Essay Beowulf: The Ideal Anglo-Saxon Hero

Beowulf is an epic hero from the Anglo-Saxon period, who takes on a great deal of challenges and adventures. The character Beowulf embodies the virtues of the Anglo-Saxon culture and beliefs. He incorporate the traits of Anglo-Saxon society with strength, bravery, honor, and the desire to help the helpless.

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.]

By definition the word “hero” might be interpreted in one of four ways. First off in mythology and legend, a hero is often of divine ancestry. He is endowed with great courage and strength, celebrated for his bold exploits, and favored by the gods. Secondly, a hero is a person noted for feats of courage or nobility of purpose, especially one who has risked or sacrificed his or her life. Thirdly, a hero can also be described as a person noted for special achievement in a particular field. Finally a hero is defined as the principal male character in a novel, poem, or dramatic presentation http://dictionary.reference.com/serch?q=hero. Beowulf, in Beowulf, might be considered a hero in every aspect

Sacrifice for the greater good is the natural inclination for heroes and protagonists in stories; however, in order to subsidize and materialize the profits for forfeiting one's humanity which is a drastic step towards lowering one's abilities and the perception other people have of that individual. A false hero practices charisma, a desire to succeed and the need to be placed on a pedestal adorned by arbitrary individuals. These practices serve as the root for this “Hero” to forward his ideas on those closest to him, even if those close individuals are regarded as rational and clear-minded. These followers hurl themselves at the whims of the “Hero” willing to sacrifice their dreams and aspirations for the the “Heroes” own gratification and

Comparatively, heroism is another valued ideal in the Anglo Saxon period. Heroism can be shown in Beowulf because of the themes of courage and skill in

Why is it that we fantasize about hero's? As kids we didn't only want to meet then, we wanted to be them. We didnt understand what it really meant to be brave, corurages, and what it meant to serve justice. Many famous heros that we have come to know have a to known that have good qualties are like Captain America who serves justice, and even spider-man , they both have valor and justice.The story of the great Beowulf is one that was written by an unknown sorce. It is an epic poem from the Anglo-Saxon period. Beowulf is considered a Anglo-Saxon hero because of how much Valor, unselfiness, and sense of justice that he shows toward his king. Which is why Beowulf is Considered a hero.

The Anglo-saxon period lasted for about 600 years from 410 AD to 1066 AD. The term Anglo-Saxon is used to describe the Germanic people who ruled territories that are commonly know as England and Wales today. The Anglo-Saxon people based eachother off of status. The most admired people were warriors and heroes of great status. The characteristics of a hero were are much different compared to the characteristics of a hero today. Back then to be a hero you must have had strength, courage, humility and thick skin. In Beowulf the main character has all these things. In the book Beowulf is first described as someone,” Who valuable gift-gems of the Geatmen carried As peace-offering thither, that he thirty men's grapple Has in his hand, the hero-in-battle”.

In early British literature, more specifically Beowulf, Sir Gawain and the Green knight, Lanval, and The Wife of Bath’s prologue and tale, heroism can be traced through three main aspects, bravery, loyalty, and strength. The hero is the protagonist that is defined by their bravery, being unafraid to confront those who stand in their way, testing their faith in their own self, they must be loyal to their authority, ready to protect the lands of their king, testing their will to risk their life for their king, and strength, finding ones physical, mental, or emotional strength to be physically able to fight for their life or mentally capable to outsmart those who oppose them. Bravery is such an important characteristic of heroism because it is

A hero is defined as a person who is admired for courage, exceptional achievements, or honorable qualities. In the epic poem Beowulf, translated by Seamus Heaney, warriors are highly praised for their courageous and noble acts during battle. Beowulf, a Scandinavian hero, asserts his worth through boasting about himself and his loyalty to the heroic code. Through his acts in battle with two monsters, Beowulf is praised and his oncoming power is recognized with caution. Moreover, as a ruler, he allows his heroic qualities to cloud his judgment. Beowulf’s courageous character and honorable deeds embody the persona of an Anglo-Saxon warrior. The weaknesses of the primitive society in which the epic takes place is shown through his pre-eminent heroic qualities and desire for glory that lead to great demise in the end.

There are stories told all over the world handed down from generation to generation. Some remember these stories by memory, but are lost in time, and some write them down to be remembered forever as a part of history. Beowulf is one such story that has been mysteriously remembered for many centuries. I’ve very much enjoyed reading Beowulf. However, since this story has been around for so long many people have added, reduced, or omitted bits and pieces of the story. In other words, it has become an almost epic legend, never knowing if it was real or if it is rumor. And like any rumor being told to others, the story gets better and better over time like a fine wine. Since this poem has been around for many centuries, it is clear in much of

Hero’s in literature are arguably “someone who is willing to sacrifice his own needs on behalf of others” (Vogler, 2007, pp. 29), for example Christopher from The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time (Haddon, 2003). However there are examples of those who subvert this notion, Baxter from ‘The Lepidcotor’ (Jackson, 2005) for example and Richard from I Am Legend (Matheson, 2010) who does it for his own gain. A characters traits, attributions, motivations and desires take part in their ability to become a strong heroic figure, these character aspects will affect the journey of the narrative and story.

The Anglo-Saxons culture 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.

The epic poem Beowulf expresses many Anglo-Saxon ideals. One of these ideals incorporates warriors, which were celebrated and valued in the Anglo-Saxon times. Beowulf, the main character of the poem, is an example of the archetypical “hero as warrior,” which clearly defines an Anglo-Saxon warrior. Nearly god-like, Beowulf undergoes many physical and mental challenges in order to help others. Because Beowulf is a celebrated hero, has supernatural strength, and undying loyalty, he is the epitome of an Anglo-Saxon warrior.

When heroes feature in literature, they often show the relationship between the hero and their ideals. The heroic idealism is as exactly how it sounds but in comes in all forms, shapes, and sizes and varies with different cultures. A person who embodies the best of all the qualities anyone culture values. In Geoffrey Chaucer the Knight’s tale the ideals of heroism are based primarily on chivalry.

The concept of heroism commonly lends itself to male leaders within literature. It is often expected of characters such as kings to possess attributes such as bravery and integrity. While a reader’s first inclination may be to see the leaders with titleship as potential protagonists, the lesser characters can exhibit kingly qualities despite their lower status. When defining heroism, it is important to remember the angle of selflessness and sacrifice involved. A hero takes control of a situation and their fate for a cause that is bigger than themselves.