"Beowulf" illustrates how Beowulf is a hero. A hero is the central admirable figure in the novel. He is admirable to the reader and the town's people. He is admirable because of the tasks he has done. He also offers to help them, and not only does he offer but also he carries out his task. He saves the town from the horrible beast. The reader admires Beowulf because they only know one side of the story, which is Beowulf's. The author spun the story to make Beowulf a hero.…
Characteristics of the perfect hero includes: Bravery, strength, honor, fearlessness, loyalty, and honor. Beowulf in this story portrays these characteristics within his character. He defeats monsters, and all different sorts of creatures, to be the hero that he is. The story starts off with a demon named Grendel comes through and kills 30 people during attack on King Hrothgar. When Beowulf hears of this attack with Grendel, he comes in and…
Beowulf is a poem that shows both loyalty and honor within its characters. Throughout the poem he shows that by fighting with his bare hands and risking his life. Beowulf shows the real meaning of being a hero. Beowulf has many symbolism in the story when he fights the dragon, Grendel, and Grendel’s mother.…
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.…
Beowulf is an epic poem from the medieval time that depicts the traits of an epic hero and his journey. He demonstrates good and evil throughout his quest. The imagery helps the reader understand the events throughout Beowulf’s battle over evil and his struggle through life. The images reveal the epic tradition as well as Christian themes and Pagan beliefs.…
Beowulf exemplifies the perfect hero, even from his youth he perfectly embodies the manners and values dictated by the Germanic heroic code, including pride, loyalty, and strength. Beowulf’s youthful heroism as an unfettered warrior and his mature heroism as a reliable king, help portray him as a man of great character who is fair and just. Beowulf’s actions were some of proving his power and might, his attitude was that he was the best, and he was out to show it. This doesn't mean that he was of bad character, he was proud of himself and was striving to be the best he could be.…
He is the sheer epitome of perfection in every way. From the creatures he has defeated to the honor he has rightfully obtained, no man or beast on earth could possibly stand in the way of the mighty Beowulf. This reigns true throughout the whole poem. At no time does his conscience sway or spirit falter. Until the moment he dies saving the kingdom he so graciously ruled for years on end, he maintains this being of nobility, making this formidable character’s journey through life something we still discuss today. One of the only things people of that time had to bring them together were stories. These rightfully named epics were told across the land so they had to be something memorable. In such a time of despondency these people needed something to hold onto and believe would get them through, and that was Beowulf. Their simplistic thinking of right and wrong made it easy to write a story about someone who is so truly right. Although Beowulf might have been a real man, the feats he achieved were most likely nowhere near as daring. However, it is this daring being that was necessary for that…
Literary critics of Beowulf often criticize the poem for its lack of historical accuracy. The lens in which the poem is viewed engenders a view of the poem’s weaknesses and strengths. Many critics fail to think of the poem in a different perspective and thus fail to capture the literary value and strength the author put behind each line and stanza of the poem. J.R.R. Tolkien asserts his view that Beowulf should be criticized as a work of art and not as a historical piece of literature. Furthermore, Tolkien conveys that because of the literary flair the author of Beowulf included in the poem, the work should be considered one of the most successful poems of Old English. Tolkien takes into account the themes of youth and old age and the literary…
Dr. Martin Luther king once said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” (Ali B. Ali-Dinar; Ph.D.) Justice! What is justice? The quality of being just; guided by truth reason, justice and fairness. The portrayal of justice is an eternal controversy that has developed over time from ancient civilizations to modern democracies, Not only portrayed overtime but though mediums of media and lit, earlier in the development of literature justice was depicted to be carried out in a more hero fashion meaning a person coming into a conflicting situation and solving the conflict or bring justice to light under his or her conditions therefore adopting a heroes attributes and overall distinction in the public eye as an enforcer of justice…
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.…
According to Emerson's essay he considers Beowulf a hero because he fits all the qualities of the heroes. A hero has to be respected by others Beowulf was respected, when he was fighting Grendel, the Danes wanted to help him; "Many a noble of Beowulf brandished his battle sword old would guard the live of his lord and protector." They are applying that he is very high and mighty. Emerson also says a hero has to have a war-like attitude. Beowulf portrays this when it describes him. “The stout-hearted warrior snatched as he slumbered, seizing hand with-grip”. Emerson also said that a hero has to have fortitude. One sees that he has fortitude when it says; “The foe i must grapple, fight for my life then foeman with foeman.” Emerson said a hero…
“For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others” - Nelson Mandela. Nelson Mandela is a famous leader, who was also the first black president of South Africa. He fought to make a change for a whole country by overthrowing the pro-apartheid government and spent almost 30 years in jail for the his beliefs. Similarly to Mandela, Beowulf fought for the safety of people and their right to live peacefully. It is evident that Beowulf is a true hero that carries the characteristics of which are comparable to Nelson Mandela’s legacy and leadership qualities. While today’s ideal hero may be different from Beowulf in Anglo-Saxon times, many heroes in modern history, like Nelson…
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…
In the epic poem of "Beowulf" the main character is the hero in the land of the Geats and the Danes. Beowulf is helpful, courageous, and determined. He proves to be the bravest and most daring. On his journeys he shows how being a hero is not only determined on brute strength, but by interior qualities as well. Beowulf is helpful to the Danes by freeing them from their 12 long years of panic and terror.…
Beowulf is such a unique and distinctive character. He shows people the true definition of an epic hero. He is the type of hero that people would look up to. He is a confident leader for many, and that is what makes him who he is. Beowulf’s main characteristics are loyalty, bravery, and strength.…