How Does Beowulf Show Self Sacrifice

In Beowulf, the clash between good and evil is the poem's main and most significant focal point. Although the epic poem Beowulf utilizes many characteristics of Christian themes, the violence in the poem relates to paganism. By exploring the characteristics of “good vs. evil” such as Cain, Grendel and Beowulf, this paper will explore the elements of Beowulf in such a light.

When they fight his men are overcome with personal greed of the treasure and are foolish in battle and die. Beowulf then fights the dragon single-handedly, killing it but getting himself killed in the process. The author of Beowulf portrays the societal values of honor and bravery through this plot. Beowulf goes because, as Hrothgar described it, “I brought the end to Edgetho’s (Beowulf’s father) quarrel, sent ancient treasures through the ocean’s furrows to the Wulfings” (Beowulf 204-206).

The first battle shows Beowulf’s bravery by challenging the great beast in a battle with his bare hands. He showed no fear and arrogance that was soon backed up by his might. From the very beginning Beowulf showed a lot of pride in the strength he possessed which luckly was no laughing matter. He maneged to kill Grendel, a furosious monster who has slayen many men, by ripping of his arm and causing him to bleed to death. It wasn’t a direct kill but the people sure took it as it. He was recognized as someone worthy to rule them and was praised for this. His victory with Grendel earned him his arm. His trophy was Grendel’s arm, showing how mighty he was to rip the arm of a vicious creature bare handed with no armor. Grendel with his arm ripped off he retreats back to his mother, where his life is on the line as he bleeds to death.

the Danes are being terrorized by the gruesome Grendel. Grendel attacks the people and fills them with fear. He leads them into the jaws of death. Grendel is even a descendent of Cain, making the battle between him and Beowulf a struggle between the powers of good and evil. Similarly, the dragon may symbolize Satan terrorizing our lives and trying to lead us astray and into temptation. The dragon’s primary goal is also to obtain as much gold and riches as possible, and to hoard them, protecting it with his fire and the fear he struck into the hearts of the people. Beowulf hears of the death and destruction that is happening, and decides to sail to their rescue, much like Jesus. Here Beowulf can clearly be seen as a Christ figure when he defeats Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the dragon; he acts as their savior. He slays them all with courage and bravery, just like Jesus had no fear in Matthew 23:13-36, Matthew 21:12, 13, John 16:33, John 5:15-18; 7:14, and John 2:14-17. Jesus showed his courage and bravery throughout all these verses, and many more throughout the Bible. He showed it even when he was a child. Beowulf shows his bravery all

Beowulf shows self-sacrifice throughout the poem because he is putting himself out there to fight monsters who aren’t putting him or his town in danger. If it were anyone they would just stay where they were in the beginning without causing any alarm towards the beasts. In lines 1384-1396, ¨Let your sorrow..no longer.¨ shows that Beowulf is willing to help Herot without any doubt. After he had defeated Grendel, people in Herot saw him as a greater warrior.

Christianity is shown through Beowulf being like Christ in his sacrifice and deeds. Although Beowulf was not the Son of God, and Christ was not the most powerful warrior in the world, there are many similarities between the two. Both Beowulf and Christ give up their lives to save everyone: “Seeing him stretched on the ground … A torn and bloody corpse. But Beowulf’s Killer was dead, too,” (Line 2823\ Line 2825) This parallels Christ dying to save humanity from sin. The dragon is symbolic of the devil because in the same way that Christ defeats the Devil through his sacrifice, Beowulf defeats the dragon through his sacrifice. There are other symbolic parallels between Christ and Beowulf like the twelve apostles and the twelve mourning Geats: “And then twelve of the bravest Geats Rode their horses around the tower, Telling their sorrow, telling stories Of their dead king and his greatness…”(Line 3169\

What defines a hero? Is it how they appear, what they do, or is it in their nature? All throughout history, stories about handsome, strong men accomplishing herculean tasks have retained popularity. The hero saves a maiden, rushes into a burning building, or kills a terrifying monster. Beowulf is a common example, but modern heroes, soldiers, for example, should also be considered. Although Beowulf is fictional and soldiers are real, they both demonstrate bravery, loyalty, and sacrifice.

The epic poem Beowulf, translated by Seamus Heaney, provides examples of bravery which were valued during the Anglo-Saxon period. Beowulf is at that time known for his superhuman abilities. From defeating monsters such as those who are descended from Cain, first biblical murderer, and a revenge seeking dragon, Beowulf proves that he exhibits great bravery in everything he does. In this work, Beowulf’s battle against Grendel and the dragon portrays that an effective and noble leader expresses immense bravery by protecting their people while keeping thoughts of fame and glory in mind.

Beowulf , an epic poem written by an anonymous author, tells the tale of a great warrior and king. The literary device characterization is used to bring the character’s personality to life. Thus, Beowulf is described in great detail. He demonstrates the qualities of bravery, courage, and honesty. One characteristic that Beowulf possesses is bravery.

Valor is often seen as an upside to someone’s character, but when very brave, it mistakenly leads to being brave in situations where the dispute is unfavorable. Excessive bravery leads to careless or unneeded acts, times when doing something is insane. Having too much courage results in recklessness. Courage takes over rationality, the outcome being unwise choices, which leads to consequences. In both passages the qualities of bravery leads to unnecessary risks.

Beowulf is a poem that tells the story of a hero’s victories and defeat, first killing a demon and his mother and after being defeated by a dragon. This poem shows how spectacular epics were at this time and as the Anglo-Saxon literature took a long a long time ago. Furthermore it shows how important and recognized the heroic deeds were, so much to the point to write about the hero with qualities and characteristics that were a little overdone such as the strength of Beowulf that with one fist he tore Grendel's arm off. In the epic, the reader can witness that willpower and loyalty are more important than physical strength in battle as these allow him to be willing to face a very strong and terrifying enemies and defend his principles and friends.

Beowulf is an epic poem that, above all, gives the reader an idea of a time long past; a time when the most important values were courage and integrity. The only factors that could bestow shower fame upon a person were heroic deeds and family lineage. Beowulf, as the paradigm of pagan heroes, exhibited his desire to amass fame and fortune; the only way to do so was to avenge the death of others. This theme of retribution that is ever present throughout the poem seems to color the identities of its characters.

Beowulf is from a time where heros never die. They would live on through stories. There would be amazing tales, poems recited, and songs sung about what the hero had done. To be a hero you had to follow the Anglo-Saxon codes. Which meant showing respect to those who had raised you and in turn helping them when they are in need. It means proving yourself and doing what was expected of you, even when it is something like dieing for your people. To live on through stories, Beowulf fought because of his duty, for glory, and as a sacrifice.

Beowulf is an Anglo-Saxon epic that was transmitted verbally for hundreds of years before it was written down. Around the time of its composition, Christianity was beginning to gain prominence in England and was quickly replacing the animistic religion of the Celts. As a result of the dueling religions of the time, the poem includes influences from both Christianity and paganism, leaving its readers to wonder which religion had the most sway over the poet. Beowulf is a fundamentally more Christian epic on account of Beowulf’s resemblances of Jesus Christ, its allusions to the Bible, and its intimation of a supreme, monotheistic religion.

It was a mighty fight. The battle between the dragon and Beowulf would have not have happened if the dragon did not unleash his wrath. Everything changed when one measly treasure was stolen amongst the copious supply of other treasure, “The intruder broached the dragon’s treasure / and moved him to a wrath has never meant to” (Beowulf 2221 – 2222). The dragon did not want to unleash his