God allows Beowulf to avenge himself against the dragon and fight the good fight, but we must always remember a key idea of the heroic code: a hero mustfight- even thoughhe knows that he fights against fate. Although Wiglaf is only a young warrior when he inherits the kingdom, heknows that the cowardice of the Geats will lead to their downfall. Other tribes who hear about the warrior’s failure to protect their king will surely swarm down upon them, hoping to take revenge for past hostilities. In short, Wiglaf is a doomed man. Hw has inherited a longstanding feud, and he must lead a people who seem inable or unwillingly to fight.
For instance, just before the initial fight with Grendel, Beowulf boasts that he “shall fulfill that purpose, / prove myself with a proud deed / or meet my death here in the mead-hall” (636-8). With this one-sided look at the hero’s feelings, it is difficult to discern true confidence from the illusion of courage fabricated for the story by Beowulf. His virtue of courageousness could easily fall apart if he does not truly possess it. To explore this concept further, consider the fight with the dragon in the final act of the poem. At this point, Beowulf’s mortality creates the conditions leading up to his death, and he acknowledges it, telling his troops, “This fight is not yours, / nor is it up to any man except me / to prove his strength … I shall win the gold / by my courage, or else mortal combat, / doom of battle, will bear your lord away” (2532-7).
This is the natural world testing the civilization, making it a separation and conflict between the two. Once the Green Knight nicks Gawain’s neck with the axe, he says, “The person who repays / will live to feel no fear. / The third time, though, you strayed, / and felt my blade therefore,” (2354-2357). Because Gawain kept the green girdle that Bertilak’s wife gave him, Gawain broke his contract with Bertilak because he was afraid of dying. Gawain’s own fear of death made him turn to natural instincts; doing everything he could to possibly survive the beheading game.
This shows his cowardice since he runs instead of finishing the fight on the spot. For the Anglo-Saxons, death in battle was the most glorious type of death, Thus Grendel running away would have been mocked by the crowd and re enforced the quality of courage. When the battle itself begins, Beowulf decides to fight Grendel bare handed. His comrades however stay to help him fight. This reveals the theme of loyalty.
Beowulf vs. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight In the worlds of Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the journeys of two heroes, Beowulf and Sir Gawain, are depicted through the form of poems. The two stories have become two of the most important works of literature in the English history. In the two poems, both Beowulf and Sir Gawain face great challenges in their journeys as heroes. Beowulf embarks on a quest to defeat Grendel and his mother while Sir Gawain faces many difficulties on his search for the Green Knight. Although the main characters in Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight exhibit many of the same characteristics, the two poems have stylistic differences and differ in societal values.
At first Macbeth says he will not fight but Macduff insist saying “then yield thee, coward…” (A5 S8 23) Macbeth responded “I will not yield...” (A5 S8 28) Macbeth finally realizes what he has caused and how every prophecy the witches have said and apparitions have all come true, but he will not give up as a coward. He will fight like a great warrior he once was to remain king and will fight to his death! Macbeth still at least believes he cannot be defeated by Macduff because of the witches’ prophecy. Macbeth cannot be killed by a man born of a woman. Even though Macbeth inside knows his rational side his situation is hopeless.
The creature says: I am thy creature, and I will be even mild and docile to my natural lord and king if thou wilt also perfo... ... middle of paper ... ...d friend, and the destined mate -- rivals for the affection of his parents and for success. It is significant that Frankenstein, although he knows of the creature's threats, does nothing to protect Elizabeth on their wedding night. In this way he is complicit in her death, and in his own destruction. Frankenstein spends the rest of his life chasing the creature. He seems to want to confront and kill him, but it is not destined to be.
Hamlet is now stating he wants to know all of the knowledge so he can quickly seek the vengeance for his father, quicker t... ... middle of paper ... ...oward in thine eternal cell, /That thou so many princes at a shot/So bloodily hast struck?”(5.2.357-359). Multiple characters including Claudius, Hamlet and Laertes are trying to avenge someone or seek vengeance. In the end they all end up meeting their fate and die as well as other characters. Fortinbras knows he arrives to late and is unable to help the kingdom, however he is now the present king. In conclusion, throughout Hamlet the idea of revenge is very prominent and important.
This shows that Beowulf know that this is his last battle and that he is going to die. Comitatus also dies with him when none of his men come with him beside Wiglaf in the end, who helps him defeat the dragon. Beowulf dies at the end of the battle, signifying the death of comitatus and the renewal of a new leader. In Conclusion, an analysis of the three battles is important because Beowulf’s choice of weapons, behavior of the Thanes, and preparation for and attitude toward battle all emphasize the death of the Anglo-Saxon virtue of comitatus. The decline of comitatus is a very important theme of this epic poem and is displayed throughout the three battles that Beowulf faces.
Ironically, Unferth’s position on Beowulf changes as he offers his own sword to Beowulf supporting his solo attack on Grendel’s mother (“Beowulf” 1455-1472). This change shows contrast between the characters since Unferth will not risk probable death to protect his fellow people, while the macho Beowulf storms into danger, seeking honour and fame. Fifty years later Beowulf evolves ... ... middle of paper ... ...slaying Grendel’s family and a dragon. Needed by the Geats and the Danes, Beowulf is central to the poem, however it is impossible for him not to be an outsider when he is superior to every single character in every single aspect. Works Cited Anonymous.