Warriors had to be willing to anything to show their courage, to prove themselves to be able to be seen as a true Anglo-Saxon hero. Beowulf definitely lived by this, “Warriors had to be willing to face any odds and fight to the death for their glory and their people” (Probst). This quote shows the grave lengths warriors would go to be able to have the nobility to be called an Anglo-Saxon
“Then Wiglaf went back, anxious to return while Beowulf was alive, to bring him treasure they’d won together. “ (45) 791. Even when Beowulf died, he still got treasure for the victory over the dragon, and another reward he got for his achievement was a holy ritual (funeral). An epic hero doesn’t have to be a superpower hero. But most heroes tactics, weapons, and courage to become heroes.
Whether they are deployed or serving in the United States, the pressure of protecting his/her country comes with the territory. The poem, Beowulf, connects with such conflicts by telling of the battles Beowulf faces throughout his life. Beowulf does not let the danger of battling Beowulf stop him, much like soldiers do not let the dangers of the battle field stop them from going to war. This is seen in the poem when Beowulf proudly states: “And may the Divine Lord/in His wisdom grant the glory of victory/to whichever side He sees fit.” (lines 685-687). Through this quote, the reader sees Beowulf’s bravery as he is about to face the monster Grendel.
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 shows bravery in line 158 “… Death was errand.” He states that he will fight to his death. He will not back up from his fight with Grendel even if it might cost him his life. Beowulf also shows courage in line 154 “… I drove five great giants into chains.” By Beowulf’s statement he shows how he is not afraid of fighting anyone. Beowulf shows courage which makes him fit the image of an epic hero. Beowulf is also considered to be a leader.
The fundamental desire for reputation and social validation of the heroes of the Illiad suggests a great significance placed on cult worship and everlasting fame. Poets help recreate these stories into legends in celebration of the heroes and their nobility in dying without fear. The Illiad’s recognition of the inevitability of death and its omnipresence in everything the heroes attempt to achieve is the core motivation for each of the heroic figures. Ultimately, the klea andrôn, or ‘the glories of these men’ live on through Homer’s epic tale, epitomising the rise and fall of the great heroes of Troy. Homer’s exploration of Achilles’ struggle for eternal glory establishes the main element of the Hero in ancient Greek culture as the immortalisation of his life in song or epic poetry.
These constant sounds help show the seriousness of this warning. Alliteration helps set the tone of what’s to come in Beowulf’s future. Because the tone is set as serious, that means that Beowulf needs to be careful because not everything that’s good, lasts. As the speech predicted, in the end, Beowulf meets his fate and dies during the battle with the dragon. “From the thoughts of his breast; he embraced the pyres/seething surges; soul left its case/going its way
He is the complete opposite to Gilgamesh. While Gilgamesh seeks to be divine and seeks for immortality, Enkidu seeks to support his friend and his ideas through life. He aids Gilgamesh to kill Humbaba even though Gilgamesh is in the state of fear. He dies instead of Gilgamesh after the killing of the creature. This is where the thought of this famous quote comes into mind, “a good friend who can find” and some friends are more than brothers and sisters.
Mead-halls, much like Heorot in Beowulf, were places where warriors would gather in the presence of their lord to drink, boast, tell stories, and receive gifts. Beowulf is essentially a record of heroic deeds, the concept of identity—of which the two principal components are ancestral heritage and individual reputation—is chief to the poem. Much of Beowulf is devoted to expressing and illustrating the Germanic heroic code, which values strength, courage, and loyalty in warriors; hospitality, generosity, and political skill in kings; and good reputation in all people. All of the characters’ moral judgments stem from the code’s commands. So individual actions can be seen only as either following to or violating the code.