...“A Selfish Hero” Many people recognize Beowulf as the hero of Anglo-Saxon times. Judging by his amazing resume of feats and strengths, this is not hard to believe. Beowulf exemplifies the traits of a perfect and valiant hero, or so it seems. However, Beowulf, written by an unknown author, illustrates the great length the character goes through to succeed. Beowulf does anything in his power to prevail, leading him to become a selfish individual. Examining Beowulf's speech, thoughts, and actions, it becomes evident of the selfish hero within. Firstly, Beowulf's speech proves that he would do anything to prevail, illustrating his inflated ego. Although defeated in some battles, Beowulf manages to carry out every mission in order to justify his loses and make himself look successful. Unferth, who attempts to criticize Beowulf’s battles says, "Then winter churned through the water, the waves ran you as they willed, and you struggled seven long nights to survive. And at the end victory was his, not yours” (22;6;248-51). However, upon hearing this, Beowulf accuses Unferth of being drunk in order to make people believe he never understands what he says. "Ah! Unferth, my friend, your face is hot with ale, and your tongue had tried to tell us about Brecca's doings” (22;6;263-65). After hearing this, people are lead to believe Beowulf never takes this criticism seriously, for Unferth‘s drunkenness hazes his rationality. Thus, Beowulf makes Unferth, appear envious, while making himself...
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...Mighty Beowulf Beowulf grew up as an Anglo-Saxon and a mighty one also. In the Anglo-Saxon society, there are 5 different types of people. The Bretwaldas, were a highly organized tribal unit or kingdom. The Witan were another kind which was a tribe ruled by a king chosen by a council of elders. The Thanes were an upper class of free warriors, meanwhile, the Thralls were slaves who farm and do domestic work. The fifth and final category was the Freemen who did their own thing most of the time. Beowulf’s tribe, the Geats, was definitely a highly organized tribe. Beowulf, son of Healfdane’s, was definitely a leader out of any person in that kingdom. He showed great leadership, determination, and authority to keep everyone in line. This is why he is known as an epic hero. Beowulf was a miraculous human being because of the fact that he was the strongest of all his people, the bravest of everyone, and most of all the smartest of everyone. I think the best attribute he could’ve had was being smart because if he wasn’t smart I don’t think he could’ve defeated Grendel, therefore he would’ve put his kingdom in danger. Beowulf was smart because of the fact that even though he let one of his Geat die, he was watching how Grendel picked him up and killed him. Doing this made it easier for Beowulf to kill Grendel. “That shepherd of evil, guardian of crime, knew at once that nowhere on earth had he met a man whose hands were harder: His mind was floated with fear” (325-328). This line...
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...kingdom. Grendel terrorizes the Danes every night, killing them and defeating their efforts to fight back. The Danes suffer many years of fear, danger, and death at the hands of Grendel. Eventually, however, a young Geatish warrior named Beowulf hears of Hrothgar’s plight. Inspired by the challenge, Beowulf sails to Denmark with a small company of men, determined to defeat Grendel. Hrothgar, who had once done a great favor for Beowulf’s father Ecgtheow, accepts Beowulf’s offer to fight Grendel and holds a feast in the hero’s honor. During the feast, an envious Dane named Unferth taunts Beowulf and accuses him of being unworthy of his reputation. Beowulf responds with a boastful description of some of his past accomplishments. His confidence cheers the Danish warriors, and the feast lasts merrily into the night. At last, however, Grendel arrives. Beowulf fights him unarmed, proving himself stronger than the demon, who is terrified. As Grendel struggles to escape, Beowulf tears the monster’s arm off. Mortally wounded, Grendel slinks back into the swamp to die. The severed arm is hung high in the mead-hall as a trophy of victory. Overjoyed, Hrothgar showers Beowulf with gifts and treasure at a feast in his honor. Songs are sung in praise of Beowulf, and the celebration lasts late into the night. But another threat is approaching. Grendel’s mother, a swamp-hag who lives in a desolate lake, comes to Heorot seeking revenge for her son’s death. She murders Aeschere, one of...
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...Course: Date: The role of violence in the world of Beowulf In the poem, Beowulf is an aging king who wears the identity of a warrior has different faces according to the situation at the moment. The poet describes Beowulf as “ greater/ and stronger than anyone anywhere in this world” implying that he was a strong man but still as any human being, he was mortal (Warsh et. al., 8). Violence in the poem is surfacing as a tool to venerate superiority. The poet explains Beowulf’s anxiety to battle Grendel but still exuding courtesy, diplomacy and patience. However, the battle that he craves for, is only possiblen after he gets permission from Hrothgar “Beowulf-anxious to meet with Hrothgar, from whom he hopes to receive permission to battle Grendel- is courteous, patient, and diplomatic”. This explanation also shows that violence is a measure of power and superiority but there are limits that a person is confined that makes them to give respect to people. In this case, Beowulf respects the boundary that he cannot fight Grendel until he gets permission from Hrothgar (Warsh et. al.,8). The aim of Beowulf wanting to battle Grendel could be a way of proving his heroism to gain prominence, amassing wealth or helping people. The poet writes“What does Beowulf want? Is he motivated to perform heroic acts simply by a need to help other people? Or is he interested mainly in accumulating as much wealth as possible?. It implies that Beowulf wants the battle to gain either of the three things:...
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...Unfortunately for Grendel, Beowulf was aware of what was going on. Grendel swallows a warrior, and then attempts to reach for Beowulf. Beowulf snatches Grendel's claw and holds on as tightly as he can. Grendel is just imagining being home, but he could not even budge with Beowulf's grip. Eventually he rips from Beowulf's grasp and flees leaving behind his arm. The people had seen the battle because they were awoken by Grendel's screams, but they felt helpless in the situation. Although they did not participate they were still able to praise Beowulf on his victory. Beowulf and the people rejoice over the arm in the light of day. This story symbolizes light and darkness very clearly. Grendel is this dark monster coming to Heorot in the darkest time of the day, while Beowulf is awaiting his arrival in the light, and he is heroic person and the light is always shining upon him. The dark and gruesome battle is happening in the dark, and they rejoice the victory in the light of day. 3 ) Grendel the scary monster went to Heorot in the dark of the night to attack. When he arrived he believed everyone would be in a dark sleep. "Then he stopped, seeing the hall Crowded with sleeping warriors" (line 409-10). He first ate one warrior. "Ripped him apart, cut his body to bits with powerful jaws, drank the blood from his veins, and bolted him down, hands and feet; death" (line 422-25). Then he reached for Beowulf who he thought was in a...
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...Payton Witt Hare Beowulf Both the Haunted Mere and Grendel’s mother play the role of being a villain. Creating roadblocks for the characters in the story, keeping them from what they are trying to gain. Grendel along with his mother was both known as outcasts. “Cain, branded am outlaw / marked by having murdered, he moved into the wilds, / shunned company and joy. / An from Cain there sprang misbegotten spirits, / among them Grendel; the banished and accursed.” (Heaney 1264-1267). Since Grendel and his mother had already come from such a horrible place, they were looked at as an outcast themselves. Since nobody liked them, they had to find enjoyment in something else. They found this enjoyment from harming others and causing havoc. As Grendel goes on tormenting people for ten years, Beowulf finally steps in and tries to defeat Grendel. As he was asked, he goes on to kills Grendel; this is where we see Grendel’s mother. Beowulf says, “Wise sir, do not grieve. / It is always better to avenge dear ones to indulge in mourning/ For every one of us living in this world/ waiting for our end/ Let whoever can win glory before death. (1385-1388). This is exactly what Grendel’s mother does. She goes to avenge Grendel and tries to kill Beowulf. She had lost her son and is trying to bring him back by murdering his killer. Where she takes the place of Grendel causing harm and disrupting others. As Hrothgar talks about the Haunted Mere to Beowulf, he becomes very intrigued, although Hrothgar...
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...Nick Bailey Professor Scott Keeton English 2110 11 October 2015 The Story of the Man, the Hero, and the Legend: Beowulf Beowulf is one of the most important stories in all of literature. It’s a tale of a man who challenged beasts, and rose to the likes of a god, but still had time and age catch up to him, and cause his fall. It’s a classic tale of the hero’s journey to fame and glory, of a man who truly went above and beyond the call of duty to protect and serve the lands he roamed. It’s tale is a classic one, one that’s been cited countless times throughout the ages, but its unique approach towards hubris and character study makes it one of the most memorable in all of fiction, and one that must be analyzed to be truly understood. The story of Beowulf stars the main character, Beowulf, and follows him on his journey to defeat Grendel, Grendel’s Mother, a dragon, and, at a far deeper level, his own mortality. The story begins with Beowulf being seen as a hero of legend, and a boaster; he often shows this through recounts of his stories of greatness in the past, like his swimming race with Breca, of his superhuman accomplishments and stupendous deeds. Despite that, he is defend his honor from those who wish to diminish it, as he once told to Unferth, a warrior who tried to belittle his accomplishments against Breca. “"The fact is, Unferth, if you were truly as keen and courageous as you claim to be Grendel would never have got away with such unchecked atrocity...
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...the evolution of society. In the days of Beowulf and the Vikings, a hero was a man who was strong and courageous, willing and able to protect his tribe and provide for his people. But today, since our culture has vastly changed, so has the meaning of this word; now it is used for the brave and selfless people of the world. Though Beowulf may have acted in ways that were not so heroic, he should be recognized as a hero. Many people recognize Beowulf as the hero of Anglo-Saxon times. Beowulf was the first poem told in Anglo-Saxon England sometime between the 8th and 11th centuries, but it's not actually set in that time and place. It's actually set several hundred years earlier, in the 5th or 6th century. Beowulf does not take place in England, instead, the action happens in the land of the Danes what is known as the nation of Denmark and the land of the Geats which today is known as the nation of Sweden. The main action of the story is set around 500 a.d. Judging by Beowulf’s many feats and strengths, Beowulf’s heroism is not hard to believe. When Beowulf slays the monster Grendal in the classic tale," he was considered a great hero. The slaying of Grendel required courage, bravery, intelligence, perseverance, and mental and physical strength. Certain passages in the story support the opinion that Beowulf has all these qualities. However, in the epic, Beowulf explores the great lengths the character had to go through to succeed. Beowulf did anything in his power to prevail, leading...
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...of Honor and Success Throughout the entire text of Beowulf, the accumulation and re-distribution of t reassure serves to have symbolism regarding acts of bravery, honor, success, and reward. Treasure is both gained through the brave battles that Beowulf fights against the three monsters he encounters, and his rewards reflect upon his success and honor in victory. Treasure is also redistributed throughout the text form king to warrior and vice-versa, symbolizing the acknowledgement of honor and reward from one generation to the next. Treasure is viewed in each of the battles as proof of victory and with this proof of success, the holder of such treasure proves that he is worthy and deserving of loyalty from and by brave warriors. After slaying Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the dragon, treasure is gained and passed along to the next generation, such as when Hrothgar gives gifts to Beowulf, who distributes it among his people, to show and symbolize the potential sacrifices made to gain the treasure, and thus the bravery, honor, success, and reward that the treasure surely represents throughout the text. After Beowulf slays the monster Grendel, King Hrothgar rewards and thanks Beowulf for his efforts by offering him several objects considered treasure. Among the multitude of objects that he presents to Beowulf: “He gave to Beowulf the blade of Healfdene/ a golden war-standard Roberts: 2 as a reward for victory” (Beowulf 1020-1021) Here the word “treasure” is substituted with...
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...some type of creature. The Anglo-Saxons epic Beowulf, scribed sometime in the 9th century A.D.,presents the heroic journey of the titular hero. Beowulf serves as the only epic written in Old English and severed a porthole into the values of Anglo-Saxons culture anonymous author utilizes Beowulf as an epic hero to presents Anglo-Saxons values, but he also uses the monster to show that which this culture valued. Whereas Beowulf, like all epic heroes, such as Odysseus and Achilles from the Homeric epics, serves as the epitome a=of his culture values, the monster serve as the outcasts of that society and culture. Through the portrayals of the epic here and the three monster the author reveals the Anglo- Saxons valued super human qualities. The author presents Beowulf as a superman of the 9th century. As the story begins, Beowulf is telling King Hrothgar that he is the best of the best and that he will save his town from this creature they call Grendel. But the big kicker is is when he says if it(Grendel) “is so great that he needs no weapons and fears none. Nor will. After that was said everyone begins to party and give their great praise to Beowulf for coming to the rescue. As Beowulf comes forth, the Danes feel that they will now be able to live in peace for now on. Grendel has haunted the moors for the last twelve years and that will all come to an end when Beowulf shows up. The royal battle between Grendel and Beowulf. Beowulf began to show cases his super human capability...
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...Beowulf Beowulf (/ˈbeɪ.ɵwʊlf/; in Old English [ˈbeːo̯wʊlf] or [ˈbeːəwʊlf]) is the conventional title[1] of an Old English epic poem consisting of 3182 alliterative long lines, set in Scandinavia, the oldest surviving epic poem of Old English and thus commonly cited as one of the most important works of Anglo-Saxon literature, and also arguably the earliest vernacular English literature.[2] The full poem survives in the manuscript known as the Nowell Codex, located in the British Library. Written in England, its composition by an anonymous Anglo-Saxon poet[a] is dated between the 8th[4][5] and the early 11th century.[6] In 1731, the manuscript was badly damaged by a fire that swept through Ashburnham House in London that had a collection of medieval manuscripts assembled by Sir Robert Bruce Cotton. The poem's existence for its first seven centuries or so made no impression on writers and scholars, and besides a brief mention in a 1705 catalogue by Humfrey Wanley it was not studied until the end of the 18th century, and not published in its entirety until Johan Bülow funded the 1815 Latin translation, prepared by the Icelandic-Danish scholar Grímur Jónsson Thorkelin.[7] After a heated debate with Thorkelin, Bülow offered to support a new translation by N.F.S. Grundtvig — this time into Danish. The result, Bjovulfs Drape (1820), was the first modern language translation of Beowulf. In the poem, Beowulf, a hero of the Geats in Scandinavia, comes to the aid of Hroðgar, the king...
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...Monster Beowulf perfectly illustrates the characteristics of what it means to be considered a perfect hero. The poem clearly shows his heroism in two completely different eras, Beowulf as a young man and then again when he is much older. This is shown through battles of three monsters, Grendel, Grendel’s Mother, and the dragon; each is progressively more difficult than the last. But as the poem digresses it is easy to see that the biggest monster that Beowulf fights is himself. As a young man, Beowulf is an extremely successful warrior, shown by his ginormous wins of both bravery and strength. He also exemplifies the characteristics of loyalty, respect and most importantly pride. When the poem begins, Beowulf shows little maturity as he has always had his inhuman powers. The great king Hrothgar quickly becomes a father like figure to Beowulf and begins to give wisdom about how to be a great king. This foreshadows the second half of the poem, his impressive past as a undefeated warrior has in some ways prepared Beowulf to take claim of the throne. Years later the Geat King Hygelac dies, this is important because Beowulf doesn’t simply take the throne in which he has rightfully earned instead he chooses to support Hygelac’s son as he is whom should be the king. This act of respect only further proves his characteristics as a hero. Beowulf progresses throughout the poem from a very unrealistic portrayal of a hero to an extremely realistic man. For his first battle Beowulf defeats...
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...Beowulf: Christian or pagan? The epic poem, Beowulf, which was composed about 850 CE, is a tale of a warrior named Beowulf. The plot of Beowulf primarily revolves around the expeditions and fights that Beowulf undertakes throughout his life. Regarding this poem, one of the essential controversies is whether it is a Christian or pagan poem. In the text, Beowulf is depicted as the one who values his own fame most and is hallowed highly by people due to his violence in battle. These characteristics of Beowulf seem to separate the poem from Christianity. Although the poem appears to be originally pagan, Beowulf is a Christian poem in terms of its historical background, biblical allusions, and the characters’ beliefs and reliance on God. First, the author of Beowulf lived in a period when the transformation from Germanic paganism to Christianity occurred. When Beowulf was written, the old paganism was dying out, and the influx of Christianity from Europe and Ireland had taken place. “This transformation reached every level of society and affected nearly every aspect of daily life” (Streissguth 83). Due to this Christian influence, people had to make a radical change, discarding the old beliefs that value courage, vengeance, and violence in gory battle. The poet of Beowulf was also a part of this drastic change of the era. The “nameless author undoubtedly was a Christian” (Bloom 1). We can observe the author’s Christian quality when he blames people who return to paganism in the poem:...
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...Dan Gallegos October 20, 2014 Ms.Delgado While the classic battle between good and evil forces is a major theme of the medieval epic Beowulf, one may question whether these good and evil forces are as black and white as they appear. Scholars such as Herbert G. Wright claim that “the dragon, like the giant Grendel, is an enemy of mankind, and the audience of Beowulf can have entertained no sympathy for either the one or the other”. However, other scholars such as Andy Orchard disagree with this claim, and believe that there is “something deeply human about the ‘monsters’”. While Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the dragon are indeed portrayed as evil and violent foes, there are parts within Beowulf that can also lead a reader to believe that the “monsters” may not be so monstrous after all. This ultimately evokes traces of sympathy in the reader for the plight of these “monster” figures, and blurs the fine line between good and evil within the poem The first opponent Beowulf must face in the land of the Danes is Grendel, textually described as “a fiend out of hell … a grim demon / haunting the marches, / marauding round the heath / and the desolate fens” (Beowulf, line 100 – 104). The author also provides us with a moral description, explaining how Grendel is “merciless … malignant by nature, he never showed remorse” (line 135-137). As we can see here, the author’s physical and moral portrayal of Grendel is rather unforgiving. We also resent Grendel further once we learn that...
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...Chantel Carter History 4330 Beowulf: An Anglo-Saxon Hero Every culture has its heroes. In the poem Beowulf, the Anglo-Saxon view of a hero is revealed. In Anglo-Saxon culture, to be a hero was to be a warrior. This is due to the fact that they derived from a Germanic culture. A hero had to be strong and skillful, courageous, and loyal. At the same time they also had to be generous and humble. Beowulf’s courageous and respectable qualities depict the Anglo-Saxon’s view of a hero during that time. In addition, the respect the characters show for their kings illustrate the high esteem in which the Anglo-Saxons held their kings. These examples also show the importance of gaining honor in this culture. The characteristics of Beowulf, the respect held for their kings, and the importance of honor provide a glimpse into the Anglo-Saxon society. One of Beowulf’s characteristics that are shown early on in the poem is his strength. When he arrives in the land of Dane, he is described as having “the strength of thirty in his mighty hand-grip.”1 Beowulf’s first challenge is to rid the land of the monster Grendel. He decides to make it more than just a simple task of slaying the monster when he declares that it will be a hand-to-hand fight. I have heard it said this evil monster in his wild recklessness scorns all weapons. I therefore decline, that Hygelac my lord may be pleased to the heart, to take any sword or broad-braced shield, yellow war-wood, into this combat, but with my...
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