Preview

Custom Essay: Timeless Lessons In Beowulf

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
639 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Custom Essay: Timeless Lessons In Beowulf
Timeless Lessons Beowulf represents one of the oldest epic poems around today. Originating from the Anglo-Saxon and medieval time period, around year 449, Beowulf still manages to gain relevance. This story illustrates a true hero’s loyalty and obedience to his people and others who surround. Leading the geats, Beowulf, represents the values of his society, which to this day still stand true. Although created hundreds of years ago, Beowulf contains many themes relative to modern day life. In the aged tale Beowulf, a strong warrior defeats enemies for honor, spends his life protecting others requiring nothing in exchange, and shows endless courage in pursuit of the benefit of others. Nobley, Beowulf defends others to gain honor. Young Beowulf sails with his men to the land of the Danes, and Beowulf does so to defeat their enemy, Grendel. The Geat ruler Beowulf pleads to Hrothgar as to why he should allow him to berid the town of their demonic monster, “my one request is that you won’t refuse me, who have come this far, the privilege …show more content…
Beowulf is offered rewards for defeating Grendels mother, but solely does so for the protection of others; just as soldiers must have a certain passion to put their lives on the line for our country. Before setting out to kill Grendels mother, Beowulf speaks to Hrothgar, “If this combat kills me, take care of my young company, my comrades in arms, and be sure also, my beloved Hrothgar, to send Hygelac the treasures I received” (Beowulf lines 1480-1484). Death is no fear of Beowulf’s. Preparing to battle a grim monster; Beowulf unselfishly is only thinking of how his treasures shall be distributed to his men in the possibility he were to fail. Since soldiers, policemen, and firemen put their lives on the line honorably for others, those men demonstrate courage similar to Beowulf. These themes of selflessness will stand the test of

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    Response To Beowulf '

    • 343 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Beowulf (1000 A.D.) is an epic poem, written by an unknown author and tells the story of Beowulf quest to defeat Grendel and save his people. The author develops his theme of the story by setting the stage for the story and portraying a conflict, which are Beowulf and his needs to defeat Grendel to save his people. The author does this to show reader show difficult of a task it will be for Beowulf to defeat Grendel, in order to save his people. The author creates an objective relationship with his readers by telling the story from third person, giving insight into the mindset of each character and allowing the reader to interpret the poem with his or her unique perspective.…

    • 343 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Grendel was descendent of Cain, who heartlessly murdered innocent Danes because he felt shame for himself. When he heard of the Dane’s problem, Beowulf quickly left to go help the Danish. Although he did have backup, he started a battle with Grendel and chose to do this with no armor or weapons. Nevertheless, Beowulf would still be crowned the winner, as the arm of Grendel would symbolize his trophy. Beowulf would continue to attempt to kill Grendel’s bitter mother and a dragon, who thought the Geats had gone against him. The victory with the dragon would prove to be his last, as it took a lot out of him.…

    • 1606 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Beowulf Essay

    • 464 Words
    • 2 Pages

    In the poem Beowulf it has been argued whether or not Beowulf shows pagan or Christian values or even both. however if one reads the poem and analysis closely you can see that Beowulf upholds both Christian and pagan values. The bravery and courage that Beowulf became so famous for shows his heroic and pagan values however he also shows Christian values by protecting and treating all of his people equally and by fighting the dragon alone and giving the gold to the people even if he did survive the final battle with the dragon.…

    • 464 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    Beowulf Essay

    • 759 Words
    • 4 Pages

    There are many metaphors for Beowulf’s sword, weapon, his hilt battle flame, the edge, his rare treasure, spiral patterned, precious in it class, shift and skel-edged all are references to his sword.…

    • 759 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf acts in a courageous manner all through his life, offering an ideal example of what courage entails. Beowulf initially appeared as a boy who has encountered the ocean, “to be a match for Grendel and settle the outcome in single combat” (Heaney 29). Moreover, Beowulf points out that he is undertaking this to “perform to the uttermost what the Danes want or perish in the attempt” (Heaney 43). In fighting with…

    • 685 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf is heroic here because he considers it his duty to destroy evil. When Beowulf goes to battle Grendel's mother, “he leaped into the lake, would not wait for anyone’s / answer...” (Raffel 47). Beowulf fearlessly jumps into the lake as soon as he accepts Hrothgar’s plead to help them. He heroically devoted himself to helping Hrothgar. Helping Hrothgar wasn’t the only reason Beowulf traveled to him. Beowulf also came for glory. He claimed that when he goes to fight Grendel, “[his] hand / alone will fight for [him], struggle for life / Against the monster” (Raffel 38). Beowulf places this handicap upon himself because he believes it will lead to more glory. After Beowulf defeats Grendel’s mother, he emerges from the lake “he sought Hrothgar / To salute him and show Grendel’s head” (Raffel 51). Grendel’s head is brought back as a trophy to show that Beowulf really did kill Grendel. Discovering your fate is part of the glory. When Beowulf talks about fighting Grendel, he states that “...if [Grendel] wins / And if death does take me, Send the hammered / Mail of my armor to Higlac… Fate will unwind as it must” (Raffel 38). Beowulf states what should happens if he dies, as he believes fate will decide the victor of…

    • 481 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf is an epic poem written back in the Anglo-Saxon time period. In this story the main character, Beowulf, is characterized as arguably the ideal epic hero thus fitting the standard of readers in its time. He is equipped with superhuman strength seen countless times within the text. He is fearless and oversaturated with bravery and courage even when the threat of death lingers around every monster slain. His leadership skills are made evident through his people. And he is larger than life throwing his into the hands of fate countless times for the good of others and immortal glory.…

    • 759 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf is a poem that represents loyalty. Beowulf’s author was an unknown Anglo-Saxon poet. Beowulf tells the story of the main character Beowulf, who was the bravest soldier of Geatland. The story is based on narrating the heroic achievements of Beowulf the victories over Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and a dragon. Grendel was a powerful monster that threatened Hrothgar’s kingdom. Beowulf is a warrior that decides to help Hrothgar by killing the beast that has been menacing Herot. Beowulf is accepted and admired because of his courage, and when he confronts Grendel, he victoriously kills the monster with his bare hands. Beowulf poem is mainly composed with the theme of loyalty, since Beowulf remains loyal to his position, and also other characters throughout the story represent loyalty.…

    • 526 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Cultural Significance. The palpable implication of the Anglo-Saxon culture has become more explicable due to the many references made in the poem. For example, when Beowulf hears of Hrothgar’s kingdom being terrorized by Grendel every night, he is inspired by the challenge. Beowulf, “exclaimed: ‘Grendel is no braver, no stronger than I am! I could kill him with my sword…’’ (Raffel 677-678). Beowulf is bragging about his future deeds that he is about to…

    • 749 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Beowulf Narrative Essay

    • 2411 Words
    • 10 Pages

    kingdom never forgot about. The tragic day the prince went missing and the day a…

    • 2411 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    An epic poem can be written and translated in numerous ways. When focusing someone's perspective in the main hero of the poem they come to the understanding of the physical and non-physical attributes of the character. For example, when concentrating in the poem Beowulf, many of the readers contribute to the idea of Beowulf being a strong and brave character. Furthermore, the claim here is not to understand the reader's perspective in Beowulf’s physical body, but to understand that being a hero does not have to include a strong body when the community around us face stronger struggles that include spirituality, economy, and personal battles, that are not fought with a physical sword at hand. In the poem Beowulf, Beowulf has a series of struggles that include fighting Grendel to protect his community within. His way of…

    • 1499 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Beowulf is an epic poem of a said to be “immortal” man, with unbelievable strength. Beowulf is seen as a hero not just for his strength but also his determination and courageousness. In his story he travels to Sweden from his home country of Denmark to help the Geats with a villain who had been terrorizing their homes. The monsters name was Grendel and he was a giant demon like creature that would sneak into people’s homes at night and eat them. When Beowulf was faced by the monster he ripped of his arm and killed him. Later the monsters mother tried to retrieve her sons arm and Beowulf chased after her to be 100% that the Sweden’s were safe. These few actions in Beowulf’s journeys show all the characteristics of a hero by showing he is courageous…

    • 429 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf Review Essay

    • 522 Words
    • 3 Pages

    I thought both Sinkevich and Ebert’s reviews on the film Beowulf produced by Robert Zemeckis were very different but both also very insightful. Ebert’s views on the film were more of a childish view, he thought that the film was intended to be amusing. “But I'm not complaining. I'm serious when I say the movie is funny.” says Ebert. I do not agree with Ebert when he says this. I do not think the movie was intended to be funny. I think that the producer attempted to make this film very accurate and also trying to keep this film appropriate for all ages. Although I do not necessarily agree with Ebert's point of view on Beowulf, I do think that his review is important for viewers of this film to read this article. It shows a different point of…

    • 522 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf is one of the most classic works in Earth’s history. Although it was originally passed down as an oral story, eventually it was translated and written down by a monk. Beowulf is able to combine Poetic flow, historic importance, as well as having an intense and interesting plot. It is more than just a classic tale of good vs evil or a hero fighting a monster. Beowulf uses personification of Monsters to blur the line between being a human and being a monster, which impacts readers’ understanding of what it really means to be human.…

    • 1202 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf essay

    • 444 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The author of Beowulf uses literary devices such as symbolism, hyperbole, and personification to help characterize and reveal Beowulf’s identity. By his acts of courage, bravery, and arrogance, he became a great hero.…

    • 444 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays