...The story of Beowulf is the story of a seemingly invincible hero written by an unknown monk sometime in the 11th century. In the story, Beowulf completes multiple quests; however, despite there being multiple quests, all of them follow multiple archetypes commonly seen in epic poetry. The first quest that Beowulf must complete is slaying Grendel, a hostile monster that is terrorising the Danes. Second, he must kill Grendel’s mother who took the head of one of Hrothgar’s closest friends. Finally, Beowulf is tasked with slaying a dragon that is aggravated that someone stole his treasure. In Beowulf’s first quest, he is tasked with killing Grendel, a monster said to have the strength of thirty men. Beowulf takes the quest to show that he is one of the...
Words: 1043 - Pages: 5
...Is Beowulf An Epic Hero? Beowulf, an epic hero came from Geats to the rescue of Hrothgar. The Mighty king of Danes whose kingdom was getting ruined by an evil monster, Grendel. Beowulf eventually defeats Grendel by cutting his head off. He shows his strength and brut by killing grendel with his bare hands. However, beowulf ends up meeting grendels mother. They fight in her underwater lair. Beowulf amazingly holds his breath for one whole day. Grendels mother was on a war path to seek revenge which ended for her by beowulf finding a sword giants once used and slays her. He stabs her in the neck. After beowulfs victory he returns home to Geats, 50 years pass. Beowulf finds himself in one last battle.There is an evil dragon that threatens to destroy the people Beowulf was sworn to protect. Beowulf fails at first.. He finds a lone servant , Wiglaf to help him battle the dragon. Wiglaf gets the dragon into the cave and kills it. Beowulf gets...
Words: 541 - Pages: 3
...According to Joseph Campbell, “a hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than him or herself”. Joseph Campbell includes many observations about a hero. I believe Beowulf fits Joseph Campbell’s definition of a hero due to many of his outstanding qualities. Beowulf gives his life for something bigger than himself, undergoes tests and trials, and goes through transformation. Based on Beowulf’s poem, Beowulf sacrifices his life for something above himself. “Proclaiming that he'd go to that famous king, would sail across the sea to Hrothgar, now when help was needed”(lines 114-116). In lines 165-166, Beowulf states, “That I, alone and with the help of my men, may purge all evil from this hall.” Not only does Beowulf demonstrate...
Words: 365 - Pages: 2
...Stephanie Newman English 41 Midterm Essay Beowulf: Man and Monstrosity After winning his fight against the monster Grendel, Beowulf stands on rooftop and holds up the demon’s torn-off arm, displaying the mangled limb for all to see. Our hero has just defeated this monster whose attacks on the mead-hall Heorot lasted for years, thereby relieving the Danes of “no small affliction” (832). This victory scene can easily be read as a rally of hope against the grim threat of monstrosity in Beowulf—but that would be to ignore the monstrous nature of the scene itself. There is a certain horror in watching Beowulf revel unabashedly in his slaughter of another creature. As he exhibits Grendel’s “shoulder and arm, his awesome grasp” we are invited to question what “awesome” signifies in this context (835). Are we repulsed by Grendel’s destructive force? And are we impressed by Beowulf’s equally grotesque power? If monstrosity is the insolvable problem in Beowulf, then the question at hand is where it becomes manifest: in monster, or in man. One clear fact about Beowulf’s monsters is that they are pitilessly committed to human destruction. The damage they cause to the Danes and the Geats is immeasurable, and their acts of terror afford impressive description in the text. Whole sections of the epic are dedicated to the monsters’ assaults on humans. From Grendel’s first attack on Heorot, the monster gruesomely kills men by the fistful; he is depicted, in a brutely alliterative line...
Words: 1426 - Pages: 6
...Beowulf in Relation to Anglo-Saxton Beliefs and Values In the epic poem, Beowulf, there are many references of Anglo-Saxton beliefs and values and the effects they have on the characters and the outcome of the story. As the setting of the story takes place in Anglo-Saxton times, these beliefs and values were well represented and well valued by the many characters of the story, such as Beowulf, Hygelac, Hrothgar, and Wiglaf. The Anglo-Saxton values consisted of generosity, friendship, loyalty, and bravery. Anglo-Saxtons also desired their kings to be chivalrous, powerful, and daring. Most importantly, the epic reveals the values of Anglo-Saxton society in its chivalry code, as well as the code of knighthood. Beowulf demonstrates Anglo-Saxton values and beliefs by strengthening...
Words: 923 - Pages: 4
...epic hero possessing many traits, it shows why they are the chosen one. In Beowulf, the epic hero is Beowulf. In the story the character Beowulf portrays the trait of being capable of deeds of great strength and courage. He portrays this by killing Grendel, killing Grendel’s mother, and killing the sea monsters. Beowulf characterizes the trait of having strength and courage by killing Grendel. During the colossal fight, Beowulf is able to rip off the shoulder off Grendel, and hangs them up in Geats. A quote from the story to support this is, “A prince of the Geats, had killed Grendel, Ended the grief, the sorrow, the suffering Forced on...
Words: 563 - Pages: 3
...Character Analysis: Beowulf At the beginning of the story Beowulf the character Beowulf was a strong, brave, and powerful hero originating from Geat. Upon coming to the Danes, Beowulf shows courage and his need for a challenge in his fortitude to help rid them of Grendel. He was already a famous young hero who had accomplished much to this point in his life but handles himself with great composure, especially when dealing with Unferth. It is also possible to see Beowulf as a just person who has much wisdom for his age due to his decision to fight Grendel with only his hands as Grendel will not have a weapon during the battle. As the story develops certain characteristics begin to emerge in Beowulf, in particular, his overconfidence and feelings of invincibility after having slain Grendel. After slaying Grendel and then Grendel’s mother Beowulf returns to Geatland where he is eventually made king and rules for many years. At this point we see true characteristics begin to develop even more fully in Beowulf as he matures. Rather than stealing the throne from Headred after King Hygelac dies Beowulf shows his loyalty to his family and the Geats and only takes the throne after Headred is killed in battle. Throughout his reign, Beowulf protects the Geats from all neighboring civilizations and ensures the safety of his people. Once the dragon is disturbed, Beowulf again battles to protect his people, which is ultimately what causes his death. This sacrifice and selflessness shows more...
Words: 872 - Pages: 4
...Beowulf is introduced as a courageous and powerful warrior and hero. He is greatly admired and looked up to by many. This traditional story is about Beowulf coming to help Hrothgar king of the Danes to rid his kingdom of the wicked beast, Grendel. As the text says in lines 61-62, “Herot stood empty, and stayed deserted for years, twelve winters of grief for Hrothgar”, that is until Beowulf came. He defeated Grendel but shortly after had to kill Grendel’s mother as well, for she was killing to avenge her lost son. Then many years pass and Beowulf is back in his homeland and has now been crowned the king. King Beowulf’s kingdom is peaceful until a dragon awakes and terrorizes his kingdom and Beowulf must battle one more time. Unfortunately, Beowulf...
Words: 500 - Pages: 2
...Essay 1 In the story Beowulf, He was A hero of the geats who came to help Hrothgar, king of Danes and his people from being attacked by an evil monster named Grendel, and his conniving mother. Beowulf slays both of the monsters with ease. Throughout the story, Beowulf displays many attributes of a hero. One quality that Beowulf possesses is unnatural strength. For example, the texts says “That shepherd of evil, guardian of crime, knew at once that nowhere on earth had he met a man whose hands were harder.” (273). Beowulf had pulled off the arm of Grendel with his bare hands, and sent him off running for his life, and in the Beowulf movie he rips out the heart of the dragon with his bare hands. This shows that Beowulf...
Words: 451 - Pages: 2
...Mighty Beowulf Beowulf grew up as an Anglo-Saxon and a mighty one also. In the Anglo-Saxon society, there are 5 different types of people. The Bretwaldas, were a highly organized tribal unit or kingdom. The Witan were another kind which was a tribe ruled by a king chosen by a council of elders. The Thanes were an upper class of free warriors, meanwhile, the Thralls were slaves who farm and do domestic work. The fifth and final category was the Freemen who did their own thing most of the time. Beowulf’s tribe, the Geats, was definitely a highly organized tribe. Beowulf, son of Healfdane’s, was definitely a leader out of any person in that kingdom. He showed great leadership, determination, and authority to keep everyone in line. This is why he is known as an epic hero. Beowulf was a miraculous human being because of the fact that he was the strongest of all his people, the bravest of everyone, and most of all the smartest of everyone. I think the best attribute he could’ve had was being smart because if he wasn’t smart I don’t think he could’ve defeated Grendel, therefore he would’ve put his kingdom in danger. Beowulf was smart because of the fact that even though he let one of his Geat die, he was watching how Grendel picked him up and killed him. Doing this made it easier for Beowulf to kill Grendel. “That shepherd of evil, guardian of crime, knew at once that nowhere on earth had he met a man whose hands were harder: His mind was floated with fear” (325-328). This line...
Words: 518 - Pages: 3
...“A true hero steps up when everyone else backs down.” -Anonymous The epic story of Beowulf, a fierce soldier in the Anglo-Saxon society, is filled with adventures and depictions of what a true hero looks like. Beowulf exhibits countless examples of characteristics of a hero including, but not limited to, courage, loyalty, and strength. Beowulf illustrates courage in several different parts of the story. Courage is portrayed when Beowulf arrives to fight Grendel in the beginning all the way to the end of the poem when Beowulf fights his final battle with the dragon. Beowulf would have never agreed to try and save the Danes and Geats from these vicious monsters if he lacked courage. Beowulf shows a lot of courage throughout different parts of the poem, especially when he states, “...my hands / Alone shall fight for me, struggle for life / Against the monster” (Beowulf 172-174). Perhaps a king or another soldier would have tried...
Words: 535 - Pages: 3
...belong does not need to prove their identity, as they already have a support system. It is also common to have a physical structure in which to congregate, a place to celebrate successes and mourn losses. The story of Beowulf represents the importance of community as seen through King Hrothgar, Beowulf, and Grendel. King Hrothgar, the king of the Danes, is credited for building Heorot, the mead hall, which is the central location for the community to congregate in. Beowulf is a heroic figure who saves the Danish community from the monster, Grendel who is retaliating against the Danish people for not including him in their community. The main characters in Beowulf are male figures, but the strength of the women beneath the surface are what make these men great. Wealhtheow the wife of King Hrothgar, and Grendel’s mother exemplify the power of a woman, which is hidden between the lines. King Hrothgar, king of the Danes, builds a mead- hall as a place to celebrate community solidarity and a place to practice traditions. It is a cultural institution that provides a warm atmosphere and safe haven for the community. So his mind turned to hall-building: he handed down orders for men to work on a great mead-hall meant to be a wonder for the world forever. (Beowulf 67-70) It...
Words: 1273 - Pages: 6
...Beowulf vs. Achilles “They were combat causalities, brave men and women who risked their lives to safeguard our freedom. And they paid for our liberty with their lives” (Cannon). So many people die for the freedoms that the American person values. As society grows and becomes different the true heroes are becoming less recognized. What modern day people would say about today's heroes would be far from the brave, and courageous war soldiers. A very long time ago, there were two brave and courageous warriors, Beowulf of Denmark and Achilles of Greece. These two individuals reached the highest expectations and excelled at successfully leading their people in battle. Both amazing leaders and determined fighters, but they came from different backgrounds,...
Words: 925 - Pages: 4
...A true hero is one of distinguished courage, admired for their brave deeds, noble and one who does not fear death. Beowulf, set in the Anglo-Saxon time period, was an epic that told the story of a legendary hero, who seized all obstacles as if he were immortal. Up until the end of Beowulf's life, he constantly wanted to be the hero. However, his mortality was exposed by his death. Beowulf in many ways exhibited all the qualities and characteristics needed to be a true hero. Heroes, whether from the Anglo-Saxon time period or present day, all share the characteristic of their willingness to die, in an effort to accomplish a true act of heroism. Several critics argue that through Beowulf’s superhuman strength, generosity, loyalty, bravery, and...
Words: 1072 - Pages: 5
...positive mindset because the outcome of a situation depends solely upon on ones mindset. It can also help people establish a certain type of attitude one should keep when going through obstacles in life. Anglo-Saxon hero, Beowulf, and modern day hero, Nelson Mandela can be characterized as archetypal heroes from the characteristics that define them. Ancient hero Beowulf along with present day hero Nelson Mandela similarly have comparable quests during their time. Both heros during their quests experience great struggle and obstacles which they had to overcome in order to achieve their goals. Beowulf’s quest dealt with him having to defeat the monster, “Grendel, who haunted the moors, the wild Marshes, and made his home in a hell” (Raffel 44). The Anglo-Saxon hero may not have used weapons on his quest but he did use his Geats to his full advantage. In his epic quest to slay the monster, Beowulf realizes he cannot be successful alone and that he will need the aide of his loyal Geats. When faced with adversity he always had his men at his side. By succeeding in defeating the monster, Beowulf would have freed people of their nightmare. They showed their gratitude by holding ,“...a banquet in [his] honor, [and toasting to his] victories..."(Raffel 49). Like Beowulf, Nelson Mandela had a difficult quest to fulfill as well, “Mandela's main agenda consisted of winning over white conservatives and black political rivals and accomplishing the economic integration of the black majority"...
Words: 1769 - Pages: 8
