Preview

Essay On Beowulf Hero Or King

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
599 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Essay On Beowulf Hero Or King
Which is better? To be a king or to be a hero? To those who are deeply infatuated with the feeling of complete power and authority, the correct answer is a king. To those who get a thrill from being responsible for the wellbeing of others; or to those who are fascinated by the thought of being a legend and their name going down in history, the correct answer is a hero. Beowulf chose to become the latter of the two previous choices, despite what the population wanted. Beowulf cared more for the heroic image and respect, rather than the initial wealth and status that comes with being a king. Beowulf grew up a fighter and knew he was destined for greatness in battle as one of the most supreme warriors to roam the mortal world. Beowulf was not fond of recognizing personal downfalls and weakness. Instead, he carried himself with confidence, a sense of swagger, and the heart of a lion. The hero of the time, was much more interested in fighting and building his individual reputation rather than taking over King Heardred’s throne. When the time comes where Beowulf is forced to step into the spotlight and become king, he does not just accept the normal responsibilities that come with being king. Beowulf takes the task by the horns, he doesn’t let his new duties blind …show more content…
A lower class that contains poor, powerless, low income citizens that often require outside aid. A working middle class, with very limited power which earns an average salary, and are able to generally get by with their nine to five occupations. Then there is the final upper class who is financially secure, and usually has some sort of power. This upper class is often idolized by the middle and lower class citizens. In modern American civilization, everyone wants the riches and power and everyone has an equal opportunity to make as much money and gain as much power as they wish. Whereas in Anglo-Saxon times it wasn’t easy to change social

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    A hero does something for the greater good of mankind. A hero is courageous and brave in any situation. Beowulf and Irena Sendler a social worker who smuggled over 2,500 Jewish out of harms way put their lives on the line to protect their mankind. While each warriors have their differences both believe in courage and triumphing over evil.…

    • 446 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf, in the reader’s perspective is a very strong and noble man. As the poem says, “Nor have I seen a mightier man-at-arms on this earth than the one standing here: unless I am mistaken, he is truly noble. There is mere hanger-on in a hero’s armour.” (244-251). He is noble because he knows his possible consequence of fighting but does not fear death. Beowulf…

    • 464 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf vs. Grandaddy

    • 644 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Beowulf was significantly glorified all through the book; even when he died his men mourned his loss, built him a tower, and buried the entirety of his treasures underneath it. The Geats and the Danes knew a hero of Beowulf’s status would never again come to pass. Beowulf had amazing leadership; he would never lead anyone where he would not go, and his men glorified him of that. He had superior strength, intelligence and courage. Beowulf’s strength could not be contested, as he was able to kill Grendel bare handed and rip a sword off a wall that only giants used. Under no conditions could an ordinary man achieve such a feat. Beowulf could swim for hours and fight monsters in the raging sea. Even at old age, Beowulf took on the battle of slaying the dragon. Beowulf was undeniably a strong and responsible leader. He prepared for the future of his warriors when he reached his eventual demise. His men, mourning his loss, wept, knowing a man of Beowulf’s strength and leadership would never come again.…

    • 644 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Grendel Vs Beowulf

    • 1279 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Throughout the film, it isn't hard to notice that Beowulf is more noble and slightly a more gentlemen. It shows him fighting to protect the people of the kingdom; he doesn't just do this for the fame, glory, or rewards. That is what we did know of Beowulf in the book though. His fighting was just to be self-centered and selfishly misusing his abilities for his own good, not for the good of others. Both Beowulf vs. Beowulf have completely different personalities in the film and book, and do each task in a different way. All that was just discussed of Beowulf was all regard to the concept of honor, good and evil.…

    • 1279 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Why is Star War such a global phenomenon? What about Matrix, Lord of the Ring? The key to their success is the structure of the story: they all applied Hero’s Journey, introduced by Joseph Campbell in 1949. The sense of this structure actually existed long before Joseph Campbell. Stories like Beowulf were the ancestors with such bloodline. Though the structure evolved differently as time pasts, the essence of it never vanishes. Genuinely, a Hero’s Journey contains three main sections: departure, redemption, and return. The referenced TED talk is pretty interesting: it gives a close analysis over stories from contemporary people in relation to their own journeys to help the audience narrow the concept of the structure down to a more acceptable scale.…

    • 526 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf by Gareth Hinds is graphic novel based on the Anglo-Saxon epic from 1000 A.D. This work tells the story of a warrior-prince named Beowulf, who completes various heroic tasks throughout the epic story. How to Read Literature like a Professor by Thomas C. Foster teaches the reader the real qualities and characteristics it takes to be a true hero in literature. In his quests Beowulf proves that he is a true hero in literature.…

    • 951 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf: A Hero

    • 188 Words
    • 1 Page

    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…

    • 188 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Beowulf As A Hero

    • 167 Words
    • 1 Page

    Beowulf has many of the characteristics to classify him as a hero. For example he’s brave, sacrificial, strong, caring and patient. Evidence from the text where Beowulf shows/develops these characteristics are:…

    • 167 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf: A True Hero

    • 383 Words
    • 2 Pages

    “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…

    • 383 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    For conclude, to become a greatest hero like Beowulf, he has to have these qualities: bossy, independent, and fearless. Beowulf is an awesome hero, he saves many people from the monsters. Even when he has to face the death, he still doing what he said to keep his…

    • 454 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good 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

    We look at hero’s as someone who is amazing and we want to be like them. All these movies about hero’s such as Spiderman, batman ect. We all wanted to have the same power as them. Beowulf had a duty to do to protect the people from any danger. Once you protected them they expect them to save the rest of the people or town. Duty means the obligation doing it even though you don’t want to. Beowulf it was a choice for him to help others because he knew that is what the best is for everyone, he could have stopped helping people and left everyone hanging.…

    • 483 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf Epic Hero Essay

    • 446 Words
    • 2 Pages

    way. Rather than attacking him with a sword like every other Geat, he grabs onto…

    • 446 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf As An Epic Hero

    • 379 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Through Beowulf’s whole life, he definitely showed that he was a hero. He lived up to all the expectations that were thrown out there. He showed everyone from all over, his bravery, loyalty, and his strength. The one thing that made Beowulf great is that he always had confidence. He left his thrown to Wiglaf who would carry on, just the same way as Beowulf…

    • 379 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf Role Model Essay

    • 688 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Beowulf was always determined, independent, trustworthy, and loyal to his people. Beowulf, the ultimate hero has everything in a hero and his strength and power is not to be underestimated. People…

    • 688 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays