Anglo Saxon Heroes In Beowulf

When thinking about the values in which warriors have many things come to mind in today's generation, many believe that a warrior is someone that just fights and wins battles, but in fact, the medieval era had a different idea of what it means to be a warrior. These values that the medieval period had are completely different as it focused on the concept of honor, respect for one's king, and the glory of battle. These values can be seen throughout history one such example being the poem Beowulf as it shows these values through Beowulf and his men. This poem also demonstrates the idea that even though the roughest of a task that good will always prevail against evil and that the idea of fate decided everything from battle being won to the day you die.

This quote is explained by Beowulf when Grendel’s mother killed Hrothgar’s trusted advisor in battle.  Beowulf’s reminder to Hrothgar that vengeance is the real warrior’s response and the truest sign of love and loyalty reflects a fundamental value of warrior culture, namely an aggressive approach to life. Part of this understands the warrior’s existence reputation after death. This speech captures the poems tension between doom and death. Also having the necessity of being courageously and honorable to the

Beowulf, now an old man, says in his final boast, “I’ve never known fear, as a youth I fought in endless battles. I am old, now, but I will fight again” (lines 607-609). Beowulf realizes the dangers of going into battle as an old man, and despite still knowing that his strength and fighting skills were not what they used to be still goes into battle against the ferocious dragon in order to protect his homeland from the villain. Unfortunately, as Beowulf was fighting saw that “for a time (the shield) held, protected Beowulf as he’d planned; then it began to melt, and for the first time in his life that famous prince fought with fate against him, with glory denied him. He knew it, but he raised his sword and struck at the dragon’s scaly hide/And the Geats’ ring-giver did not boast of glorious victories in other wars” (lines 666-671/678). As Beowulf fights the dragon, he comes to realize that he is not going to win and is going to meet his fate. All the battles he had previously fought had him fighting alongside fate, not against it, but now he realized that this is the battle he would not win. Still, Beowulf fights on knowing he would die. He, as stated in the quote, does not seek any pride nor has he in any of his battles and would valiantly fight until his death. These actions Beowulf has portrayed ultimately

Beowulf also confronts the Danes, explaining to them that Grendel was not just the hideous monster they believed him to be. Because of these actions, Beowulf seems more respectable. According to society, this would make him a hero. Though the movie shows a great example of how Beowulf represents society's hero, the novel, Grendel shows the other side of this hero. Near the end of the book when Grendel is about to face his inevitable death, he meets Beowulf. Instead of killing the beast, Beowulf decides to mock Grendel. He does this by making him beg for his life and sing before killing him. This is evident in the book when after smashing Grendel's head into a wall, Beowulf orders Grendel to sing, saying, “Observe the hardness, write it down in careful runes. Now sing of the walls!” (171). Instead of killing Grendel in an honorable way, Beowulf mocks, as well as embarrasses him until he is finally dead. In the novel, honor seems to be nonexistent in Beowulf. The lack of honor in Beowulf makes him seem ruthless instead of honorable, therefore making Beowulf seem as if he were not a hero, according to society's standards.

Loyalty is a vital characteristic. “ I remember how we sat in the mead hall, drinking and boasting of how we’d be brave when Beowulf needed us. He who gave us these swords and armor: all of us swore to repay him when the time came, kindness for kindness with our lives, if we needed them (pg 60 lines 745-750)”. In this quote, a follower of Beowulf named Wiglaf was expressing his thoughts and feelings as he was watching his great leader die. Wiglaf decided that kindness repays with kindness.Loyalty with loyalty. Beowulf was very loyal to the Geats. What Beowulf said, he meant. This was critical because it reminded Wiglaf how loyal Beowulf had been to him. It would only be right to repay it back to Beowulf, which is what he did. The Geats wouldnt have wanted an unloyal leader and neither would anyone else. By Beowulf actions, words and promises, it showed that he was true to his word and loyal to his

Beowulf’s last test of courage comes in his old age when his people are threatened by a “mighty” dragon. Beowulf felt as if something he had done had caused the irascible beast to wreck havoc on his people, “killing and destroying” them and their homes with its “molten” breath. Knowing what had to be done, Beowulf bravely faced the dragon, while all of his people, except for one, fled in fear. His last battle, which ended in death, displayed Beowulf’s unwavering courage, the type that every hero should possess.

This can be considered to be the backbone characteristic to describe an Anglo-Saxon hero. It’s his perseverance and constant fearfulness that illustrates him as a hero during this time period. When Beowulf decides to fight Grendel without his sword it proves how he is an honorable and courageous warrior. In his eyes, death is honorable: “Often, for undaunted courage, fate spares the man it has not already marked” (Beowulf 572-573). Beowulf's comment about the relationship between courage and fate implies that if a man does not fear death he can win fate's favor and therefore is actually less likely

The other leading heroic trait that Beowulf possesses is loyalty. The Anglo-Saxon warriors believe in the idea of comitatus, which are the faithful and unbreakable bonds between his king and his warriors. Throughout the story, Beowulf had shown devotions to both his leader and his followers. As mentioned earlier, Beowulf easily passed all the treasure to his uncle noting that “since every benefit I have ever received I owe to you, my closest and kindest kinsman on earth." (Chapter 31).He shows great gratitude to his king by presenting all of his treasures that he had gained. He was then portrayed to be “loyal and true and loved him dearly,” (Chapter 31). Additionally, not only he is committed to his rulers, Beowulf is also loyal to his followers. As described by Wiglaf, one of his most faithful men, “Our ancient king often gave us---heroes while in hall!---helmets and mailcoats, the finest treasures he could find for his men anywhere on earth, armor like the brilliant well-wrought war-gear you are

The epic poem Beowulf describes the most heroic man of the Anglo-Saxon times. The hero, Beowulf, is a seemingly invincible person with all the extraordinary traits required of an Anglo Saxon hero. He is able to use his super-human physical strength and courage to put his people before himself. He encounters many monsters and horrible beasts, but he never fears the threat of death. His leadership skills are outstanding and he is even able to boast about all his achievements. Beowulf is the ultimate epic hero who risks his life countless times for glory which to him meant eternal life.

A lot of Beowulf’s determination comes from the role he holds among his people, "Nor have i seen a mighter man-at-arms on this Earth than the one standing here: unless I am mistaken, he is truly noble. This is no mere hanger-on in a hero's armour[sic]"(224-251). He is aware of the place he holds and does not want to lose his followers trust or honor. And, in addition to Beowulf being honored, he honors his people. He even went to the lengths of getting possession of treasure as he is dying,so they would be taken care of, "Still came to my lips, i sold my life For this treasure, and I sold it well.

He always explains his death wishes before going into battle and requests to have any assets delivered to his people. “And if death does take me, send the hammered mail of my armor to Higlac...”. Beowulf is a hero in the eyes of his fellow men through his amazing physical strength. He fought in numerous battles and returned victorious from all of them but his last. He understands that fate will work its magic no matter what, and he could be killed at any point in his life. He faces that reality by showing no fear and preparing for a positive or a fatal outcome.

When Beowulf arrives to the land of the Danes, as soon as they dock and get off of their ship Beowulf shows his courage instantly by taking the lead and explaining to the guards that watched out for raiders and enemy ships approaching who they were and where they were from so that they may advance to the Heorot which he had heard much about. After they get inside Heorot Beowulf truly shows his courage when he tells Hrothgar about all of the triumphs he had when he was younger and how when he heard of their problem with Grendel and how he planned to be a match for him so that he could be the one to bring peace back to Heorot. He also explains how he isn't afraid of death because if he is going to die it will happen whether he wants it to or not and by doing this he gives king Hrothgar peace by knowing that he is courageous enough to take on this challenge and not be afraid by the terror that his people have been facing for the last 12 years.

Not only is Beowulf honorable and well respected, he is brave as well. His courage is shown by not hesitating to risk his own life to pursue the Dane’s enemies. By being self-assured, Beowulf is able to successfully defeat the fiends, Grendel and his infamous mother. At the time Beowulf is planning to pursue the vindictive dragon, the epic poem states, “I’ve never known fear, as a youth I fought in endless battles. I am old now, but I will fight again, seek fame still, If the dragon hiding in his tower dares to face me.”(ll. 2511-2515). He feels no fear, is confident in fighting the dragon alone, and has no qualms in risking his life to save others. He declares his bravery by saying, “When he comes to me I mean to stand, not run from his shooting flames, stand till fate decides which of us wins... No one else could do what I mean to, here, no man but me could hope to defeat this monster.”(ll. 2525-2534). In his actions, Beowulf’s bravery is clearly shown throughout the poem.

For some, like Beowulf, they are willing to sacrifice their life. “I’ve never known fear, as a youth I fought in endless battles. I am old, now, but I will fight again, seek fame still, if the dragon hiding in his tower dares to face me” (Beowulf lines 624-627). Beowulf knows he is old but still decides to fight for his people. The willingness to sacrifice his life, which will come to an end at the end of the battle. He had lived a good life and had made himself into a good role model for others to look up to. His last request was to have a lighthouse built in his honor so he could continue saving

Though the jaunt was difficult, Beowulf was relentless in his pursuit. When he reached Grendel’s mother, the battle was long and hard, but the hero refused to surrender. He fought until the disconcerted mother gave up and died. As a token of his feat, Beowulf took a jewel-studded sword from the cave. To further celebrate his heroic feat, he decapitated Grendel and kept his head as a souvenir of his triumph.