During the Anglo-Saxon period, literature had a few purposes: one being to promoting values to pre-literate people. Although literature was shared orally, the values and morals in each were passed down through the generations. In the epic "Beowulf," the protagonist embodies the important values of the culture in which it was written. These values are universal - valor, power, strength, loyalty, and etceteras. Beowulf becomes a hero to the Geats due to his noble and leader-like qualities - his selflessness, bravery, strength, and fearlessness.
Beowulf's selflessness and bravery are shown frequently when he battles Grendel. Beowulf shows no signs of retreat and accepts death as it may come. He realizes that "fate will unwind as it must" (li. 284) when he prepares to battle. Beowulf's selflessness is still shown as he fights the fire-breathing dragon, despite his old age. His determination to "seek fame still" and "fight again" (li. 626) is obvious as he awaits his final battle. Another quality exhibited by Beowulf is his bravery. Through vivid descriptions of Grendel, Grendel's mother, and the dragon, the conditions Beowulf faces become clear. Even with the dragon, whose "burning hot poison will pour from his tongue," Beowulf's bravery shines through (li. 634). Beowulf, during his fights and battles, personifies the type of hero that is admired by the people of this time period.
Although Beowulf is extraordinarily selfless and brave, he is also strong and fearless. These qualities, like the later ones, are desirable for a character of his importance. Beowulf displays a sense of strength throughout his life. One particular example is the comparison of his strength to that of his men. When his men are "staggering under the weight of Grendel's skull/Too heavy for fewer than four of them to handle-" (li. 607-608), it is evident that Beowulf's strength far exceeds their own. During his countless battles against various evils, Beowulf uses his strength to his advantage.
Beowulf has many traits that make him a hero. ... Beowulf is able to kill her with a giant's sword that can only be lifted by a person as strong as Beowulf. ... This would lead to Beowulf's last battle. Beowulf goes to seek the dragon in his lair. ... Beowulf's injuries turn out to be fatal. ...
Beowulf Essay by Denny "The Yellow Dart" Fulton In the next four paragraphs will prove that Beowulf has the qualities of an epic hero. ... This essay will show Beowulf's saga as a hero. ... "Fifty winters pass, Beowulf, now an old man, faces his final task:"(that was not my Quote). " Together Beowulf and the young Miglaf kill the dragon, but the old king (Beowulf) is fatally wounded." ... Beowulf taking his last few words to the young Miglaf, the last of Beowulf's family, the new king. ... Beowulf's tower. ...
Beowulf Essay The epic story Beowulf is the most important of all English epics. ... The reoccurring imagery in Beowulf's battles and in describing his mail shirt help prove that Beowulf is an epic hero. The reoccurring imagery describing Beowulf's chain link mail shirt is an example of Beowulf's huge stature. ... When Beowulf stabs Grendel's mother in the head you hear "The iron sang its fierce song, sang Beowulf's strength". ... This imagery shows Beowulf's superior strength. ...
In the Anglo-Saxon epic Beowulf, there are battles between Beowulf himself and several different monsters. ... Loyalty is present when Beowulf chooses to fight the monster for king Hrothgar who had done Ecgtheow, Beowulf's father, a great favor. ... Fate comes into play here when Beowulf defeats and unknowingly kills her son. ... The glory belongs to Beowulf because he defeats her, too. ... As fate would have it, the previously victorious Beowulf is put to the test one more time. ...
Beowulf: An Ideal Hero Beowulf is an outstanding epic poem set in the Anglo-Saxon period that tells the tale of a hero of the land. ... Beowulf is also a courageous warrior capable of overcoming many obstacles. ... Beowulf was the king of his land for fifty years. ... Beowulf did things that no other man would do. Thus, making Beowulf the greatest, most well known hero of his time. ...
Beowulf- The Great of the Greats In the 8th century people were looked at by their character. Each person had important traits, which were very important traits that were admired back then. Some of these traits that were intelligible, they also had to be very honorable and do things fair. The wa...
Beowulf is unlike any other epic hero in the manner in which he fights. ... No sword could hurt Grendle so Beowulf would have beat him by hand alone. ... Beowulf shows his loyalty throughout the story. ... Beowulf showed he is the exact opposite. ... It is easily seen how Beowulf is a great leader. ...
Beowulf also has confidence in his skills as a warrior and as a leader. ... It can therefore be said that Beowulf is a classic Anglo-Saxon hero. ... In the epic poem, none equaled Beowulf's skill as a warrior or as a leader of men. ... Such confidence in skill projects Beowulf as a true Anglo-Saxon hero. ... Regardless of the fact that he smote Grendel bare handed, Beowulf admits a dragon is a formidable foe indeed, so a decision is made to unsheathe Hrunting Beowulf's mighty blade. ...
