Why would Beowulf rather be a hero than a king? what is the difference? How does it differ from social relationships and structure today? Discuss the social hierarchy as presented in the text. Beowulf wanted to be a hero rather than a king. He would rather be the legend of the people than a leader who has power over the people. Beowulf is a man of action and would much rather be out there fighting and saving people from monsters than just ruling the people. The main difference between a hero and king is the responsibilities they both have. 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. …show more content…
Beowulf stayed a hero for most of his life. He didnt want to be king because he wouldnt have been able to fight, and with becoming a king there was more responsibility. In modern day a king would be like a boss and a hero would be like an employee. A boss would have it easier than employee would have
Beowulf's warriors praise him after his death as being a hero and a gracious and kind king who always defended his people with honor and minimal pride. This is an especially difficult thing to accomplish. "The hero follows a code that exalts indomitable will and valor in the individual, but society requires a king who acts for the common good, not for his own glory" (Leyerle 56). These two characters, the epic hero and the mighty king, often conflict with each other. Each one has different characteristics. The hero acts solely out of pride for his accomplishments, while the king does everything for the betterment of his
How does beowulf's heroic acts compare to today's heroes.Becoming a hero you do not necessarily need brute strength, but can have mental strength as well. Having pride and honor is
Beowulf has shown many characteristics of a hero. Where as Grendel has shown characteristics of being an outcast. The role of the hero in Beowulf was portrayed by Beowulf himself. Beowulf was the leader and took on three quests for the people. Most heros would need some form of preparation before they complete quests, but Beowulf on the other hand did not need any. Beowulf had a calling when he was leader. These callings were the three quests that Beowulf needed to complete for the greater good of Hrothgar’s people, defeating Grendel, defeating Grendel’s mother, and attempting to slay the dragon that had burned the houses and land of the Geats’.
Beowulf starts out as a mighty warrior with nothing to lose, in contrast to his mentor, King Hrothgar, a wise king who wishes to protect his people. Beowulf learns from Hrothgar gaining the qualities fit for a king.
Beowulf has shown many characteristics of a hero. Where as Grendel has shown characteristics of being an outcast. The role of the hero in Beowulf was portrayed by Beowulf himself. Beowulf was the leader and took on three quests for his people. Most heroes would need some form of preparation before they complete quests, but Beowulf did not need any preparation. Beowulf had callings while he was the leader of the Geats. These callings were the three quests that Beowulf needed to complete for the greater good of Hrothgar’s people. Defeating Grendel, defeating Grendel’s mother, and attempting to slay the dragon that had burned the houses and land of the Geats’ were callings Beowulf had to face.
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 a very brave and noble prince. He proves this statement in the way he humbly boasts about his ability to complete quests, fighting monstrous creates continuously, and going into each battle or challenge by his lonesome. “Hail! King Hrothgar! I am Hygelac’s thane, Hygelac’s kinsman. Many a deed Of honor and daring I’ve done in my youth… The best of my people, prudent and brave, Urged
As Beowulf lies at rest, the question must be asked. Was he a true hero? Wanting only to help the towns people and keep them safe? Or just a mighty man wanting to be king, loathed in fame and riches? That is something that may always stay
Starting as a warrior and later becoming the king, Beowulf left behind a legacy. Beowulf portrays many traits of a hero. According to the Beowulf History Channel documentary, implies that he was a “superhuman” (History Doc.). Beowulf was known as “the strongest of the Geats” (Beowulf 195). According to the epic Beowulf, Beowulf was “stronger than anyone anywhere”(194). He was like no other anywhere else. Beowulf was not scared of battle, and felt like the best way to die was in battle.Beowulf was fearless. He voluntarily put himself in danger in order to protect his people and friends. Beowulf sailed across the sea to Denmark “in friendship” to
Beowulf demonstrates characteristics of a king because he is fearless. He isn’t just strong and dreamy like the average king we see on television, he is extremely courageous. For example, Beowulf traveled the sea to ask Hrothgar permission to battle Grendel. After his victory with Grendel, Grendel’s mother seeks revenge for her son so she targets one of Hrothgar’s closest friends. Hrothgar asks Beowulf to kill Grendel’s mother. Beowulf
What makes you who you are? Is it the clothes you wear or simply what you say. People can be identified in many ways but what makes anyone a hero? A hero is someone who does something out of selfness of themselves rather than for themselves. Simply by saving an old womens cat in the tree can signify you as a hero to her. But, how do you become a hero to the world? How about saving people from burning buildings or saving someone from a bad guy. Anyone can be classified as a hero but it is hard to be seen by the world as a hero. Look at the story of Beowulf. He was well known by everyone and very strong. He was shortly defeated by a dragon but, that doesn't mean he's doings die with him. He will be forever known for what he accomplished. All Beowulf wanted was to be seen by the world as a hero.
Beowulf is considered a hero in many ways because he goes through many problems and overcomes many of them. Beowulf puts his life on the line countless times to protect the lives of others and doesn’t really get a reward for it. He is what many believe any kind of warrior or great leader should strive to be. Beowulf should be considered a hero because he stood and faced all his odds head on, puts his life on the line to protect his people, and he displays selfless service for his people. Even though he boasts often he can back it up.
In Beowulf’s story the vikings made him some sort of hero. They heard of his accomplishments and honored him like a king. They also put him in charge of solving their biggest problem with out any second thoughts, and it turned out well for them. He was their hero, later they even made him their king. He might have been a hero to them, but that was only because he solved their problem.
Beowulf’s embodiment of both warrior-like and king-like heroic traits is the predominant reason he is so successful in Anglo-Saxon society; however, it is also the cause of his demise. As stated previously, Beowulf’s loyalty towards his people drives many decisions he makes, and when faced with the impeding threat of the dragon, Beowulf’s loyalty drives his decision to personally fight it. Although this action directly complies with the values of loyalty and protectionism associated with the heroic code of kings, it is directly contradicted by the ideal of political skills, that is kings making decisions with the best interest of their people in mind. Although at the time, fending off the dragon seems to Beowulf like the proper course of action
Beowulf essay Why is beowulf a hero? He is a hero because he protects people from monsters and dragons. He will fight without weapons or with weapons. Some of the monsters he can’t fight with weapons. Beowulf is the strongest among men.