In what ways are the characteristics of Satan in "Genesis B" similar to the traits of Beowulf?
I believe that the characteristics shown in Satan “Genesis B” are like the characteristics in Beowulf because, Beowulf presents himself as someone who is almighty. “They had seen me bolstered in the blood of my enemies, when I battled and bound five beats, raided a troll’s nest and in a night sea slaughtered sea-brutes” (Beowulf p.29). Beowulf came to save everyone from the beast named Grendel. offering to be their savior. In Genesis B” we know that Satan (lucifer) was gods favorite. He wanted to have followers not be follower “his angel began to become over-spirited. He raised himself up against his Superior, sought hate-speech; boast-words began. He did not wish to serve God” (Genesis B). Beowulf in my opinion wanted to be king, he wanted to be the man in charge. He
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Beowulf thought himself to have a greater strength than any other person. “I was the strongest swimmer of all “(Beowulf p37). I am the type of person that I believe that if you lost at something, you should just “take it as it is” why make up lies or try to defend yourself about you know not to be true. God punished Satan by sending him to Hell. I believe that you can’t compare yourself to such a higher power. Beowulf always spoke of how god had his back, god wanted him to be victorious in all his battles. In Beowulf, I think it is interesting that the dragon is the beast that kills Beowulf. After 50 years of ruling as King, why did he have that kind of death? Because he still believed he was invincible. He did not want to go down without putting up a fair fight. He was killed by something so demonic, that I believe that was the cruelest way to go or maybe it was the most idyllic way to die, fighting like the hero he always was or tried to
Beowulf showed these god-like talents in his underwater battle with Grendel’s mother. Beowulf's strength is shown in this fight when he picks up the sword that is described to be:“so huge and heavy of itself only Beowulf could wield it in a battle” (Heaney 302). Everyone thought Beowulf was defeated they all reacted in sadness : “They bowed grey heads, spoke in their sage, experienced way about the good warrior, how they never again expected to see that prince returning in triumph to their king. It was clear to
Beowulf is a great tale but as a person, he isn’t that all that people make him out to be. In his older years his need for attention and glory ended up with the death of him. He fought the dragon alone and in return, ended up killing the dragon, but also sacrificed himself. Even as he died he asked for one thing, his people to build him a memorial near the sea so everyone could see the person that he was. His need for attention, lack of planning, and need for glory caused him to be just a prideful man, not a
Villains in classical epics often serve the purpose to enhance the hero’s reputation and add to their grandeur. In Beowulf, Beowulf faces two villains as a young warrior: Grendel and his mother, who are both descendants of cain and outcasts of God. Fifty years later, as a king he goes on to face his final villain, the dragon. In a fairly matched battle, Beowulf manages to slay the dragon but also gets killed in the process. The dragon is characterized as greedy, impulsive and wrathful. He enhances the novel by developing themes of mortality, pride, and loyalty.
Beowulf is a viking strong and brave slaying monsters purely for the glory. His father was a king and he wanted to spread the glory of his kingdom. Lucifer was the archangel in Heaven, “The lost archangel” (1: 43). After their fall, Beowulf and Lucifer both become the kings of their respective kingdoms. Beowulf rules his lands in peace after he becomes king, others fearing his legend, “The best of kings” (53: 639). Lucifer falls from Heaven into the Pits of hell; where he rallies his subjects taking the throne for himself. “Better to reign in hell, than serve in heav’n,” (1:263). Their nobility critical part of their lives, shaping their character. It causes them to develop a deeper and potent sense of
Beowulf was a highly skilled and great fighter, but because of his over-confidence in himself the fire-breathing dragon kills him. Beowulf’s excessive pride is evident from the very beginning of the epic. He is almost always boasting about himself to one person or the other. In the first part of the epic, when Beowulf first travels to Hrothgar’s kingdom to rid him of Grendel, he talks about the mighty deeds he has done in his life. “Hail, Hrothgar, health ever keep you! I am Hyglelac’s thane and kinsman; mighty deeds I have done in my youth…they saw themselves how I came from combat bloodied by enemies where I crushed down five, killed a tribe of giants, and on the waves at night slew water-beasts; no easy task, but I dove out trouble from Geatland-they asked for it, the enemies I killed.”(Beowulf p73) One can easily picture him standing proud and tall in front of a multitude of fellow warriors, proclaiming all the deeds he has accomplished in his lifetime.
Even though Dante the Pilgrim was nervous to go through the gates of hell he decided not to be a coward an begin his well needed journey. Beowulf was born to lead and defeat anything that tried to cause harm to his people, he seen life as his people should never have to worry. Beowulf is like Achilles, the Greek warrior, who uses his mind and his abilities to defeat his enemy. “Time and again, foul things attacked me, lurking and stalking, but I lashed out, gave as good as I got with my sword.” (Beowuld.559-61).
The main character and hero in the story Beowulf, Beowulf shows many heroic traits that German culture valued at that time. He is physically built and strong, making him more than capable to defend the Danes against the monster Grendel, his mother, and the dragon. “In his far off-home Beowulf, Higlac’s followers and the strongest of the Geats-greater and stronger than anyone anywhere in this world…” (42). One of his strongest character traits is his leadership. “Beowulf arose, with his men around him, ordering a few to remain with their weapons, leading the others quickly…” (43.) The audience and society admired this personal trait of his. Beowulf was willing to...
The exact opposite of the points mentioned thus far are made manifest within the character of Beowulf. Beowulf is easily able to defeat Grendel once Grendel has lost all hope of winning, ". . . remembered his final / Boast and, standing erect, stopped / The monster's flight. . ." (440-443). Beowulf is also, instead of insecure and under-confident, overly confident and a braggart.
In “Beowulf” translated by Burton Raffel, the character Beowulf is portrayed as a brave, courageous, and very pious man. In the pagan tale the underlying motif of Good vs. Evil heightens these characteristics even to the point where Beowulf comes across as a symbol for God and Christianity. He battles “the demon” Grendel (ln. 16), Grendel’s mother, and a fierce dragon, all in order to save those who need aid, primarily the people of Herot. This too is very Christlike because he is serving those lower than himself for the sole purpose of doing the right thing. Although Beowulf is very brave all throughout, he becomes boastful and greedy from the time he first battles Grendel to when he takes on the dragon.
The last battle in Beowulf was against the fierce dragon that could also be saw as the power of Satan. During this battle Beowulf chooses to use a weapon because of the dragon’s deadly venom, it would only be fair. It was a hard fight but Beowulf wasn’t capable of defeating the dragon. This battle could be compared to the will of Christ, in which Christ gave his life for the people, while Beowulf did the same. The dragon now represents the evil a man must fight in order to preserve the good in life. Although Beowulf was defeated, it was not shamelessly, just like Christ he saved the people. Beowulf had a good heart but was sometimes overturned by the bad influences in life. He represents the fact that everyone makes mistakes, you can’t be perfect all the time, everyone’s bound to lose.