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…
Kindness displays when showing compassion for others. Courage displays when one does something that others would not. Geatland’s warrior shows these attributes when he decides to defeat Grendel for the Danes. Man eating beast Grendel already slaughters and eats many Danes. Beowulf displays great kindness for offering to kill Grendel for Hrothgar, King of the Danes.…
Beowulf is more noble than Grendel or Unferth because he displays courage through offering to put his life on the line to save Herot, He displays honor through his willingness to drop everything to come defeat Grendel, and Industrious by bringing a swift demise to Grendel. Honor was a trait that a good viking warrior could not live without. To a viking honor meant staying true to yourself and your beliefs. Beowulf is a firm believer in the concept of killing monsters.…
Beowulf is tested by Unferth when he is in the mead hall, but other than Grendel and him everyone there is his friend. Grendel is he enemy; he “…haunted the moors, the wild marshes, and made his home in hell…” (17-18) The hero and the allies get ready for the first challenge, the approach. Beowulf and the people are attacked by Grendel, and they fight to the death of Grendel. Just when they think they’re done, they meet a new obstacle, the ordeal. Grendel’s mom is now the big challenge that he will face. This life threatening fight brings him back on top and “Then old and young rejoiced…”…
Beowulf also has the heroic characteristics of being brave. Beowulf would go and fight taking a risk of his own life on the line just to help out others. not for himself.. at all. But others around him. Beowulf went into it knowing that this nasty slaying dragon was bigger than him but he still didn't have a doubt in his mind going in to fight this dragon.…
"Leadership is an action, not a position." This quotation by Donald McGannon shows how Beowulf, the extraordinary man from Geatland, was a successful leader. Three characteristics that help make up a leader is showing courage, being selfless and loyal. Beowulf portrayed these three attributes throughout his own life.…
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.…
Beowulf is a riveting tale of heroism and inspiration that not only inspires the readers but, also the characters within the story. Beowolfs courage and strength inspired Wiglaf to stand with him against the mighty dragon. "Yet God, giver of glory and vengeance, granted him strength to stand with his sword"(87) Not only was Wiglaf touched by Beowulf"s strength but also by his generosity. "Beowulf gave the gear that you wear, the best helms and hauberks found near or far for a prince to proffer". All of this lead to his courage and loyalty, that motivated him to stand not only against the dragon but also against the men who ran…
The next virtue displayed by Beowulf is courage. He was fearless of all, and displayed this courage throughout the epic tale. The first display of courage was the fact that he was willing to fight Grendel. Grendel was terrorizing a neighboring country and Beowulf elected to rid the country of…
I didn’t know how deep the pool was. I had a chance. I knew I had no more than that. It’s all a hero asks for” (Gardener 89). Unferth talks with Beowulf towards the end, although it does not work out for Unferth the way he hopes “He took a deep breath. He would try to be a better person, yes. He forced a smile, but it was twisted out of his control. Tears! He got up suddenly and, without a word, walked out” (Gardner 164). In Grendel, John Gardner weaves Unferth throughout the novel a great deal more the reader manages see just how cowardly and driven by the idea of…
Loyalty is one of the most important qualities a man can have, the Anglo-Saxons possessed this quality and kept it sacred. Beowulf's honor and loyalty saved Hrothgar country and his beloved people. "Nor have I see a mightier man-at-arms on this earth than the one standing here: unless I am mistaken , he is truly noble. This is no mere hanger - on in a herds armor." (244- 251) This quote is showing the loyalty Beowulf beholds and that the people cherish so much. Beowulf stands upon others with his loyalty to his king. He drops everything and helps Hrothgar each time he needs him , conquering Grendel, his mother, and the dragon. However not only Beowulf is loyal in the text, almost every other character in Beowulf is loyal to someone, in their own way. Beowulf most importantly emphasizes the significance of loyalty. Beowulf could have if he was willing too could've seized the throne from Hygelac or Hrothgar, but he is much too loyal to ever betray his friends and battle against them. This…
Stop and think for a moment, what is your idea of a hero? What characteristics make up this hero? When reading the story Beowulf it can be discovered that a hero has strength, loyalty, and courage to endure all of their battles. There are qualities that make this epic poem have more Christian aspects, such as when Beowulf gave thanks to God for his safety and rewards in battle, the character Grendel is used symbolically as descendant of Cain, and Beowulf is a Christ like figure.…
Beowulf defeats Grendel not because his vanity seeks glory, but because his pride seeks the glory of his kin and country. This honoring of his country by his deeds of good faith is the greatest element of his heroism. Confronting the monster on even terms, proves the integrity of the character through the idea that any advantage over ones foe detracts…
Being courageous is one of the first qualities that sets a hero apart from a common human being. Being courageous means to stand up to adversity without fear, to continue to forge on regardless of the daunting things one faces. Beowulf was not shy about showing his courage. When he hears of Grendal’s torment to Hrothgar’s kingdom, Beowulf races to their aid. He does not hesitate when he asks permission of Hrothgar to slay Grendal. He knows thus far, they have been unable to defeat the demon. When Grendal comes to the kingdom that same night, Beowulf, using no weapons other than his bare hands, looks -Grendal in the eyes and rips off his arm, causing him to be mortally wounded. (Lines 750-820) This passage of Beowulf is a great example of what it means to be…
A couple is enjoying a lovely ride through the cornfields on a summer day. Suddenly a small, shiny spacecraft crash lands next to the couple. They run to the craft and inspect it, they open the lid to reveal a baby. The couple adopts the baby and he grows to become the greatest superhero of all time, Superman. The same type of story happened thousands of years prior, this time we travel to the land of the Danes. Beowulf arrives on a ship, requesting the presence of the king. He is here to save Hrothgar’s people and slay Grendel. Beowulf was the first real superhero and his story is legendary.…