Was Beowulf Really Brave

Every epic hero acquires certain heroic characteristics. The poem, “Beowulf, is about the most heroic man of the Anglo-Saxon period. Beowulf is a warrior from Geatland that comes to help Hrothgar, the king of Danes, defeat the monster Grendel who has been killing men in their kingdom. Beowulf defeats the unstoppable beast, Grendel. Then Grendel’s mother comes to try to avenge Grendel’s death, and Beowulf slaughters her in her underwater lair. After 50 peaceful years of ruling the Geats, Beowulf in his old age fights his last battle with a dragon. He defeats the dragon, with help from Wiglaf, but dies as a result. The main character, Beowulf exemplifies many characteristics that an epic hero possesses. Beowulf’s characteristics include

Like a lonely hunter; Beowulf thrives for the feeling of capturing his prey; honor. Beowulf, before his last hunt for glory and fame says: “’I’ve never known fear, as a youth I fought/ In endless battles. I am old, now, / But I will fight again, seek fame still…’” (lines 623-626). At an old age Beowulf still dreams of gaining honor and fame even at the cost of his own life. Even after becoming a king, Beowulf felt the urge to prove that he was truly worthy of the title and worthiness to his people, while unknowingly generating respect and honor in the process. Beowulf’s seek for fame and glory brought him a great honor, the honor of being king to people who adored him for his willingness to prove himself to anyone who may question his

He has not only shown courage but also gives his assurance that he would die or kill Grendel in order to protect this kingdom.In the poem Beowulf by Seamus Heaney, Beowulf states that “I hereby renounce sword and the shelter of the broad shield, the heavy war-board: hand-to-hand is how it will be, a life-and-death fight with fiend”(Heaney 408-414). While reciting his boast, Beowulf shows a tremendous amount of trust and confidence in himself against the battle with the merciless monsters Grendel, Grendel’s mother and the Dragon. Another example to show his supremacy is when he battles the dragon and he recites “I would rather not/ use a weapon if I knew another way/ to grapple with the dragon and make good my boast/ as I did against Grendel in the days gone by.” (Heaney 2518-2521). One of the best ways Beowulf promotes faith in himself before battles is with his boasts. The lines quoted above have a lot of significance as it was last boast, he succumbs to his wounds after the battles against the dragon. Anglo-Saxons encourage themselves by gaining glory for self and clan too. This is an important scene as it is the scene after Beowulf's victory over Grendel,“The monster’s whole body was in pain, a tremendous wound apprehended on his shoulder. Sinews split and the bone lappings burst. Beowulf was granted the glory of winning” (Heaney 817-819). Epic battle vs Grendel had ended and Beowulf emerged out with his glorious

Every epic hero possesses certain heroic characteristics. The epic poem Beowulf describes the most heroic man of the Anglo-Saxon times. Beowulf is the hero. He shows that he is a great man by always putting other things before his own needs. He is important and needed by his people and is known by many as a strong, courageous and a helpful person. He shows all of the qualities and traits that a true hero possesses.

Beowulf’s strength is beyond any of human comparison and has allowed him to accomplish tasks that would have obliterated lesser men and gain renown throughout the world. Beowulf’s boasts of his strength are not to be received as prideful or egotistical but rather as a true representation of his power as Beowulf always fulfils his boasts. When Beowulf pledges to vanquish Grendel, he does not take it lightly and tells Hrothgar and his wife, Wealhtheow, that “..I shall fulfil that purpose, prove myself with a proud victory or meet my death here in the mead-hall.”(636-638), showing that he is prepared to die, if needed, to defeat this hellish creature. Later that night, in his battle with Grendel, Beowulf showed his strength. “The Captain of evil discovered himself in a handgrip harder than anything he had ever encountered in any man on the face of the earth… in all his days, he had never been clamped or cornered like this”(749-752,755-756). Beowulf’s strength surpassed that of even supernatural beings and allowed his to go on the offensive against a foe that had ravaged Heorot for years and thus allowed him to fulfill his boast. Beowulf power is brought out in his recitation of his deeds and again later actions against the mother of Grendel and a fire breathing dragon that threatens his home. In all of this fights, Beowulf is not seeking glory for himself, but

The epic poem Beowulf describes the most heroic man of the Anglo-Saxon times. The hero, Beowulf, is a seemingly invincible person with all the extraordinary traits required of an Anglo Saxon hero. He is able to use his super-human physical strength and courage to put his people before himself. He encounters many monsters and horrible beasts, but he never fears the threat of death. His leadership skills are outstanding and he is even able to boast about all his achievements. Beowulf is the ultimate epic hero who risks his life countless times for glory which to him meant eternal life.

Every epic hero possesses certain heroic characteristics. The epic poem Beowulf describes the most heroic man of the Anglo-Saxon times. Beowulf is the hero. He shows that he is a great man by always putting other things before his own needs. He is important and needed by his people and is known by many as a strong, courageous and a helpful person. He shows all of the qualities and traits that a true hero possesses.

Beowulf took it upon himself and accepted the task of killing Grendel “Heard how Grendel filled nights with horror/And quickly commanded a boat fitted out” (line 111-112). Beowulf heard how Grendel was killing kings Hrothgar men and knew no one could stop him but him and if he did he would be remember forever by them. Beowulf leaves his home to help people he does not even no “The young warrior Beowulf, a nobleman from the land of the Geats, travels to the kingdom of the Danes, where he saves the people of King Hrothgar by slaying the monster Grendel and his mother”. He comes to a land of sacred people and kills not just one beats but two he will forever be remember by them. Even after years Beowulf will still put his life on the line for the fame “In endless battles. I am old, now,/But I will Fight again, seek fame still/If the dragon hiding in his tower dares/to face me” (line 625-628).

Throughout history the world has had many heroes. Some heroes have done incredible measures to save the world. Other heroes fly on tv screens. While other heroes simply smile to make someones day. In the epic poem Beowulf the hero shows braveness, selflessness, and his strength to be a hero for the Anglo Saxon Society.

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.

A characteristic of Beowulf is courageous. Courage is the ability to do something that frightens you. Beowulf wasn’t necessarily frightened, but he did do something that frightened the men of Hrothgar. Beowulf does many things to show his courage to the people of Hrothgar. One way he shows his courage is when he fights Grendel, the monster who was killing and eating the men of Hrothgar, without any

Beowulf is an poem. Certainly Beowulf’s feats of strength and victories in battles make him a legendary hero. Beowulf has fought many times, and he has usually succeeded in his many battles. Beowulf is a brave, loyal, and honorable person throughout his life. In addition, the epic story of Beowulf is a young warrior of great strength and courage.

He killed Grendel with no questions asked and him and the Danes celebrated. Additionally, Beowulf was aware that Grendel’s mother was also a threat to King Hrothgar and the Danes, so he was ordered to kill her and stop madness. After meeting Grendel’s mother, Beowulf lies to King Hrothgar and the Danes and tells them that he slayed Grendel’s mother when he did not. He was awarded a golden horn and was much appreciated by the Danes. He felt guilty inside and as the years went by, after being awarded king after Hrothgar’s suicide, had to deal with another murderous creature.

During the medieval times Vikings were known as warriors or heroes. These heroes were known mostly for their superhuman strength. Most stories tell the journey of these warriors and how they are honored after defeating an evil creature. A prime example of this would be the poem of “Beowulf”. Beowulf is known for his superhuman strength as the Vikings or warriors once were. However, Vikings were not only known for their physical qualities, they were also known for their leadership in battle and their interaction with those they serve as well as the courage they displayed. In this poem, Beowulf displays many characteristics as that of a medieval warrior through his acts of bravery, loyalty, generosity, courage, and an accomplishment of a great task.

Although boasting and bravery are strong qualities, you also need to have a little bit of a warm heart to be a hero. Beowulf is selfless, a important word to signify that he would do anything to protect others. The first quote to show of Beowulf’s selflessness is, “I mean to stand, not run from his shooting Flames, stand till fate decides Which of us wins.” (638-639). This means that Beowulf is standing his ground until fate takes its course, which is selfless because he is giving his life up if that is what fate decides in order to rid of the dragon. Another notable text from the book is, “A prince of the Geats, had killed Grendel. Ended the grief, the sorrow, the suffering forced on Hrothgar's helpless people by a bloodthirsty fiend. No Dance doubted the Victory.” (404-408). It can clearly be inferred that the people of the land were in ‘grief’, ‘sorrow’ and were ‘suffering’ because of Grendel. But, because Beowulf defeated him that grief and sorrow has been eased. Beowulf wants fame and fortune, but to also help the people who need it.