In literature Beowulf is a perfect example of an Anglo-Saxon warrior. Anglo-Saxon warrior is clearly shown in Beowulf. In Beowulf, the Anglo-Saxon warrior is shown well by the actions of Beowulf. It is obvious that Beowulf is the classic warrior. His strength and courage are incomparable, and he is way more humble and honorable than many of the bad warriors around him.
Through even the hardest times of war, he never lost sight of the freedom he was chasing for himself and every American citizen. With his brave spirit and courageous skill on and of the battlefield, he led America to one of the most important victories in our history. When General Braddock asked George to accept his commission as Commander of the Continental Army, there was no hesitation. Washington was chosen for his talents in land surveying, which gave them an advantage over the British, and his brilliant skill as a unifying leader. He always had an uplifting attitude toward with his soldiers so they would not get discouraged in this long fight for freedom.
And truly Beowulf has shown that to us throughout the story. Beowulf embodies heroic qualities and one in particular is devotion and loyalty. There is no doubt that Beowulf is not a trustworthy person. He remained devoted to King
But he was regarded as a great English hero.” (Source 20). He was also a great fighter and soldier as said in source 21 “(Richard) No man could escape his sword.” . He was very brave and his people loved him. A proof of this is in source 22 “This King of England was courageous, energetic and daring in combat.” . He led the third crusade and decided not to attack.
The warrior culture was more than just the battles; it was also the rewards that brave warriors received through their triumphant victories. Death last for a second, but glory last forever. Beowulf was said to have “the strength of thirty men in each hand” (Beowulf 1093). Despite Beowulf’s immense strength, he would often wear armor and use weapons in order to defeat his foes. Beowulf wore a mail suit to prevent weapons from penetrating his body.
This is in stark contrast to the Knight, who constantly puts his life on the line expecting nothing in return; he does simply because it is the right thing to do. How a person conducts themselves on a daily basis can tell you a lot about their character and motivations. If one were to examine the Knight then they would see he is a humble, brave, and kind man. “And though so much distinguished, he was wise / And in his bearing modest as a maid. / He never yet a boorish thing had said / In all his life to any, come what might; / He was a true, a perfect gentle-knight.”(70-74).
The first pilgrim to be introduced to the reader is the Knight, the choice to establish the Knight first is fitting because he belongs to the nobility, which is the highest ranking social class. It is obvious from the very introduction of the Knight that he is a person whom Chaucer has great respect and admiration for. The Knight is described as a “worthy man” (Chaucer 43), as well as someone who is wholly committed to the ideas of generosity, chivalry, honor, freedom and truth. This is the first insight into the role that Knights and other individuals of such a statue played in medieval society, they were deemed as honorable and respectable men who were worthy of attention and praise. The fourth pilgrim introduced by Chaucer is a Monk.
We would all like to possess the attributes of, “Truth, honor, generousness and courtesy.” (l.46). The Knight travelled to many countries and he fought courageously and nobly in “fifteen mortal battles.” (l. 63). But then Chaucer exposes something that most people wouldn’t think was so noble, as he was involved with “the Bay of Balat, doing work. For him against another heathen Turk.” (ll. 67-68).
Tristan is a hero, in-the-making throughout the story. In the end, his ultimate loyalty is to his lady, and with respect to courtly love, he shows all the heroic characteristics of a chivalric knight. He faces danger without fear, and always places the welfare of his lord and his lady above his own. Once active in society, he exhibits strength, valor, courtesy, and compassion. And it is from this point that the temptations and failings of the hero-in-the-making come to light.
This paper will tell examples and reasoning of why Beowulf is all of these things. An epic hero is one that stands out among all the rest. Even after hearing many stories of Grendel’s wrath, he still planned to fight the best without any hesitation. The reader would believe this is an example of a very brave fighter. Beowulf shows his abilities and proves brave enough as he resolves to kill the “lady monster”, (excerpt page 40).