Preview

Beowulf's Legacy

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
620 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Beowulf's Legacy
Many human characteristics derive from the imperative trait of self-interest. This egoistic personality can be observed through the ages. A resulting characteristic from this self-centered behavior is the ambition for a lasting legacy. Self-centered behavior creates an aspiration for a legacy because people want their own names to be well remembered. Therefore, a legacy can create an illusion of immortality and have an eternal impact on future generations. In the epic poem Beowulf, Shield Sheafson, Hrothgar, and Beowulf display a will for a legacy. The Scop reveals the desire for a lasting legacy as an archetypal human trait because a legacy decreases the fear of death by providing a form of immortality and as a result can be seen throughout human history.
Shield Sheafson demonstrates his ambition for a legacy by having a grand funeral. Throughout his reign, Shield has proven his worth as king, earning him titles such as “scourge of many tribes” and “wrecker of mead-benches” (Heany 3). To …show more content…
By defeating Grendel, a monster who has never been defeated, Beowulf would add to his legacy. To further his reputation, Beowulf decides to not use weapons or armor because Grendel “has no ideas of the arts of war, of shield or sword-play, though he does possess a wild strength” (Heany 16). Beowulf wants to make sure that his reputation is unquestionable because he does not want people to think that the only reason he defeated Grendel was due to his weapons. Since Grendel “has no ideas of the arts of war...though...possess a wild strength”, Beowulf wants to prove that he is equal if not better in strength than Grendel. In reality, it would make sense to use weapons and armor to fight Grendel. However, Beowulf believes that fighting weaponless would make his legacy greater. Beowulf’s archetypal trait of desire for a lasting legacy can be seen through his pride in not using weapons or
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    A Eulogy for Beowulf
    • 399 Words
    • 2 Pages

    A Eulogy for Beowulf

    A great man has died. And his name is Beowulf, our king, and a very close friend of mine. Beowulf was a brave man, the bravest of us all. A generous soul, that cared for others. A man whose fury and glory no man could ever match.…

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

    Strength in the Links - Beowulf
    • 898 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Strength in the Links - Beowulf

    Beowulf was known for being a warrior who preferred to fight a monster with his bare hands rather than with a weapon, yet it was not always his bare hands that would save him from death but rather his strong and reliable armor. Beowulf became the well known warrior that he was, owing to the fact that people believed that he was invincible and indestructible, however, it was his chain mail that he relied on to keep him alive. In the fight against Grendel’s mother, Beowulf would have never survived had it not been for “his woven war-corselet, wide and ornate” which would “safeguard his heart” (1275-1276). Grendel’s mother had the warrior in her grasp, clawing at him but she “failed to rip open the armor he wore” preventing his death (1330). Had Beowulf not worn the chain mail he would have been dead before he had the chance to kill Grendel’s mother and prove to the warriors who were “astonished to see him whole and unharmed” that he was the greatest warrior of their time (1434). When the warriors who had fled him saw Beowulf emerge from the water is when Beowulf became a significant member in the brotherhood, creating a greater sense of unity and strength amongst the men.…

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

    Beowulf's Achievements In Anglo Saxon Society
    • 347 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Beowulf's Achievements In Anglo Saxon Society

    In the epic Beowulf, translated by Seamus Heaney, Beowulf’s first intention when traveling to the Daneland was to keep his father’s friendship with Hrothgar intact. Although Beowulf had a sounds cause for traveling to the Daneland, the fame and glory Beowulf later received became his main focus and motivated him to continue entering life threatening battles. This piece of literature showcases the accomplishments and celebrations of a young Geat named Beowulf. Throughout the entire epic, Beowulf has many achievements which influence his god-like appearance within the Anglo-Saxon society. The average reader may be so mesmerized with his talents, they might overlook the fact that Beowulf continues to enter battles in order to boost his self…

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

    Beowulf: An Anglo-Saxon Hero
    • 347 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Beowulf: An Anglo-Saxon Hero

    A poem written by an anonymous author over one hundred years ago has described that an Anglo-Saxon hero always has the qualities of courage, generosity, and faithfulness. This poem is Beowulf and in this poem those three qualities apply to one character, Beowulf.…

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

    Beowulf's Heroic Super-Hero
    • 790 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Beowulf's Heroic Super-Hero

    At the time of the battle with the Dragon, Beowulf was old in age. His strength would be tested because he had not fought in over 50 years. Going into this special battle Beowulf knew what he was up against, “I am old, now, but I will fight again, seek fame still, if the dragon hiding in his tower dares to face me” (lines 626-628) By this it showed that Beowulf honor never left him and would always show. This battle stuck out. Like most battles, Beowulf fought with his famous sword and shield, but it soon ended when the dragon broke the sword and burned the shield with its hot flames. At this moment the battle began a dramatic shift because Beowulf was left with his hands. With the battle with Grendel and Grendel’s mother Beowulf could use his hands easily but yet this…

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

    Hrothgar's Loyalty In Beowulf
    • 219 Words
    • 1 Page

    Hrothgar's Loyalty In Beowulf

    Part of this approach involves the understanding that only reputation will extend a warrior’s existence after death. Beowulf, for example, identifies life as a race to glory. This speech summarizes…

    • 219 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf's Accomplishments
    • 387 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Beowulf's Accomplishments

    Beowulf is possibly one of the oldest remaining long poems in Old English and is commonly cited as one of the most important works in Old English literature. It was written in England sometime between the 8th and early 11th century. Throughout Beowulf’s quest to conquer evil he shows bravery, super human strength, while risking his life for the greater good of society.…

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

    Beowulf Values
    • 618 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Beowulf Values

    Throughout the epic, Beowulf demonstrated his strength as a warrior and a leader. When Grendel arrived at Herot, the other warriors “could not scratch at his skin, for that sin-stained demon had bewitched all men's weapons, laid spells that blunted every mortal man's blade.”(92-94). Beowulf took charge and used his own hands to fight and eventually defeat Grendel since his fellow men could not do so. This conveys how Beowulf was not only physically strong in battle, but how he took charge to defeat Grendel since the others were unable to. Beowulf also took it upon himself to battle Grendel's mother, which was where he utilized “the best of all weapons / But so massive that no ordinary man could lift / Its carved and decorated length. He drew it.”(244-246). Since a normal man would have been unable to life the sword, this event in the text displays how Beowulf is an epic hero. An epic hero is often characterized by possessing an immense amount of strength, which Beowulf had from being able to utilize the sword and defeat Grendel's mother. His strength as a warrior and a leader is what classifies Beowulf as a quintessential epic…

    • 618 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Beowulf: An Archetypal Hero
    • 72 Words
    • 1 Page

    Beowulf: An Archetypal Hero

    To sum it all up, In Beowulf, Beowulf is an archetypal hero who ended up being corrupted by the fame and fortune that was gained while doing the Danes a favour and killing their monsters. In Grendel, Grendel was labeled as a monster who tried to be part of a human society; the failure to be accepted as part of the society has forced Grendel to act like how he was labeled.…

    • 72 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Critical Review on Beowulf
    • 564 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Critical Review on Beowulf

    After thinking about the past years of my life I have found few major moments of joy; which just goes to show how rare they are and that if we do not recognize them they will just fly on by. Occurrences such as these are something that need to be held on to and cherished, and that is just what I have done.…

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

    Epic Poetry and Beowulf
    • 1069 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Epic Poetry and Beowulf

    Beowulf is a very courageous character and recounts his acts of courage to every person who will listen. In the poem Beowulf tells of his previous courageous actions in destroying a tribe of giants, defeating sea monsters in the night and returning from battle covered in his enemies blood. Beowulf has come to King Hrothgar to fight an ogre. A monster that has brought misery and death to the Danes for many years. This ogre, Grendel, killed thirty of Hrothgar’s men and caused the great mead hall of Herot to be closed. Beowulf tells King Hrothgar “the monster’s scorn of men Is so great that he needs no weapons and fears none. Nor will I” (lines 262-264) Therefore Beowulf intends to fight the Grendel without his armor or his sword. Beowulf may be so courageous because he believes so strongly in fate shaping his successes in the past. Beowulf believes that if it is his fate to win against Grendel then he will win. If it is his fate to die…

    • 1069 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Argumentative Essay: The First Battle Of Beowulf
    • 571 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Argumentative Essay: The First Battle Of Beowulf

    The first battle Beowulf is faced with is against Grendel. Grendel decides to attack because he is jealous and hates the joy and happiness he hears from the mead-hall; he decides to attack out of jealousy and annoyance. Beowulf decides to fight Grendel to not only gain glory for himself and to create himself a good reputation, but also to serve as assistance to the people of Herot. At the time of this battle, Beowulf was youthful and proud; he bragged on how he would be able to defeat Grendel and save the people. Beowulf chose to fight Grendel without any weapons in order to be on the same “playing field” as Grendel who was also weaponless. Beowulf asks the king to fight alone, with the help of his men only. He stays awake, awaiting the…

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

    Retribution in Beowulf
    • 1111 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Retribution in Beowulf

    _Beowulf_ is an epic poem that, above all, gives us a vision of a time long ago; a time when the most important traits to have were courage and integrity. The only thing that could give such fame to somebody was heroic deeds and family lineage. Beowulf, as the example of pagan heroes, exhibited his desire to accumulate fame and fortune; the only way to do so was to avenge the death of others. This theme of retribution that is present throughout the whole poem seems to enrich the identities of its characters.…

    • 1111 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf Vs Today
    • 780 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Beowulf Vs Today

    Beowulf's traits, good and bad, define him as a hero by Anglo-Saxon standards. But his arrogance, greed and selfishness contradict the modern, humanistic image of a hero. When it comes to Beowulf getting what he wants, nothing will stand between him and his goal. No amount of lives lost is too many for Beowulf, and the high cost to others only contributes to his glory. In his own time and culture, he was the ultimate hero of legend because he saved his people from monsters attacking them. But he falls far short when compared to today’s standards of selflessness, in which heroes are defined by risking their lives for others, and thus valuing their own less. Today’s heroes know that he may not make it out of the…

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

    Fate in the Epic Poem Beowulf
    • 714 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Fate in the Epic Poem Beowulf

    Beowulf was destined to combat Grendel despite not commencing his expedition across the great sea. He was fated to be the one to overcome the horrendous wretch after annihilating the most staggering of foes. A significant amount of mankind had endeavored to obliterate Grendel, but all had failed, sacrificing their lives in attempt. Beowulf implemented his free will, not only by resolving to extinguish the demon’s poor existence, but also by deciding to battle weaponless and without aide. The great prince eventually overcame the fiend by remarkably wrenching his limb from him.…

    • 714 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More

Related Topics