...For centuries mankind has regarded self-sacrifice as an act of heroism. To risk pain, loss, and even death for another person demonstrates an excellence of character that few possess. But how does sacrifice occur in today’s culture? Does it resemble the acts of valor shown in the great epic, Beowulf? In this thrilling tale, Beowulf, a mighty warrior, defeats both a demon and a dragon in the service of others. While many today display reserve in their abnegation towards others, sacrifice hold just as much honor today as it did in Beowulf’s time. Modern opinions of who one should die for differ significantly from Beowulf’s. First, he saved a kingdom of complete stranger, risking death in the process. Additionally, as his final act, Beowulf slayed a dragon, giving it’s gold to his subjects to help them prosper. In stark contrast, most people today have only a few close friends and relatives who they would suffer for. Most deem sacrifice for a stranger abnormal, meant only for the most saint-like among us. Why do so many of us withhold our selflessness when Beowulf...
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...Beowulf sails back to Geatland and over the course of time is made king and eventually reaches his end in a final confrontation with a dragon. The first element of the return is the "Road Back." In this part of the story, the hero is “driven to complete the adventure by leaving” the Unknown World to be “sure the treasure is brought home.” In Beowulf, the “Road Back” is represented in Beowulf’s final words to Hrothgar: “We crossed the sea to come here; it is time to return, to go back to our beloved lord, Higlac.” Beowulf’s words announce that his mission has been completed and that it is time for he and his men to return with the treasure to their home country. Once the Hero has recognized the need to return to the Known World he or...
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...Beowulf versus Grendel is a classic duel that has been told for centuries. While the majority of people have heard the point of view of Beowulf, not many have also thought about Grendel’s side of the story. In the beginning of the meat of the story, Grendel would sneak into the town in the middle of the night and eat most everyone it could find. Typical monster. Being the great tactician he is, Beowulf arrived and devised a plan to take down Grendel. As the monster would creep down the hall Beowulf hid in a bed simply waiting for Grendel to reach him. At this point is where people might begin to question Beowulf’s plan. On the way to the “sleeping” savior, quite a few people died without any type of reaction from Beowulf. However, finally when he was reached, he opened his eyes and grabbed onto Grendel and started beating the monster down. Being the hero story it was, all the details were ignored as Beowulf fought Grendel but the typical ending was introduced of Grendel running away in pain to die. The real interesting part of the story comes with the reading of Grendel. The entirety of the fight, Beowulf had the advantage over Grendel pertaining to the fact that he had the element of surprise and could have beaten Grendel in a small margin of time, but why didn’t it happen that way? To what...
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...Beowulf is a character of unbelievable status.Beowulf is the protagonist of the short epic poem called Beowulf. Beowulf is the example of an epic hero. He as an epic hero makes sacrifices that puts in danger his own integrity to help others as he accomplishes feats that are another attempt. For instance, when he battles Grendel, he is suddenly cursed by God and creates havoc. He also went on his own to protect people. In doing so it shows that Beowulf’s character is self-sacrifice, courage and brave. Beowulf, protagonist, exemplifies this characteristic as he accomplishes feats that other only attempt. For instance, when he battled Grendel, it was noted that suddenly God-cursed brute was creating havoc. Beowulf superhuman strength is evident...
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...Anglo- Saxon hero, Beowulf, most perfectly fits into this category and truly defines what it means. At all times, Beowulf is never afraid to put his life on the line for the sake and protection of his people, which helped him gain approval from the people of his area. Throughout the course of the adventure and journey, Beowulf exemplifies what it means to be an epic hero showing loyalty, courage, intelligence, and selflessness in his efforts to save his people and achieve immortality. Beowulf proves that he is a great Anglo-Saxon epic hero through his loyalty. Loyalty was held paramount by...
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...supernatural beings. Comparing Beowulf to Percy Jackson based on their culture and heroic characteristics involving bravery, leadership, strength, personality traits, fighting style, and their motivation to fight. Focuses on the two different aspects of heroism as defined by Greek and Anglo Saxon culture. Beowulf and Percy Jackson share the heroic traits of leadership skills, superhuman strength and bravery. Beowulf is the leader of the Geats,...
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...these qualities. Beowulf and Martin Luther King Jr. both meet their criteria because they share the same heroic characteristics: they were both on quests, ethical, strong responsible leaders. Beowulf and Martin Luther King Jr. were both on a quest. For example, in Beowulf, the main character, Beowulf, is on a quest to help Hrothgar save his village by defeating Grendel. This means that Beowulf came from Geatland to save a village even though he wasn’t guaranteed a reward. Similarly, Martin Luther King Jr. was on a quest to stop racism and segregation between white and colored people. For example, he stood up to the white people and makes it as public as possible that he wants to change the way society is for the good of other people. In other words Martin Luther King Jr. and Beowulf share a heroic characteristic in that they both go on quests to create change for the benefit of others. Beowulf and Martin Luther Jr. were also ethical. For example, in Beowulf, Beowulf is a good king to his people and ends up fighting a dragon and dying for his people. This means that he was ethical and it contributed to him being a great hero. Likewise Martin Luther King Jr. is also ethical because he inspired people to make things change so there wouldn’t be anymore segregation. This means that he selflessly stood up for equal rights even though there were consequences he had to endure. Both Beowulf and Martin Luther King Jr. showed being heroes by them both being ethical. Beowulf and Martin Luther...
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...Loyalty defines a person’s great devotion to another. These two works of literature integrated this theme of loyalty in both The Kite Runner and Beowulf. Beowulf from the epic poem Beowulf emphasizes the importance of loyalty. Beowulf is extremely loyal, as perceived in his commitment to his king Hygelac, to his entertainer Hrothgar, to his own loyal men, such as Wiglaf, and to his people. In contrast, Hassan from the “Kite Runner” shows loyalty for his friend Amir. It is in Hassan’s letter, years after their separation, that puts Amir on the way to redemption. And so, Hassan saves Amir twice, previously as a boy and later in the future, even after his own death. In both The Kite Runner and Beowulf, the authors express loyalty from friendship and from commitment....
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...In the anonymously written epic poem Beowulf, Beowulf’s meaningful status as a hero and his ability to display honor in what he does is due to the fact that he is heroically able to exhibit the virtues of loyalty, courage, and friendship. The exceptional loyalty and faithfulness of Beowulf is shown through his allegiance to Hrothgar, king Hygelac, Wiglaf, and to the Geats. In fact, Beowulf is heroically willing to sacrifice himself if it means that he “[proves himself] / [...] and [fulfills] his purpose” of killing Grendel and assisting Hrothgar. (636-37). Along with his loyalty, Beowulf’s bravery is a quality that underlies the entire story, as it is a guiding virtue that ends up saving Hrothgar and his people. Beowulf’s fatalistic view of life and death is what makes up his courage in the face of danger, and it is a code of honor that Beowulf evidently takes very seriously....
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...viciously gallant epic Beowulf, Steve Baron’s capricious film Merlin, and Niccolo Machiavelli’s enlightening treatise The Prince all portray the struggle between good and evil, teach morals, and convey what it takes to be a superior king. Merlin has successfully brought up King Arthur to become a virtuous man and a worthy king who is exceptionally capable of fulfilling Machiavelli’s guidelines. For example, Machiavelli states in “Concerning Things for Which Men, and Especially Princes, are Blamed” from The Prince that “…a man who wishes to act entirely up to his professions of virtue soon meets with what destroys him among so much that is evil.” Merlin taught Arthur integrity and goodness. King Arthur takes this wisdom to build the perfect kingdom “devoted to peace and charity” (Merlin). Arthur is the first king without egocentric intentions. Even in his last battle, King Arthur puts his morals before his own life. His desolation proves his righteousness. Rather than leaving his people afraid, his death leaves his people with hope of a better place and rebirth. In life and death, King Arthur ruled his nation. Beowulf brought riches to his people, defended his people, and essentially devoted his life to his people, which made him an ideal prince in the eyes of Machiavelli. For instance, Machiavelli states in The Prince that a ruler should “have no other aim or thought, nor select anything else for his study, than war and its rules and discipline.” In Beowulf, war is glorified and...
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...LITERATURE OF THE OLD ENGLISH AND THE OLD IRISH PERIODS (600-1100 A.D.) 1- OLD ENGLISH HISTORY AND LANGUAGE Initial literatures are spoken and that oral literature have been many amplifications, later appear the texts. Beowulf was oral first and then became written. There are lots of fragments written literally. Some texts were lost and now we only have fragments. These texts are writing in manuscripts, there weren’t books in that period. In particular there are four manuscripts that contain most of English literature: Cotton Vitelius, Exeter Book, Junius Manuscript and Vercelli Manuscript; they are from 10th century. However the poetry and the texts contain the literature from 9th century, but they originated in 7th century orally (all of them originated orally before they appear written). That manuscripts tell some things about the society of this period of time, so we know details of this century. This period is the Anglo-Saxon period, before them there were the Britons who were invaded by some different people. They spoke different dialects of old English, the stronger kingdom was Wessex, which dialect was the most important and it called “west saxon”. Beowulf was writing in this dialect. In 597 appeared the Christianization. This means that the English became Christian, it became familiar with the church language: Latin. Latin is the culture language. The entry of Christianity is the entry of the culture in Britain. 2- WRITTEN RECORDS OF THE ANGLOSAXON PERIOD ...
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...Beowulf was written during a time when Christianity was arising in England. Throughout the story, there are multiple references to both Christian and Pagan rituals. The characters in Beowulf are predisposed Christians who try to remain true to the idea of this new relgion, but they still fall short to this new faith. In times of trouble, these characters resort back to their Pagan traditions and praise the gods out of fear. Pagan rituals found in Beowulf are present only as reflections of the past or in times when characters are facing difficult times, while during times of happiness and exultation, they worship their mighty Christian God. At the beginning of the poem, Grendel is attacking Heorot which causes everyone to become panic stricken. The people “… vowed in their heathen fanes/...
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...Hodges 1 Erin Hodges Dr. Harris English 2210-006 1 March 2011-Revised Beowulf as an Epic The Anglo-Saxon tale Beowulf was most likely written by a single poet from a Christian background. The poem as a whole exhibits the poet’s empathy for epic heroes like Beowulf, and for how they lived and died without the hope and consolation of the Christian faith (“Beowulf” 30-31). Beowulf is an epic poem that describes various characters and events from the sixth century, in particular the story of a brave warrior named Beowulf, his many heroic adventures, and his ultimate death. This poem originated from both legends and myths from other cultures that originally were passed down orally from generation to generation and then eventually recorded. By definition, an epic poem is a “long narrative poem in an elevated style that celebrates heroic achievement and treats themes of historical, national, religious, or legendary significance.” Some common characteristics of an epic that are obviously evident in Beowulf are the use of specific types of figurative language, the fighting of heroic battles against supernatural creatures, the unusual behavior of god-like heroes, and the array of geographical settings which are often included in a long journey (“Epic”). One characteristic of epic poems is the use of certain types of figurative language. One type of this elevated language is an epic simile, “an extended simile often running to several lines used typically in...
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...are widely admired.” In Beowulf, his excessive pride causes him to go into risky situations, and ultimately is the reason for his death. In biblical history, pride was what led to Satan’s corruption and banishment from heaven. Satan thought he could rival God and then to his demise realized too late that he could not. As a result, the future of humanity learned to sin, and since then, pride is thought of as the deadliest sin because of the effect on humans. A man’s pride will rise when he becomes successful. Although he has major accomplishments, and almost always backs up his pride with actions,...
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...Eng 201 September 7, 2012 Analysis of Christian and Pagan Themes in Beowulf The heroic poem, Beowulf, written circa ninth century after the Common Era (C. E.), presents a bloody chronicle of a king’s role in the violence and tumultuous Germanic tribes shortly after the Roman Empire’s expulsion from the low countries of Northwestern Europe. Evolving from oral narrative’s, Beowulf’s origins, while traceable to a general place and time in history, remains obscure, and comes to modern readers through a manuscript written around the year one thousand C. E.. Written in the language of the Anglo-Saxons, Beowulf, namesake for the title, defeats three monsters, Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and finally after many years of ruling his lands, a dragon. While fictional, the author weaves the main plot centering on defeating these vicious adversaries with a mixture of both pagan and Christian customs. Beowulf illustrates numerous biblical references and Christian influences, while simultaneously reflecting a core of Germanic pagan customs. Christianity and its religious elements, alongside, pagan customs and practices, play a fundamental role in the heroic poem, Beowulf’s narrative. Grendel, the monster that terrorizes Hrothgar’s great Hall of the Hart, traces his lineage back to Cain, one of the two sons of Adam and Eve. Cain commits the first murder according to Christian teachings, slaying his brother, Abel (The Holy Bible, Genesis 4-8). Grendel sprang from, “Cain’s clan, whom...
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