In Beowulf, the poet signifies Beowulf’s dwindling faith and confidence through each of Beowulf’s three major battles.
Before Beowulf’s fight with Grendel, “[he] assured the Danish queen that his heart was firm and his hands were ready.”() Beowulf came from the Canes to fight the monstrous Grendel and free the people of fear and despair. Also to mention is the fact that Beowulf entered the fight “weaponless and unafraid” (). His lack of armor is in hopes to earn glory for his people. Hi confidence signifies his pride .His pride seems to aid him in the most difficult of battles. Boastfully, Beowulf had hung [Grendel’s head], arm, claws and shoulder and all [on the wall]”. Beowulf’s physical capabilities allows him to easily tear off Grendel’s
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Upon hearing about his battle with Grendel’s mother he proclaims “let us go, as quickly as we can, and have a look at this lady monster”(). Beowulf still has the same amount of drive and will during his second battle. Before his actual fight he tells Hrothgar to “ “() . Beowulf shows some doubt in his survival. The uncertainty of his survival of the battle is more than likely due to the amount of monsters he will have to encounter on the way to Grendel’s mothers cave. He is beginning to care more about the welfare of his people instead of his own reputation, so he doesn’t allow any others to come with him. Beowulf is aware of his possible death, but still goes into the fight fearless. Beowulf is still young during this fight so he still possess great strength. During the battle, “Beowulf struggled unlike his fairly easy kill against Grendel. Beowulf “angrily throws his sword to the side” and was “held helpless” at one point. Beowulf attributes his finding the Giants sword to God himself, all throughout the battle Beowulf never fails to keep his faith in God. Beowulf’s struggle to defeat the lady monster weakens his confidence for future battles and somewhat foreshadows his fate in his battle with the …show more content…
Beowulf has this underlying feeling that his death is near. The author emphasizes Beowulf’s reluctance to meet death, to “give ground like that and go / unwillingly to inhabit another home / in a place beyond” (2588–2590). Beowulf’s faith is shown in this quote because he will be stepping into another realm, heaven. Beowulf “strode calmly, confidently, toward the tower”. He seeks out this monster because he is still a hero that protects all the people, but has taken what the dragon represents personally and feels he must do something for his people. Beowulf was truly fighting for his people. Beowulf struggled extremely during this fight with the dragon but dies relieved “"I should have been able to acquire for my people / before my death-day and endowment such as this (2794-95)." He still has his childlike youth and request that a treasure from the dragon lair be brought back to his
From the moment he is introduced, it is clear that Beowulf is confident in his abilities. He boldly tells Hrothgar that he will fight Grendel, the monster causing trouble for the Danes, “hand to hand.” Beowulf also seems at peace with whatever the outcome of the battle may be, stating that “Wyrd,” also known as fate,
to land he managed to kill nine sea monsters with his bare hands and still
This last encounter was destined to define his lasting legacy. He lived as a warrior; it was only natural that he should die as one as well, he hopes to go down in a fiery blaze of glory, pun intended. At this point in time, Beowulf is a seventy-year-old king, he knows he is mortal and isn’t going to live forever. Nevertheless, even as an old man, it was his duty to protect and defend his subjects until the death. Towards the end Beowulf’s death looms closer and it seems like he foreshadows that he is prepared to meet his maker. “When I meet the cave guard: what occurs on the wall, between the two of us will turn out as fate, overseer of men, decides. I am resolved. I scorn further words against this sky-borne foe” (Heaney 2525-2528). Beowulf’s maturity has blossomed to its utmost peak, ironically right before he is laid to rest in the valley of death that is Beowulf’s Barrow. His endeavors throughout this long journey have brought him wisdom and enlightenment. Since the beginning, he has rapidly progressed over time, especially since evolving from his role as a warrior to a king. Initially, Beowulf was insatiable with pleasure seeking activities, but then he
Beowulf is “the strongest of the Geats -- greater / and stronger than anyone anywhere in this world” (ll.110-111). Even though he is famous for his massive strength, Beowulf has other attributes that are noticeable other than his strength. These attributes, arrogance, bravery, and a strong love for his people are what make Beowulf become such a powerful, epic hero. Beowulf is arrogant. He constantly brags about his supreme strength. The “strongest man alive” lets people know that he is the most powerful person around by saying, “no strength is a match for mine” (l.267). Beowulf does not think that he could ever be destroyed by anything. He obviously never questiones how his fighting ability would be when he was around seventy. Since Beowulf is convinced that God is watching over him, his ego makes him act as if he is invincible, because of the idea that he has a guardian angel. But, as Beowulf gets older, wiser, and fights in more battles he should realize that there was a possibility that he can die. Beowulf also boasts about his many battles, and is proud of himself for winning all of them. One of these triumphs is the battle in the water when he meets up with nine sea monsters which he killeds, and fights with a monster that is digging its jaws into Beowulf’s flesh. Beowulf proclaims that “ I fought that beast’s last battle, / left it floating in the sea” (ll.290-291). This epic tale reads that while Beowulf is in battle with Grendel’s mother, all he cares was about the fame he would get for defeating her. Unferth thinks that Beowulf was arrogant, by saying, “ You’re Beowulf, are you the same / Boastful fool who fought a swimming / Match with Brecca” (ll.239-241). Yes, Beowulf is a boastful fool that loves the attention that his strength gives him. A strong man and an arrogant one, Beowulf is also brave. Even after all of the horror stories that he hears about Grendel, he still fights the cursed beast without any hesitation. When he battles with Grendel, he does it without the things that everyone else would use--weapons. This shows that Beowulf is not scared of anything in the world. He also must be brave to fight a sea monster after swimming in the ocean for days. He went straight into battle exhausted, from the strenuous journey across the ocean.
Even from an early age, Beowulf took every opportunity he could to show off his strength and fearlessness. When he first introduces himself to King Hrothgar, a Danish warrior by the name Unferth recognizes Beowulf and brings up a story from his youth. He explains to the entire hall how Beowulf had challenged another young man, named Brecca, to a swimming match and lost. Unferth says to him, ¨both of you daring and young and proud… risking your lives for no reason? All older and wiser heads warned you not to, but no one could check such pride¨ (Raffel 23). It is clear that in this story, that Beowulf´s pride consumes him and fuels his reckless actions. He goes on to tell Unferth about how he had stayed behind to fight 9 monsters, while Brecca
When Grendel takes out one of Beowulf’s men, that is when they attack. In his oath Beowulf promised to take Grendel on bare handed, and he intended to do just that. While he was fighting with the monster, his men tried striking at Grendel with their blades.However it was futile for their blades could not harm Grandel. With these circumstances laid in place it was up to Beowulf to use his brute strength to defeat Grendel. After the two engaged in battle Beowulf was soon to triumph.”He twisted in pain, and the bleeding sinews deep in his shoulders snapped, muscle and bone split and broke.The battle was over, Beowulf had been granted new glory: Grendel escaped, but wounded as he was could flee to his den, his miserable hole at the bottom of the marsh, only to die, to wait for the end of all his days.”(337-345) Even with the lack of weapons, Beowulf was able to defeat Grendel and carry on his legacy.
Beowulf is a hero that shows honor respect and courage. In lines 710-1007 is where the battle with Grendel happened. Thinking of the destruction that he will get, Grendel bursts into Heorot. Grendel tears the door from its hinges with his hands and quickly becomes a Geatish warrior while Beowulf carefully looks around. When Grendel reaches out to pick Beowulf up, he is surprised to find his arm gripped with a strength than he never knew could even happen. Confused and frightened Grendel doesn’t want to run back to the safety of the swamplands. He tries to escape, but Beowulf wrestles him down to the ground. The crash around the hall, making noise on the walls and smashing the mead-benches. Grendel begins to panic in pain and fear; the sound
Next, Beowulf decides to fight Grendel with his bare hands. He could have easily obtained some kind of weapon to fight with. Beowulf was the first warrior ever to have enough sheer bravery to go up against such a monster with neither help nor weapon or shield to aid him. he was a warrior that believed somewhat in fate and in God. Believing that God made the decisions and was in control, Beowulf trusted that his life was in good hands. Defeating Grendel with his bare hands, Beowulf not only proved his bravery but also his loyalty.
In the beginning of the novel, Beowulf takes interest in the plight of Hrothgar, King of Denmark, and wants to help him fight Grendel. Grendel is a large monster that has been harassing members in the mead-hall of the Heorot. Beowulf owes Hrothgar a favor, due to the fact that Hrothgar saved his father in years past. Hrothgar is honored to have Beowulf attempt to fight the swamp monster, and decides to hold a feast in his name. When Grendel shows up to the feast, Beowulf illustrates his bravery by fighting Grendel without any armor. When Beowulf wins the battle by ripping Grendel’s arm off, everyone in the mead-hall praises Beowulf for his acts of courage. In this scene, Beowulf proves that he is a hero by fighting off a monster that everyone else was afraid of. This made him look
Pride manifests itself into many different forms and will sometimes overshadow a person 's good judgement, in turn affecting their actions. It is truly the cause for the rise and fall of men for centuries and thus has become one of the greatest concepts to be addressed in British literature. Throughout the literary works studied this semester, some form of pride has always presented itself as a major theme.
None of Beowulf’s weapons were useful, he barely avoided a crushing death from Grendel’s mother’s knife, and was attacked by the mere’s beasts and monsters by all sides. However, Beowulf fought on. In order to continue fighting, Beowulf relied “on the might of his arm. […] Life doesn’t cost him a thought” (107). By killing both enemies with only strength and courage, Beowulf displays many characteristics found in a hero. He is strong, persistent, and fights not caring about his life. In his fight with Grendel, Beowulf holds him in a handgrip so strong that the monster’s “sinews split.” Doing such a task requires enormous power, since sinews, which is a firm tendon that connects a bone to another bone, is very difficult to break. The ability of Beowulf to break Grendel’s arm with only a handgrip demonstrates his strength and power to overcome any obstacles. Beowulf sees Grendel as an obstacle that must be destroyed to satisfy his duty and obligations. That is why he crushed and defeated Grendel very efficiently and brutally. Similarly, Beowulf uses the same mindset when he attacks and kills Grendel’s mother in her
Beowulf wants to fight Grendel, a monster wreaking havoc, and is boasting that he is more powerful and courageous.
Beowulf’s first motivation is to obtain more personal glory. When Beowulf first arrives in Denmark he is extremely boastful and arrogant about his accomplishments. Beowulf boasts his accomplishments with this quote “I drove five great giants into chains, chased all of that race from the earth. i swam in the blackness of night, hunting monsters out of the ocean, and killing them one by one.” Clearly there is something supernatural about Beowulf, but that does not change his thirst for glory and killing Grendel in hand-to-hand combat would be give the
Beowulf served as king for fifty winters until a dragon denied him victory in battle, and ended his reign. The dragon was awoken from its slumber when a runaway slave stumbled upon a hidden path that led to its’ den. The slave stole a cup from the dragon’s treasure in hopes to buy his master’s forgiveness. The cup pardoned the slave’s punishment from his master but resulted in terror for the rest of Geatland. Beowulf’s pride and supremacy led him to fight the dragon alone. Beowulf did not fight the dragon to protect others, but rather for fame. The poet’s narration of the battle includes literary devices that reinforce the concept that failures occur when we lose sight of God.The battle begins with the dragon breathing fire as Beowulf repeatedly swings his sword. Beowulf struck the dragon with his sword, but the sword broke before injuring the dragon. The vivid imagery, “the dragon leaped with pain, thrashed and beat at him, spouting murderous flames, spreading them everywhere” (2580-2582), allows the reader to imagine Beowulf’s last battle. Alliteration also proves that Beowulf is losing the battle. The author says, “and for the first time in his life that famous prince fought with fate against him” (2573-2574), to emphasize Beowulf’s decline and defeat. Beowulf knew that his life was coming to an end, for he had lost God’s presence and started fighting for his own gain and glory. The last piece of
Thought the story, Beowulf proves that he is extremely strong and he even leaves this impression on the Danish people. When Beowulf meets Hrothgar for the first time, Hrothgar describes Beowulf’s hands as those “‘that moved with thirty men’s strength’” (380). Beowulf is just one person, but has the strength of many men, which makes him perfect for fighting Grendel who is also exceptionally strong. In fact, when Grendel comes to attacks Herot, he “[s]natched up thirty men” (122). Beowulf has the same strength as a powerful monster. Later on in the poem, when Beowulf fights Grendel, Grendel realizes that his “strength was deserting him, his claws bound fast, Higlac’s brave follower tearing at / His hands” (812-14). As the mighty Grendel starts to lose power, Beowulf easily rips Grendel’s arm off of his body, just with his bare hands. In doing so, Beowulf proves that he has superhuman strength. Beowulf also demonstrates excessive strength when he goes to kill Grendel’s mother. He faces many problems while fighting Grendel’s mother, but he sees a potentially useful sword “so massive that no man could lift / Its carved and decorated length” (1560-61). No ordinary person can lift this sword, however Beowulf draws it from the scabbard, exhibiting tremendous strength and utilizes it to kill the mother. At different times in the poem, Beowulf has more strength than the