Beowulf
Beowulf
Strength, courage, intelligent and loyalty are values shown in the Germanic heroic code. The heroic code allowed a warrior their true manhood. Along with these codes the Anglo-Saxon can add some customs in which they believe. One is being ruled by a tribal chieftain. The second custom is that a warrior must receive compensation for the injury or death of a kinsman. Another custom is a warrior must die defending his lord. In Beowulf you can see many examples of the heroic code. For example; “Wise sir, do not grieve. It is always better to avenge dear ones than indulge in mourning. For every one of us, living in this world means waiting for our end. Let whoever can win glory before death. When a warrior is gone, that will be his best and only bulwark” (1384-89). This passage shows you the custom of dying well defending your lord. When Beowulf accepts the task to defeat Grendel he also accepts a death sentences I believe. The reason I believe this is because if Beowulf doesn’t kill Grendel he will die trying to do what was asked of him. In Beowulf you find what makes the ideal warrior; when Beowulf fights and has the strength to break a sword or even when he fights at the bottom of the ocean. You are able to see the heroic code shine through Beowulf in his strength. However; his strength was not the only thing he had when it came to the heroic code. For example Beowulf was also very intelligent, even when he had the chance to fight one of the Danes on his own soil he chose not to do so. Beowulf has three battles; Grendel’s mother, Grendel, and the dragon. You can find from reading Beowulf that the ideal warrior gave his life to his king, protected other warriors, and was loyal to his lord.
While reading Beowulf you are able to see how Christianity and the heroic code conflict. Christianity does not believe in killing unlike the heroic code which believes you can kill in order to defend your lord. As the story starts Beowulf is a brave warrior and by the
Strength, courage, intelligent and loyalty are values shown in the Germanic heroic code. The heroic code allowed a warrior their true manhood. Along with these codes the Anglo-Saxon can add some customs in which they believe. One is being ruled by a tribal chieftain. The second custom is that a warrior must receive compensation for the injury or death of a kinsman. Another custom is a warrior must die defending his lord. In Beowulf you can see many examples of the heroic code. For example; “Wise sir, do not grieve. It is always better to avenge dear ones than indulge in mourning. For every one of us, living in this world means waiting for our end. Let whoever can win glory before death. When a warrior is gone, that will be his best and only bulwark” (1384-89). This passage shows you the custom of dying well defending your lord. When Beowulf accepts the task to defeat Grendel he also accepts a death sentences I believe. The reason I believe this is because if Beowulf doesn’t kill Grendel he will die trying to do what was asked of him. In Beowulf you find what makes the ideal warrior; when Beowulf fights and has the strength to break a sword or even when he fights at the bottom of the ocean. You are able to see the heroic code shine through Beowulf in his strength. However; his strength was not the only thing he had when it came to the heroic code. For example Beowulf was also very intelligent, even when he had the chance to fight one of the Danes on his own soil he chose not to do so. Beowulf has three battles; Grendel’s mother, Grendel, and the dragon. You can find from reading Beowulf that the ideal warrior gave his life to his king, protected other warriors, and was loyal to his lord.
While reading Beowulf you are able to see how Christianity and the heroic code conflict. Christianity does not believe in killing unlike the heroic code which believes you can kill in order to defend your lord. As the story starts Beowulf is a brave warrior and by the