Beowulf: The Dynamic Nature Of Heroism

“True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost,” (Ash). A true hero is mellow and unpretentious. One who is willing to do anything for an individual or group of individuals. This sacrificial love a hero has is completely selfless and is not in result of starvation for fame or fortune. A hero receives fame through word of others and does not strive to become famous. A hero is meek, they do not brag about accomplishments, instead letting their actions do their boasting. Beowulf falls short of authentic heroism due to his lack of humility, dearth of selflessness, and failure to reign supreme after his final task.

The Anglo-Saxons’ cultures and traditions are rooted in their beliefs of the perfect hero. Their ideal hero has many key characteristics influenced by their culture including courage, strength, bravery, thick skin, loyalty, humbleness, and the ability to create strong trustworthy friendships. Beowulf is an epic poem that exhibits the ideal Anglo-Saxon hero. The Anglo-Saxon traditions illustrated in Beowulf accurately represent the Anglo-Saxon traditions of the time period. This is accomplished through the distinct correlation of heroic characteristics between Beowulf and the culture’s traditional depiction of an Anglo-Saxon hero.

Beowulf is a hero because of his actions in the novel. Heroic traits includes determination, physical strength, courage, loyalty, and leadership, which Beowulf demonstrated throughout the story. A quote from Beowulf shows an example of his determination, “…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,” (Beowulf-Translator). Beowulf realized that there was a chance he would not win the battle, however his determination did not stop him from trying. Another quote from Beowulf shows his courage, “Alone shall fight for me, struggle for life/ Against the monster,” (Beowulf- Translator). Beowulf fought against Grendel without any weapons, just his

Beowulf is an Anglo-Saxon hero because of many reasons, the first being because he had bravery and courage. “Have watched me rise from the darkness of war. Dripping with my enemy’s blood. I drove five great giants into chains, chased all that raced from the earth, I swam in the blackness of night, hunting monsters out of the ocean and killing them one by one.” (247-254). This quote shows that Beowulf had bravery and courage because he went up against all of these monsters that could have killed him very easily. Which is what heroes do, they fight monsters and creatures that can easily kill average people. Another quote that shows how Beowulf had the characteristics of bravery and courage is, “If weapons were useless he'd use his hands. The strength in his fingers." (506-507). This quote shows how he had the courage to depend on his superhuman strength to kill any monster that could not be defeated by weapons. One more quote that shows Beowulf’s courage is, “He leaped into the lake, would not wait for anyone's answer...For hours he sank through the waves.” (467-469). This quote shows that Beowulf had courage because he leapt into a lake not knowing what was waiting below the surface.

The most heroic of traits within Beowulf is that he is not afraid to die. He always explains his death wishes before going into battle and requests to have any assets delivered to his people. “…and if death takes me…send to Hyglac the best of war clothes that protects my breasts, finest of male shirts. It is a legacy of Hrethel, the works of Weland. Fate always goes as it must.” He is aware of the heroic paradox; he will be glorified in life or death for his actions. He knows that when he fights an enemy like Grendel or Grendel’s mother he will achieve immortality as the victor or the loser. “I resolved when I sat down in the sea-boat with my men, that I should fulfill the will of your people or else fall in slaughter. I shall achieve a dead of manly

A hero is defined as “a person noted for courageous acts or nobility of character,” says dictionary.com. During the whole book Beowulf is saving the Geats, aiding Hrothgar, killing creatures and saving his people. He shows his heroism through his bravery and acts of courage; but he is also being assisted through fate and God. From killing Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the dragon he knows that he is doing great things for all of the people in his kingdoms.

As Thomas Paine once said, “The real man smiles in trouble, gathers strength from distress, and grows brave by reflection”. Through most recent generations, the word “heroic” is thrown around to a certain extent. At one time, heroes were naturally born into key figures, glorified through fame. Beowulf's’ nobility provides his key success towards being born into a hero. As for Oedipus, he had also been born into aristocracy by his father's legacy. Today’s concept of heroism is a concern for people in need—an involvement to defend a moral cause, the possibility of personal risk, done without the expectation of a reward. [In the fictional myths of both Oedipus the King and Beowulf, eccentric heroes prove their personal necessities in characterizing the importance of a culture; However, the current society’s tragic hero is one that often combats through the fear of bravery and the greater good of others.]

Anglo Saxon values are portrayed throughout Beouwulf and allows reeaders to understand the concept of a hero. The warrior Beowulf is introduced as “Higlacs / follower and the strongest of the Geats” (ll. 109-110). To quench his thirst for fame and an epic quest, he sets sail to honor a favor. Because of Beowulf’s great strength and noble birth, he is able to complete his quest which in turn makes him and epic hero.

As the Martian Manhunter once said, “The future is worth it. All the pain. All the tears. The future is worth the fight”. This modern day superhero mentality, that fighting the good fight is worth it because it is the right thing to do is seen everywhere today. Movies, comic books, and videos games come out yearly featuring superheroes who fight for justice using their superhuman abilities. They possess characteristics such as bravery, strength, a stong moral compass, and loyalty. Interestingly, these modern day superhero traits can be traced all the way back to the Anglo-Saxons were the first hero ever, Beowulf lived. It is Beowulf who not only exemplifies modern day hero traits, but he more importantly shows the ideals of an Anglo-Saxon hero. Without a doubt, Beowulf demonstrates the traits of an Anglo-Saxon hero.

In society, there are many different types of heroes. Heroes throughout time have changed and from culture to culture they differ for example, in the early times they were defined as someone who will lead them into battle but now it's more about having a positive impact on other people and society as a whole. Although cultural heroes ultimately serve the purpose of solidifying the values of a particular culture, the ever changing, dynamic nature of heroism identifies itself as one who is selfless, relentless and brave. The Anglo-Saxon hero, Beowulf, is a brave, well respected and selfless person that will do anything for the good of the people and he will even risk his life to protect them.

Heroism in Beowulf has changed in some ways in the twenty-first century. Heroism in Beowulf meant that you have to be masculine and have superpowers. In the 21st century, heroism has changed drastically. A hero can just be a random person. A person could be a hero to another by just being a role model.

Heroism is defined as great bravery, but there are many interpretations of what great bravery truly signifies. Over time the image of heroism is altered to conform to cultural beliefs and morals. Often times, heroes are written into poems, or stories to set an exceptionally high standard and become a role model for people in their time period. In the famous epic, Beowulf, the ideal hero is portrayed as a superior warrior who is able to overcome unthinkable means. This proposal of a warrior as a hero did not last long in history, however. As times changed, people developed different values and beliefs that transformed a hero from a warrior to a saint. In today's world, a hero is considered as

Originating in the Anglo-Saxon period, the epic poem Beowulf portrays a legendary hero. Beowulf established the earlier form of heroism, and was then later introduced in to the English culture. Praised and admired by many people, Beowulf possesses several distinct traits that allow him to be defined perfectly as an ideal Anglo-Saxon hero; his eagerness to seek glory and fame, rather than richness and treasures, his loyalty and graceful attitude not only to his rulers but also to his followers, and his contradictory beliefs of faith and fate

What comes in your mind when you hear the word Heroism. Does a knight in shining armor pops up in your mind or maybe a firefighter who 's willing to put down his life for the good of others , well Beowulf was both. In the novel Beowulf , to me, the main theme of the entire story is heroism. Beowulf is your knight in shining armor or your fire fighter who goes into a living hell to save a kitten. Heroism is scattered all over this epic poem. Sure paganism and christianity are in it as well as good vs evil but they are not as i would say the backbone of Beowulf. to prove my opinion I shall gather quotes from the epic novel would strongly aid the fact that heroism is indeed the main theme in Beowulf. “Heard how Grendel filled the nights with horror And quickly commanded a boat fitted out proclaiming that he 'd go to that famous king, would sail across the sea to Hrothgar now when help was needed” (page 42 line 111-116) As you can see Beowulf is willing to help others far away from his own land even though he has heard that is monster named Grendel vanquished many brave souls. Beowulf loves his life but as a true hero he is he puts the life of others before his. many warriors have attempted to slay the monster Grendel but have failed but Beowulf a hero bathed in heroism doesn 't hesitate to go. “I, alone and with the help of my men may purge all evil from this hall”(page 44 lines 165-166) This is another example of heroism from Beowulf. Beowulf knows that the the mead hall

Looking back at early forms of literature we notice the classic idea of heroism in Beowulf. As time passes by the notion of a hero changes. Consciousness in early literature such as, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, does not enter the innermost thoughts. The notion of a hero and the notion of consciousness changes within literature through time. In the novel, Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen the hero is portrayed differently compared to earlier texts as well as the characters being aware of one’s environment. The author Jane Austen, carefully shapes her characters’ actions, feelings and affiliations in a specific way. In Sense and Sensibility we have a clearer picture of the consciousness of characters than what we see in Beowulf or Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.