Beowulf's Reputation Essay

These accomplishments were just the tip of ice berg of the many great things Beowulf had done. After he slayed those two demons in Herot he was named the king of the Geats. Beowulf was a now a king who was thrown into the chaotic mess of Geatland. Through many years of sovereignty and selflessness he saved Geatland from utter destruction and invasion. The king before him had sent the economy into a swirling pit of corruption, brought war to the country, and oppressed his people. Soon after Beowulf had become king the Gothic wars in southern Europe began and Beowulf bravely lead his army of Geats to the front battle lines. Although a large number of Geats had passed Beowulf led his army to victory through blood and sweat. From winning these wars Geatland had gained a lump sum of Roman gold. With this gold Beowulf worked diligently to improve the economy and bring more jobs and fortune upon his people. Ten years after winning the wars Geatland was now a thriving and prosperous economy with all the thanks to the mighty king

In the beginning of the book Beowulf travels to see King Hrothgar , where he makes it his obligation to defeat the malicious demon named Grendel. Beowulf begins to boast about incredible strength when he went up against supernatural monsters. Beowulf states “All knew of my awesome strength. They had seen me boltered in the blood of my enemies when I battled and bound five beast, raided a troll-nest and in the night sea-brutes” (Heaney 419-423). The audience begins to get an image about the kind of character Beowulf is since he talks about single handling killing these supernatural beats that an ordinary person couldn’t successfully kill. Beowulf is obviously a vigorous anglo-saxon warrior as he is the one to go up against Grendel to save the kingdom from his horrid acts. In the book it said “He was overwhelmed, manacled tight by the man who of all men was foremost and the strongest in his days” (1225). In the first battle Beowulf fights Grendel till the death and Beowulf shows his strength by gripping Grendel in a tight embrace and is able to overpower him, causing Grendel to run off as he dies alone. At the end of the duel Beowulf proves that he is the strongest warrior and is granted victory. This quote is mentioned “Beowulf was granted with the glory of winning, Grendel was driven under the fen-banks” (1370-1372). Grendel

Beowulf has come because he has heard the stories of Grendel taking over Herot at its weakest, at night. His people have said, for him to go to the Danes Great king because they know about his battles. His battles being he captured five great giants into chains, and at the darkest of the night he would swim and hunt monster out of the ocean. So now that Beowulf has told his accomplishments his single request was to make him Lord and protector of the Danes, and with him and the help of his men they would eliminate all evil from that hall. Beowulf has now decided that he would fight Grendel with no weapons, and Higlac would think less of him if did, he would leave it up to God to decided who would die in that battle. Beowulf’s is thinking of

The character Beowulf embodied the Pagan heroic code (comitatus), but he also exhibited Christian values. Overall, he was a warrior and a hero who sought fame and reputation. Most of his actions were motivated by his desire to be remembered after his death as a courageous and loyal warrior. When Beowulf hears about Hrothgar’s trouble he goes to help him. He wants to help him for a few reasons, all of which relate to the comitatus. He wants to acquire fame and he wants lifelong honor. By beating Grendel he would receive honor and his reputation would be enhanced. Also, Beowulf wants to repay Hrothgar for settling a feud for his father years before. Beowulf is willing to do battle for the old king even though it means that he could die.

     Beowulf is a story of a brave warrior who fights Grendel in the timeless battle of good versus evil. This era was an age of fierce battles coupled with equally fierce honor and loyalty to rulers. “…He and all his glorious band of Geats thanked God that their leader had come back unharmed.” The

Beowulf’s culture cares about reputation because it is the only concept that is immortal. Before people die, they wanted to have a long-lasting impact on the lives around them, and they wanted their image to last as long as possible. This is especially true to the tribe of the Geats, a family of warriors bent on battle. Warriors fought in battle for position, territory, or to defend their tribe from

“No one else could do what I mean to, here, no man but me could hope to defeat this monster.” He gave no recognition to those who helped him and neither did he show caring thought for other people. He developed pride showed too much for he is. In addition to representing a conceited nature, Beowulf fought himself and his glory. “But I will fight again, seek fame still, if the dragon hiding in his tower dares to face me.” Even though Beowulf is thought of as a true hero and remarkable soldier, he cared a lot more about his reputation than his army or his people. His reputation was on the forefront of his mind while battling the dragon. After defeating the dragon, he glorified himself as an almighty figure and compared himself to his father and his legacy. “But I will fight again, seek fame still, if the dragon hiding in his tower dares to face me.” Finally, his presentation and interaction with Hrothgar, the king of Herot, came off as arrogant. Their interaction represents Beowulf’s attempt to present himself was as if he had a resume, it was a speech

In the epic poem Beowulf reputation shows a big part in how you are seen, and perceived. King Hrothgar knows of his cousin Beowulf due to his brute strength and courage from stories. When Beowulf- said to be the strongest of the Geats, the strongest man in the world (pg. 23, lines 110-111) - arrived in the story with his fourteen men who were said to be the strongest and bravest of the Geats (pg. 23, lines 120-121). Unferth the son of Ecglaf has heard of stories from when Beowulf had a swimming race with his cousin Brecca. The only thing Unferth really knew about Beowulf was that he lost the race to Brecca, and how they were boastful fools who only cared about the danger of it.

The famous poet James Russell Lowell once said, “Reputation is only a candle, of wavering and uncertain flame, and easily blown out, but it is the light by which the world looks for and finds merit” . Reality stresses the importance to be more concerned with personal character than self reputation, because character beholds who you really are, while your reputation is merely what others perceive. The epic of Beowulf, written in Old English, describes the adventures of a great Scandinavian warrior of the sixth century. Having an outstanding reputation was an important aspect of life, and in the world of Beowulf it was no different.

First, Beowulf uses battles to earn more glory and a higher praise for himself. Beowulf’s first major battle was with Grendel; he battles Grendel to help the people of Herot, but more importantly to gain more glory for himself. By doing this, people will remember him as the daring soldier who killed the giant. Grendel’s mother was Beowulf’s second major clash; Beowulf gains even more praise when he rises to the challenge to kill Grendel’s mother. Once again, after carrying out his promise, Beowulf is known for another daring fulfillment. After all the damage Grendel and his mother did to Heorot Hall, Beowulf was fearless enough to take on the ogres. For such heroism and his known achievements, Beowulf gains high honor and even more glory.

In the end, it all comes down to the people. Beowulf fight for his king and for his predecessors. Before Beowulf there was a time of war and bloodshed. People realized that they didn’t want to always be in war. Beowulf understood the needs of his people and he also realized that at one point is death would be inevitable.

Beowulf wanted an individual reputation as he made for himself by saving the Danes and slaying many monsters. He wanted the people to have an option to follow him not just because they had to. If Beowulf was the king the people would be forced to follow him rather than the people following him because they have respect for him. Beowulf was a fearless warrior and to become a king he would have to give up the warrior lifestyle that brought him fame, glory, and riches. Beowulf sailed to Denmark with some of his men and deafeated a monster named Grendel and wanted to mostly because he knew he would gain fame and get rewarded for defeating this creature. He was a heroic and brave warrior and people followed him and paraised him for being brave and saving multiple times. The Danes wanted Beowulf to become king and rule them but Beowulf did not want to give up his heroic lifestyle.

Beowulf is always seen as mighty, and strong. He is said to have the strength of 30 men which tells us he is better than the average man. We recognize him as a great man who defeats evil and puts his life on the line with the help of God. In the main battle between Grendel and Beowulf, Grendel was defeated, which lets us see that good will triumph over evil.

Beowulf earned fame from wealth and his companions and from the danes, but most importantly, he earned his honor by becoming a great hero. Some of Beowulfs good acts are his efforts of trying to free King Hrothgar. He always stood by his word even when he knew there's a chance of death. Hrothgar needs men to help him to defeat Grendle so, beowulf brings his men to help defeat Grendle. “ I am Beowulf, kinsman and thane of King Hygelac of the seats. Far away in my homeland, I heard rumors of the monster that threatens your people. Grant my men permission to guard Heorot Hall tonight and i will rid you of this evil.” (Geiger, 24) Beowulf shows his honor in his words by willing himself and his men to fight for King Hrothgar even though it is not his homeland, and they are not his people. It shows that Beowulf is using his wealth and honor to help rid everyone from evil.

The achievement Beowulf made by defeating monsters with strength is the first part that a warrior like Beowulf seeks fame through and this one is shown by the fight between Beowulf and Grendel. When Beowulf first hears about Grendel, he immediately "...ordered a boat that would ply the waves. He announced his plan: to sail the swan's road and seek out the king who needed defenders." (Beowulf 46) Beowulf sails to help the Spear-Danes because he's a warrior and seeks to do great deeds, such as proving his strength, and win fame. The first thing Beowulf tells Hrothgar is "when I was younger, I had great triumphs," (Beowulf 50) and that all of the elders and councilmen supported his decision to fight Grendel "because they all knew of his awesome strength." (Beowulf