Beowulf Glory Analysis

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“For the Glory and Fame”
Beowulf is the greatest epic hero of all time because in Beowulf, written by Seamus Heaney, glory motivates Beowulf, and other Anglo-Saxon warriors, to do good deeds in order to receive eternal life of fame.
A common thread that runs through the Anglo-Saxon culture’s warrior clan is glory. According to the Beowulf packet, glory was something that is highly admired in the clan. Their values were stated as, “The Anglo-Saxons were a Germanic tribe who valued bravery, honor, and glory in battle” (Jones 3). The values would come into play during battle and Glory would motivate warriors to brawl against evil. A warrior will do whatever he can to achieve the glory he feels he deserves. Beowulf’s men were willing to fight to …show more content…

Beowulf was glorious for fighting monsters which causes him to be praised to this day. In Beowulf by Heaney, Beowulf had risked his life several times in hopes for glory never letting the risk of death stop him from fighting menacing creatures. An example of this would be when he went to fight Grendel’s Mother, “Beowulf got ready, / donned his war-gear, indifferent to death” (1442-1443). This meaning that Beowulf gave no interest in how the results of the battle will wind up as long as he was glorious for fighting the trial. Glory will motivate warriors in battle, knowing if they win they will become famous, and if they lose they will still be remembered as a hero. It was important to the Anglo-Saxon clan members to win glory before death so that they will become known, Beowulf states, “Let whoever can / win glory before death. When a warrior is gone / that will be his best and only Bulwark” (1387-1389). Nevertheless warriors would go into battle expecting to not come out alive, but follow through with the fight because of their motivation for glory. The warriors risk their lives for this value when they sleep in the mead-hall awaiting Grendel, the author writes, “None of them expected he would ever see / his homeland again or get back / to his native place” (691-693). Many warriors put their life on the line when fighting against evil, but glory drove them to battle and the want for

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