Beowulf What does it mean to be considered an Anglo-Saxon hero? Anyone who was an Anglo- Saxon warrior was also considered an Anglo-Saxon hero. In the Anglo-Saxon times it was crucial to live by the Anglo-Saxon code. This epic poem Beowulf was passed down orally, generation to generation and has no known author. This epic poem illustrates the journey and hardship of one Anglo-Saxon warrior named Beowulf, who because of his journey became known as one of the respected heroes of the Anglo-Saxon times.
According to the poem, a great leader is one who thinks rationally, keeps his country at peace, takes care of his people, believes in God, has Divine kingship, and has good morals. This great leader is exemplified by none other than our epic protagonist and namesake of the poem: Beowulf himself. Beowulf is granted kingship of Geatland as a reward for defeating Grendel and his mother in two separate battles. Grendel was an evil demon who was terrorizing
Epic poems are mainly about heroes having adventures. Ideal values and behaviours are incorporated throughout in order to influence the warriors. The heroes in these poems are the ones that represent the ideal warrior, the one they must strive to be like. Epic poems were a civilizing influence since the ideal behaviours and values were present throughout, Beowulf being an example of this claim. First of all, the heroes demonstrated values that were considered important not only during fights, but also in daily life.
In addition, in order for him to succeed he must orally deliver his resume. Nevertheless, bragging aside, Beowulf is undoubtedly a brave man. When Beowulf sets out to kill Grendel's mother he simply "donned his armor for battle, Heeded not the danger..." (1328-29 60). When his sword fails him he uses his physical strength: "On the might of his hand, as a man must do Who thinks to win in the welter of battle Enduring glory; he fears not death" (1420-23 62). Certainly he is in search of fame.
Beowulf possesses many of the traits of an archetypal epic hero; he is strong, humble, and willing to fight to death if necessary. One of the most obvious heroic traits of Beowulf’s is his strength, which is a vital feature in Anglo-Saxon heroes. Beowulf had the strength of thirty men and is blessed with strength beyond that of an ordinary man. Although strength is a key characteristic in defining an epic hero, it alone is not enough to define an epic hero (Greenfield 3). Along with strength, one must have other distinguishing traits to be considered an epic hero.
Beowulf is an epic poem composed somewhere between the 8th century and the 11th century in Anglo-Saxon dialect. It is set in Scandinavia, and tells of a Scandinavian prince who is an Anglo-Saxon hero as well as a supernatural human, perfect in every way possible. “He was the mightiest man on earth, highborn and powerful.” (38) The poem uses oral tradition to tell the story about Beowulf’s adventures and triumphs. Culture was of high importance to the Anglo-Saxon during this time; they believed that a hero would be remembered by how strong they were, as Beowulf would be remembered for his strength and bravery in time of need. This is the only manuscript that attests to this Anglo-Saxon culture.
Beowulf firsts shows this when he defeats Grendel in Herot, for the ring-giver Hrothgar in behalf of his king Higlac. Beowulf had killed Grendel with his bare hands in order to show his true strength. Beowulf exhibits his superhuman strength also when he kills Grendel’s mother with “A heavy sword/ Hammered by giants.” During this fight Beowulf also showed another superhuman quality of courage. Beowulf showed his superhuman courage when he
Through this quote, the reader sees Beowulf’s bravery as he is about to face the monster Grendel. According to Alexander M. Bruce, in his article, “An Education in the Mead-Hall: Beowulf’s Lessons for Young Warriors,” “In spite of the danger involved in fighting Grendel, Beowulf openly declares his intention to destroy this powerful enemy.” This is also seen in the poem when Beowulf states, "I with my hands shall seize the fiend and contend for his life, the hateful against the hostile; there the one whom death carries off must trust in God's judgment." (lines 438b-441). Beowulf’s words show his willingness and determination to defeat the enemy; this is similar to the attitude many soldiers have when facing
Epic heroes are different than your standard everyday hero. Scholars have defined and epic hero as a god-like human being. An epic hero, defined by, Dictionary. Com, “a brave noble character in an epic poem admired for great achievement or affected by grand events.” (www.Dictionary .com) These heroes have been created through poems and stories, in order for man to understand the separation between himself and the spiritual presence in his life. Every society/culture since the creation of man has created this type of hero to embody the values and mores of that time period.
Kubra Akyuz Dr. Roy Literature 104 Essay 1 Good Triumph over Evil Beowulf is one of the earliest surviving Anglo-Saxon epic poems. It illustrates the story of Beowulf, an epic hero fated to triumph demonic monster in order to save a kingdom from destruction. In Beowulf, the conflict between good and evil is the main theme. The epic poem portrays Beowulf’s experiences coming from land of the Geats to save Danes. Throughout his adventures, Beowulf is fighting against evil, whether it is Grendel, Grendel’s Mother, or the dragon.