Motivation In Beowulf

Writing Assessment #1
Beowulf’s Code
(A discussion of Beowulf’s Motivation)
“We are Geats.” These are the first words that Beowulf speaks in the epic poem that bears his name. Beowulf tells a tale of his feats- he is a superhero of sorts - and about the principles on which he stands. Beowulf is an oral poem, and as such, has many theories about its origin, but no one is truly certain of its author. The words he speaks are significant in the way that the first thing he identifies with is his ethnicity. Beowulf is motivated by several different things: duty, glory, and sacrifice. The code Beowulf lives by in the Beowulf epic poem, is that from which his motivations are derived. The first of Beowulf’s motivations is his sense of duty. “My people have said…that my duty was to go to the Danes’.” (Beowulf, line 444) Beowulf is not free to do whatever he would like. He is obligated to help because his people believe that he is obligated. His duty is directly linked to his people’s wishes. Beowulf’s people recognize that he is gifted with immense strength. Because the Danes need help and Beowulf is the only one capable of doing so, he must aid the Danes.
Beowulf’s second motivation is for glory.
In aiding the Danes, Beowulf will win fame from an impossible feat. “But Beowulf longed only for fame.” (Beowulf, line 503) This glory he has earned will accomplish two things. Beowulf will be held in high regard, and he will be known as a hero. He will set the standard for those who come after him. Beowulf wants to be remembered. He is the archetype for generations of future warriors; everything he does is an example to those watching him. He is set up as a role model, and he vindicates the position. Like any good leader, Beowulf is not verbally proud. It seems that he boasts, but every word is truth. He is humble to the right degree. Others are the ones who build him up, and in turn Beowulf is very
selfless.
The third motive of Beowulf is sacrifice. The only reason Beowulf can sacrifice is because he is selfless. The ultimate act of selflessness is the willingness of Beowulf to sacrifice his life in an attempt to ensure the safety of others. “I shall shape glory …or death will hurry me from this earth.” (Beowulf, line 465) How many American soldiers die doing this very thing? The concept of dying for a cause is ancient. Because a life is the biggest price that can be paid, this makes his reason for dying that much more significant. Beowulf’s reason for staring death in the face is for the sake of others. This sets in motion the concept of placing others before oneself. Beowulf does what has to be done because he is the only one that can do it and his principles wouldn’t allow him to sit back and just watch. He has a duty to his people to be the person they expect him to be. When he is remembered, he will be remembered as the person other people should strive to be. If ever there is discussion about the ideal of sacrifice, Beowulf’s readiness to die for others will move people to compassion. Everything stems from his code. Beowulf’s code is the foundation for all of his actions, and perhaps should be for ours as well.