In the story of Beowulf, the main character, Beowulf, possesses great amounts of courage, valor, and bravery in which all of these are used to overcome great feats. Beowulf shows courage by talking on the monster Grendel with only his bare hands. “The monsters flight, fastened those claws in his fist till they cracked.” Reference to page 49, lines: 330-340, 360-380. He shows valor by putting himself forward to take on the monster and not backing down from a challenge. “Then he saw the mighty water witch and swung his sword, his ring marked blade, straight at her head.” Reference to page 52, lines: 491-500, 530-540, 555-564. Lastly, he shows bravery when he goes in after the dragon even when he knows he is too old. “I’ve never known fear, as a youth I…
Beowulf and the Green Knight are over confident, while Wiglaf and Sir Gawain become leaders due to a test in character. Beowulf is an epic hero with superhuman strength. The Green knight tests Sir Gawain. Wiglaf shows loyalty through the fight with Beowulf. Sir Gawain becomes a strong brave Knight. Sir Gawain is the best character because he stands up to the Green…
A remarkable model of a character in Beowulf who deliberately sacrificed, surrendered, and forfeited things to highlight his values is Wiglaf. Wiglaf is a character introduced later on in the story who become’s Beowulf’s successor in a way after Beowulf’s death. When Beowulf and his eleven men are battling the dragon near the end of the book, ten of his soldiers flee instead of staying…
Wiglaf has a few qualities of the young Beowulf from the previous part of the story. He is a fearless, loyal, and strong warrior. He entitled Beowulf from the previous settings said “That it’s always better to act than to grieve”. He shows the next generation of the future of Geatland. His bravery keeps the glance of assumptions, however is by a tone of hopeless at what the future holds. When Beowulf is dying, he gives his golden necklace (which they called a torque) to Wiglaf. Which symbolize the exchange of power from Beowulf to him. Even though Wiglaf did not inherited the right to rule, he earned it. If he isn't as great as Beowulf was, he certainly does not lack in courage and loyalty. Even though Wiglaf is not Beowulf’s son, he thinks of him as a son. When he is dying, he reflects on his life and passes control of Geatland to Wiglaf. He later shows honor in his own way when he refuses to pull back in battle, “A warrior will sooner / die than live a life of shame” (Lines 2890-2891).he is stating that abandonation would be shameful and dishonorable. Many of his soldiers did abandon him. At…
Out of the many archetypes shown in Beowulf, two characters show the greatest influence and biggest impact on the life and success of Beowulf. One of those characters is Wiglaf. He becomes a faithful follower of Beowulf towards the end of the tale, and in the end sets the tone for the character of a loyal sidekick. While most sidekicks accompany a hero on all of his endeavors, Wiglaf is only there for the last. The last, however, turns out to be the most important; as it is the las t thing Beowulf will do. Wiglaf is the only one to support our hero at this point, and does not give up on him even though he is well aware that Beowulf will go down in his last battle. He also knows that he is risking his own life as well, yet he…
A poem written by an anonymous author over one hundred years ago has described that an Anglo-Saxon hero always has the qualities of courage, generosity, and faithfulness. This poem is Beowulf and in this poem those three qualities apply to one character, Beowulf.…
were cowards and they didn’t aid Beowulf when he was in battle with the dragon. Wiglaf was…
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…
Beowulf even defeated a dragon in his old age now that portrays power. Finally, Sir Gawain from Sir Gawain and the green knight. This depicts a knight who took a challenge that at face value, seemed like an easy win but, when the impossible became possible he did not waver. This quote that can be used to explain the courage it took for him to win at his challenge,” Sir Gawain laid hold is axe and lifted it high into the air…and then swiftly he slashed the naked neck.”(Pearl poet 161).To be able to do that without any hesitation requires intense courage sure what happened after that separates the men from the Hero’s. The person who had his head liberated from his shoulders got up picked up his head and walked up to do the same to Sir Gawain but he did not blink and through his courage his finished the challenge triumphant. Without the ideas of heroism these characters be it there will, power, or courage would have been extremely different if the even existed at…
A 48-year-old Carnegie hero once said, while rescuing a woman from drowning in the Pacific Ocean, “‘I’m going to get her out of here. One way or another… I’m going to do it.’” This is just a simple statement of a man’s heroic determination that saved the life of a woman in the Pacific Ocean. Although saving a life, such as this Carnegie hero did, is a perfect example of how determination did good, less severe situations also happen and end with positive outcomes. Often determination is easily seen as competition and not a necessary need of doing something. Differing from the Carnegie heroes event, Beowulf expresses his determination to defeat Grendel, the monstrous creature of the poem, by explaining to Unferth, a warrior, that Grendel does not fear him and continues by saying, “I will show him how Geats shape to kill / in the heat of battle (41).” Without a doubt, these words are powerful and point directly to Beowulf’s determination to do good for those affected by Grendel’s past attacks. The boast Beowulf gives becomes a reality and proves his determination to defeat Grendel to be true. Beowulf’s determination to defeat Grendel amazingly becomes a new scenario for Beowulf’s determination when he fights Grendel’s mother to retrieves Grendel’s head. The narrator expresses Beowulf’s cause for determination as revenge by…
Beowulf is determined to accomplish a task, and he does it like no one else could, without haste.” ("The Courage, Strength, and Integrity of Beowulf."), following the very core of what integrity and honor mean and are, the actions of any person that have direct or indirect effects on the world around them. “The dragon gets the best of Beowulf, he "seized all his neck with his sharp fangs: he was smeared with life-blood, gore welled out in waves" (Norton 62). Wiglaf, then, summons his wits and they killed the dragon: "The wound which the dragon had dealt him began to burn and swell; at once he felt dire evil boil in his breast within him"(Norton 62). Our hero is finally defeated. Even though he is seriously injured, he still had the strength to break the fifty-foot dragon in half. He knows that his life has ended, and with it, all the joy of his years on earth. The days are done, death most near. Beowulf then says, "Now I would wish to give my son my war-clothing, if any heir after me, part of my flesh, were granted" (62). Beowulf is saying that if God had granted him a son that he would be the first one to receive his armor and sword. Beowulf is then at peace.” ("Code of Honor in the Epic of Beowulf.") The aspect of the quote that deals with Beowulf finding peace in knowing that his heir will receive his armor and his people the fruits of his sacrifice shows how his integrity lead him to power through his wounds and defeat the creature, being what he saw as the best use of the emotions flooding over him during his dying breaths. The morality in taking action through immense pain and suffering is the source of the words honor and…
Beowulf’s first heroic traits were his use of strtength and courage. With his courage he was able to stand up and protect his fellow people and with his strength it helped him defate his eniemies. For example, in the battle with Grendel,”And defate, the tears torn out of Grendel’s/ Taut throat, hell’s captive caught in the arms/ Of him who of all then men on earth/ Was the strongest” (346-349). In this quote Beowulf showed great strength in the battle with Grendel. He made his enemy run for his life. With Beowulf’s strength he had made the people feel safe again. Everyone thought he had amzing courage for coming face to face with the evil Grendel. In addition, “But so massive that no ordinary man could lift/ From its scabbard, broke the chain on its hilt” (488-490). In the quote, Beowulf showed his strength and lifted a sword that no regular man could lift. His strength allowed him to dominate in battle. If it were not for his pure strength or couage, he would not have been able to dafate Grendel or his mother.…
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…
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…
What do you think of when you see the word "hero?" A person who possesses great skill and courage, no doubt; one who uses those attributes to aid others in ways large or small, but what about Beowulf? While he may not spring to mind, Beowulf perfectly emphasizes heroic qualities-those of an epic hero. In the Anglo-Saxon folk epic Beowulf, he uses strength, skill, and a little help from the gods to defeat a series of deadly and monstrous foes. Beowulf's honor, courage, and prowess in battle mark him as one of literature's great epic heroes.…