Through Beowulf's chivalry, generosity, friendship, and popularity, all of his kingdom and of others knew him for his heroism and loyalty. Through the epic, he becomes the perfect thane, and is represented and
The two inferior men endeavored many hardships throughout because of their loyalty to others. Courage, bravery, and determination are the key factors to following out Beowulf's and Wiglaf's plan of loyalty. Beowulf's theme centered around loyalty, thanks to the two superior characters who classify the true definition of what it means to be
He was a selfless epic hero who defended the things he believed in with everything he had. Beowulf is seen as an epic-hero by the Anglo-Saxon culture because of these characteristics. He was admired for his selfless leadership, leadership, and his physical strength. Throughout the tale he shows his characteristics without falter and because of this he is a true
A leader must be able to teach those followers. Beowulf was a leader among leaders. He showed time and again in this epic that he was a hero able to accomplish peace and honor those among him. He had a sense of responsibility that came from his strength and the respect others gave him. He was a selfless man, warrior, and king all men revered and looked to in the worst of times and I am sure in the best of
Rings of Heroes Benjamin Disraeli once said, “The legacy of heroes is the memory of a great name and the inheritance of a great example”; Disraeli spoke the truth because he understood the importance of the culture that shapes the hero. A hero is defined by their acts of courage, nobility, loyalty, and respect to others as well as themselves. In the legends of King Arthur, Sir Gawain, and the modern film The Amazing Spiderman, the hero reflects the values and traits of his culture. The epic heroes King Arthur and Sir Gawain cannot be fully understood unless one understands that bravery was a major trait that shaped them. It showed power and earned much respect.
Beowulf embodies the ideals of conduct that are highly admired in the Anglo-Saxon culture. His characteristics, traits and ideology are viewed as worthy of imitation by the Anglo-Saxons. Beowulf is physically strong, fearless, religious, and is fiercely loyal to his king. In the Anglo-Saxon culture great strength was something that people envied. The warrior Beowulf is “the strongest of the Geats … stronger than anyone anywhere in this world…” Beowulf’s strength is obvious to Grendel during their battle.
He also contains all of the manners and values that are expected of a man in that time, including loyalty, courtesy, and pride. Beowulf’s victory over Grendel and the assumed defeat of Grendel’s mother validates his reputation for bravery and establishes him completely as a hero. In the beginning, Beowulf matures very little because he already possesses many heroic qualities from the start. Having rid Denmark of its problems and demons, Beowulf is ready to enter a new phase of his life. Hrothgar, who has become his mentor and somewhat of a father figure to the young man, also begins to advise him on how to rule wisely and efficiently.
I believe Odysseus is an ideal hero for the Greek audience by his strength, courage, bravery and intelligence. Odysseus was good at a lot of things. His main Arete to me is his intelligence/ Throughout the Epic, he is forced with many challenges and how he overcomes them is what makes him a hero to
Beowulf was intelligent in the way that he led his followers without letting fear get the best of him; strongly believing life was in the hands of fate as he went beyond all limitations, during battle, to achieve great honor and valor. Always not knowing what to expect, Beowulf demonstrated his great intelligence and confidence reiterating that “If weapons were useless he’d use his hands, the strength in his fingers (609-610).” Beowulf embodies quintessential characterizes of an Anglo-Saxon hero. He possesses unfaltering loyalty to his king and followers, strength as he is able to defeat each of his rivals, and courage though he is motivated primarily by his own perception of fate. Along with obtaining all the virtues of an Anglo-Saxon hero, Beowulf achieves his desire for immortality. He shows even after fifty-five years as king he never looses his ambition to protect his people and reinstate his title as the strongest and most honored
Being loyal to them and/or yourself shows honor. In our world today Beowulf, from the poem Beowulf, would be a hero because he shows courage and never gives up. Fearless courage, brick wall strength, and the spirit to never give up are all of the characteristics to being a hero. Just as in today’s world, Beowulf had shown heroism by being there and protecting the people he cared about. Even in the times when a task seemed to be impossible to accomplish being courageous is a trait to have.