Example Of Courage In Beowulf

In the epic Beowulf courage is an on going theme that is shown throughout the entire story. By definition courage is the state or quality of mind or spirit that enables one to face danger, fear, or vicissitudes on ones own will and determination. There are many things form the epic that could be used to prove this statement, but I chose to use the section entitled "The Final Battle." In this section there are two great speeches given by both Beowulf and Wiglaf. I believe that in both of these monologues courage is portrayed by the two warriors, and it is easy to see why.

Continuing, even though he did not defeat Grendel by himself, Hrothgar demonstrates the wisdom a king needs to rule his kingdom. At the arrival of Beowulf’s troops, Hrothgar knew distinctly that he needed to gain their loyalty in order to let Beowulf fight Grendel, so he generously gave plenty of drinks and he even brought out his own wife to please them, “…the Helming woman went on her rounds, / queenly and dignified, decked out in rings, / offering the goblet to all ranks,” (620-622). Hrothgar utilizes his tactful mind to gain these warriors’ trust, even though he could not fight anymore like Beowulf, the Danes’ king’s wisdom remains and makes him qualify as a king. Furthermore, Hrothgar gives advice to Beowulf, which reveals the insight Hrothgar has and the great worldview he yields. He says to Beowulf, “…beware of that trap. / Choose, dear Beowulf, the better part, / Eternal rewards. Do not give way to pride.” (1758-1760). In these lines, Hrothgar warns Beowulf about the danger pride wields, which can infiltrate the strongest warrior; he pointed out the most dangerous trap, which people in that time period ignored easily when they become a leader.

As the reader is introduced to the character Beowulf, it is clear that bravery is one of his strongest traits. Not only is bravery shown through Beowulf, but along with his people, the Geats, as they face Hell’s unknown. “‘ Heard how Grendel filled 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

King Hrothgar was known both as a great king but also one who started the situation with Grendel and his mother. He introduced the terror of these monsters to his people. “Sad lays were sung about the beset king the visitors raid and ravages of Grendel” (154). King Hrothgar allowed Grendel to keep terrorizing the people for 12 years. He did not take a stand to try to fight Grendel instead, he had others try. Although the terrorism of Grendel was put to an end by Beowulf under King Hrothgar's rule people were thankful for their King. “yet there was no laying of blame on their lord, the noble Hrothgar; he was a good king” (860). Hrothgar cared for his people and gave his thanks to Beowulf and his warriors with treasure for the defeat of

The early anglo-saxon culture placed value many things; gifts, a long life, and loyalty. But one thing surpassed all of these in importance; courage. The demonic dragons terrorizing the population create an aura of fear that no character can deny, but Beowulf stands up to the demons and defeats them. He displays incredible courage in the face of danger and creates a legacy for himself that lives on with his people, even after his demise. Despite the numerous dragons he faced, Beowulf defeated evil when all hope seemed lost. Because of the unshakable courage he possessed; he did it not once, not twice, but three times.

At the beginning of the tale, the Danish King Hrothgar's kingdom is being besieged by an evil monster named Grendel. Grendel is portrayed as the embodiment of everything that is negative in the world, based on the traditional Anglo-Saxon view. Grendel is violent, ugly, and assaults the hospitality of the king. He attacks the king's most noble warriors in the mead hall of Heorot, a place of joy and rest. The King and his men can do nothing to fight against the might of Grendel, and his entire kingdom is paralyzed by fear. Only the heroism of the Geatish Beowulf can save the kingdom. Beowulf comes from a kingdom far away, and Hrothgar must send for him and beg the noble Beowulf to help.

Grendel, a fierce and evil spawn that descended from Cain, was terrorizing the Danes. King Hrothgar,the Danish king in Denmark, had his kingdom plagued by Grendel's attacks and terror for over 10 years. Grendel entered Heorot, the most grand of all Mead-Halls ever constructed, and ripped apart the Danish soldiers. Grendel could not be harmed by swords of mortal men, so King Hrothgar was becoming desperate, not for his own safety, because Grendel could not touch the kings throne, but for his own people. Now enters Beowulf. Beowulf is a battle-hardened warrior who is seeking glory and honor. Beowulf is a Geat, the neighbors of the Danes. With Hrothgar out of options, and because he knew Beowulf's father, he allowed Beowulf to make an attempt

Hrothgar, king of the danes, also known as the protector of Shieldings and the helmet of Shieldings. Ruler of Heorot, son of Healfdene, lived in the early 6th century. He was a wise and aged ruler, who has become famous for his leadership and generosity. His status played a big influence on his behavior because he was a calm and very patient king, even though Heorot was being destroyed by Grendel. When Beowulf arrived he was very to meet and talk with him. He had known his father which had also been king of the Geats. He was very good about listening to him, explaining that he heard about what Grendel was doing to his town. He wanted to help and was glad that he came to follow up an old friendship. Hrothgar never let anyone influence the treatment

King Hrothgar is the ruler of the Danes and is affected by a monster Grendel. Grendel attacks King Hrothgar's Heorot hall every night killing warriors and eating them, Hrothgar is old and cannot protect his people as he did when he was young. Beowulf travels to Heorot Hall to help because Hrothgar helped his father. Beowulf fights and defeats Grendel who goes into the wilderness and dies. Grendel’s mother wants to avenge her son. While all the warriors are sleeping she attacks Heorot Hall but ends up fleeing to a cave underneath a lake. Beowulf tracks her and finds the cave beneath the lake fights her takes a sword that is nearby from her treasure and kills her. That was Beowulf’s second challenge.

Hrothgar, the ruler of the Danes, places the people of his city as the highest priority. Not being timid to present emotions along with wisdom and admirability are certain qualities held by Hrothgar. Additionally, he lacks vigor to physically combat his civilian enemies, as he displays the aspects of an aging ruler. Hrothgar displays that he is not a careless king in terms of his people, showing grievance to the victims of Grendel’s hand, “Hrothgar, their lord, sat joyless/ In Herot, a mighty prince mourning/

In the book, Hrothgar was the king of Danes, and he was troubled by a monster named Grendel. Beowulf and 14 men sailed over the sea to the land of Danes to offer help to Hrothgar. They were escorted by a Danish guard to Herot, where Wulfgar, one of Hrothgar’s solders, tells the king of their arrival. Hrothgar knows of Beowulf and is ready to welcome the young prince and his men. Beowulf states “That I, alone and with the help of my men, may purge all evil from this hall. I have heard, too, that the monster’s scorn of men is so great that he needs no weapons and

He boasts, “They have seen my strength for themselves, Have watched me rise from the darkness of war. Dripping with my enemies’ blood”(Beowulf 10). Beowulf has defeated many monsters within his life, all for the good of others. These courageous and fearless acts are what have made him into the model warrior that he is. In the literary work, Beowulf hears news of King Hrothgar's troubles with Grendel; a horrible demon, terrorizing King Hrothgar’s mead hall called Herot.

Even though they were not his people, he knew that he had the ability to stop the madness. In the text, Beowulf, the hero himself says to Hrothgar, “This one favor you should not refuse me - that I, alone and with the help of my men, may purge all evil from this hall.” He continues by saying, “My lord Higlac might think less of me if I let my sword go where my feet were afraid to, if I hid behind some broad linden shield: my hands alone shall fight for me, struggle for life against the monster.” With these words, Beowulf is showing Hrothgar that he really does believe himself to be worthy of fighting the mighty Grendel, and that he believes he will be victorious in doing

Hrothgar is scared and frightened of Grendel. Herot is his mead hall that he embraces. He wants safety for all of his men. He got Beowulf to kill the monsters (Grendel and Grendel's mother) that threatened them. The amount of people in his mead hall determines the success of his ruling. This is an important theme in the story. When Hrothgar's mead hall was deserted, it signified that he was failing as a king. However, when Grendel and Grendel's mother was killed, his rulings became successful once again.Hrothgar: He is the king of the Danes while Beowulf was still in his earlier years of life. Hrothgar had a problem with a monster named Grendel who threatened the Dane's way of life. Hrothgar is scared and frightened of Grendel. Herot is his mead hall that he embraces. He wants safety for all of his men. He got Beowulf to kill the monsters (Grendel and Grendel's mother) that threatened them. The amount of people in his mead hall determines the success of his ruling. This is an important theme in the story. When Hrothgar's mead hall was deserted, it signified that he was failing as a

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.