Beowulf Theme Of Integrity And Honor
Connor M. Graham
Ms. Nassi
13OCT2015
6th Period
The theme of Beowulf that I believe corresponds to me in the eyes of others the most is integrity and honor. As an aspiring student driven to attend the United States Naval Academy, the Honor Concept holds more weight to me than most. Beowulf is a hero because he embodies and exemplifies the traits and morals the society saw as powerful and valuable. Beowulf defeats Grendel not because his vanity seeks glory, but because his pride seeks the glory of his kin and country. This honoring of his country by his deeds of good faith is the greatest element of his heroism. Confronting the monster on even terms, proves the integrity of the character through the idea that any advantage over ones foe detracts …show more content…
Beowulf is determined to accomplish a task, and he does it like no one else could, without haste.” ("The Courage, Strength, and Integrity of Beowulf."), following the very core of what integrity and honor mean and are, the actions of any person that have direct or indirect effects on the world around them. “The dragon gets the best of Beowulf, he "seized all his neck with his sharp fangs: he was smeared with life-blood, gore welled out in waves" (Norton 62). Wiglaf, then, summons his wits and they killed the dragon: "The wound which the dragon had dealt him began to burn and swell; at once he felt dire evil boil in his breast within him"(Norton 62). Our hero is finally defeated. Even though he is seriously injured, he still had the strength to break the fifty-foot dragon in half. He knows that his life has ended, and with it, all the joy of his years on earth. The days are done, death most near. Beowulf then says, "Now I would wish to give my son my war-clothing, if any heir after me, part of my flesh, were granted" (62). Beowulf is saying that if God had granted him a son that he would be the first one to receive his armor and sword. Beowulf is then at peace.” ("Code of Honor in the Epic of Beowulf.") The aspect of the quote that deals with Beowulf finding peace in knowing that his heir will receive his armor and his people the fruits of his sacrifice shows how his integrity lead him to power through his wounds and defeat the creature, being what he saw as the best use of the emotions flooding over him during his dying breaths. The morality in taking action through immense pain and suffering is the source of the words honor and
Ms. Nassi
13OCT2015
6th Period
The theme of Beowulf that I believe corresponds to me in the eyes of others the most is integrity and honor. As an aspiring student driven to attend the United States Naval Academy, the Honor Concept holds more weight to me than most. Beowulf is a hero because he embodies and exemplifies the traits and morals the society saw as powerful and valuable. Beowulf defeats Grendel not because his vanity seeks glory, but because his pride seeks the glory of his kin and country. This honoring of his country by his deeds of good faith is the greatest element of his heroism. Confronting the monster on even terms, proves the integrity of the character through the idea that any advantage over ones foe detracts …show more content…
Beowulf is determined to accomplish a task, and he does it like no one else could, without haste.” ("The Courage, Strength, and Integrity of Beowulf."), following the very core of what integrity and honor mean and are, the actions of any person that have direct or indirect effects on the world around them. “The dragon gets the best of Beowulf, he "seized all his neck with his sharp fangs: he was smeared with life-blood, gore welled out in waves" (Norton 62). Wiglaf, then, summons his wits and they killed the dragon: "The wound which the dragon had dealt him began to burn and swell; at once he felt dire evil boil in his breast within him"(Norton 62). Our hero is finally defeated. Even though he is seriously injured, he still had the strength to break the fifty-foot dragon in half. He knows that his life has ended, and with it, all the joy of his years on earth. The days are done, death most near. Beowulf then says, "Now I would wish to give my son my war-clothing, if any heir after me, part of my flesh, were granted" (62). Beowulf is saying that if God had granted him a son that he would be the first one to receive his armor and sword. Beowulf is then at peace.” ("Code of Honor in the Epic of Beowulf.") The aspect of the quote that deals with Beowulf finding peace in knowing that his heir will receive his armor and his people the fruits of his sacrifice shows how his integrity lead him to power through his wounds and defeat the creature, being what he saw as the best use of the emotions flooding over him during his dying breaths. The morality in taking action through immense pain and suffering is the source of the words honor and