Beowulf's Three Stages

Beowulf Essay

In the epic Beowulf, the main character, Beowulf goes through three stages within his life. First being youth, secondly middle age, and finally old age. Within this poem, that is an allegory for human life, the main idea is about the continuous growth and develop through life and the stages that we go through. In youth, two of the character traits is being immature and reckless, whereas in the middle ages the traits that are wise and over -confident.. However, when we get into old age, we are wiser and begin to show signs of contentment of the events to come in the remainder of this particular era.
At a young age , the do things that are done tend to be irrational, immature and inconsiderate.. From a personal point of view,

In Unferth’s Taunt, lines 250-259 Beowulf, now older and possessing common sense, realizes the irrationalism behind his childish behavior in the swimming match with Brecca. While talking to Unferth he explains how his choices when he was younger does not reflect him in the present time. “We were both too young to know better - that we’d risk ourselves far out at sea, and so we did.” This reflects the middle age development because Beowulf now has common sense and realizes what is wrong and what is right; he can tell what should be done in certain situations and what shouldn’t be done. Not only as a middle age adult the idea of understanding become a major part in the thought process, so does responsibility. Beowulf showed the character trait of being responsible in The Battle with Grendel. Lines 10-20, while in the hall he says: “Ever since I took a targe and a sword have I at any instance to any man beside thus handed over Herot, as I heare do to you. Have and hold now the house of the Danes! Bend your mind and your body to thus task wake the foe! There’ll be no want of liberality if you come out alive from this ideal of courage.” Beowulf is the prime example of courage and responsibility as he takes on the task of fighting Grendel, which he was called to do. However this is not the only instance where he does show great responsibility and

All the experiences and obstacles that have been conquered and dealt with are done with. As an older individual, wisdom is an underlying character trait and becoming a resource of guidance.
. In The Death and Funeral of Beowulf , stanzas 21-26: “Bid men of battle build me a tomb fair after fire on the foreland by the sea/that shall stand as a reminder of me to my people, towering high above Hronesness so that ocean travellers shall afterwards name it Beowulf’s barrow, being in the distance their masted ships through the mists upon the sea.” Beowulf, since he will not be able to no long be physically on Earth, he still want the citizens to gain something from him. This is important because, a lighthouse shines bright guiding seamen on the sea towards their destination safely.
Also, in the last stanzas, 545-548, it reads : “Then the Geats built the tower as Beowulf had asked, strong and tall so sailors could find it far and wide” Although he is no longer there, he has things that represent him and all that he has done and still guiding those who need it the