Beowulf is presented as a valiant hero, slaying beasts with his mighty strength and demonstrating the importance of the balance between wisdom and strength, but as the story unfolds Beowulf slowly loses his vitality until eventually he is defeated. This shows the power of fate has on everyone; no exceptions. This paper will demonstrate the heroic qualities of Beowulf and show his gradual decline through the approaches and outcomes of his three battles with the monsters. In the beginning of the story, Beowulf’s journey brings him to the land of the Danes where he is first intruded upon by a coast guard. Immediately upon seeing Beowulf the coast guard remarks on his impressive appearance.
Beowulf had plenty of courage, most men his age would have backed down and not fought, but Beowulf being the brave man he was, stood up in hopes to still protect his people. Beowulf is a courageous and strong hero because he shows all of the qualities and traits that a true hero should possess. His actions toward Grendel show that he is willing to help others. Beowulf defeats Grendel, his mother, and a dragon until seriously injured. Beowulf has all of the characteristics that are expected from a hero.
Also, toward the end of the poem after he kills the dragon, Beowulf demands to have a barrow on the coast and name it after him. This way, there will be stories about Beowulf and his bravery. Even Tolkien himself expresses in his speech that this plot is not about heroism but “men on earth” (Monsters and the Critics). All men will die and their works will follow. Heroes do kind acts and earn their fame, not to desire fame and will do kind
Wiglaf emphasizes that death is preferable to a life without a lord; without a lord, man is adrift in a hostile world. During Beowulf’s battle with the dragon, the poet tells us that Beowulf is not "undoomed", and after the battle during Wiglaf’s attempt to revive the old Warrioir, the poet reminds us that God not only has the power to preserve heroes in battle, but also to take life from them. He is saying at times, God dispenses victories, and at other times heroes lose their lives. Here, Beowulf loses his life. 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.
Toward the end of the poem, Beowulf once again begins to boast. This time he faces a monster that has begun to harass the people within his kingdom. When Beowulf learns of this ... ... middle of paper ... ...f realizes that Beowulf cannot defeat the dragon and that he will die. Wiglaf rushes to his king's side when he . "..needed him most...," (l. 2694, 106).
She was strong courageous, loyal to her son, and though she dies, famous through her battle with Beowulf. In the end the Anglo-Saxon hero is not merely defined by his traits, but by his appearance through the eyes of his God (or at least how the people perceive God's vision). The lord sees Beowulf as good, therefor he is a hero. The grendel family, as well as the dragon are seen as abominations by lord, so they are evil. Hero's are therefor nothing more than good looking villains who posses social graces.
His self-imposed purpose in life is to help others, and eventually sacrifices his own life in doing so. Beowulf’s battle with the dragon serves as a critique of the notion that Beowulf is a hero. The Dragon section displays many of Beowulf’s heoric characteristics. Beowulf establishes himself as a hero by fighting the dragon, exemplifing strength and courage when fighting the dragon, and sacrificing himself so that others can live. Beowulf’s fight against the dragon shows Beowulf as a hero.
"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.
When Beowulf arrives to Danish king, he is peacefully invited to the mighty mead hall. When there, Beowulf tells the king that he would like to fight the evil monster. The king, knowing that he has nothing to lose, lets Beowulf fight the monster. Is this guy begging for attention or what? What man in his right mind would go to another country to fight a vicious monster?
Beowulf was a Geatish warrior. He went to the Danes in order to fight the dragon, Grendal. Beowulf's goal was to prove his strength and courage by defeating this horrible demon that had been terrorizing the Danes for a while. The King of the Danes holds a great fest in Beowulf's honour, during which Beowulf boasts of past accomplishments. Grendal comes during the feast to once again, terrorize the Danes.