In many respects, Beowulf is a very traditional epic hero. His stalwart courage and sense of justice are paramount, as evidenced in his willingness to help Hrothgar free Heorot from the nocturnal killings of Grendel. However, Beowulf is not merely a capable warrior—he is also a skilled courtier, and it is his eloquence and way with words that wins admiration from the Hrothgar and the Danes of Heorot. What makes Beowulf’s behavior so admirable is not because he is merely enacting the moral ideals and virtues championed by the Anglo-Saxon society, but that he is doing so in spite of his status as a flawed character. Indeed, it is the very flaws and weaknesses juxtaposed along with his strengths and admirable traits that make Beowulf such a beloved and timeless hero. Beowulf truly reaches his heroic peak when he grapples with a fearsome dragon, a battle that will cost him his life. What makes Beowulf truly remarkable is not so much his heroic deeds—which are impressive points on his hero’s CV—but his human flaws of treasure-seeking, which while generates disturbing resonances with his final foe, ultimately inspire the courage of others.
As modern readers obsessed with hyperrealism, we are drawn to flawed characters, characters which break the romantic stereotypes we admire for their pure “goodliness,” but can never truly connect with. Perfect heroes are admirable, but wholly alien on a fundamental level—they are not truly human. In fact, historically, “hero” was a name given to “men of superhuman strength, courage, or ability, favoured by the gods, at a later time regarded as intermediate between gods and men, and immortal.”
In Beowulf, we are presented with two Beowulfs—the adventurous Beowulf in the prime of his life and then ...
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... Abrams, Alfred David, and James Simpson. The Norton Anthology of English Literature. New York: W. W. Norton, 2006. Print.
Heaney, Seamus. Beowulf: A Verse Translation. Ed. Daniel Donoghue. W.W. Norton and Company, New York: W.W. Norton and Company, 2002. Print.
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Orchard, Andy. A Critical Companion to Beowulf. Cambridge: Boydell & Brewer Ltd., 2003. Print.
Tolkien, J.R.R. “Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics.” Interpretations of Beowulf. Ed. R.D. Fulk. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1991. 14-44. Print.
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In Beowulf, the essence left behind by a true hero is extremely important. In epics such as this one, leaders tend to have the determination and boldness of a hero. On the other hand, the main character, Beowulf, does not only display these certain traits. In this heroic poem, respect and trust come naturally. Honor and integrity are present throughout the poem. There are many moments in Beowulf that manifest the many traits that a person should have. This proves how important these attributes are to the characters and the Anglo-Saxon society. Although Beowulf has no known author, it embodies many of the beliefs and morals of the early Germanic society. The author of this epic poem uses many approaches in order to demonstrate that respect and trust are fundamental characteristics of a leader and hero.
Bloom, Harold. “Introduction.” In Modern Critical Interpretations: Beowulf, edited by Harold Bloom. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1987.
Clark, Gorge. “The Hero and the Theme.” In A Beowulf Handbook, edited by Robert Bjork and John D. Niles. Lincoln, Nebraska: Uiversity of Nebraska Press, 1997.
Clark, Gorge. “The Hero and the Theme.” In A Beowulf Handbook, edited by Robert Bjork and John D. Niles. Lincoln, Nebraska: Uiversity of Nebraska Press, 1997.
Francis, Erik Max. Beowulf. From The Harvard Classics. Volume 49. P.F. Collier & Son, 1910. Etext version by Robin Katsuya-Corbet. Online. Internet. November 26, 1998. Available HTTP: http://www.alcyone.com/max/lit/beowulf/
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This recognition that Beowulf receives proves his place as the quintessential hero in Anglo-Saxon society. The unknown author recognizes Beowulf as a warrior who “behaved with honor and took no advantage” (149). This quality is important to Beowulf’s image as a hero. The author also days that Beowulf “bore himself with valor” and names Beowulf “Heroic Beowulf” when describing the hero (135, 149). The author’s recognition of Beowulf as having these qualities and as being heroic shows that Beowulf was regarded as a hero during the authors’ own time. This is also confirmed by the several times people in the epic recognize Beowulf’s heroic qualities. Wiglaf, who was with Beowulf during the final battle, is one of the people to recognize Beowulf’s glory-seeking heroics, saying that Beowulf is “a man unequalled in the quest for glory” (179). This statement speaks much of Beowulf’s willingness to search for and his success in finding glory. Beowulf is also recognized by a thane of Hrothgar’s court during his earlier days. This thane recognizes Beowulf’s heroics and begins “rehearsing Beowulf’s triumphs and feats” by comparing him to Sigmund, an old Anglo-Saxon hero (59). The recognition Beowulf receives from the characters in the epic shows that Beowulf was impressive and heroic to Anglo-Saxons who told his
Tolkien, J.R.R.. “Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics.” In Beowulf – Modern Critical Interpretations, edited by Harold Bloom. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1987.
Abrams, M.H., ed. Beowulf: The Norton Anthology of English Literature. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc., 2001.
“Beowulf.” Trans. Suzanne Akbari. The Norton Anthology of World Literature. 3rd ed. Vol. B. New York: W.W. Norton, 2012. 112-82. Print.
Beowulf. Holt elements of literature. Ed G Kylene Beers and Lee Odeel. 6th ed. Austin: Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, 2008. 21-48. Print.
“In my youth I engaged in many wars”, Beowulf boasts to his warriors, which is certainly true. Throughout his life, he faces many deadly foes, all of which he handily defeats, save one. His story focuses on the most challenging, as well as morally significant of foes, Grendel and the dragon. These creatures reveal much about society as well as Christian virtue at the time. Even after Grendel and the dragon are defeated physically, the two monsters pose a new threat to the hero on a higher plane. Beowulf is not only at risk of losing his life, but his humanity, virtue, and even spirituality.