Beowulf
Literary Analysis
Beowulf exemplifies the traits of the perfect hero. The poem explores his heroism in two separate phases and through three separate and increasingly difficult conflicts with Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the dragon. Although we can view these three encounters as expressions of the heroic code, there is perhaps a clearer division between Beowulf’s youthful heroism as an unfettered warrior and his mature heroism as a reliable king. These two phases of his life, separated by fifty years, correspond to two different models of virtue, and much of the moral reflection in the story centers on differentiating these two models and on showing how Beowulf makes the transition from one to the other.
"My sword? Oh I left it in the sun somewhere. I need no sword." http://www.bookrags.com/essay-2005/6/19/132340/459 25 Sept,2011 This quote demonstrates that Beowulf has brains and is definitely brave and courageous. It shows he has brains because you can tell he has a plan by the tone or the way it is used in context. It is obvious that he is brave and courageous because it would take a lot of guts to even attempt to slay a monster that he knows has killed many men. And he didn’t have to us a sword to fight Grendel he is going to fight him with his bare hands. “Beowulf Had been granted new glory:” This means that Beowulf had the most glory then anybody, because he killed Grendel when no one else could. The Epic Warrior. Columbus, Oh. Jeffrey D. Wilhelm, Ph. D, 2001 “ hanging high From the rafters where Beowulf had hung it, was the monster’s Arm, claw and shoulder and all.” Beowulf held Grendel arm up high meaning that he had killed Grendel with pride and aner and Grendel was never coming back to kill anyone. The Epic
Beowulf exemplifies the traits of the perfect hero. The poem explores his heroism in two separate phases and through three separate and increasingly difficult conflicts with Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the dragon. Although we can view these three encounters as expressions of the heroic code, there is perhaps a clearer division between Beowulf’s youthful heroism as an unfettered warrior and his mature heroism as a reliable king. These two phases of his life, separated by fifty years, correspond to two different models of virtue, and much of the moral reflection in the story centers on differentiating these two models and on showing how Beowulf makes the transition from one to the other.
"My sword? Oh I left it in the sun somewhere. I need no sword." http://www.bookrags.com/essay-2005/6/19/132340/459 25 Sept,2011 This quote demonstrates that Beowulf has brains and is definitely brave and courageous. It shows he has brains because you can tell he has a plan by the tone or the way it is used in context. It is obvious that he is brave and courageous because it would take a lot of guts to even attempt to slay a monster that he knows has killed many men. And he didn’t have to us a sword to fight Grendel he is going to fight him with his bare hands. “Beowulf Had been granted new glory:” This means that Beowulf had the most glory then anybody, because he killed Grendel when no one else could. The Epic Warrior. Columbus, Oh. Jeffrey D. Wilhelm, Ph. D, 2001 “ hanging high From the rafters where Beowulf had hung it, was the monster’s Arm, claw and shoulder and all.” Beowulf held Grendel arm up high meaning that he had killed Grendel with pride and aner and Grendel was never coming back to kill anyone. The Epic