Masculinity In Beowulf

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In the epic poem the translator Burton Raffel describes Beowulf as the strongest man alive. Beowulf lives up to this expectation because strength is one of the traits that establishes an epic hero. The translator displays Beowulf as the strongest man alive because he fits the description of an epic hero that has the potential energy of being the only one able to fight for his kingdom, due to his powerfully built body. Strength can help individuals through physical and emotional issues. Raffel demonstrates the idea that being strong can help people through their problems. Which include fighting evil with Grendel the sinful monster, Grendel’s deceiving Mother, and the blood thirsty Dragon.
Raffel makes Beowulf fight most of the monsters he has to face without any armour to help show his physical and emotional strength. The poet tells us while Beowulf was fighting with Grendel, he did not use any armour throughout their battle to prove and show how strong he truly is. Beowulf is not afraid to face Grendel even though all …show more content…

The poet does this to show that Beowulf is going to fight the biggest and the baddest things he will ever has to face. Beowulf knows the challenge he is against and has to prepare. After Beowulf defeats the dragon Beowulf ends up dying due to the Dragon’s fire. Beowulf leaves the kingdom to Wiglaf, one of Beowulf best soldiers. Beowulf knew that he had to defeat the Dragon because he knew no one could defeat him better than himself due to his confidence and power. “ I feel no shame, with shield and sword and armor, against this monster: when he comes to me I mean to stand, not to run from his shooting flames, stand till fate decides which one of us wins” (Line 673-676). In this quote it demonstrates that Beowulf feels no shame that he has to defeat the Dragon with weapons, it shows that he still has the courage to fight him with or without

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