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Beowulf the medieval heroes
What symbolism is used in beowulf
Beowulf as an epic hero
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Beowulf the Successful King In the Anglo-Saxon society, warriors were in wars daily, as they looked for prominence, success, and fortune. Kings of various kinship groups were not just secretly planners; they also fought in wars. Beowulf shows great qualities of a good and successful king throughout his life. Such as rare physical strength, having courage while fighting, and loyalty. Beowulf was a great king in many ways based on the Anglo-Saxon values. One example is when Beowulf showed when he was courages. When Beowulf decided to get invoked with Grendel, a monstrous man, in a battle, it was a big deal because it was thought to be that Grendel had more courage; things turned out to be …show more content…
Back then generosity was a rare characteristic to find. A very good example of this is when Beowulf went into battle with Grendel, and Beowulf demanded warriors to fight him alone. He told warriors who were going to help Beowulf, "I have heard of no daring deeds of yours involving such terror and bloodstained sword blades" (293). This showed that Beowulf was willing to put his life in risk to protect his people and the warriors. Also when Beowulf won the battle he was rewarded with gold but instead of keeping it for himself he he gave it away to his people. This shows how generous and caring Beowulf is. The third trait of Beowulf that showed he is a great king is his strength. When he fought and defeated Grendel with his bare hands he showed how strong and fierce is. When Beowulf battled with Grendel he grabbed him with his bare hands and fought him and Grendel couldn't get out. With all these kingly qualities, it showed what a great King he became and how much he was honored and respected. Through this Beowulf become his own person and his people admired that. With all these traits Beowulf use them in a good way, unlike others who would abusive their powers. These are all of Beowulf's qualities that make him a good and successful King throughout his
Beowulf had many characteristics which helped him to succeed in battle. Beowulf was known as the strongest man alive. His strength allowed him to succeed in battle. If wasn’t for his pure strength, he would not have been able to defeat Grendel because his weapons wouldn’t work. By fighting Grendel without weapons, he opened himself up to greater praise. Beowulf’s strength could not be seen as a disadvantage, while the results of his strength could. Beowulf’s strength allowed him power in battle, but it also made him vain. While his cockiness allowed him to be sure of himself in battle, some of his peers found it to be a character flaw. Unferth saw Beowulf as cocky and vain. So, while his cockiness was a flaw in the eyes of others, Beowulf saw it as a self promise and used it to his advantage.
Of the many characteristics of a hero, being better than the ordinary man is the trait most easily found when studying a character. Beowulf exhibits almost god-like strength throughout his quest. For example, “He twisted in pain, / And the bleeding sinews deep in his shoulder/ Snapped, muscle and bone split and broke.” (Beowulf 815-818). His strength is once again demonstrated in his fight with Grendel’s mother. After he realizes hand-to-hand combat is futile, Beowulf swings a sword “so massive that no ordinary man could lift/ It’s carved and decorated length.” (Beowulf 1560-1561). Yet another example of Beowulf’s strength is his presentation of Grendel’s head to the Danes. After slicing off Grendel’s head in one blow, Beowulf orders his men to carry the head back to Herot. However, the head of the monster was “too heavy for fewer than four of them to handle” (Beowulf 1636-1637). After arriving in Herot, Beowulf “carried that terrible trophy by the hair,/ Brought it straight to where the Danes sat” (Beowulf 1647-1648). The second trait that demonstrates that Beowulf is better than the ordinary man is his incredible honor. When preparing for his fight with Grendel, Beowulf decides not to use ...
For a hero Beowulf lacks a lot of morals and compassion. This is shown here
Once Grendel and his mother are killed, the king showers Beowulf in gifts. Beowulf shows humility and accepts the gifts, and quietly returns to his home. He does not want to bask in his glory. "So they went on their journey, and Hrothgar 's generosity was praised repeatedly"(Beowulf 1885-86). This quote symbolizes the relationship between the King of Danes and Beowulf, because he is constantly thanking him for the gifts. It is not just seen as a business deal where Beowulf has come to provide a service, and collect his reward. There is much more to his actions, he genuinely provides services to the king for the greater good. He is humble in nature, where he is not looking for attention. He does not gloat that he is truly the best warrior he sort of just thanks the king. The king of Danes states to Beowulf "In all things you are even tempered, prudent, and resolute"(Beowulf 17056). It is already known that he is a great warrior, so there is no need for him to overly express
Beowulf reveals numerous qualities that prove he is a great leader and warrior. Courage, religion, and strength just break the ice. He proves to be courageous when he says, “That I alone and with the help of my men may purge all evil from this hall.” Throughout the story, Beowulf has the courage to never back down from a confrontation and is willing to fight till the death. Beowulf shows that he is religious when “they gave thanks to God for their easy crossing.” This is talking about when the Geats make their journey safely from home to the Danish shore. Every time Beowulf is victorious in battle he gives thanks to God and says that he knows his fate is in God’s hands. Beowulf is also strong. Strength allows him to show society that they can be strong. He shows strength as a leader but he also shows this as a warrior when he used his strength to kill Grendel and his mother. Beowulf shows integrit...
For the most part, Beowulf’s characteristics describe those of a triumphant warrior who played a major role in defending the lives of his fellow citizens, while leading a thriving country. Although Beowulf soon became king, he died for his people, and was remembered as a victorious fighter. Beowulf is at least in part a study of kingship because it discusses the qualities that produce a good king, the disadvantages during his rule and how he overcame them, and the problems that arose upon his death.
He showed great courage, strength, leadership and intrepidness. Beowulf defeated a beast that swooped up an entire room of people and ate them. He took his men on a dangerous voyage to Grendal’s deep, dark lair. Beowulf also demonstrated strength that a normal man couldn’t when he lifted a sword crafted for giants. Although Beowulf was an Anglo-Saxon hero centuries removed, his heroic attributes still appeal to heroes today. Although Beowulf has super strength, he still shows courage, initiative, selflessness, and desire to make the world a better place just like heroes of
First off, Beowulf shows the characteristic qualities of an Anglo-saxon hero by being selfless. Beowulf would always help everyone and he helped the townspeople by getting rid of Grendel. Beowulf risked his life just to save the people of the town, and he did just that. He took Grendel's life, and ripped his arm off. Another way Beowulf is selfless is that the last thing Beowulf tells Hrothgar is to take care of his men if he dies in battle. His first thought was towards his men and what would happen if he died. Another example of Beowulf's selflessness is when "Beowulf gave a battle-sword to the
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.
Throughout history, multitudes of people have been influenced through heroic tales of everything they aspire to be. In every culture, people admire certain qualities as being almost God-like. Beowulf is a perfect example of this. Beowulf’s most defining features are his physical strength, his acceptance of fate, his courage, and his self sacrificing nature. Beowulf was a great king admired by all ,and achieved what he defined as heaven; fame
Beowulf risks his life for his people. He was the apitamy of great kings and was dedicated to his country and people. His promise to the people and his devotion, generosity and kindness are the reasons he is Hrothgar’s ideal leader.
Not everyone is cut out to to be king; some simply fit the role better than others. Beowulf, for instance, is an exemplar of what the ideal Anglo Saxon leader should strive to become. Yet despite his heroics, Beowulf is often criticized for his actions due to the seemingly selfish nature of his motivation, even though his actions are crucial to his kingdom’s solidity. The narrator of Beowulf asserts that Beowulf’s intention to fight Grendel and the dragon stems from his desire to uphold his heroic image, suggesting that the ideal Anglo Saxon leader must maintain a valiant profile to be successful.
Physically strong, determined, and not to mention handsome, Beowulf appears to be the epitome of a hero, but the intentions behind his actions cause the reader to question his motives. His ego constantly goes to his head, just because he believes in his heritage they’re all meant to be warriors. In reality, Beowulf is using this as an excuse to rant
ethics, is great warrior, and is very loyal to his master. Beowulf is also rewarded for his deeds
It is no question that Beowulf was one of the b est, if not the best, warrior of his time. His skills of being a tremendous warrior are not to be questioned, but his position as a king could use a closer look. While the qualities of being a great warrior and a great king can be similar, there are some differing qualities to keep in mind. There is an extensive comparison to be made between Beowulf and Hrothgar, as a warrior and as a king and the qualities that each of them bring to the table. On lines 17 00-1739 of Beowulf, Hrothgar gives his famous speech to Beowulf on what it means to be a successful king. Hrothgar feels the need to give Beowulf this advice because he knows that Beowulf will one day need to know how to more than a warrior.