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Biographical essay of beowulf
Analyze the character in the epic beowulf
Essay on the character beowulf
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The Power of Self-Efficacy and Intrinsic Motivation Leaving a legacy is something everybody should strive to do, but nobody who is content with living an average life will ever do so. That’s why in order to be remembered, you must do the things nobody has ever done before. A great man once said “If you would not be forgotten as soon as you are dead or rotten, either write something worth reading or do things worth the writing.”(Benjamin Franklin). The average person wouldn’t find this quote as meaningful as the protagonists in the novels Beowulf, The Time Machine, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, and 1984 would. They realize what it takes to leave a legacy because not only are they Self-Efficant, they are intrinsically motivated as well. …show more content…
Throughout the story he seems to find countless ways to continue baffling his peers. Whether it be from his exciting stories or heroic actions, the sky is the limit for him. He is driven by intrinsic motivation, compelling him to constantly challenge himself and transcend to new heights. This motivation can be seen as both a blessing and a curse. Resulting in his rise to the throne, and demise as king. Beowulf’s intrinsic motivation seems to derive from a myriad of factors. Factors pertaining to either Beowulf’s Hubris, or devotion to God can be seen influencing him to take on new trials, void of fear for the repercussions that follow. The following quote can give you an insight as to what kind of character Beowulf really is " Grendel gripped and grabbed him there, but the Geat remembered his vast strength, that glorious gift given of him by God, and put his trust for support and assistance in the grace of the Lord; thus he overcame the envoy of hell, humbled his evil adversary," (ll. 1269-74). From this you can understand that Beowulf’s religious values have a direct link to influencing his thought process, motivating him to go above and
Beowulf also had a strong spirit of adventure, his spirit of adventure was part of the reason that Beowulf went to fight Grendel. Beowulf’s strength and spirit of adventure had also led him to victories in many battles, including the battle with Grendel. Beowulf used his glory in earlier battles to prove himself when coming to help Hrothgar. In addition, his self assurance and known bravery probably guided his decision. Beowulf’s spirit of adventure gained him a lot of fame; however, it could have gotten him into danger, if he were to have taken an adventure too far.
challenges. “A man cannot become a hero until he can see the root of his own downfall” Aristotle. Beowulf has many adventures and he fights Grendel and other monstrous creatures but he was very sure of himself. He was born being strong and we as an audience do not identify with that. “Of living strong men he was the strongest” . Beowulf had qualities that any other man had, but he
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
This demonstrates his boldness since he was the set out man toward the Geats. By picking the most grounded and boldest individuals, Beowulf mirrors that he himself more likely than not been considerably more valiant with a specific end goal to have the capacity to lead his honorable individuals. Thusly in picking the overcome men he did, not just did he demonstrate the amount more overcome he was, Beowulf additionally demonstrated that he was by a wide margin and epic saint. Beowulf had three huge phases of his life. The real battles changed his life until the end of time. Grendel, Grendel 's mother, and the mythical beast was the hardest adversaries, he ever needed to battle. The New York Times states "Beowulf" was an early love, and a sort of Rosetta Stone for his imaginative work. His investigation of the ballad, which he called "this most noteworthy of the surviving works of old English lovely workmanship," educated his reasoning about myth and dialect. I trust that Beowulf will never be overlooked in light of the fact that regardless it demonstrates the distinction amongst immaturity and senior
From the beginning of his life as a warrior to the end as a king, he gains and develops glory, responsibility and courage, all vital to his reign as a successful king.
Beowulf's considerate heart encourages him to face struggle. Beowulf sees honor to face his challenges. For instance, Beowulf's respect for the king of Danes leads him to face the monster.
The story of “Beowulf” begins at a time where a great hero is needed. This is where Beowulf’s character takes the initial place of an epic hero. In the first story of “Beowulf,” Beowulf takes on the responsibility of destroying the great threat, Grendel. This immediately shows the courage, honor and bravery of Beowulf. When Beowulf sailed to the Danes to kill Grendel, he was not searching for money, he was simply putting the Geats lives before his own. Beowulf was not yet
The greatest value of Beowulf is his bravery, some may say bravado. There is no doubt that he is a great warrior. Beowulf's heroism belongs to a different time than that of King Arthur or Sir Gawain. For that reason his bragging about his prowess might seem decidedly unheroic. When he tells Unferth "I count it true that I had more courage, More strength in swimming than any other man" (514-15 (41) it might be interpreted in a poor way. What he is saying though is true. In addition, in order for him to succeed he must orally deliver his resume. Nevertheless, bragging aside, Beowulf is undoubtedly a brave man. When Beowulf sets out to kill Grendel's mother he simply "donned his armor for battle, Heeded not the danger..." (1328-29 60). When his sword fails him he uses his physical strength: "On the might of his hand, as a man must do Who thinks to win in the welter of battle Enduring glory; he fears not death" (1420-23 62). Certainly he is in search of fame. Though this is true it must not discount his brave actions. He gains his fame truthfully by doing battle with menaces to society. He does not lie or manipulate to achieve fame, he uses what is rightfully his, his bravery. Beowulf's bravery differs from that of King Arthur's for several reasons. King Arthur by being king must be brave, to rule the state people must respect him. Beowulf's bravery carries the story. One because it details his ascension in fame and secondly it also outlines his downfall.
We are remembered for whether or not we inspired in others a love for life and an openness to all of those who lived it with us. We will be remembered for our smiles and for our frowns, for our laughter and for our complaints, for our kindness and for our selfishness” (216). When it is all said and done, the legacy that will be remembered, the important legacy, is not the material things we amassed, rather, it is our value system that we leave behind. This is so true. This feeling aligns with one of my favorite adages: One’s character is who you are when no one is
In the story, Beowulf travels to Heorot to help King Hrothgar with a problem involving a monster named “Grendel”. This is the first step of Mr. Campbell's guidelines for a hero; the “call to adventure” (Monomyth Website). There is a conflict (Grendel, the monster and the killing he is doing), and Beowulf is answering that call to solve this problem. Mr. Campbell describes this as “the first stage of the mythological journey- which we have designated the call to adventure- signifies that destiny has summoned the hero...” (Monomyth Website). It is important to note that this is a voluntary action, that “the hero can go forth of his own volition to accomplish the adventure...” (Monomyth Website), however, at this point Beowulf begins to deviate from the traditional mono-...
Beowulf is an extraordinary warrior who goes through many obstacles to prove his worthiness. With the strength of thirty, and the heart of a leader he pulls through no matter what come his way. He is always thinking of others and not about only him, and does not ask for much in return. He does not seek honor and glory, although because of his good deeds this does soon follow. Unlike most kings his takeover of the kingdom did not come from heredity directly but because of the people's choice, and for the people he continues to fight for, even until death. Because of his bravery, his leadership, and his commitment this encouraged the movement from hero to a king.
The virtues of a good warrior are wisdom and courage. A good king must possess not only these qualities, but he also must be concerned for the welfare of his people. Hrothgar possesses wisdom, but his courage is lacking. However upon closer inspection of the prose, one begins to see Hrothgar not as a coward, but as a symbol of basic human reaction. For example, when Grendel attacks the hall, all Hrothgar can do is hold his head in despair. While others react in violence when threatened, Hrothgar lacks the strength to do so. Although it is not a celebrated virtue of human nature, all can relate to the feeling of despair that arises when a positive solution to a negative situation is beyond one’s immediate control/
“It doesn’t take a hero to order men into battle. It takes a hero to be one of those men who goes into battle,” Norman Schwarzkopf. In the epic poem, Beowulf, an epic hero from Geats travels far out of his way to help the Danes with their fight against the nasty Grendel. However, in the story Beowulf encounters three monsters that he takes into his own hands and defeats them all. In doing so, Beowulf is rewarded greatly and becomes king and is looked up to by all. In his last battle, Beowulf defeats the dragon but dies soon afterwards, he is given an honorable burial. This poem was told throughout the era of the Vikings and was later written down as the first actually hard copy of the story. It was Burton
Beowulf was born to lead and not follow. Beowulf’s character from youth to old seeks out battles with all his devotion to win as a great leader would do. “I risked my life often when I was young. Now I am old, but as king of the people I shall pursue this fight for the glory of winning, if the evil one will only abandon his earth-fort and face me in the open” (Beowulf 2011-15). Beowulf claimed his right as a king to his people and battled against the dragon to protect his people.
The Value System Revealed in Beowulf Beowulf is a deeply serious commentary on human life with the main characters embodying a pronounced and coherent set of values. They are also the representatives of the outlined code for conduct and behaviour of those times. Honour, generosity and trust may seem to be the key words in the code. The protagonists reiterate in actions and words a belief in the importance of generosity of spirit and self awareness that make man a responsible member of the society.