Every culture has many stories and poems to represent what they believe in, and what they look for in a hero. The heroes written in these stories and myths are brave, and are leaders. However, every hero comes with a flaw or two. The epic poem Beowulf by Seamus Heaney, has an extraordinary hero named Beowulf. Beowulf was a hero to the Anglo-Saxons which were fierce warriors who fought a lot. Beowulf fights many brutal monsters and threats in his days, but the most barbaric of them all is the inside threat within him. Beowulf had a big ego, and focused more on creating a name for himself than thinking about the real risks ahead. Two of his major battles that he faced along with his internal peril was against the dragon, and the beast Grendel. …show more content…
He was looking for a way to become known, so he arrived with his fellow Geats to help the Danes. Beowulf had access to many weapons, armor, and warriors, but he still decided to take on the deadly challenge alone and without protection. He doesn’t think of the consequences, or abilities of the opponent. “‘When it comes to fighting, I count myself as dangerous any day as Grendel.’” (47: 677-678). Beowulf is overconfident in his abilities, and doesn’t take into consideration how many people Grendel has killed. He goes in with his own men not expecting to see him again. “None of them expected he would ever see his homeland again.” (47: 691-692). This is why the inner threat of Beowulf was more barbaric. Grendel was indeed a worthy opponent, and very dangerous, but Beowulf’s careless actions could have …show more content…
Everyone feared his abilities and wouldn’t dare attack him. Then a dragon was woken from its slumber and attacked part of Beowulf’s land. “Yet the prince if rings was too proud to line up with a large army against the sky-plague.” (159: 2345-2347). Beowulf could have taken all of his warriors to fight, but he was too smug. He had to be the one to fight it, or die trying. Beowulf had a need for glorious battle and impossible tasks. He brought few warriors with him to kill the murderous creature. When they reached the dragon, Beowulf made the decision to go in alone because he was too proud, and full of himself to ask for help. When the time came that he needed his warriors, they all ran except one. Beowulf was such a great warrior that no one else in his army had any skill at battle. They had no courage or experience because of Beowulf’s need to go in alone. Beowulf met his match against the dragon, and perished. The need for all the glory and fame drove Beowulf right to his death. It wasn’t the actual threat that killed Beowulf, but the careless decisions that were the real
From the Lord of the Rings to Star Wars, Beowulf has been turned to as a source of inspiration. Whether referencing specific scenes of becoming entangled with sea-monsters or simply turning to Grendel as a character model, those in the arts turn to Beowulf over any other story. This is not without good reason; as people referenced it and turned to it more, Beowulf stood the test of time above all other stories as the quintessential epic tale and continues to to this day. And what is an epic tale without its titular epic hero? As his story stands as the epic piece, Beowulf stands as the greatest example of an epic hero, featuring all of the main qualities, including (but not limited to) such qualities as a god-like, world-renowned position among the people, and a bravery of a near insidious kind, such that it even becomes his third trait as well, as his obligatory personal hamartia.
The mighty warrior Beowulf volunteered to help fight off the monster, Grendel. Beowulf showed great bravery because even though Grendel over sized Beowulf, he still accepted the challenge. He also showed strength, Grendel’s head was so massive that four men each had to carry it, but Beowulf could handle the head all by himself. Lastly, Beowulf revealed loyalty by coming to Hrothgar’s assistance, to help with defeating Grendel. Even after Beowulf became King he went to his last battle to defeat the dragon without any help from his
This fight is a struggle of pure strength; Beowulf shows that he is inhumanly strong. When Grendel was killing Beowulf’s men one by one, others waited for their master’s move. Yet, Beowulf does nothing but pretends to be asleep until Grendel comes to attack him. This is when he surprises the monster and fatally wounds him. As a good leader Beowulf should fight along with his men. He should protect them from harm but instead he sacrificed many of his companions to carry out his plan. His purpose was to kill Grendel on his own, just as if he wanted to get the credit for himself. What is most unsettling about this fight is the fact that many of Beowulf’s men could be saved. If all warriors conformed to the idea of comitatus, which emphasizes the
Beowulf is a poem translated by Seamus Heaney that tells the story of the protagonist named Beowulf. Beowulf was warrior who had the strength of many men. He had grown up and molded himself to fulfill the role of a hero, throughout many occasions. Everytime he had finished a remarkable feat, it was subjected as evidence which was always there showcasing his accomplishments, godsend strength, and loyalty as a leader. Even in the most difficult situations, Beowulf had the courageousness to be side by side with God, letting him be victorious than anyone had ever
Beowulf’s fight against the dragon shows Beowulf as a hero. Although Beowulf had previously defeated two other foes, he stands fast and fights his most formidable foe yet, the dragon. Dragons were notoriously difficult to kill, and the poem states that it was a great man, who could kill a dragon, even if it meant losing one's life. While others cower away Beowulf fights the dragon. Beowulf defeats the dragon but loses his life in the same instance. Like the classical hero Beowulf loses his special status in death. Beowulf sought no compensation for his services; the mere satisfaction of helping others was pay enough. Like his two previous battles Beowulf fights for those who could not fight for themselves.
During the battle with Grendel, Beowulf knew that many men had tried to defeat him and many men had failed. That didn’t stop Beowulf though, he knew that if someone had any chance to defeat the beast it was him, even if that meant he might possibly die. He knew that if he didn’t take the chance that many more men would die. He sat out to fight Grendel and after a long battle Grendel was finally defeated, Beowulf risked his own life to save others. Although Beowulf thought that he was finished with Grendel’s threats he wasn’t. Grendel’s mother was enraged because of her son’s death and began to terrorize the king’s men, much like her Grendel had done. Everyone knew that Beowulf was the only one able to stop her, so once again he set out to risk his life to save others. Beowulf was almost defeated during this fight, but he finally killed Grendel’s mother, because of this he became king of the Geats and ruled without fighting for 50 years, until the Dragon attacked and burnt down his house, that is. Even Beowulf knew that his chances of winning this fight were small, but he knew what he had to do. At the end of the fight Beowulf was victorious, the Dragon was dead, but Beowulf suffered an injury from the dragon and also died. Because of Beowulf’s sacrifices the people were finally safe once
Every battle he entered he knew he was either going receive glory or die. Beowulf, with his superhuman strengths decided to be a Good Samaritan and fight for Hrothgar. Risking his life for the Danes to have the glory of their land being free from intruding monsters. Before the battle with Grendel’s mother Beowulf says, “ wisest of kings, now that I have come to the point of action, ask you to recall what we said earlier… if I should fall and suffer death while serving your cause, would act like a father to me afterward. If this battle kills me, take care of my young company… with Hrunting I shall gain glory or die” (73-74). This quote shows that there is a chance that he might not survive. He stays loyal to his people and his self and does all he can to receive glory. Beowulf’s last battle was against the Dragon. As an older king, Beowulf was aware his last days were nearing him. Knowing that, Beowulf was willing to risk his life one last time for the greater good of his kingdom. Pretty much sacrificing himself and passing on his throne for glory one final time. As Beowulf is taking his last breaths he explains, “to the everlasting Lord of all, to the King of Glory, I give thanks that I behold this treasure here in front of me, that I have been allowed to leave my people so well-endowed on the day I die…” (101). As Beowulf speaks those words, the reader can obviously understand that he fought and died for glory and the
We all have heroes; in fact without them we would simply be lost. It is what makes a hero that guides us in our lives, but there are many deceptions of heroes. The best ways to describe them by the view of the common peoples is, “To believe in the heroic makes heroes.” (Benjamin Disraeli)Many people believed in the hero Beowulf. The epic poem of Beowulf has travelled through centuries to grace the hearts of those who believe themselves to be virtuous. It is the guide to how a hero should be. Beowulf is the ultimate leader. He slays all sorts of monsters and he does out of the good of his heart, mostly. He did not have to travel to another country and take care of other’s problems but he did. Many have speculated as to why he would do such a
...he dragon, which meant he knew he was leaving his nation weak and vulnerable to attacks from their many enemies. Was this selfish of Beowulf or did he really fight his final fight because he knew no one else could? The interpretation as to whether Beowulf is a hero or not will always be debated and it is truly just a matter of personal opinion.
When Grendel first walk into the hall he lets an innocent soldier get eaten alive and acts like nothing happens. In the end he killed Grendel but didn’t make sure that everything else as safe. He just assumed that the job in Herot was done and zoned out. If he had kept his guard up he could have stopped Grendel’s Mom from killing Hrothgar's best friend. Beowulf didn’t plan and in return, failed in completely protecting Herot. He might have killed Grendel, but his mother still killed more innocent people.
Beowulf possesses several distinct traits that allow him to be defined as an ideal epic hero and Anglo-Saxon hero. He is courageous, loyal, wise, and physically powerful. Beowulf puts himself through difficult situations just to keep his people safe from evil. He battles Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the dragon for his people, though he does it for honor as well. Beowulf shows honor in all of his acts, but he is constantly seeking fame and glory through all of his accomplishments. Beowulf has the perfect qualities and characteristics it takes to be an epic
Beowulf was considered the mightiest hero among the lands of where he resided for his heroic actions and thoughtful actions towards his civilians and other rulers. In the beginning of the book there was a mythical creature that reeked havoc upon the village named Grendel that attacked the King’s Hrothgar’s mead hall. When Beowulf heard the news, he willingly volunteered to attack Grendel. He then gathers up the mightiest men to go on the journey with him. When he arrives at Herot he’s given a feast and allowed to stay the night at the Herot to confront Grendel. Then when Grendel arrives he kills one of the men waiting before Beowulf could get to the battle. Beowulf then begins fighting with Grendel and tears off his shoulder, when his shoulder
The epic poem Beowulf tells the story of a man by the name of Beowulf that goes through events that prove how heroic he is. Throughout the poem, Beowulf endures three battles. In the first, he battles the monster Grendel. In the second, he battles Grendel's mother. In the end he battles an enraged dragon. With each battle, Beowulf finds increasing difficulty in his opponent, but prevails and saves both the Danes and the Geats from all being killed by monsters. In each battle, Beowulf proves that he is worthy of having the title of a hero.
The epic poem Beowulf focuses on the hero. Throughout various generations and cultures, people have had an image of the archetypal hero. The Anglo-Saxon ideals of heroism were strength, bravery, and loyalty, which were exactly the qualities that Beowulf possessed. Beowulf, as a result, was an icon of his ancient Germanic heritage. He imitated the world around him by reflecting past traditions of heroes and mirrored their characteristics and actions. With him, his honor and pride made him not only a hero of his own time, but also a hero for generations to come.
In the first battle that Beowulf undergoes, he fights a gruesome creature named Grendel who had been terrorizing the land of Heorot for too long. Beowulf decides to put an end to Grendel’s reign of terror because the king of Heorot, Hrothgar, had done a generous favor for Beowulf’s father years before and felt like he needed to repay him for his enormous generosity. When Beowulf arrives to Denmark, he is greeted with skepticism as to whether or not he could truly defeat this powerful demon, since he was but a man. After boasting about his lengthy list of previous accomplishments,