Preview

Beowulf As A Hero Essay

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
639 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Beowulf As A Hero Essay
In the epic Beowulf translated by Seamus Heaney, Beowulf is depicted as a heroic figure who fights monsters and defends the weak. During its time, Beowulf would be considered a great hero however in today's standards Beowulf would only be considered a great warrior because a hero should value the lives of the people and not seek to be rewarded. Instead, Beowulf committed heroic acts for his own selfish reasons and never shows to values the lives of the people. From fighting Grendel to slaying the dragon, Beowulf only fought because he value the fame and fortune that comes along with those accomplishments. In the beginning, Beowulf was introduced as a young and powerful warrior whose heroism is defined by his great strength. As …show more content…
However, Beowulf didn’t pay the slightest attention but instead ignored what was happen. Finally when the dragon burns down Beowulf’s throne room was when Beowulf decide to deal with this dragon problem. In Beowulf's eyes, the lives of his citizens couldn’t even compare to his throne room. When Beowulf decided to fight the dragon he said, “Now I am old, but as king of the people I shall pursue this fight for the glory of winning” (lines 2512-2514). Beowulf is telling us that he doesn’t value the lives of his citizen but instead values glory and is willing to fight for it. In the end, Beowulf slays the dragon but paid his life as the price. In conclusion, Beowulf is considered a great warrior but not a true hero. Although he accomplished many heroic deeds he never did any of them for the right reasons. Therefore, Beowulf is not a true hero but only a warrior who values renown and rewards. Although he should signs that he cares about the people he never fought for the people but for himself to the very end. Ultimately we see that Beowulf has the characteristic of a hero but his values differ greatly from that of heroes. It can even we concluded that the values of the people who listen to Beowulf hundred of years ago differ from us
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    What Are Beowulf's Heroic Characteristics
    • 324 Words
    • 2 Pages

    What Are Beowulf's Heroic Characteristics

    Beowulf has many heroic characteristics. When Beowulf went to the Land Of Danes, he went to kill Grendel. He didn't do it for the fame or the power. He wanted to kill him to help the Geats. He felt as if it was right, he says “They had in remembrance my courage and might. Many had seen me come safe from the conflict.” He never expected anything from anybody after anything he would do.…

    • 324 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Compare And Contrast Beowulf And Martin Luther King Jr
    • 1281 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Compare And Contrast Beowulf And Martin Luther King Jr

    What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the character of Beowulf? Perhaps a fictional warrior that was a hero to the people of his country? How about someone that "achieved glory before death"? These are just two of many characteristics of the extraordinary character of Beowulf. According to the Mirriam-Webster dictionary, a hero can be defined as "a person who is admired for great or brave acts or fine qualities". After pondering the meaning of this powerful word, it is clear that Beowulf is considered to be a hero of the fifth century. In modern times, however, the word hero is utilized very rarely. Despite this, an exception can be made for one of the most renowned heros of modern day. Like Beowulf, Martin Luther King Jr. can be distinguished as a hero. Both of these heros died fighting for their…

    • 1281 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    The True Hero In Beowulf's Heroic Code
    • 411 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The True Hero In Beowulf's Heroic Code

    Beowulf exemplifies the perfect hero, even from his youth he perfectly embodies the manners and values dictated by the Germanic heroic code, including pride, loyalty, and strength. Beowulf’s youthful heroism as an unfettered warrior and his mature heroism as a reliable king, help portray him as a man of great character who is fair and just. Beowulf’s actions were some of proving his power and might, his attitude was that he was the best, and he was out to show it. This doesn't mean that he was of bad character, he was proud of himself and was striving to be the best he could be.…

    • 411 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf vs. Gilgamesh
    • 1212 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Beowulf vs. Gilgamesh

    Beowulf is described as a perfect hero who fights for his people and vanquishes evil with his extraordinary abilities to bring peace and justice. Three of Beowulf's traits that support this are his amazing physical strength, his ability to put his people's welfare before his own, and the fact that he does not fear death.…

    • 1212 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf Literary Analysis Greed

    • 644 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Beowulf Literary Analysis Greed

    Beowulf is a true hero. He fought to protect his crew and everyone who depended on him. He courageously fought Grendel and then Grendel's mother directly after. Even though it is apparent that he wants the fame and honor that comes with defeating these two evil beasts, he never really does ask for anything in return. Regardless, the fame and honor that comes from fighting these monsters is more than well deserved. In the process of battling Grendel and his mother, he saved countless lives and took the fate of the people of Herot into his hands alone. After battling Grendel's mother, Beowulf states, "my life was almost lost fighting for it" (1655), as he risked his life battling her. The fact that Beowulf would risk his life to save others shows selflessness and heroics, and without Beowulf, many lives would have been lost as the text states that, "only Beowulf would risk his life in that lake" (1468-69). Not only putting his life at risk, but putting his life at risk without using weapons to help himself really shows the true heroics of Beowulf.…

    • 644 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf Is An Epic Hero Essay
    • 454 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Beowulf Is An Epic Hero Essay

    For conclude, to become a greatest hero like Beowulf, he has to have these qualities: bossy, independent, and fearless. Beowulf is an awesome hero, he saves many people from the monsters. Even when he has to face the death, he still doing what he said to keep his…

    • 454 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Satire
    • 751 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Satire

    Beowulf was considered one of the greatest hero’s to ever live he was considered to be a god with his super strength and his abilities to do anything that one man would die for. But others would like to think otherwise about all of that. Some would like to underestimate him and his “godlike powers”…

    • 751 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Beowulf As An Epic Hero Essay
    • 379 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Beowulf As An Epic Hero Essay

    Part A- Beowulf like all epic hero’s is strong loyal and brave. These characteristic are what define Beowulf, and instill fear is his enemies. He boasts about “(driving) / five great giants into chains” (248-249) and “In the blackness of night, hunting monsters” (251). Beowulf protects his followers and king, and is proud of his accomplishments. He strives for greatness, his words are arrogant but his actions shine through his overbearing pride and give him the capability to be heroic. (Part B) Beowulf is an epic hero; he takes great pride in his actions, unlike Grendel who feels jealous of humans which causes him to be spiteful towards them: “ Grendel snatched at the first Geat / He came to (and) Ripped him apart” (313-314). Grendel’s pride lays in the fear he instills on humans, without pride Grendel would be a monster with no motive to kill. Furthermore, Beowulf’s pride stems…

    • 379 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf Loyalty
    • 530 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Beowulf Loyalty

    Beowulf has many admirable characteristics that portray what is found in the Christian religion. What makes his personality so adhesive is not only the desire he has for fame, but also the actions and responsibilities that he obtains. Besides doing this for the reputation that he beholds and openly boasts about, he has deeper roots which are tied to the favor that his father once received. Being from the family that he descended from, he is obligated by blood to follow in his fathers footsteps, which can equate to picking up where his father left off. His loyalty to his diseased father remains strong and he knew that a favor of that which his father received needed to be compensated for. This feature that is found in Beowulf shows that a warrior is the best when he can lower himself to the position of a servant and induce closure for his adopted bearings.…

    • 530 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Qualities of an Epic Hero
    • 857 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Qualities of an Epic Hero

    The epic poem Beowulf is the earliest surviving masterpiece of English literature. The poem spins a tale of the adventures of Beowulf, a Scandinavian warrior of approximately the seventh century. Beowulf is described as the epitome of an epic hero who fights for his people and vanquishes evil with his extraordinary abilities in order to bring peace and justice to others. An epic hero is often characterized by a specific set of traits or qualities that he or she possesses. Beowulf is considered an epic hero because he exhibits three of these qualities which are amazing physical strength, his ability to put his people’s welfare before his own, and the fact that he does not fear death.…

    • 857 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Who Is Beowulf A Hero
    • 833 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Who Is Beowulf A Hero

    A major focus of medieval literature was heroism. Often heroes were hedonistic characters who performed larger than life acts and then boasted about them. Beowulf was a son, a king, and a hero. He would protect and battle all kinds of monsters and dragons just to make sure he kept his people safe and happy. Beowulf, was a man with many different characteristic traits. He demonstrates certain characteristics of a hero because he had responsibility, respect, trustworthiness, generosity, strength, power, and courage. A hero is one who places himself or herself at great risk while performing acts of courage. He is recognized for his strengths and power of protecting his people. Beowulf is faced with three forces to fight, Grendel (a monster),…

    • 833 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Heroes In Beowulf
    • 471 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Heroes In Beowulf

    My first reason Beowulf is a hero is because he risked his life to help Hrothgar and the land of Danes. Beowulf risked his life when he fought Grendal who was almost impossible to kill this can be seen when the text says “Man after man went into those terrible jaws and still Grendal came on unsatisfied his green eyes glaring his slimy skin not even scratched by the hacking axes”(pg 15). From this passage it is clear Beowulf was risking his life when he fought…

    • 471 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Why Is Beowulf Be Considered A Hero
    • 406 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Why Is Beowulf Be Considered A Hero

    Beowulf can be seen as a hero because of his courage. He shows courage in many ways. First, when Beowulf saves Heorot by defeating Grendel and then later on, Grendel’s mother. No other man or woman would’ve ever volunteered to fight such powerful monsters, but Beowulf did. He also displays courage when he kills the dragon with (not by choice) only one other man. Beowulf had the option…

    • 406 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Timeless Hero
    • 593 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Timeless Hero

    Beowulf is shown as a protector of his culture/ people. When the story Beowulf is told of read, he is always glamorized as a protector. “The mighty protector of men meant to hold the monster till its life leaped out” (Line 82, Beowulf). Beowulf is shown as a strong Anglo-Saxon leader, able to overcome any obstacle with his strength and charisma. Modern day heroes/ superheroes also possess this quality of being a protective figure. So, Beowulf’s protective traits make him a hero in our current age. But, some of Beowulf’s traits make him heroes polar opposite.…

    • 593 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    What Is Beowulf A Hero
    • 982 Words
    • 4 Pages

    What Is Beowulf A Hero

    Heros are praised members of society, but that view can easily change if the hero steps over the fine line separating being a hero, and being boastful. Beowulf’s position on that line is questioned in the epic poem, Beowulf, translated by Burton Raffel. The poem tells of Beowulf, a great Geatish warrior, facing three monsters that threaten the vikings. Beowulf is a hero because he risks his life for the sake of others, doesn’t give up, and fights even though there’s a good chance he might lose. He proved this in his battles with Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the dragon.…

    • 982 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More