An Analysis of the Epic Poem, Beowulf - Fame, Kingship, Fate and God in Beowulf

"Higlac is my cousin and my king…(142)" says Beowulf in his preparation to do battle with the threatening monster, Grendel. Loyalty to the Anglo-Saxons was heroic; however, the tale of Beowulf has lived on so many years for a greater reason than Beowulf being a loyal individual. Heroes today, as well as heroes of yesterday, such as Beowulf, all share the characteristic of their willingness to die in their attempt to accomplish their heroic act, thus making the act in itself heroic. Beowulf knows that there is a chance that he may die in his great battle against Grendel when he says, "No, I expect no Danes will fret about sewing our shrouds, if he wins. And if death does take me, send the hammered mail of my armor to Higlac…"; yet he is still willing to attempt to conquer Grendel.

Heroes always die a glorious death. Beowulf felt that in order for him to be remembered for the rest of time he needed to not only defeat Grendel and Grendel’s mother alone, but also defeat a Dragon flying into a certain death, solo. Beowulf was out to prove himself a strong, witty, brave warrior and he did indeed succeed. Additionally, he succeeded in feeding to his insecurities by boasting about his epic deeds. Beowulf will be known in the land of the Danes and the Geats as an epic hero for all time, even though Beowulf came to their rescue and aid for purely selfish reasons.

Beowulf is a Germanic poem that described the journey of the great warrior Beowulf. Throughout the poem, Beowulf performs epic feats from defeating the monster Grendel, and then his mother, to facing a fire breathing dragon. Beowulf had characteristics that made him a great warrior, and later a great king. Beowulf’s character was an example of what the Germanic people expected from their warriors and kings. Beowulf was the ideal example of what a great king should be according to the Germanic people.

Beowulf was a great and mighty warrior who was known for how amazingly awesome he was. He had fought and slain everything that came into his path. When there was heard of a great monster named Grendel who was terrorizing Hrothgar’s Mede hall, Beowulf made the trip to defeat the monster. When he arrived, king Hrothgar welcomed him and gave him permission to fight the monster, with one twist; Beowulf wanted to fight the monster without any armor or weapons. He fought the monster and killed him, keeping his arm as a trophy, which he hung in the mead hall for everyone to see.

Sir Gawain is considered a hero by many because of his loyalty to King Arthur. He even risks his life so that King Arthur would live and participates in the Green Knights challenge. Although Macbeth has got a few more faults than other heroes have in British Literature, his name is still synonymous with “hero”. Aristotle says “the tragic hero has to fall from grace … after being on top” (Chui 1). Before the three witches tell Macbeth the false prophecies, Macbeth is in held is high accord, yet afterwards, his ambition tears him down and he does anything it takes gain the role of King.

According to him, it was his main focus of the battle. Not only was Beowulf known for being a brave warrior and a strong king, but he was also known for being Edgetho’s son. Although never a king, Edgetho was victorious warrior just like his son. “So Edgetho’s son survived no matter what battles he fought, brave and triumphant, till the day fate sent him to the dragon and sent him death.” (2397-2400) This quote explains that Beowulf, Edgetho’s son, endured many battles till he died. These people believe in many debated topics, such as fate, or wyrd.

“Of all the kings upon earth” (3181), it is said that Beowulf is “keenest to win fame” (3182). Wiglaf describes his king as “a man unequaled in the quest for glory/ and a name for daring” (2645-46), and it is “the thought of glory” (2678), not the thought of his defenseless people, that inspires Beowulf to strike the final blow to the dragon – neither fame nor the selfish quest for glory are particularly noble pursuits. By showing that Beowulf is not the ideal king, one must then inquire as to whether Beowulf is the morally upright hero many readers assume him to be. Works Cited “Beowulf.” Trans. Seamus Heaney.

He even stayed to defeat Grendel’s mother and the fire dragon. “My life was almost lost, fighting for it, struggling under water: I’d have been dead at once, and the fight finished, if our Father in Heaven had not helped me.” (Line 310). In the story, Beowulf is also a Tragic Hero. He possesses goodness by telling the king of the Danes in lines 1-8 that he is honored to be there helping them. Beowulf shows superiority in the story.

ABSTRACT Beowulf is a warrior of Hygelac who was the strongest of men alive in that day. Beowulf was mighty and noble. He learns that a monster named Grendel is terrorizing King Hrothgar and his people, the Danes. He swears to kill the monster with his bare hands and travels to Herot to do so. Grendel is a terrible and strong monster that terrorizes the Danes.

He killed three monsters and then he died. Not a very interesting fate, but it is none the less one that I find myself having to write about regardless of whether or not I want to. Thus it was, the mighty Beowulf of old England that went forth to slay the evils which plagued the lands of his own people as well as those of his neighboring tribes. The second battle was one that was brought about by Beowulf’s willingness to go and help an old friend, and thus he nearly lost his life once more. For those not acquainted with the story of Beowulf, he was said to be the strongest man ever to live, and given this he was fated according to their beliefs to accomplish certain things in his life.