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…
Archetypes stir profound emotions in the reader because they awaken images stored in the collective unconscious. In Seamus Haney’s translation of Beowulf this is used in the form of character types. Beowulf is a hero and encounters many triumphs with different types of people on his journey in this epic poem. There are three archetypal characters in Beowulf that are particularly effective and intriguing. These are The Creature of Nightmare Grendel, The Mentor Hrothgar, and The Loyal Retainer Wiglaf. The characters are common experiences in the human psyche.…
This essay is going to describe someone`s character traits that I read about. A fictional character named Beowulf. He is a larger than life character of Epic proportions. Beowulf was a warrior, who was honorable, brave, and courageous.…
The entire cast of characters in the Scandinavian epic tale Beowulf all possess archetypal qualities that make them less complex in psychological development than the standard characters in the majority of literature in existence. Beowulf, the hero from the land of the Geats, acts as a representation of good, while each of the monsters he consecutively faces are forms of evil. Since Beowulf appears to be an unstoppable force for the good of the people, it would be difficult to see how he could not be an ideal hero. However, archetypes are not perfect; they lack the depth of character development and only act as the standard form of something. Beowulf still falls victim to mankind’s failings, such as the desire to be famous and to be remembered forever. He wants nothing more than to have his name be sacred and his image godly. The word ideal means “a conception of something in its perfection”. With that in mind, Beowulf is not an ideal hero because, like every man with power, he contains flaws that make him far from a standard of perfection.…
The literary masterpiece Beowulf compiles the life of Beowulf as living the supreme military life. The concepts and themes of the story are considered timeless because comparisons can be drawn from Beowulf’s life to the lives of the people of today. Consider the fact that Beowulf lives a detached life, which validates him being a wise and strong leader. This also leaves him a man who must face his death grasping the fact that he has foolishly abstained from having a devoted relationship with another person. In his tenacious quest for fame and glory, Beowulf is evocative of concurrent young executives in that they classify their profession above all other facets of life, just as Beowulf placed his quest for fame and glory above all other aspects of his life.…
Over the centuries, the concept of what is required to be considered a hero has changed. Beowulf, an epic hero from the sixth century, is very different in comparison to his counterpart, Katniss Everdeen, heroine of “Hunger Games,” is a mixture between a Hemingway and Epic hero. An epic hero is concerned with the nobility and bravery of their deeds, but also with what they will receive, attention or material wise, for what they do. A Hemingway hero is someone who follows the ideals of courage and endurance, in the midst of trying to overcome the pain and chaos society brings them. The difference between Katniss Everdeen and Beowulf is prevalent because of the demand for increased knowledge and equality in modern society.…
The hero of all heroes, Beowulf, strong and courageous, is the prince of Geats. Once he makes a vow, he stands by his word, no matter what the cost, even if it takes his life. He is reluctant to back down from battle, just so he can be there for the people who are in great need to be saved from evil. He signifies the true heroic character because he is willing to risk his life for his ideals. Beowulf defeats three gruesome monsters, two of whom are descendants of Cain. Beowulf is able to show his characteristics both in his youth and in his older days.…
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.…
The Old English Beowulf is addicted to pride and honor, he always wants to be the hero and does really care about anything…
The epic poem of Beowulf represents a Germanic ideal of heroism and virtue important to the early tribes outside the Roman Empire. In this culture, men who faced difficult challenges, the strongest and bravest warriors, were exulted chieftains and often looked to for leadership. While many might consider Beowulf a proud and arrogant man, he was a hero to the Germanic tribes. The character of Beowulf embodies the very values and ideals of what a hero was to the Germanic peoples. Through his respect to kinship, bravery, honor, strength, and intelligence, Beowulf offers to Germanic men a model of a great warrior and leader, a model every man should strive to emulate.…
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 and Grettir’s Saga have a similar theme of heroism. The heroes arrive to the distressed, kills the hazardous, saves the world and everybody is happy, as they are safe. Beowulf and Grettir also share similar situations, enemies, and long tiresome battles, and even similar characteristics and fates. However, their ‘hero’ qualities are drastically different. Beowulf is a shiny golden hero, while Grettir becomes more and more tainted with shades of gray, limiting him to an in between position, neither a hero or a villain; regardless of all of his accomplishments worthy of respect, his passion gets the best of him. Grettir is outlawed while Beowulf becomes the leader of his people.…
The Old English heroic epic of Beowulf has been told for centuries, its one of the first known stories ever documented. It really reflects the values and ideals of life during the Anglo Saxon time period. One reoccurring theme that I have noticed throughout the entirety of not only Beowulf but other Anglo Saxon stories was courage. Courage in the story of Beowulf was the basis of the story and how it ties into the storyline. Beowulf never backs down to a challenge, but with courage comes a price, did Beowulf make his decisions out of courage, and if he did were they the best for himself and the greater good of the people? Courage was portrayed throughout the epic of Beowulf, without courage, your life will be dull and nothing amazing will come of it.…
In the epic poem Beowulf, many qualifications can be found for the archetype, Beowulf, to be an epic hero. His bravery is shown through his desire for a quest and a battle with a supernaturally strong man-eating beast. He is unafraid of his imminent death battling the sinister, evil monster, Grendel. He is highly esteemed and his reputation for greatness precedes him after defeating Grendel. These traits are proved throughout this Anglo-Saxon epic poem.…