Preview

Complexity In Beowulf

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
880 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Complexity In Beowulf
A Asking if a character is complex is the round about way of asking if the character has changed their view point of their life.
B In the epic poem Beowulf, many of the characters do not seem complex or related to characters today’s literature.
C The characters in Beowulf believe in the old way of life, that heroes will always come to save them.
D Three characters truly show the complexity of the Beowulf cast and will prove that they are just as complex as those in modern day literature: Beowulf in his hero’s journey, Grendel’s mother in her quest for vengeance, and Unferth’s change of heart.
BODY PARAGRAPH 1- Beowulf
E Beowulf is the hero in the poem and obviously should have the most character development.
F He begins his journey as a noble warrior looking to save the Danes after twelve years of
…show more content…
L He wanted to beat Brecca by swimming in a monster-filled sea and Unferth wanted to prove to the king that Beowulf was too headstrong to save Herot.
M This is similar to Ron Weasley in The Deathly Hallows when he and Harry are guarding the Horcrux locket. The locket convinces Ron act on his jealously and tries to separate him and Harry.
N Unferth is the character that becomes jealous and commits evil deeds except that his is not an evil person, so he soon regrets his actions. CONCLUSION
O Beowulf, Grendel’s mother, and Unferth display the same psychological qualities as many of today’s characters in literature do.
P Today’s character's just like Beowulf’s characters do not have much complexity and their path in their respective stories are often predictable.
Q These characters are still enjoyable and create amazing stories. Their simplicity allows the reader to connect and understand the work as a whole.
R However simple these characters are doesn't mean their story isn't interesting or captivating; it's just that they are quite

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Throughout his battles, Beowulf personifies the motifs of reputation, vengeance, and fate which contribute to the overall epic theme. Each of these contrasting themes contribute as to why Beowulf was such a tremendous epic hero. Beowulf, a young warrior with an honorable family name to be upheld, must venture off and seek his own reputation and identity among the sprawling branches of the family tree. With this thought, he seeks out to battle the mighty fiend Grendle armed with his two own bare hands. With much vengeance being sought out, Grendle’s mother goes after Beowulf for harming her son which only prevokes Beowulf’s own revenge on Grendle’s mother for slaughtering one of Hrogthgar’s best warriors, Esther. Later on in life as an aged and wise king, Beowulf single handedly faces his own fate by battling the dragon. By crumbling under the dragon’s rage, death has been accepted and has furthered his name.…

    • 849 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Beowulf Vs Machiaveldel

    • 223 Words
    • 1 Page

    3. Beowulf is the true hero, he left his family to cross a sea to fight…

    • 223 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    There are plenty of characters in the epic poem “Beowulf” but none are as dynamic as Beowulf himself. As the main character and protagonist, he is thoroughly developed throughout the poem. While some of his traits jump right out at you (confidence, strength, bravery), other are buried and subtle. Beowulf is wise, compassionate, and honorable and these characteristics shape the entire poem.…

    • 770 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Cited: “Beowulf”. The Norton Anthology of English Literature. Eds. Stephen Greenblatt, et al. 9th ed. Vol. B. New York: W.W. Norton and Company, 2012. Page 41-108. Print. 6 vols.…

    • 1137 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    I Commentary #2: By defeated Grendel and helped the Danes fear vanished, he has gained praise from many people including the king and it makes him proud when he done something good. He will continue doing the right things until his…

    • 1232 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Book Analysis: Beowulf

    • 1146 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Beowulf is one of the most intriguing characters in the story. He is the protagonist. A protagonist is the main character in a story. The story takes place in Denmark. King Hrothgar, King of the Danes, is dealing with a monstrous creature called Grendel who is terrorizing his people. Out of options, King Hrothgar feels hopeless; this is where Beowulf comes in. As a Geat, Beowulf is an outsider. He enters the mead hall, called Heorot, extremely confident. He has an attitude about him that others can really feel around him. He is one of the most famous heroes among the Geats and he has gone to Heorot to continue his heroism and prove himself. He comes across as slightly arrogant when he rejects the help of anyone else. He wants to prove his bravery and strength to everyone around him. He truly believes he is the only one in the world who can defeat Grendel, which he most certainly does. The battle against Grendel proves that Beowulf has almost superhuman strength and bravery. He is praised by all. In this…

    • 1146 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    | Which of the following statements best shows that Beowulf has the ethics of an epic hero? b.…

    • 6890 Words
    • 28 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Cited: "Beowulf." The Longman Anthology British Literature. Vol. 1A. N.p.: Pearson Education, 2010. 32-107. Print.…

    • 1033 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The classic epic tale Beowulf is a masterpiece that stands out in the literature of the past. Many characters in the poem struggle to define their religion at the time because Christianity was recently introduced in their Anglo-Saxon communities. Among them all, the main character Beowulf showed the most indecisiveness. In his words and actions, Beowulf embodies both Christian and Anglo-Saxon ideals; however, they reveal him to be more of a Christian than a pagan.…

    • 873 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf, like so many other heroes, is described as a great fighter and a man of tremendous strength. He has self-confidence bordering on insanity. He is willing to do whatever it takes to earn trust and protect his people. He chooses to fight Grendel, an invincible monster unarmed and unprotected because he is very confident in his own strength. Despite his many qualities that make him who he is, bravery is the defining characteristic of heroism in Beowulf.…

    • 339 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Beowulf, Too Good to Be True

    • 3125 Words
    • 13 Pages

    Throughout the poem “Beowulf,” the narrator paints a picture of the perfect hero in the form of the protagonist, Beowulf. Many literary critics have come to the conclusion that “Beowulf” is a stereotypical story of good versus evil. Critics such as Herbert G. Wright present some of their claims that Beowulf is a hero who is greater than man and in someways, Christ-like, and others such as, Robert Stevick and Marie Padgett Hamilton portray the many Christian motifs and metaphors that are present in Beowulf. While all of this can be seen in the text through an analysis of the symbols, further analysis also shows that Beowulf is a flawed hero, but a hero never-the-less, and although Beowulf can be united to the divine he is still a mortal man who has become idealized by the continuous telling of the tale.…

    • 3125 Words
    • 13 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    In the epic poem Beowulf there is a more universal understanding that can be seen once a reader has taken the time to look deeper into the text of the poem. A characters intentions are not always seen instantaneously. To understand the full meaning of why someone might go out of their way to help another is not always in the kindness of their own heart. A more intense and complicated plot is behind the thoughts of a character named Beowulf. Everything he does always has a catch to it and requires more then a personal thank you.…

    • 1055 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf Paper

    • 557 Words
    • 3 Pages

    This epic has many traits and they are reflected on how people back in the 14th century lived and looked at life. Everyone could tell that Beowulf is very different warrior and person than all of the others because of his courage, (627-630), “No one else could do what I mean to, here, no man but me could hope to defeat this monster.” Overconfident he is but , that’s how he wins most of his battles. He already has his heart and mind set on the outcome of the battle.…

    • 557 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Themes in Beowulf

    • 1014 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Cited: Beowulf. The Norton Anthology of English Literature. Seventh Edition. Volume 7. Ed. M.H. Abrams. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2000. 32-99.…

    • 1014 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf's Heroic Code

    • 678 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Acclaimed with extraordinary strength, skill, and bravery, Beowulf proves himself during the course of the epic poem to be powerful, virtuous, and courageous; an exemplary epic hero. The poem analyzes his heroism from the time when he is a warrior and as he develops into a king. Beowulf encounters three separate and extremely difficult battles: the battle with Grendel, Grendel's mother, and the dragon. In these battles, we can see the expression of the heroic code; and furthermore, a division between Beowulf's youthful heroism as a gallant warrior and his mature heroism as a reliable king.…

    • 678 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays