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…
In the story of Beowulf the details of a heroic super-hero is portrayed. The Danish people suffered for twelve years but soon it was over. After many years of suffering Beowulf came to save the people. Beowulf came and faced many battles to prove he was the one that would help the people of Denmark. Beowulf went through three special battles, the battle with Grendel, Grendel’s Mother and the Dragon. All which were very important but the most important battle was the battle with the Dragon. The battle with set the stage for Beowulf’s strength.…
Why is Star War such a global phenomenon? What about Matrix, Lord of the Ring? The key to their success is the structure of the story: they all applied Hero’s Journey, introduced by Joseph Campbell in 1949. The sense of this structure actually existed long before Joseph Campbell. Stories like Beowulf were the ancestors with such bloodline. Though the structure evolved differently as time pasts, the essence of it never vanishes. Genuinely, a Hero’s Journey contains three main sections: departure, redemption, and return. The referenced TED talk is pretty interesting: it gives a close analysis over stories from contemporary people in relation to their own journeys to help the audience narrow the concept of the structure down to a more acceptable scale.…
In chapter 1 of How to Read Literature like a Professor, Thomas C. Foster explains how the quest of a hero works in literature. “The quest consists of five things (a) a quester, (b) a place to go, (c) a stated reason to go there, (d) challenges and trials en route, (e) a real reason to go there (Foster 3). In Beowulf’s first quest he is the quester and his place to go is hall Heorot. The stated reason to go there is to defeat Grendel with his bare hands and the challenges and trials are Grendel killing the other soldiers and fighting the Grendel with no weapons. Beowulf eventually does defeat the Grendel with no…
Beowulf is an old English poem of heroism, and is noted as the most important piece of literature of that time period. The poem itself consists of over 3000 lines and was composed around the seventh century. The tale is of a heroic warrior that finds himself faced with danger several times during his life. The poem is very suspenseful, in that there are kings, dragons and demons that battle each other for power. During different parts of the poem, you are left to wonder, what is going to happen? Who is to be the victor in the battle? Will Beowulf become a legendary hero? The answer is, yes. Beowulf will be the victor, and along the way, prove what it means to be courageous, have strength, and most important of all, selflessly protect those around him.…
A hero can be defined as a person who is admired or idealized and can often resolves issues. Beowulf is an epic hero; he has a great amount of strength and knowledge to defeat a monster. In contrast, the average delivery man can fight through traffic and dodge speeding tickets in order to fulfill our hunger. Despite the fact that Beowulf and a delivery man face different battles, they are both hero’s.…
It is said that Zeus, the Lord of the Sky, once stated that a true hero isn’t measured by the size of his strength but by the strength of his heart. A person who claims to be a hero can boast about his strength and how many monsters he’s defeated, but he can’t be a true hero if in the end he’s defeating all these monsters to show off. A true and epic hero is the man or woman who has the intent on helping people in spite of overwhelming obstacles. Beowulf, because of his selflessness, valor, and honor, is the epitome of an epic hero.…
Which is better? To be a king or to be a hero? To those who are deeply infatuated with the feeling of complete power and authority, the correct answer is a king. To those who get a thrill from being responsible for the wellbeing of others; or to those who are fascinated by the thought of being a legend and their name going down in history, the correct answer is a hero. Beowulf chose to become the latter of the two previous choices, despite what the population wanted. Beowulf cared more for the heroic image and respect, rather than the initial wealth and status that comes with being a king.…
According to Emerson's essay he considers Beowulf a hero because he fits all the qualities of the heroes. A hero has to be respected by others Beowulf was respected, when he was fighting Grendel, the Danes wanted to help him; "Many a noble of Beowulf brandished his battle sword old would guard the live of his lord and protector." They are applying that he is very high and mighty. Emerson also says a hero has to have a war-like attitude. Beowulf portrays this when it describes him. “The stout-hearted warrior snatched as he slumbered, seizing hand with-grip”. Emerson also said that a hero has to have fortitude. One sees that he has fortitude when it says; “The foe i must grapple, fight for my life then foeman with foeman.” Emerson said a hero…
Beowulf has many of the characteristics to classify him as a hero. For example he’s brave, sacrificial, strong, caring and patient. Evidence from the text where Beowulf shows/develops these characteristics are:…
"A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself" -Joseph Campbell. The story I'm writing about is the Epic poem call Beowulf, which was translated by Burton Raftel. Beowulf is a hero who defeated many monster that are killing innocent people. In his life, as a hero, Beowulf shows that he is bossy, independent, and fearless; which are all the qualities of a real Epic hero.…
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…
Everyone needs to make their life like a Beowulf. In the poem Beowulf ,the character, Beowulf, is an example of a true epic hero, who fights with a powerful monster and saves Horthgor’s people. He is the only person who can fight with monsters. He meets unnatural phenomena. He goes into the underworld on a dangerous journey. In the end he is able to kill the most powerful monster. In Beowulf, the narrator says Beowulf has all qualities of an epic hero.…
way. Rather than attacking him with a sword like every other Geat, he grabs onto…
Beowulf is such a unique and distinctive character. He shows people the true definition of an epic hero. He is the type of hero that people would look up to. He is a confident leader for many, and that is what makes him who he is. Beowulf’s main characteristics are loyalty, bravery, and strength.…