Beowulf Character Analysis

The story of Beowulf has an unreliable narrator because the story is very one-sided with every battle being convenient for the protagonist Beowulf. The narrator glorifies Beowulf in the story to seem like a God who knows everything and can fight any monster. Even though, the narrator is unreliable doesn’t mean they are untrustworthy because there is consistency in the story. The story Beowulf can also contradict itself by using Pagan and Christian references in the same story. Consequently, Beowulf has an unreliable narrator who is fallible and makes mistakes based on character flaws and not untrustworthiness.

Beowulf is a story of great courage and triumph over adversity. But over the whole story there is a hanging sense of dread and impending death. This is shown by the sense of impending death, the strong sense of doom, and the nature of luck throughout the story. These play a mojo role in shaping how the story

Beowulf does not undergo much character development considering what he goes through. His personality and leadership traits remain static throughout the story unlike most other stories that involve a similar plotline. This both shows great strength as well as the inability to change which is often considered a weakness if this stillness is viewed without context. In the case of Beowulf this primarily brings out his strengths as a hero and allows the story to move at a quicker rate and not focus on character development, but on other aspects of the poem, this being the alliteration and beauty in the writing far beyond the plot itself. Beowulf is a consistently strong warrior that stays honorable through the poem, but just increases his levels of glory through each enemy defeated as well as each year of peace after he attains a full level of sovereignty.

“No better king had ever lived, no prince so mild, no man so open to his people, so deserving of praise.” This is an ultimate description of the heroic events of Beowulf, an old Anglo-Saxon poem about a warrior who battles and destroys three horrifying monsters. Although written long ago, the emotions expressed within this work, emotions of bravery, valor, and ethics still speak to us centuries later. The anonymous author of the poem convinces us through the masterful use of various literary elements that emphasize its meaning and message. Conflict, imagery and setting are three literary elements that contribute to the effectiveness of the poem.

“There are two sides to every issue: one side is right and the other is wrong, but the middle is always evil.” – Ayn Rand. To fully understand the complex world and culture of the Anglo-Saxons, one must examine the only form of historical evidence available – texts. One particular great work from this time period is often underrated and overshadowed in modern society by many other ancient works such as Iliad or Oedipus Rex. The epic poem, Beowulf, was sung by multiple unknown Anglo-Saxon poets four centuries before the Norman Conquest. The theme of good versus evil was constantly reappearing throughout the storyline, the portrayal of evil and its downfall initially shaped the poem’s plot, and illustrates an alien presence; something that

Beowulf is a hero, and we all know a hero when we see one. There are many traits and characteristics that make someone a hero. These traits and characteristics are more expressed in ancient epics and poems. Beowulf is one of the most famous ancient Anglo-Saxon poems still taught to this day in schools and colleges all over the world. The story starts off of how a man by the name of Beowulf receives news that a neighboring land is being terrorized by a monster named Grendel. Beowulf shows several characteristics of here such as, bravery, loyalty, generosity, friendship, and showing a high level of intellect. Beowulf first shows his heroic character through his bravery while journeying on his epic quest. There are several cases where he is not afraid, and instead of being frightened, he shows great bravery. An example of from the poem is, “Instead, they inspected omens and spurred his ambitions to go, whilst he moved about like the leader he was, enlisting men, the best he could find; with fourteen others the warrior boarded the boast as captain” (Beowulf 205-210). This quote gives proof of his bravery because he was the head of the group leading his men. Beowulf proves that even he himself must be brave in order to lead the bravest of men into battle.

Through analysis of the text Beowulf translated by Burton Raffel, it is questionable of whether or not Beowulf is good or evil. Based on his actions, intentions and motivations behind his actions, and the way culture shapes him, it is clear that he is, in fact, an evil character. Beowulf is a dishonorable character who is self-absorbed and only saves the people of Herot for fame and wealth.

A lot of people have a routine. A pattern of events that makes their daily lives run with ease. People also have a keen eye for finding routines in the world around us. There are patterns in everything. In music, musicians tend to use the same couple of cords throughout their songs. In movies the hero usually ends up winning. This was a pattern noticed and outlined by Joseph Campbell in his book The hero with a thousand faces. The story will start with an ordinary world in which our hero’s parents are odd in some way. There is a call to adventure which is often initially refused. Then our hero meets a mentor who teaches him about his power. There are some trials and tribulations until the hero overcomes a supreme ordeal. Finally the hero returns

The quotation actually shows the strong personality of Beowulf. His words are even suggestive that he does not let failures ruin his thinking. He uses negative events to strengthen himself and his colleagues and draw action from the negative events. Beowulf is also shown as the person who has a different thinking as compared to others. While Sage wanted to mourn, Beowulf wanted to take action of what happened and he eventually became inspired to avenge the person’s death to bring

While both the characters Beowulf and Sir Gawain are similar in the fact that they are both heroes, each story uses different ways to tell their tale. From going on an adventure, to fighting the enemy, to trying and save a kingdom, both stories contain the good versus bad elements that makes the telling of two brave heroes. One way that both characters are similar is the fact that they both go on an adventure, while showing acts of bravery and selflessness. Both characters jumped at a chance to risk their lives to save their king and earn their honor and respect. However, while both characters are considered heroes, each character focuses on different values. Despite the minor differences each character has from one another, both characters

In the epic poem, Beowulf, translated by Seamus Heaney, it is said, "Behavior that's admired is the path to power among people" (Beowulf 5). That being stated, it is very apparent throughout the entirety of the story. The main character, Beowulf, quickly comes to a position of power once defeating multiple atrocities and executing numerous heroic deeds. The people in the city admire Beowulf and abide to his ways; but once offered kingship, he declines. Throughout the epic poem, it is obvious that Beowulf would rather be a hero than a king because of the individual representation that comes with it, the rewards, and the self-reliant aspect.

Even as he is dying, Beowulf thanks God for allowing him to accomplish so much in his life and for protecting him in his quests. When Beowulf faces what is quite possibly his greatest trial yet, the narrator says “fate sent him to the dragon and sent him death” (line 2400). When Beowulf comes face to face with his demise, it is fate that is against him, determining the bad things that will happen to him. However, when he is dying and “he’d unwound his string of days on earth, seen as much as God would grant him” (lines 2724-2726), God is in control of how long Beowulf had lived and what he had accomplished in life. Beowulf says that he “can leave this life happy” (lines 2739-2740).

Most teachers emphasize that a well-written character in a story should be deep, believable, and human, with flaws and personality. Then, say that Beowulf, a poem about a man who is as deep as a sheet of paper, is a masterpiece. While the poem Beowulf is one of the most important and influential pieces of literature in the world, Beowulf himself is a poorly written character when compared to characters of today’s standards.

“Beowulf is an epic poem written during the Anglo Saxon period Anglo Saxon are a primitive society whose only belief is in wryd Beouwlf demonstrates he is an epic hero by his belief in fate his superhuman strength and his actions determine the future of the Geats. First, Beowulf’s belief in fate represents the ideas of society which is the second characteristics of an epic hero In a speech to Hrogthar beowulf claims “fate will unwind as it must “(44)His statement goes back to the Anglo Saxons pagan religion the statement reflects beowulf is realistic about the possible outcome and recognizes his limitation in the upcoming fight . Beowulf tells everyone in Hrogthars court he is able to achieve great things because of his intent only to do good

Frequently in Beowulf, the narrator simply gives more of a direct characterization. The author actually begins the text with a direct characterization with the first three lines; saying, “So. The Spear-Danes in days gone by — and the kings who ruled them had courage and greatness. — We have heard of those princes heroic campaigns.” Immediately the reader knows the Danes are men of valor and prominence. In these cases it it is typical that the narrator will later give evidence to that bold accusation. On the other hand, the narrator often times develops characterization through subtle hints, flashbacks, or by using the acts of the individual as a testimony. In lines 2425-2509 of Beowulf, the narrator uses Beowulf’s recollection of his childhood to persuade the reader to take into account his background and roots, and use that to help us better understand him as a man, hero, and king. Within the first few lines of this specific digression, we learn that at the age of 7 Beowulf was fostered out by his father to Hrethel, his grandfather. The reader can then assume that this is where Beowulf learned his qualities of openhandedness and to behave like kinsmen. Perhaps, this is also why Beowulf felt a strong urge to travel to Heorot; not only to repay his fathers debt, but because he has a learned sense of kinship and self-boosterism. Leaders of this time period were strong, full of audacity, and a bit egotistical. However, can they be blamed? This