In regard to these important cultural values of that time, four of these values recur throughout this legendary poem: loyalty, violence, celebration and revenge. The first value important to the Anglo-Saxon’s culture, loyalty, directs Beowulf and his people throughout their lives. Beowulf offered to battle Grendel, so one night Grendel came to attack Hrothgar’s people, and Beowulf retaliated. The others had awoken and “jumped from their beds….determined to protect their prince if they could.” (317-319) There loyalty to their leader is also present in Beowulf’s last battle. When he battles the dragon and is near death, Wiglaf is by his side for whenever he asks for help.
Beowulf, translated by Burton Raffel, portrays Beowulf as an archetypical hero. Beowulf goes on an epic quest risking death for glory which is a definite trait of Archetypical heroes. Other traits furthering this claim include his inhuman strength and compassion for other humans feeling the need to save them. Beowulf is a brave fearless leader and has inhuman strength, “greater and stronger than anyone anywhere in this world” (lines 110-111). “Death was my errand and the fate they had earned” (lines 168-169), meaning Beowulf believed it to be his duty to kill and rid the world of evil, and that the evil he faced got what they deserve, which is death by him.
Beowulf, however, may not fight for the feeling of love. Beowulf fights for justice, justice, the people of the land have been waiting for. Beowulf, “the mighty protector of man” (313) claims justice after he kills not only Grendel but his mother and the fearless dragon as well. Obviously every hero fights to the death, as well as Dumbledoore. Just as Dumbledoore fights to the death as in the book series of Harry Potter.
Beowulf Essay “Bearing Ourselves” “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:11-12). Beowulf, an epic poem, portrays the constant battles of good and evil. A hardy hero named Beowulf faces monsters of many kinds and is forced to challenge and be challenged by men. Beowulf arrives to bolster a king, of another land, conquering and destroying beasts.
Beowulf himself serves as the fierce warrior. The way of the warrior is to gain respect from fellow countrymen and The story of Beowulf vividly portrays the forces of evil in the world. The theme of evil in the world is especially evident in the description of Grendel, the monster. Grendel is said to be a savage beast, who returns with "blood dripping behind him, back / To his lair, delighted with his night's slaughter (lines 39-40). Grendel terrorizes the people of the land, ripping men apart with his brute strength.
Beowulf: The Values of a Real Hero Beowulf conveys the best example of an Epic Hero because of the strength, leadership, and courage he demonstrates when he risks his life for the benefit of society. First of all, Beowulf shows his strength defeating the monsters. He slays Grendel and the mother of Grendel bravely. He shows how strong he is by ripping the hand of Grendel. “To feud with Almighty God: Grendel Saw that his strength was deserting him, his claws Bound fast, Higlac’s brave follower tearing at His hands.” “Grendel finishes eating his first victim and as he reaches for another person Beowulf grabs him and they begin to wrestle.
The characteristics of superhuman strength and courage are seen throughout the story of Beowulf and define why he is an epic hero. Beowulf gets these characteristics because the people want to show that only Beowulf could be the only one to defeat Grendel because everyone else who tried failed and got killed. Beowulf is an epic hero because he performs brave deeds. We can see this in the scene after he fights Grendel. Even though that is all that he planned on doing he stayed and went to go find Grendel’s mother and kill her since she was in distraught of her only son dying, and she took Hrothgar’s friend.
In Kevin Crossley - Holland’s translation of the epic poem Beowulf, the stories protagonist Beowulf, displays the values of an ancient Anglo Saxon society. Anglo Saxon literature was composed of the ideas of comitatous, which is importance of loyalty towards the king, positive and honorable attitude towards war and battle, and the everlasting journey for fame and to be renowned. The story’s epic hero, Beowulf, a valiant thane is pinned in three battles, each with its own unique and fierce foe. Within each battle, values of the Anglo Saxon society are shown. As each battle progresses on, the traits of comitatus, honor, and the need for fame are all displayed.
Beowulf Essay “He tossed his sword aside, Angry; the steel edged blade lay where he’d dropped it” (Lines 607-609). Beowulf gets in to a one on one battle with Grendel’s mother. Beowulf is a good example of an epic hero because he has exceptional strength. He battles against villains. Able to undertake quests are glorified for his great deeds.
“The patriarchal lives of my protectors caused these impressions to take a firm hold on my mind; perhaps, if my first introduction to humanity had been made by a young soldier, burning for glory and slaughter, I should have been imbued with different sensations.” (170) The Monster finally found his reason for being on earth and he believes he found his spot in humanity. The Monster received several different views of life through his education by reading the novels. The nature- nurture argument has many aspects to it, which can make the argument go either way. Mary Shelley based her novel upon