Honesty In Beowulf

Beowulf: The Bravest of Them All
Beowulf is one of the first stories in English of all time, written over a millennium ago. Since the original, there have been many different interpretations of Beowulf, from translations to movies. But in almost every form of this classic tale, the hero, Beowulf, is depicted as valiant and honorable, especially in Robert Nye’s version of the story, Beowulf: A New Telling.
To begin, Beowulf demonstrates his goodness through integrity and valor. One way Beowulf does this is by coming to hall Heorot solely for the purpose of slaying Grendel, a hideous monster that terrorizes the land of the Danes. Grendel, being a creature associated with fear and horror, is grabbed by someone fearless. Someone who is ready and
For instance, Beowulf proves this description right by taking selfless actions, even to those who mistreat him. Upon seeing that Unferth, a member of King Hrothgar’s court, is beheaded, Beowulf tells his men to, “‘Bury Unferth’s head.’” He does this because he thinks “‘he [is] a person to be pitied’” (64). Beowulf’s reaction to seeing Unferth’s head shocks his men, and displays even further that Beowulf is a very distinguished hero. More evidence of the honor of Beowulf is how he responds to King Hrothgar when he suggests what to do after slaying Grendel’s Mother. Beowulf tells Hrothgar that he wants to leave for his home, and Hrothgar tells him with utter sadness “‘May your voyage be attended by white birds’” (78). Beowulf responds with a salute, and by responding modestly “‘I [do] not mind if the birds are black’” (79). King Hrothgar states that he wants Beowulf to have a good voyage, with a metaphor of white birds, but Beowulf does not need it to be perfect, demonstrating his humility and modesty. Essentially, Beowulf carries with him a great sense of honor, a characteristic highly valued in good
Some of the other versions of Beowulf amplify their idea of his arrogance when he takes no weapon to hall Heorot. Beowulf, having traveled all the way to the land of the Danes to fight Grendel, the most feared beast of all the land, brings no sword. Beowulf is asked why he is unarmed, and “Beowulf [holds] up his hands. ‘These are weapons enough,’ he [says]” (34). However, Beowulf is well aware that Grendel has never been thwarted with swords before, and the strength in his fingers make Grendel feel like “ten red-hot nails [are driving] into his skin” (40). Hundreds of Danes have taken on Grendel with swords and metallic weapons, but Beowulf knows of their failure, and uses his pure goodness to slay the beast. To add on, some readers of Beowulf suggest that facing a terrible creature like the Firedrake at a frail, old age is a very foolish act. In his court in the land of the Geats, Beowulf’s courtiers “[mutter] among themselves, thinking him mad” (93). However, it is quite clear from the text that the Firedrake is a fiendish beast, and Beowulf thinks that it deserves death for its malicious actions against the Geats. Even in his elder state, he still remains a notably valiant hero, and now a very wise king. In conclusion, Beowulf seems to not only display his honor as a young man, but maintains it into old age.
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