Beowulf- The Ideal Anglo-Saxon Hero
Beowulf- The Ideal Anglo-Saxon Hero
When most people today think of a hero, they think of characteristics such as courage, strength, wisdom, and loyalty. Some of these same characteristics are seen in an Anglo-Saxon hero. The Anglo-Saxons had a very specific idea of what an ideal hero was. To be an ideal Anglo-Saxon hero a man would have to possess courage, strength, loyalty to a tribal king, wisdom in guiding others, and supreme self- confidence. Throughout this poem Beowulf exhibits many values that are in an ideal Anglo-Saxon hero, such as courage, loyalty to a tribal king, and physical strength. Throughout this poem Beowulf displays courage. He does this by going to Herot to kill Grendel even though he had heard terrible stories about him. He: … Heard how Grendel filled nights with horror And quickly commanded a boat fitted out, Proclaiming that he’d go to that famous king, Would sail across the sea to Hrothgar, Now when help was needed (93-97).
Not only was he going to fight a monster he had heard terrible stories about, he was also going to a foreign land where he had never been before. He did not know the land, but he was not scared. He was ready to go and fight Grendel. When he arrived on the shores of Denmark the officer told him “A soldier should know the difference between words/ And deeds, and keep that knowledge clear/ In his brain” (184-186). In this poem Beowulf wasn’t just “talking the talk,” he was also “walking the walk.” He knew what he was facing and did what he said he would do, kill Grendel with his bare hands. He had enough courage to do this like he said: [Grendel] needs no weapons and fears none. Nor will I. My lord Higlac Might think less of me if I let my sword Go where my feet were afraid to, if I hid Behind some broad linden shield: my hands Alone shall fight for me, struggle for life Against the monster (247-253).
When most people today think of a hero, they think of characteristics such as courage, strength, wisdom, and loyalty. Some of these same characteristics are seen in an Anglo-Saxon hero. The Anglo-Saxons had a very specific idea of what an ideal hero was. To be an ideal Anglo-Saxon hero a man would have to possess courage, strength, loyalty to a tribal king, wisdom in guiding others, and supreme self- confidence. Throughout this poem Beowulf exhibits many values that are in an ideal Anglo-Saxon hero, such as courage, loyalty to a tribal king, and physical strength. Throughout this poem Beowulf displays courage. He does this by going to Herot to kill Grendel even though he had heard terrible stories about him. He: … Heard how Grendel filled nights with horror And quickly commanded a boat fitted out, Proclaiming that he’d go to that famous king, Would sail across the sea to Hrothgar, Now when help was needed (93-97).
Not only was he going to fight a monster he had heard terrible stories about, he was also going to a foreign land where he had never been before. He did not know the land, but he was not scared. He was ready to go and fight Grendel. When he arrived on the shores of Denmark the officer told him “A soldier should know the difference between words/ And deeds, and keep that knowledge clear/ In his brain” (184-186). In this poem Beowulf wasn’t just “talking the talk,” he was also “walking the walk.” He knew what he was facing and did what he said he would do, kill Grendel with his bare hands. He had enough courage to do this like he said: [Grendel] needs no weapons and fears none. Nor will I. My lord Higlac Might think less of me if I let my sword Go where my feet were afraid to, if I hid Behind some broad linden shield: my hands Alone shall fight for me, struggle for life Against the monster (247-253).