strangers his father owed a debt to is quite selfless. His bravery comes into play when he remains unchanged in his resolve even after hearing of all the King’s men and subjects slain by the beast.
Beowulf always wants to fight fairly and be brave and strong. He wanted to be remembered through the years. I can relate to Beowulf’s heroic journey because in the future, I want to be successful and be remembered through the years as I continue to get older. I want to be an example, that going big and being successful is real, that it can be your reality, and that anyone can do it if they put their mind to it. But the whole concept of my desideratum, is to work my hardest to achieve all that I can in life, because life's too short to sit around and do nothing. Make memories and achieve greatness. You can be sitting around one day and say to yourself, “ I think I want to travel the world.” Do great things and be happy with yourself. Don't let
“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 was brave in that he fought many battles for the good of others. In the epic poem, Beowulf fights the monster Grendel, saves his mother and loses his life while fighting the dragon. Next, Beowulf decides to fight Grendel with his bare hands. He could have easily obtained some kind of weapon to fight with. Beowulf was the first warrior ever to have enough sheer bravery to go up against such a monster with neither help nor weapon or shield to aid him. He was a warrior that believed somewhat in fate and in God. Believing that God made the decisions and was in control, Beowulf trusted that his life was in good hands. Defeating Grendel with his bare hands, Beowulf not only proved his bravery but also his loyalty. Defeating Grendel weaponless was another display of magnificent bravery. He kept coming back and defeated Grendel 's mother along with a fire-breathing dragon until he was fatally injured and killed. Bravery should not only apply to warriors but also to everyday people. Beowulf fights Grendel, saves his mother and loses his life while fighting the dragon. After defeating Grendel, Beowulf came back twice in order to kill Grendel 's mother and a fire-breathing dragon. Although during his bout with the dragon, Beowulf was fatally injured. As his services were needed, he always prevailed; Beowulf 's bravery never tired. He